These are the 20 best board games for kids and families. Grab some today to encourage learning and social skill development. But, most of all, FUN!
My husband is a big gamer. A total board game geek. He grew up in a game family that has more card and board games than a person can dream of, and now our collection is taking over my father’s shelves. (Seriously. It makes him nuts. SO. MANY. GAMES.) It has been really fun to introduce our kids to gaming through all of the wonderful board games that are now made for kids. These are our favorites, both traditional and newer. Snag a few for your family to enjoy!
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Apples to Apples: Disney Edition
Apples to Apples is one of our favorite games EVER! We love the adult version, and we love the kid version as well! Best of all, we love the DISNEY version! It has pictures, so everyone can play, even my daughter who can’t read. It’s our go-to for family night.
The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game
The squirrels are hungry and need to prep for winter, so help them gather acorns in this simple but darling game! It is designed for preschool aged kiddos, but it’s my kindergarten baby’s favorite, and her 8 year old brother totally enjoys playing it with her still. It moves quickly, it is simple, and it helps teach color matching as well.
This is actually our FAVORITE game. It is the old 1980s version of Mickey Mouse Yahtzee from when I was a kid. I found it in my dad’s basement, and the kids LOVE it! The dice and board are based on pics, so even our little girl can play and feel independent despite not reading or adding yet. It is now only available used, but you could always just use regular Yahtzee Jr.
We love this game in both adult and kid form. We even have the Halloween version and the Christmas version as well! There are a number of ways to play, but the bottom line is that you have to find matching images on the cards. It’s simple and fun for all ages! The “Spot it! Junior” line comes in Animal (shown above), Disney Princess, Number and Shapes, Sports, and more!
The game of colors and CANDY! Simple enough for a toddler, but still fun for mom! A timeless classic.
This is SUCH a fun game of balancing and giggles. It is one of our newer go-to favorites. Our kids (5 & 8) love it, and it’s a kid-friendly game that genuinely entertains the adults too! There is also a Junior Version for very young children.
This charming game encourages the use of imagination as family members pull cards with silly images on them to build stories. This game works for absolutely every age, and it can go for as long or as short as you would like.
This is a new favorite. We played it with friends and I immediately wrote it down to buy for our collection. A simple, snake-building game, it is simple, helps kids learn to match colors, and it is a quick game. I have watched kids of all different ages enjoying it.
A classic! Save the patient before it’s too late . . . and don’t get buzzed! 😉 My kids are partial to the Oogie Boogie Nightmare Before Christmas Operation version. Shocker. 😉
For kids 5 and up (in fact, my 5 year old likes it a lot, but it makes more sense to my 8 year old), this cooperative game has all of the players working together to race an ogre to a treasure. You are creating a path, which sneaks math-grid concepts into a whole lot of fun!
The original classic – and LESS THAN $10! Describe characters and let the other person guess whom you are describing. A fancier version of “I Spy With My Little Eye.” 😉
This is another cooperative game. I love cooperative games because they retain the fun of a game without having to deal with the disappointment of competition among siblings and friends. 🙂 Players are teaming up to get the mermaids to their island before the Sea Witch has a chance to get there. The box says sages 5+, but I think it’s good for even younger. (No reading required!) Definitely a younger child’s game — our 5 year old daughter’s favorite, in fact!
Another original classic – and LESS THAN $10! Make 4 in a row to win. Great for all ages.
This game sneakily teaches kids 4 and up to program! Although it can be used at such a young age, it is actually my 8 year old who loves it the most. He is interested in programing-themed games on the computer AND off!
This game of balance, dexterity, and creativity is great for all ages! Stack the 10th elephant to win, but beware — it is harder than you think it will be!! 🙂
This is a charming variation on the traditional Sequence game. All colors and pictures, this version requires no reading and is perfect for children of all ages. (My son can read like a pro but still thinks this version is more visually engaging!) 4 in a row wins!
I have conflicted feelings of nostalgia, joy, and sorrow when it comes to this game. (Gee, what a great recommendation! LOL.) You see, this is the board game my mom took with her to her bone marrow transplant when she was a young mother suffering from breast cancer. During the three months that she spent isolated at the hospital during that time, we would come to visit (ages 8, 6, and 3) and we would sit and read, watch movies, or play games with her. This is the game that my sisters and I recall loving to play on her hospital bed, and when I found her original copy in my dad’s basement my kids fell in love with it instantly. It is a magical treasure hunt game of memory in the land of fairy tales. I hope that it helps your family create many happy memories! 🙂
The classic, original fishing game–for only $6.99! Try to catch the fish as they open and close their mouths on a spinning board. It’s a hoot!
This cute game is designed to teach colors, counting, and shapes, primarily to preschool aged children (3-6 years). However, it has three play levels, so it also grows with your child. Players work together to hide matching bugs under the rug before the three stick bugs stink up the place!
This is the classic game of move ahead or get in trouble and move back. Fun for the whole family to play together. Grab it for only about $10!
I’ll be honest with ya: I hate this one. Truth. BUUUUUT . . . it is my kids’ FAVORITE, so I felt like I should include it on the list. Call me crazy, but I just don’t love getting whipped cream in my face, hair, etc. LOL. They, on the other hand, think it’s the greatest thing ever, so it has been declared Dadd’y special game with them. Bwahahaha. 😉 Grab it (for only about $10) and a can of whipped cream and have a laughing fest for the next family night!
I hope that you enjoyed list of the 20 best board games for kids gift guide, and I hope that you found some things to snag for your next rainy day or family night! Feel free to comment with other games you love or any questions!
If you love my game ideas, then you will also love my book suggestions! See more here:
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