Best Family Games

One of my favorite scenes around our home is when a few of the children have cleared a space on the floor, set up a cozy nest with some tea, blankets and cushions, and then they settle down to a game together.

The laughter, the debates, the connection, the discussions… all this real-time magic as they enjoy the presence of each other in a wholesome and creative context makes a library of good quality games a necessary and worthy investment in our home!

We have a lot of game lovers in our family, and so try to appeal to everyone’s tastes within our overall collection. (Personally, I love games that are aesthetically beautiful, ignite the imagination, and don’t come with loud noises or buttons – sorry, “Operation” did not make the cut! IYKYK.) We have a lot of games, but below we’ve gathered a list of our absolute favorites—games that are creative, collaborative, and most importantly, fun!

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” – Plato

Here’s our ultimate list of best family games, home-tested by our crew, that are perfect for your holiday shopping!

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Best Family Games for Younger Kids

1. Dixit
Best For: Creative thinkers, storytellers, and dreamers
Description: To be honest, ALL of our kids love this game. Dixit is a magical, imaginative card game where each card has stunning illustrations. Players use clues to guess which card the storyteller has chosen, and the storytelling options are endless. It’s fantastic for sparking creativity and encouraging kids to think in new ways. Plus, it’s easy to learn, so even younger kids who can’t read can dive right in. For families who love to tell stories and enjoy whimsical artwork, Dixit is a perfect match! What I love about this game is that you can buy add on cards over time, to keep growing the game.

2. Wildcraft
Best For: Nature lovers, young adventurers, and cooperative play fans
Description: Since acquiring this game, our kids have started recommending me herbal remedies for all sorts of the things – the natural, fun learning is real! Wildcraft is a cooperative game that teaches kids about herbs and healing plants. The players work together to collect plants to solve real-world challenges on their journey up the mountain. With no competition and no reading required, Wildcraft is a great choice for families who want to blend fun with outdoor education. It’s also wonderful for cultivating teamwork among young siblings or friends. This is a big hit for our littles and middles!

3. Wonderwoods
Best For: Mini mushroom foragers, curious minds, and logical thinkers
Description: Wonderwoods invites kids into the enchanting world of mushroom foraging. Each turn, players gather and place mushrooms, using simple math skills and strategy to score the most points. It’s a beautifully designed game that’s easy to learn but offers lots of fun little challenges. Kids who love nature will especially enjoy the woodland theme!

4. The Bears and the Bees
Best For: Quick-thinkers, nature lovers, and tile-laying game fans
Description: This beautifully illustrated tile-laying game is all about creating patterns and matching colors. Players take turns laying down hexagonal tiles with bear and bee designs, trying to match as many sides as possible for big points. It’s a great choice for younger players who are just learning about matching and patterns, and it’s fast-paced enough to keep everyone engaged!

5. Goblet
Best For: Young strategists, pattern seekers, and fans of classic games with a twist
Description: We were introduced to this game when this game company rented office space from my dad back in our hometown. They shared a bunch of their new up-and-coming games with us, and this one was a particular hit! Goblet is a simple yet clever game that combines the best of tic-tac-toe with a new twist. Players try to line up three of their “goblets” in a row, but there’s a catch: goblets can stack on top of each other to “gobble up” smaller pieces. This adds an extra layer of strategy that makes it fun for both kids and adults, as players must carefully plan each move. Goblet is an excellent pick for younger kids starting to learn about tactics and spatial awareness while keeping the gameplay light and fast-paced. No reading required!

“Life is more fun if you play games.”

– Roald Dahl

6. Bananagrams
Best For: Word lovers, quick thinkers, and families who enjoy word games without complicated rules (hello, ME!)
Description: Bananagrams is a fast-paced, portable word game that’s perfect for players of all ages. Each player builds their own crossword grid using letter tiles, racing to use up all their letters before anyone else. With no turns or complicated setup, it’s a game that encourages quick thinking, spelling skills, and creativity. Whether you’re playing solo or with a group, Bananagrams brings the fun of Scrabble without the board, making it perfect for travel, family game nights, or anytime you want a quick, brain-boosting game.

7. Shut the Box
Best For: Math practice, quick thinkers, and fans of dice games
Description: One of our kids played this constantly over the course of a year! Shut the Box is a classic game that combines luck and simple math for an addictive, fun experience. Players take turns rolling dice, aiming to “shut” numbered tiles by flipping them down to match their rolls. The goal is to shut as many tiles as possible (or all of them!) to achieve the lowest score. It’s easy to learn and perfect for all ages, as kids get to practice basic math, and adults can enjoy the thrill of strategizing for the perfect roll. Compact and quick to play, Shut the Box is ideal for family game nights or a quick round on the go! You can also get a bigger box for more people to play!

8. Chess
Best For: Strategic thinkers, problem solvers, and lovers of classic games
Description: We all know chess, but I thought it was worth mentioning, as it is truly one of our best family games. A few of our kids have become really awesome chess players and it’s always fun to train another younger sibling! Chess is the ultimate game of strategy, challenging players to think ahead, plan moves, and outsmart their opponents. With each piece—kings, queens, bishops, knights, rooks, and pawns—having unique moves, every game unfolds like a puzzle waiting to be solved. Chess helps develop critical thinking and patience, as players must carefully consider each move and adapt their strategy. It’s a timeless game that has fascinated people of all ages for centuries, making it perfect for family members who enjoy a mental challenge and a rewarding test of skill. (For our most serious players, we have tournament-worthy chess board kit with a clock and weighted pieces.)

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Best Family Games for Older Kids and Teens

1. Yahtzee
Best For: Dice-rolling fans, math whizzes, and classic game lovers
Description: Yahtzee is a classic! With simple rules, players roll dice to create scoring combinations. It’s competitive, fun, and an excellent choice for kids to practice math skills. This game is great for all ages, and it’s easy to learn, making it a perfect game to bring out when you want to get everyone involved. We also LOVE Boggle (similar, but with letters!)

2. Goat Lords
Best For: Lovers of humor, strategists, and card game enthusiasts
Description: Goat Lords combines quirky artwork with hilarious gameplay. Players compete to build the biggest goat herd and steal goats from their opponents! With plenty of humor and lighthearted strategy, it’s sure to bring lots of laughter to the table. Perfect for families with older kids who enjoy friendly rivalry.

3. Exploding Kittens
Best For: Quick thinkers, humor lovers, and anyone who enjoys a little bit of chaos
Description: This fast-paced, hilarious card game is all about avoiding the “exploding kittens” while trying to outsmart opponents. It’s easy to pick up and great for a crowd, with silly illustrations and unexpected twists. Teens especially love this game for its unpredictable nature and laugh-out-loud moments.

4. Stratego
Best For: Tacticians, strategic thinkers, and fans of classic board games
Description: Stratego is a head-to-head battle of strategy where players try to capture each other’s flag. With different pieces that each have unique strengths, this game is perfect for kids who enjoy tactics and planning. It’s a fantastic choice for siblings or parents and kids who enjoy a challenge and a bit of friendly competition.

5. Ticket to Ride
Best For: Adventurers, geography lovers, and board game enthusiasts
Description: This is one that everyone loves to play when it gets pulled out! In this beautifully designed game, players build train routes across the country, connecting cities and earning points. It’s great for teaching geography and planning skills, and the beautiful design keeps players engaged from start to finish. Families who love travel and maps will find Ticket to Ride especially exciting.

6. Captain Sonar
Best For: Larger families, teamwork enthusiasts, and fans of real-time games
Description: Captain Sonarhttps://amzn.to/3OmjmhD is a unique, fast-paced team game where players operate submarines in search of each other. With each person having a distinct role, it’s perfect for older kids and parents who love teamwork and intense gameplay. It’s like Battleship but with way more action, and it’s ideal for a big family gathering.

7. Sequence
Best For: Pattern lovers, strategy fans, and multi-age groups
Description: My oldest gifted this game to the family a couple of years ago, and its been well loved. Sequence is a board game that combines cards and chips, with players aiming to get a row of five chips in any direction. It’s a fantastic pick for mixed-age groups, as younger kids can enjoy the luck of the draw, while older players can focus on strategic plays. It’s an easy, engaging game for any family game night!

8. Settlers of Catan
Best For: Builders and budding entrepreneurs
Description: I love this game! Settlers of Catan has earned its reputation as a modern classic for a reason. Players collect resources, build settlements, and trade to expand their territories. It’s a game of negotiation, luck, and strategy that’s perfect for older kids and teens interested in economics, planning, and cooperative play.

9. Risk
Best For: Aspiring world conquerors, strategists, and families with time to spare (haha!)
Description: Risk is a classic game of global domination where players build armies, attack territories, and strategize for world control. This one takes a bit longer to play, so it’s great for a long winter’s evening with older kids. It’s an ideal choice for kids who love history or have a knack for strategy. We usually leave this game out for a few days of extended play, after which some younger child inevitably knocks the board by accident and so the game is instantly over… rarely do we get to the point of world domination!

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“Analog” Games Are Perfect for Connection

It’s so refreshing to enjoy games away from screens, and all of these games go beyond entertainment—they encourage creativity, teamwork, strategic thinking… and actual engagement with the real people in their life. Kids need so much of this!

Whether you’re looking for nature-themed games, laugh-out-loud moments, or tactical challenges, these picks reflect values of beauty, exploration, and family connection. I hope you find something here to make this Christmas season especially joy-filled and bright. Happy playing!