Best Family Games for all ages
Tis the Season for slow days inside and quality time together. We play games all year round, but football Saturdays kicks off the season of board games and puzzles at our house. With a large family, we love games that bring us to the same table. It’s my favorite for bonding and building family unity. Here are my favorite family games for all ages!
This isn’t always the perfect family portrait, but even through the tears and disagreements, we come out with hearts full. However, there are a lot of games on the market. Monopoly alone has SOOO many. I don’t want to own all the games, so I’ve created a list of the FAVORITES and the classics that we come back to time and time again.
Some of these are literally falling apart after shuffling so many times, so this holiday season we will be investing in a shuffler like this one.
Here is our Classic and minimal board game list.
Classic Family Board Games
Monopoly Deal
Get your Monopoly Deal set here. Worth every single penny.
We just bought Monopoly Deal this past Thanksgiving and we need new cards ASAP. I take these everywhere! We have played in doctor’s offices and restaurants while waiting for food. They are fun to play with just two players and with a group. Our now six-year-old understands how to play so it is a game for everyone.
Monopoly Deal is a fast-paced and easy game. Most games are under 20 minutes, unlike the classic board game. The rules take a few rounds to learn, but once you understand what each card does, it’s easy to play. There is a little theft in these games, so things can get heated, but we always make up!
One thing we have started doing is turning our bank upside down. It adds a little mystery to the game and makes it more fair in my opinion.
Play Nine
Play Nine card set is great for groups!
This is a new game to us! We bought it last Christmas for our golf-loving buddy. This game is fun when you have a bit more time. There’s no stealing in Play Nine like Monopoly Deal. If the environment seems hostile, we switch to this one! Ha!
Play Nine is a card game but that is played in rounds similar to Yahtzee. There is a lot of shuffling between each round and the cards seem huge- so there’s that. The goal is to have the lowest scores, which can go into the negatives. Also, the cards have golf lingo, and scoring is similar so that’s fun for the boys or any golf fans.
Tip: On each turn, you are trying to match cards in pairs and keep the cards low, but turning over the cards quick, is very helpful as all matches (High and Low) count as zero.
Racko
This is an oldie! We grew up playing Racko! I specifically remember playing at campsites along with this card game. We love Racko because it’s quick and mostly luck, which is helpful with the age difference in our kids. They are also using numbers and counting, which is a win-win.
The idea with Racko is, you are trying to place cards low to high first. You will have a draw-and-discard situation for this game. This is a very fast-paced game. It’s so fast, I only had one picture of us playing it. Please note below. Ha! It’s a great toenail drying game apparently.
Tip: I use what I have, visually allowing each 2 spots to be 10 numbers. Whatever I draw near those numbers I use- If its higher than 5, the higher spot, and lower than 5, the lower spot. This prevents me from getting myself into a tight situation. Truth is I win this game every time.
Sequence
I’m sure you have heard or seen this game. It’s a classic! They have a kid’s sequence board game like this one here, but we use the classic and make teams which I love for some kind of unity! Ha!
This game is bingo-like, where you draw cards and try to make a line of 5 with your team first. It’s tricky because there are two sets of everything on the board and special cards like the one-eyed Jacks that allow you to remove chips. It’s fun and different.
I don’t have any tips for you, as this game is a wild one, and having the special cards will make or break the win.
Clue
Listen, don’t judge me. This game is terrible and about murder. I know. But who doesn’t love a make-believe who done it. I do! My critical thinking goes into overdrive and now that our oldest is in high school, she gives me a run for my money. Hello, mind games. This game for us is more about tricking the other person so they have no idea what cards we have or what we are thinking.
If you live under a rock, Clue is a game about finding the clues and who the murderer is. There is a person, place, and weapon, in a card that tells you the truth. The goal is to figure out which cards are not in that envelope, by asking questions that will force your opponents to show you their cards. Oh, it’s so good.
Tip: If you want to narrow down one card, such as a weapon, use your own person and place (What’s in your hand), to make the other players have to fess up about which weapons they have. Keep what you know a secret by hiding behind your cards.
Ticket to Ride Junior
Your own Ticket to Ride Junior
How have I not known about this game sooner! We only have the Junior version, but the real one is on the table for this year! I appreciate that this game is strategy, and everyone feels a win, even if they don’t get THE win. The kids love the trains.
Ticket to Ride Junior has up to 4 players. You draw route cards and, on each turn, try to get to your destination first. Once you have completed a set amount of routes, you win!
Tip: Focus on placing your trains on tracks that only have one right away. Those tracks could prevent someone else from a short cut or give you a short cut. Be very aware of were your opponents are trying to go.
Rummikub
We really like this game. There is a learning curve, but it’s a classic! Reminds me of Yahtzee and Dominoes if they had a baby. Great for kids but I would say age 8 and up. My younger ones don’t stay engaged in this one.
I have no tips for this one! Ha! I lose 90% of the games.
Risk
The kids got into this one this summer at the beach. I have played with David some, but he is ruthless! I do it more to boost his ego then enjoyment. So, If you are a great wife, have at it! Otherwise, encourage your kids to play instead! Ha!
It’s more fun with 3 more people, to split up the enemies on the board. Lots of strategy and a little luck. You begin by drawing cards and placing your military on the board. Then, you decide how many fight. With great Risk is great reward, but don’t take my advice! I’ve never actually won this one. You’ll be the first to know!
Tip: This is not me, but rather the internet. They say to overtake the bigger continents first or any other countries that do not have countries on all sides. Seriously, this would be fun with friends or for teen boys.
Other Game Ideas
I’m sure many of these are familiar but some are new to me! I love learning about new games and trying them. Games have a way of bringing common ground to big age gaps and creating laughter and memories.
Here are my last thoughts.
- Consider borrowing or trading board games with neighbors and friends. This way you can try the game before investing in it.
- Check your local library. Many of them are now offering games to borrow. We do not do this, so if you have kids just be mindful that you will have to manage a game and all it’s pieces. Make sure you have the capacity for that.
- Do not forget about the classic PICTIONARY and CHARADES. These are great for groups! The fishbowl game is also great!
What board games do you love?! I always love new ideas!
I hope you enjoyed this list! I will keep it updated with any new additions!
Until Next Time,
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