The Best Family Board Games on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers......
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The Best Family Board Games on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers
Welcome to People's Choice, where we find the best-reviewed products and single out the most convincing reviews. (You can learn more about our rating system and how we pick each item here.)
While we’ve written about lots of games before — including the best adult board games, the best two-player board games, and the best four-player board games — here, we’ve rounded up the best family board games, as praised by the most enthusiastic reviewers on Amazon.
Since everyone is sheltering in place — and playing games with their family — at home during the pandemic, the demand for board games has increased, and stock has been constantly fluctuating at Amazon, so some of these, which we’ve noted below, are only available through third-party sellers.
Related Articles: Board Games to Play Over Zoom | Expert-Recommended Four-Player Board Games
Best-rated family board game
“It’s safe to say you’ve never played a game like this before,” writes one of the over 9,500 five-star reviewers of Exploding Kittens. One customer describes it “like Russian roulette,” while another reviewer writes, “The cards are hilarious and the pictures are completely inappropriately awesome.” And lots of reviewers appreciate that the cards are as “random” as Cards Against Humanity but less crude and more family-friendly. A mother who regularly brings this game on family camping and hiking trips says, “Kids can play on the same level as adults, and they love that.” She also says that it’s the perfect antidote to holiday small talk with extended family: “Instead of listening to Uncle Fred’s latest MAGA rant, or worse, I can bring on the Exploding Kittens.” And another parent who bought it for their teenage daughter calls it “a quirky, funny, and flexible game that provides actual interaction in a light and funny way.”
Best-rated (less expensive) family board game
The classic board game Clue remains a family favorite, according to reviewers. “Great family game. I don’t know how I never played this as a kid, but I play it now,” says one shopper. “Nice way to spend time together.” And lots of shoppers who did play as a kid described the fun of sharing the familiar game with their own children. “Bought this for our family game nights,” writes one. “I loved this game as a child and wanted to share it with my kids.” Another says, “This game takes me back to my youth, and I’m so glad I get to share it with my daughter. It is an awesome family game, and we really love it.”
[Editor’s note: This game is currently only available from third-party sellers.]
Best fast-paced family board game
Almost nobody would describe regular, old Monopoly as fast, but reviewers say this ultimate version goes by way faster, where rounds can take as little as 30 minutes. “If you are tired of the never-ending original Monopoly, this is it for you,” one reviewer says. “Games can end quickly, sometimes way too soon and it makes you want to replay right away.” The differences don’t just stop at the speed of the game. Instead of cash, this version uses an electronic banking system, and some of the rules are modified from regular Monopoly. “For example, there are no hotels, and each purchased property gets 1 house,” one player explains. “The rent increases any time any player lands on the property. Instead of Chance and Community Chance Cards, there are Monopoly Cards (basically the same as the former) and Location spots that allow you to pay to move to any space on the board — you can go to a property you want to buy, a property you own to increase the rent, or move to a space near Go so you will collect on the next turn.” Even with the changes, lots reviewers say this game is just as fun as the classic. One even says, “It is one of the best purchases I have made for my family.”
Best portable family board game
The consensus among over 4,000 reviewers is that Spot It! is “great for all ages,” and many appreciate its portability and price as well. In fact, many adult reviewers describe this game as “fun” and “surprisingly challenging,” sharing that they keep the little tin of cards in their purse or carry-on bag to entertain impatient children on flights or in restaurants. “My son loves this game! The price was right and the tin comes in handy,” one mom writes. Another reviewer says, “It’s a very inexpensive game that’s really easy to learn. The cries of, ‘Again! Again!’ will keep you playing for hours.” And a parent of 4-year-old twins calls this matching-picture game “simple, cheap, versatile, and durable — definitely worth checking out.”
[Editor’s note: This game is currently only available from third-party sellers.]
Best board game for fine motor skills
When you mention fine motor skills, small children come to mind. But nearly 400 satisfied reviewers confirm that this game is “seriously great fun for all ages.” Several reviewers also describe it as a “learning tool,” with one explaining, “It takes a steady hand and a careful eye for balance.” A parent of three boys says “my 14-year-old can enjoy with his friends, my 7-year-old is doing very well with it, and even my 5-year-old is happily focusing on his fine motor skills.” She continues, “The quality and durability of it make it last in a house full of boys.” And a teacher writes, “It encourages players to think about weight and balance, because they have to carefully place the pieces to make sure they don’t knock anything over.”
Operation is another board game that focuses on fine motor skills, like Suspend, but instead of balancing items, you’re learning to steady your hand as you retrieve items from the divots in the board. One customer bought this for her 6-year-old and thinks “he gets better and better each time he plays,” and she expects him to enjoy this game for a long time. And adults think it even inspires healthy competition between siblings or friends. “Want some competition while improving your hand-eye coordination? This is the game for you,” writes one reviewer. He bought it for his 3-year-old (which is below the recommended age range for the game) and she has “total meltdowns” over it, but he thinks it’s never too early to start on fine motor skills. But those who did give it to their kids who are the appropriate age said it was good hours of fun, even for the adults, because “who doesn’t love to relive some childhood memories with your youngins?”
[Editor’s note: This game is currently only available from third-party sellers.]
Best thriller board game
“This is a good spooky board game to play with a small group of friends on a stormy night,” says one five-star reviewer who describes the game as “incredibly immersive and detailed.” Over 200 five-star reviewers use the words “spooky,” “scary,” or “horror” to describe the game’s vibe, and lots of reviewers like that each time they play Betrayal at House on the Hill, it’s a little bit different. One reviewer, who leads a group game night, says that it’s the most fun he has ever had and that the artwork and design elements are “nice and spooky, while keeping a fun, playful atmosphere.” He says it would be “great for a Halloween game night, obviously.” And another gamer writes, “If you like horror movies or general spooky stuff, this is definitely the game to get.”
Best musical board game
Of the more than 1,800 reviewers, over 200 used either the phrase “love music” or “music lovers” in their reviews. One such reviewer, who rated the game a five out of five, says, “I was a bit skeptical when my wife (the family music lover) brought this game up. But we found it can be played by anyone. The rules are simple, and it provides lots of laughs and opportunity for interaction across generational lines.” Another couple, who call themselves “big music lovers,” as well as “folks who love to sing,” say they enjoyed both naming and “belting out songs” and “can’t wait to play again.” And a family whose youngest child is 12 years old writes, “It was a blast seeing what kind of music everyone likes to listen to and racing to the punch when everyone knew the same song!”
Best board games for toddlers
“It is so gripping that after playing it FIVE times, my toddler cried when we finally said we would have to pack it up,” says a five-star mom reviewer. Other parents and grandparents report loving this six-foot-long puzzle game because “it doesn’t tax a toddler’s attention span or patience levels,” and “the quality and design is excellent.” Reviewers like that it’s engaging for kids and not annoying for adults. And this mom says, “So far, it has been the most enjoyable board game to play with my toddler.” Another appreciative reviewer, who works as a speech pathologist, writes, “The game presents many opportunities for conversation, counting practice, and event sequencing.”
Chutes and Ladders is recommended for preschool-age children because it’s easy to grasp and allows kids to practice counting but doesn’t require reading skills. One customer says this board game is “so essential for little ones to play” because “the skills it teaches are most important.” She hates all the electronic toys, noting that kids definitely don’t learn enough with them, and thinks Chutes and Ladders requires just enough logic and counting to help kids with their development. Another calls it a “tried-and-true game for kids” and recommends everyone “take advantage of the game” while it’s still around, because if you don’t, “you’ll blink and it’ll be gone,” as she thinks happened to so many of her favorite childhood games. But many customers warn that kids under the age of 3 might not have the attention span for a full game. One mom with a 3-year-old says that midway through the game, she’ll want to stop and “play make-believe with the pieces,” but she’s optimistic that in a few months “she’ll be able to sit through a game better,” and at least she’s technically having fun with the game now.
[Editor’s note: This game is currently only available from third-party sellers.]
Best board game for parties
More than 400 Codenames positive reviewers say they love breaking it out at parties. That group includes this guy who calls it “the best game to have in your arsenal,” saying, “it’s fun for all ages and all group sizes. It is small and portable. I’ve been buying copies for everyone’s birthday this year!” A reviewer with a family of nine that ranges in age from 8 to 60 writes, “We really like it! It’s a great game that can be played with a large variety of people.” But you don’t have to be family to play. In fact, this reviewer who runs a board-game club calls it “easily the best party game out there,” and compares it to another wildly popular party game, saying, “What’s great about Codenames is that it can be quite difficult and requires creative thinking, in contrast to common ‘party games’ like Cards Against Humanity.”
Best board game for large families
One reviewer says Double Ditto is similar to Scattergories. “The basic principle is that everyone writes down 2 responses to a game card,” another reviewer explains. “The objective is to choose answers that others may choose so that one (ditto) or both (double ditto) of your responses are also responses that other players wrote down.” This game can be played with just two people, but reviewers say the more the merrier. “I had a dinner party for six, and we played this after dinner,” one reviewer writes. “We laughed and laughed at so many of the questions. My company kept asking if we could play it just one more time and hours flew by.” Another says, “It is great for large groups — and you don’t have to sit around a table to play.” There are also 400 cards to play so it’s nearly impossible to get through all of them in a night. One reviewer says this game is so fun that you will entice more people to join over time: “We went from four the first time, five the second time and now we have played with no less than seven people each time we set it up to play.”
Best collaborative board game
This is another classic board game that customers say is still as good as they remember from childhood. One mom has nothing but good things to say about this game, especially the collaborative element. “We worked together to build it. It’s not that a 7-year-old CAN’T do it; it’s just that it takes two people to figure it out together, so it was a great exercise in teamwork,” she adds. Another says it’s also just fun to play as a family. “Anything that makes preteens and teenagers put down their phones for over a half an hour is wonderful,” she says, adding, “This game gets everyone involved and laughing together, which is my favorite.” Everyone in her family played together — from 2-year-olds to 50-year-olds — and it’s the game everyone asks to play when they’re all together.
[Editor’s note: This game is currently only available from third-party sellers.]
Best drawing board game
Though drawing is a large part of this game’s appeal, lots of positive reviewers noted that you don’t have to be particularly good at drawing to enjoy playing it. One reviewer says, “The best part of the game is making fun of your friends and family for their poor guessing and drawing skills.” Another five-star reviewer writes, “What makes this game extra special to me is you get to actively participate the whole time. Also awful drawers aren’t really a drawback because their attempts add a whole new level of hilarity.” And this father who wasn’t sure he would enjoy a drawing game says, “I could describe this as ‘Telephone’ with a drawing twist. But that is a serious undersell. By the time I was done with my first game, I was crying from laughing so hard.”
Best strategy board game
While this is only a two-person game, customers say that it’s actually fun for the whole family — and it teaches younger kids to learn how to take turns as well as create a strategy. One customer, who just bought it for a 5- and 6-year-old, reports, “They absolutely love this game. It’s fun and makes you think.” Another says this game allows for “kids and adults alike to be entertained for a long time,” especially on family game nights. “There’s just something appealing about trying to avoid being discovered while seeking your opponents.” This new version includes a plane, too, instead of all ships, which he thought added an extra element to the strategy needed to play. And one more calls this game “perfect for the teen strategist that loves to take younger siblings down.” In his house, there “have been many epic battles followed by resentment and tears,” but most important, it gets older kids off their phones.
Best luck-based family board game
Reviewers say that this math card game is a great balance of luck and strategy. “I would say 60 percent of luck and 40 percent strategy,” one writes. The goal is to have the lowest score at the end, which is where the strategy comes in, but you don’t have control over the cards you’re dealt. “The deck of cards contains values as low as -2 and as high as 12, so a player wants to swap out their high cards for lower ones, in order to end up with the lowest total score at the end of the round,” one explains. “However, at the beginning of the round, players have no idea which cards are in their collection.” Despite the bit of strategy, reviewers say it “is simple to teach, and easy to pick up and play … even for younger kids … but it’s also quite satisfying for order kids, teens and adults.” And there it some component of luck, it can keep the attention of non-gamers, according to one reviewer who says, “The fun part is the randomness of the cards. you don’t know what you have until you turn it over, so strategy only works to a degree.”
Best tile-laying board game
Shoppers looking for a family-friendly tile-laying game praised Tsuro highly. “I’ve played this game with my 5-year-old and my 10-year-old, and they both love it. It’s not a hard game to pick up, so if you’re looking for a game that the whole family can play, I highly suggest this one,” one reviewer writers. Players loved that you used tiles to build paths, and that you could try new paths in each game. One shopper, who says this is a great game to “break the ice in a gaming-night event,” explains, “The game is a tile-placement game. Simple as that. Each tile has a set of paths on it. When you place a tile in front of your dragon marker, you follow the path you create.” And plenty of reviewers enjoyed the game so much they’ve played again and again. “This has become a family favorite. It is also a game we know we can break out at any time, with any crowd anywhere, and have fun with,” says one satisfied shopper.
[Editor’s note: This game is currently only available from third-party sellers.]
Best block-based family board game
The whole concept of Jenga is pretty straightforward: Build up a tower, and then each player takes a turn of removing a block until the whole thing topples. Its simplicity is exactly why lots of reviewers find it’s the perfect game for the whole family. “This game has suspense with no real danger, appeals to all ages, is simple to play, and lasts forever,” one says. For adults it’s just fun, but one reviewer points out there is an educational aspect in it for kids: “If you want to work on their fine motor skills, the action of trying to push out a brick is very helpful and builds their concentration skills too.” Ultimately though, “It’s a fun game to play with large groups and definitely goes fast or slow depending on who you’re playing with.” And it’s one that’s nice for non-games, too, as “you can still converse and cavort while playing.”
Best beginner board game
Shoppers with young children said HiHo! Cherry-O made a great entry point into the world of board games. One parent of a child who particularly loves the game writes, “If I have to play this game one more time, I’m going to commit myself to a mental ward. That’s how I know it’s a good game. My kids want to play it over and over and over. It’s a great first board game for kiddos, and my 2-year-old can play.” Lots of reviewers noted that the game helped teach their kids how to count. “My 2-year-old loves it and plays it everyday,” writes one reviewer. “It’s great to teach counting and sorting colors. She also loves putting the small puzzle together which is small enough for a 2-year-old to do on their own.” And one shopper notes that the game appeals even to slightly older kids: “It’s taught my 2-year-old to count, yet my 8-year-old enjoys playing it … not too babyish. Makes for fun on a rainy day or for family game night.”
Best replayable board game
This game goes quickly, so reviewers say it can easily be replayed — and each turn is a little bit different. “I recommend this game mainly for families, as it is quick but challenging and fun. It is certain to build family rivalries, especially if one person seems to understand the strategy of the game more quickly than others,” says one reviewer. “It’s probably the most fun kids’ game that we’ve found so far,” says one who bought it to play with her 4-year-old. “It has tons of replay value and is pretty unique as a game. One of the great things about it is that the board/maze is always unique and changing, so everyone is always engaged in finding new routes to their destinations as the play goes on.” She concludes that this game is “a fun way to work those little brain cells” for her kids.
[Editor’s note: This game is currently only available from third-party sellers.]
Best guessing board game
Reviewers think the guessing element of this game made it more fun and exciting to play, especially for younger kids. But adults think that it does more than that. “Obviously, at its core, this game is a great play of guess-and-check, but as an adult, my appreciation is rooted more in the way it specifically opens up the way my nieces approach problem-solving and working through logic considerations to make each turn count,” says one customer. Other adults think it’s fun to watch their kids enjoy a game they played when they were kids. One teacher got the game for her “classroom for fun FriYAY,” and notes, “Who knew middle schoolers would still love Guess Who?” Apparently she did not, and adds, “It’s fun to see kids still being kids and finding such joy in little games like Guess Who? It’s still a great game and helps with logic, expression, and grouping like things.”
[Editor’s note: This game is currently only available from third-party sellers.]
Best matching family board game
“This game relies on such a simple concept of matching colors and shapes that it would be easy to dismiss this as something childish, certainly beneath that of any respectable gamer,” one reviewer says, but the simplicity is part of the charm and what makes it so nice to play in a big group. “What little confusion one might have is usually resolved within a couple of turns and suddenly a world of strategy begins to unfold as you subtly try to mislead, block, and steal combinations from the clutches of your beloved opponents.” The end goal is basically to “create ‘qwirkles’ which are a row of six pieces of either the same shape or same color with no repeating pieces,” one explains. More than a third of reviewers say they play this game with their family, but reviewers with small children love it because it is easy to learn yet can still be interesting for more advanced players because you can get very deep into game logic and strategy. No matter how old you are, one reviewer concludes “It’s really fun, challenging, and addicting.”
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