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15 Great Family Board Games for Screen-Free Fun

Take a break from endless streaming.

Headshot of Cat BowenBy Cat Bowen
heist, spontuneous, and 7 wonders board games
Best Products; Courtesy Megableu, Spontuneous, Repos Production

For most of the week, it's likely your family is hustling through the daily madness of life with work and school, barely finding time at the end of the day to scarf down a quick dinner before homework and bed. But a classic family board game has the power to encourage your entire crew to hit the pause button for a few hours and make room for memories that'll last a lifetime. You'll be grateful to have a game on hand that doesn't require technology — one that everyone in your fam can agree on. And best of all? It gets your kids off their screens for a couple of hours.

The Best Family Board Games

  • 1
    Not Parent Approved: A Card Game for Families

    Lots of Laughs

    Not Parent Approved Not Parent Approved: A Card Game for Families

    Shop at Amazon
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  • 2
    Happy Salmon

    Chaotic Fun

    Exploding Kittens LLC Happy Salmon

    Read more
  • 3
    Heist Board Game

    Great for Team Work Building

    Megableu USA Heist Board Game

    Read more
  • 4
    Spontuneous Board Game

    For Musical Fans

    Spontuneous Spontuneous Board Game

    Read more
  • 5
    Beat The Parents Classic

    Great for the Whole Family

    Spin Master Games Beat The Parents Classic

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My family is such a big fan of board games that we even have several shelves dedicated to our epic rivalries. After all, playing Catan or Code Names can take a dreary Friday night to a rousing evening of good-natured ribbing, jokes, and a ton of fun.

From classic games like Chess to newer favorites like Kids Against Maturity, today's family board game options are nearly endless. Our team researched each game here, evaluating online ratings and reviews, and most have been played by the team with their families.

These are the best family board games you can buy for your next game night!

1
Lots of Laughs

Not Parent Approved Not Parent Approved: A Card Game for Families

On Sale
Not Parent Approved: A Card Game for Families
1
Lots of Laughs

Not Parent Approved Not Parent Approved: A Card Game for Families

Now 52% Off
$14 at Amazon$30 at Walmart

Inspired by the very adult game Cards Against Humanity, this family-appropriate card game prompts players with fill-in-the-blank questions. Each person then chooses a card from their hand that they think is the best response.

Warning: The answer cards are totally ridiculous, so be prepared for some wacky combinations. My kids love this game for car trips.

More: These Are the Best Games for an Adults-Only Game Night

2
Chaotic Fun

Exploding Kittens LLC Happy Salmon

Happy Salmon
2
Chaotic Fun

Exploding Kittens LLC Happy Salmon

If you combined the classic Old Maid and War games and made it faster and more fun, that’s what Happy Salmon is. It’s the fastest game you’ve ever played, and yet, you’ll just keep playing it because it’s so much fun.

Your children will go wild for this game because it appeals to the way their minds work — quickly and chaotically. There is no time for second-guessing, and it’s a wild ride.

3
Great for Team Work Building

Megableu USA Heist Board Game

Heist Board Game
3
Great for Team Work Building

Megableu USA Heist Board Game

How well can you and your family work under pressure? Heist is a family board game that tests how level-headed you can stay while trying to crack open a safe and steal all of the loot. It's not super easy, but kids 8 and up shouldn't have a problem with it.

Follow the instructions carefully ... because after three false moves, you'll sound the alarm.

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4
For Musical Fans

Spontuneous Spontuneous Board Game

Spontuneous Board Game
4
For Musical Fans

Spontuneous Spontuneous Board Game

This family board game belongs in every home. Not only will everyone have a blast getting goofy, but the time spent playing this game doubles as an opportunity for kids to build confidence when it comes to expression, creativity, and improv.

When my family plays, it takes about 45 minutes to complete a game, making it a solid choice for younger players with shorter attention spans.

5
Great for the Whole Family

Spin Master Games Beat The Parents Classic

Beat The Parents Classic
5
Great for the Whole Family

Spin Master Games Beat The Parents Classic

Oh, it's on. Finally, it's our chance as parents to prove how good/terrible we are at board games once and for all. This hilarious game will have you battling your children through trivia, challenges, and daring wagers.

Be prepared to do the dishes for a week after playing a few rounds of Beat the Parents: I'm pretty sure it's rigged.

6
Fast Playing

Kids Against Maturity Kids Against Maturity: Card Game for Kids and Humanity

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Kids Against Maturity: Card Game for Kids and Humanity
6
Fast Playing

Kids Against Maturity Kids Against Maturity: Card Game for Kids and Humanity

Now 10% Off

This family-oriented, fun, fill-in-the-blank game will have your creative kiddos coming up with the most hilarious combinations.

Filled with child-appropriate humor and innuendos that all of the grown-ups can chuckle at, this game is an all-around family night win. Think of it as a way to blow off steam within respectful and entertaining limits.

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7
Best Stacking Game

Amigo Games Amigo Games Clack!

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Amigo Games Clack!
7
Best Stacking Game

Amigo Games Amigo Games Clack!

Now 22% Off

When your family consists of a blend of kiddos of all different ages, you need a game that everyone can quickly understand and enjoy: Clack is it.

The directions are super easy. Spread out the magnetic discs and roll the two die. Depending on their shape and color combination, everyone playing will race to pick up each disc that fits the bill. No need to spend hours arguing over the directions — just get to playing.

8
Best Card-Based

Repos Production 7 Wonders Board Game

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7 Wonders Board Game
8
Best Card-Based

Repos Production 7 Wonders Board Game

Now 26% Off

This family board game is one of the best to ever hit the market. Perfect for ages 10 and up, this game has you build an entire civilization from the ground up using just cards and the board. It's all about strategy, and it's genuinely one of the best ways in which you can spend a Saturday night.

This game takes a few hours for my family to get through, so it's definitely for ages 10 and up.

9
Nontraditional Board Game

Thames & Kosmos Catch The Moon

Catch The Moon
9
Nontraditional Board Game

Thames & Kosmos Catch The Moon

A collaborative, cooperative, and competitive family board game that requires players to build a structure by stacking ladders one on top of another. It's a bit like a cross between Jenga and Yeti in my Spaghetti, quick-playing, easy for even little kids, and tons of fun.

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10
Best for Bluey Fans

Bluey Bluey Shadowlands Board Game

Bluey Shadowlands Board Game
10
Best for Bluey Fans

Bluey Bluey Shadowlands Board Game

Your kids probably love Bluey already, so they're probably going to love this Bluey game. It's wildly fun and fast and is based on the adventures of Bluey and her friends.

11
Best Chess for Kids

Winning Moves Games No Stress Chess

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No Stress Chess
11
Best Chess for Kids

Winning Moves Games No Stress Chess

Now 32% Off

With more than 1,000 rave reviews on Amazon, this classic strategy game is a hit with parents who get to pass along their love of chess to their kids. It's easy to break down, quick-playing, and it's the perfect entry point for kids to learn a game that leads to a lifelong love of the game.

12
Genuinely Addictive

Ravensburger Ravensburger Ocean Labyrinth

Ravensburger Ocean Labyrinth
12
Genuinely Addictive

Ravensburger Ravensburger Ocean Labyrinth

True story: Playing this game may lead to inexplicable quotations from Lord of the Rings, Labyrinth, and The Neverending Story. I know because I speak from experience. (And the Goblin King was a wonderful babysitter. Fight me.)

Labyrinth is a classic board game where players have to find the shortest route through the labyrinth to win. It's easy to learn to play and absolutely habit-forming.

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13
Quick-Thinking Play

Mighty Fun! Brain Freeze

Amazon’s Choice
Brain Freeze
13
Quick-Thinking Play

Mighty Fun! Brain Freeze

If Memory and Guess Who decided to have a baby, this game would be it. It requires a little bit of subterfuge and a whole lot of free space in your brain, which is pretty much perfect for kids who want to beat their parents. It's like Among Us, but less terrifyingly online.

Early subterfuge lessons for the young aren't a bad thing, right?

14
Best Beginner Strategy

CATAN CATAN Junior Board Game

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CATAN Junior Board Game
14
Best Beginner Strategy

CATAN CATAN Junior Board Game

Now 20% Off

This is the kid version of the super popular board game Settlers of Catan. It's a perfect intro for kids ages 6 and up who are ready to explore the world of Catan. (Don't forget to find the gold while you're navigating the tropical islands.)

This is hands-down the best intro to traditional table gaming that you'll ever find. It's easy to learn, fast playing, and a ton of fun.

15
Magically Fun

Ravensburger Disney Villainous Strategy Board Game

On Sale
Disney Villainous Strategy Board Game
15
Magically Fun

Ravensburger Disney Villainous Strategy Board Game

Now 33% Off

Even if you hate to admit it, the most entertaining character in a Disney movie is most definitely the villain. This board game is all about tapping into your inner bad guy to win.

The game comes with some of your favorite evil characters like Scar and Ursula, but it can also be played with other Villainous expansion packs.

Headshot of Cat Bowen
Cat Bowen
Parenting Editor

Cat Bowen has been writing about all things parenting for well over a decade. She spends her days researching, reviewing, and testing everything from strollers to breast pumps to changing tables. Her work has been featured in Romper, Bustle, and franchised across dozens of media outlets. In her spare time she loves volunteering at her kids' schools, reading everything she can get her hands on, running, and cooking for her family.

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