There are Game People and there is everyone else, and we are Game People! Here are all the games we love for all ages that we think make great gifts, cure boredom on rainy days, and are just good old fashioned family fun.
Games For Preschoolers
I’m not much for playing with my kids. If I’m being fully honest, I find it extremely boring. But, games. I will play games all day long. The kids are happy, and I feel like I can check the “quality time” box at the end of the day. Here are the games we love for preschoolers- both that they can play on their own or with adults!
Zingo
This Bingo style game is great for young kids to practice matching, and for early readers!
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Qwirkle
This game is quick to learn and easy for all ages, so it’s no wonder this was another audience favorite!
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Spot It
An audience submitted favorite! And with versions of Spot It from everything from NFL to Marvel and everything in between you can find a version for everyone in the family.
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Pretty Pretty Princess
Don’t let the name fool you, I promise even boys will love playing this. Get dad to play, and I promise you the kids will die laughing about a grown man in a crown and jewelry.
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Candy Land
A game collection is not complete without Candy Land! It’s gotten a facelift since we were kids, but it’s still just as fun!
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Yeti In My Spaghetti
A spin on Pick Up Sticks! Great for fine motor skill, and easy enough that kids can play without an adult.
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Hi Ho Cherry O
A great way to practice early counting skills and fine motor skills!
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Hungry Hungry Hippos
Another classic! This game is loud, yes, but is another one that kids can play without an adult. Be warned, it’s not the same as when we were kids and does require some assembly each time you play.
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Kerplunk
This classic game still holds up. Bonus- it’s great fine motor skill practice!
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Pop The Pig
This game involves very little skill, and only requires counting to 4. Your kids will literally LOL as they feed the pig until he, you guessed it, pops. It’s very easy to learn, so kids can quickly play without an adult, or teach a grandparent.
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Count Your Chickens
All Peaceable Kingdom games are FANTASTIC, and perfect for preschoolers. The games are cooperative, meaning all players work together at a common goal. These are perfect for introducing game play etiquette- taking turns, spinning a spinner, rolling a die, moving a token on a board, etc, all while not having the added pressure of winning. Count Your Chickens was the first one we owned, but here are so many different titles, with interests that run the gamut.
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games for older kids
I’m finding school aged kids to be the most fun to play games with. They have a good sense of how to play games, and have even picked up some skill, making them almost worthy opponents. They have the attention span to play slightly more complicated games. They are also starting to learn how to trash talk (respectfully, of course), which is so entertaining to me.
One piece of advice for this age- cards can still be tricky to hold. We have these card game holders, and they work wonders. No more frustration at not being able to fan the cards out perfectly!
Aggravation
If your family loves Sorry and Trouble, you will also love this audience submitted favorite!
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Trouble
What is more exciting than that popper in the middle of this board game?
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The Floor Is Lava
I debated including this one because after pandemic life it feels like all my kids do is bounce on furniture pretending the floor is lava. However, I know they would love this, and it would be a perfect way to get the wiggles out on a winter day!
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Blokus
This game is so fun, even for adults!
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Connect 4
Tell me this game isn’t still fun as an adult. I still love playing this with my kids, and it’s so fun to see their strategy grow!
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Sleeping Queens
I haven’t played this game myself, but I have heard so many good things! It’s invented by a kid (so cool!), and builds and reinforces early math skills.
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Uno
Is there a greater joy in life than slapping a Draw 4 card on a family member? Uno is the ultimate family game night game!
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Monopoly Junior
It’s slightly concerning to me how much my kids love this game since I’m not trying to raise money hungry business moguls, but this game builds some great skills! Early financial literacy, counting, making change- it’s all there. This is a great way to bridge the gap between ages too. It’s quicker than regular Monopoly, but has the appeal for bigger kids and adults, but the littler kids can still play too.
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Unicorn Ring Toss
This game proves the correlation between ridiculousness and kid likability. I promise you can’t play this and not laugh. Perfect for the kiddos who don’t have the attention span to sit for a traditional board game.
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Grouch Couch
I can’t lie, the premise of this game doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. But that also means it’s a guaranteed win for kids. The wackier the game, the more fun! My kids crack up, and I have to admit it’s pretty fun once you suspend reality.
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Chutes and Ladders
I put this game under older kids because the direction of game play (the spaces on the board do a switch back kind of pattern vs. all left to right like a book), which proved a little tricky for my kids. This definitely requires some number sense, and knowledge of number value. They also might need some good game playing skills if they get that giant chute down to the bottom of the board. That’s a real blow for some of the poorer sports among us.
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Games for pre-teens and teenagers
I’m sure most pre-teens and teenagers prefer video games, but that’s nothing a little Forced Family Fun can’t fix. Game nights can be a great way to connect, and I’m sure they’ll even have a little fun, even if they don’t ever admit it.
Ticket To Ride
We’ve heard such good things about this audience favorite strategy game. Game play is fast, it’s easy to learn, and there are expansion packs available to keep the fun going.
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Phase 10
This rummy style card game is another audience favorite!
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Yahtzee
We recommend this one with kids who know how to roll dice without the scattering across the entire house LOL!
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Clue
The classic mystery game is still a hit. There is even a version compatible with Alexa!
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Deer Pong
Board games are great because they teach valuable life skills in a fun, nonthreatening way. Sometimes it’s counting or taking turns, and sometimes it’s throwing a tiny ball into a cup. Sure, they won’t be able to use this skill until college, but it’ll still be handy!
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Throw Throw Burrito
Another game that has a major cult following! I spend most of my day trying to get my kids *not* to throw things at one another, so we haven’t gotten it yet. But, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, right?
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Monopoly Deal
Like the classic board game, but in card form and much quicker game play. This would be a great game night option for a family with older children, but is just as fun for adults.
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Catan
I have yet to play this game, but it has such a cult following!
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Sorry
This was a family favorite in my house growing up. Perfect for a family game night!
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Grounded For Life Game
If you are in the thick of what I like to call the “Poop Butt Fart Humor” phase, this game will make a great gift. I have to admit, it makes me LOL every time I play too. From the creators of Cards Against Humanity, this is basically a kid-friendly version!
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Mastermind Game
Definitely getting this for Harrison on Heather’s recommendation. Breaking and creating hidden code is right up his alley.
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Battleship Game
Battleship is a classic board game for two that my kids love.
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Games for adults
Game nights with a group of friends, or even just a date night, can be so much fun! These are a few that we always play when we get together, as well as a few other favorites. Some of these could even be scaled to play for a family game night too.
Catch Phrase
There is something so funny about having to describe a word for other people to guess in a short amount of time that never gets old. Super fun for a group of all ages!
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Telestrations
This game combines Telephone and Pictionary, and it is HILARIOUS. So fun to play with a group of friends, and I promise it only gets better with each drink!
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Sequence
I’m putting this under adults, but it really could go anywhere. Even preschoolers could play on a team with someone else! Such a fun game of strategy!
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What Do You Meme?
This is such a fun party game for adults! There are also expansion packs you can add on to keep the game fresh, like Real Housewives, The Office, a family friendly version, and one for teachers.
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