7 Best Board Games Family Friendly Reviewed for 2025
Looking for board games family friendly options? We've tested the best picks so your next game night is fun for everyone!
Finding board games family friendly enough for everyone can feel harder than getting Uncle Dave to put down his phone. We’ve all been there—one person hates reading rules, another just wants to hoard sheep, and someone else gets hungry looking at food cards. So when we made our list, we focused on games that are easy to learn, fun to play, and don’t cause World War III over the dinner table. These picks offer teamwork, laughs, and just the right amount of trickery. Ready to make your next family game night actually fun instead of a group interrogation? Let’s go!
On this list:
7 Ticket to Ride
We picked ‘Ticket to Ride’ because it’s the board games family friendly classic. Everyone from our 8-year-old nephew to grandma loved connecting the train routes. The rules are easy, and there aren’t any mean tricks, so no one goes to bed angry. The game feels like a cross-country race, but you’re actually just moving colorful little trains around the US map. It’s easy enough for new players, but even our board game snob friend enjoyed blocking our routes. If you want a board game that grows with your family, this is it. And it doesn’t drag on forever—games wrap up before you start eyeing your phone.
6 Carcassonne
We chose ‘Carcassonne’ for our board games family friendly list because it’s really easy to teach, and the tile-laying is a blast. You get to build a medieval landscape one piece at a time. Sometimes, we ended up with a field full of cows and a city the size of a shoebox, but that’s half the fun. It’s never mean—unless someone blocks your road, and even then it’s fun. It scales well with all ages, and there’s always a laugh when someone tries to explain their odd-looking city. It’s a quick, relaxed game that still keeps everyone interested till the last tile.
5 Kingdomino
‘Kingdomino’ is as board games family friendly as it gets. We love the mix of luck and strategy. All you do is pick dominoes and connect matching land types to build the best kingdom. Our youngest tried to build only water kingdoms once, and he still almost won! It’s bright and simple, so it’s always easy to get someone new into the game. Rounds are short, so you don’t lose anyone to snack breaks. It’s a perfect way to teach the basics of strategy without things getting too competitive. Great for a peaceful evening with no arguments—unless you steal dad’s favorite tile.
4 Outfoxed!
‘Outfoxed!’ made the list because it’s the board games family friendly choice for families with younger kids. We played it with our 6-year-old cousin, and she was the top detective! It brings all the excitement of Clue but with none of the sneaky fighting. Everyone works together to catch the sneaky fox before he escapes with a pie. Kids love the clue decoder, and adults find themselves getting into the race too. It’s simple, quick, and perfect for new gamers. Plus, no arguing over who stole what—just a lot of laughs and shared high fives.
3 Sushi Go!
We included ‘Sushi Go!’ because it’s the board games family friendly favorite at snack time. The cute sushi art won over our picky friend, and the simple card passing keeps everyone included. Games go quick, and there’s always debate over who hoarded the most pudding. It teaches kids (and us adults) the basics of planning ahead, but there’s enough luck in the card draft to keep things light. The rules are easy, and the food theme always makes us hungry. Kids, parents, and even the family pet (as a spectator!) can enjoy the rush of collecting the best sushi.
2 Forbidden Island
‘Forbidden Island’ is a must for board games family friendly picks. Why? Because it’s co-op! You work together to escape a sinking island, and we always end up shouting instructions and laughing when someone forgets a treasure. No one gets left out, and teamwork is the heart of every game. We love that even if we lose, it feels like a wild story we experienced as a team. The rules are easy, and the game offers just enough challenge for both kids and adults. It’s tense but never upsetting—perfect for families who want to cheer each other on.
1 Codenames: Pictures
We put ‘Codenames: Pictures’ at the top because it’s the board games family friendly champ. It works with big or small groups, and even our shyest cousin got into the goofy guessing. The pictues are funny and weird; we’ve argued over whether a picture was a pumpkin with legs or a running potato. It’s never too serious, but it makes everyone feel smart when they make a good clue. Every age gets the hang of it, and team play means nobody sits out. We’ve brought it to parties, holidays, and even played it with grandma—she scored the most points! It’s the best because it brings every age together, gets people laughing, and no one ever wants to stop playing.
