5 Best Board Games for Families in 2025 Reviewed
Looking for board games for families? We tested classics and new hits, finding the funniest, easiest games for your next family night.
Our Top 5 Board Games for Families (That Won’t End in a Food Fight!)
Finding the right board games for families is like trying to share a pizza—everyone wants something different, but nobody wants anchovies. We’ve wrangled our own family and friends for game nights that ended in laughter, some light bickering, and zero flipping of tables. For this list, we focused on games that are easy to learn, fun for kids and adults, and still offer a little bit of strategy (so grandma can crush you fair and square). If your family loves a good challenge without needing an instruction manual as thick as a sandwich, you’re in the right place!
On this list:
5 Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is one of those board games for families that we bring out when there’s a mix of ages and skill levels. The rules are simple: collect train cards, claim routes, and try not to let Uncle Bob block you out of Seattle (again). The best part? No one gets eliminated, so everyone sticks around for the whole game. It’s got enough luck to keep things funny, but enough strategy to keep us arguing over who gets the longest route. Plus, there’s something satisfying about laying those tiny plastic trains down—even if half of them do end up in your dog’s mouth.
4 Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! is our go-to for quick, easy board games for families that don’t require a four-page rulebook or a degree in advanced math. You just pick a card and pass the rest, trying to collect the best meal. It’s simple enough for kids but there’s still a sneaky bit of strategy if you want to win. We always end up giggling over who created the weirdest sushi combo—dessert with extra wasabi, anyone? The bright, cute art makes it even more appealing. Perfect for after-dinner chaos, when nobody can focus for more than ten minutes.
3 Kingdomino
Kingdomino is a great pick for board games for families that want something easy but still want to flex those decision-making muscles. You build a kingdom by matching tiles, feeling a little bit like a medieval real estate developer. Our family loves the fast play and how it’s always different each time. Kids have a real shot at beating the grown-ups if we get distracted—usually by snacks. The rules are clear, the turns are quick, and there’s just enough thinking to keep us quiet until someone shouts that they’ve built the world’s tiniest kingdom.
2 Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a classic for board games for families. You take turns placing tiles to build cities, roads, and grasslands. It starts off peaceful, but soon everyone is fighting over who gets control of the biggest city. We love how it keeps everyone involved until the very end. If you want to spice things up, try tossing in a house rule or two—like having to moo every time you get a cow tile. The puzzle-like nature makes this a favorite for both kids and adults. Every game ends with a proud look at the mess of tiles we’ve created on the table.
1 Codenames
Codenames takes the top spot on our list of board games for families. Why? It’s the only game that made Grandma laugh so hard she snorted. You split into teams and try to guess each other’s secret words, based on clever clues. Everyone can play—kids, adults, even your neighbor who just stopped by for coffee. We love how it gets us all thinking and talking, but it never feels too serious. No one gets left out, and it always leads to silly misunderstandings and ‘what were you thinking?’ moments. If you want a board game for families that’s fast, fun, and full of laughs, this is the one.
