Best Cardboard Games 2025: Top 5 Reviewed and Ranked
We love introducing new players to cardboard games. These five picks are fun, simple, and perfect for game night beginners.
The 5 Best Cardboard Games for Beginners (No Experience Needed!) If you get lost in the sea of cardboard games, we totally get it. There are so many boxes, bits, and rulebooks out there. We’ve played more cardboard games than we’d ever dare admit to our families, all in the name of research. For this list, we looked for quick setups, easy rules, and games that make everyone (even your grumpy uncle) smile. We skipped anything with a rulebook thicker than a sandwich. These picks promise fun, good laughs, and maybe a little friendly rivalry for new players. Let’s get started!
On this list:
5 Camel Up
Camel Up is a riot of cardboard madness. We played this with five friends, and not one camel stayed on the track like it should. The cardboard pyramid that spits dice is a total show stealer. We loved the betting and the chance to cheer (or boo) as camels stacked high like a sandwich. It’s pure chaos with a fun cardboard flair, and new players always get a kick out of the silly components. The rules are simple, so you don’t need to be a genius to have a good time. If you enjoy games where luck can be as wild as your laughter, Camel Up is a sure bet for cardboard games fans.
4 King of Tokyo
King of Tokyo is a staple for anyone who loves dice, monsters, and, of course, thick cardboard tokens. We’ve smashed, grabbed, and roared our way through this city many times. It shines as an easy starter for new gamers, thanks to the simple rules and quick setup. The cardboard energy cubes and tokens are just asking to be tossed around the table. There’s plenty of silly fun as you try to knock your friends out of the city—or end up flattened yourself! This is a great choice if you need a cardboard games classic that gets everyone laughing and trash talking.
3 Ticket to Ride
If you haven’t played Ticket to Ride, you’ve missed out on a core cardboard experience. We’ve had contests to see who can make the longest train snake without crashing into someone else. The game is smooth, and the cardboard tickets and train cards feel great to grab. It’s perfect for families and new gamers since the rules are easy but the strategies can be sneaky. Every match ends with groans and cheers as the last routes get snatched. If you’re looking to build up your cardboard games collection, Ticket to Ride should be right there at the front of the line.
2 Sushi Go Party!
Sushi Go Party! is a little box packed with cardboard goodness. We always end up drooling over the cute sushi art before playing. Drafting cards and passing them around is fast and fun, making this a hit at game nights (or after a sushi dinner). The cardboard trays and tokens hold up to sticky fingers, too! It’s super easy for anyone to learn, so we always trot it out if there’s a newbie at the table. For a quick bite of fun, Sushi Go Party! is a strong pick for any cardboard games lover.
1 Carcassonne
Carcassonne takes the top spot as the best cardboard games experience, and here’s why. We’ve spent countless nights locking tiles together, competing to make the prettiest (or most evil) map. The cardboard tiles snap together so nicely, and every game ends up looking totally unique. There’s just enough strategy to satisfy the planners, but luck keeps things lively. We love that it works for both hardcore and new players, and every round sparks laughs and groans. It’s the perfect mix of easy to learn and hard to master. That’s why Carcassonne stands tall as our number one pick in the world of cardboard games.
