13 Best Family Fun Activities for 2025: Top Picks Reviewed
Looking for family fun activities? Grab these board games and get everyone laughing, bonding, and playing together around the table in no time.
13 Best Board Games for Family Fun Activities (2024 Edition)
Tired of picking the same old game and watching everyone yawn? We’ve gathered the 13 best board games for family fun activities, all tested with our own messy bunch. We focused on games that anyone can learn fast, are fun for all ages, and never end in a sibling grudge match (well, mostly). These picks bring everyone together, get people laughing, and keep the phones off the table—for at least an hour, which in our house is a small miracle. Ready to turn game night into the highlight of your week?
On this list:
13 Ticket to Ride
We picked Ticket to Ride because trains make everything better, even family fun activities. The rules are simple enough that even Uncle Bob can follow them after Thanksgiving dinner. You collect colorful cards, claim routes, and get a little too competitive over who gets to Seattle first. Families love it because it’s just the right mix of luck and planning—plus, you learn some geography! No one has ever flipped the board in a fit of rage (so far), and games roll along smoothly. If you want a board game that gets everyone laughing, groaning, and secretly plotting, Ticket to Ride is a must.
12 Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! gets picked because it’s so easy to learn, even younger kids can join the family fun activities. The cards are as cute as a kitten in a teacup, and the game is fast-paced so Grandpa won’t nod off mid-round. You pass cards around, grab sushi, and try to score the tastiest combos. We love the way it keeps everyone involved at all times. No waiting ages for your turn here. You can play several rounds and everyone will still want more (and maybe even sushi for dinner).
11 Carcassonne
Carcassonne made our list because it’s perfect for family fun activities and has endless replay value. You take turns placing tiles to build cities, roads, and fields, and then add your little wooden people (meeples, if you want to sound smart) to score points. We’ve played with kids who loved making funny-shaped cities and adults who could not resist competitive farming. The rules are straightforward, but there’s enough strategy to keep even the most crafty aunt or uncle in the game. Plus, the board looks like a stained-glass window by the end.
10 Kingdomino
Kingdomino is like classic dominoes but with way more personality. We picked this one because everyone gets to act like royalty as they build their own little kingdom. It’s quick to learn and moves at a fast pace, so nobody gets bored. The mix of luck and skill makes it perfect for all ages and skill levels, which is exactly what you want for family fun activities. Our group loved trying to outdo each other with the fanciest, silliest castles. Highly recommended if you’re tired of the same old family games.
9 Azul
Azul is as beautiful to look at as it is fun to play. This one’s on here because it mixes puzzle-solving, color matching, and a bit of sneaky sabotage if you’re playing with our group. It’s surprisingly relaxing, even when everyone is blocking your perfect combo. We love Azul for family fun activities because the rules are simple, but there’s just enough strategy to keep things interesting, even after many games. Plus, the tiles are so satisfying to pick up, you might end up playing just for the tactile experience.
8 Codenames
Codenames turns family fun activities into a hilarious word-guessing frenzy. Split into two teams and try to give the best clues without sending your family to the wrong words (or the dreaded assassin). We’ve played with all ages and had everyone howling in laughter over the wacky guesses. The game gets people thinking and talking, which is great for family bonding. It’s easy to scale up or down for bigger or smaller groups, too. Honestly, it’s one of our go-to party games—just don’t trust Dad to give clues. Ever.
7 Qwirkle
Qwirkle is the game we grab when we want simple rules but big laughs. It’s like if Scrabble and dominoes got together and had a rainbow-colored baby. Perfect for family fun activities, Qwirkle has players matching colors and shapes to score points. We love the mix of luck, strategy, and those surprising moments when you set up a huge score only to have someone else nab it first. Easy to teach, quick to play, and you might even feel a little smarter after a few rounds. Go ahead, try to say Qwirkle without smiling.
6 Outfoxed!
Outfoxed! deserves a spot for younger families who want family fun activities that everyone can truly play. You work together to catch the sneaky fox who stole the pie (which, quite frankly, is always our biggest concern). It’s cooperative, so you’re all on the same team and the kids get to outsmart the game, not each other. We had a blast following clues and rolling the dice, with not a single meltdown in sight. If you want a mystery game for the whole family, Outfoxed! is a winner.
5 Blokus
Blokus made our list because it’s pure family fun activities in a box. It’s got funky Tetris-like pieces and the goal is to spread your colors all over the board—while blocking your loved ones, of course. The rules are so easy to teach that our grandma was winning within five minutes. It’s fast, competitive, and gets people thinking in shapes, not just numbers or words. Plus, you’ll learn more about spatial reasoning in 20 minutes than you ever did in math class.
4 Just One
Just One is THE cooperative word game for family fun activities. Everyone gives one-word hints to help someone guess a mystery word. But if hints are repeated, they get erased, leading to plenty of groans and giggles when someone guesses ‘pancake’ for the clue ‘moon’. We love how it works with any group size and gets everyone talking. It’s quick, light, and causes just the right amount of friendly frustration. Bonus: no need to keep score—just help each other out and try not to think too hard.
3 Rhino Hero
Rhino Hero is pure chaos and family fun activities rolled into one. Build a wobbly tower out of cards, then add a superhero rhino and hope nobody sneezes. We chose this because it gets everyone howling with laughter and sometimes holding their breath as the tower tips. It’s super quick to set up, and even adults find themselves hooked. Perfect for all ages—just clear the table and maybe move the drinks. Rhino Hero will test your nerves and your steady hand.
2 The Game of Life
The Game of Life is a classic for family fun activities, and trust us, it’s still a hit after all these years. Spin the wheel, pick your job, and see who gets rich (or bankrupt) first. We like this one because it sparks hilarious conversations about careers, kids, and unexpected detours. It’s simple enough for kids but still fun for adults who want to reminisce about the good old days. Plus, it gets everyone talking about their actual life choices—sometimes with more laughs than therapy.
1 Catan
We put Catan in the top spot for the best family fun activities board game because it brings out the best (and sometimes worst) in everyone—in the most entertaining way. Trade, build, and settle your way to victory, all while trying to hide your glee as you snag that last sheep card from your sibling. We have played so many games where alliances turned, deals were struck, and Grandma surprised us by building the longest road. Catan is strategic, easy to pick up, and keeps everyone coming back for more. This is the game that gets families talking, laughing, and plotting together.
