13 Best Popular Family Board Games Reviewed for 2025
Explore our top picks of popular family board games that bring everyone together for laughter, friendly competition, and unforgettable moments around the table.
Ready to gather the squad for some fun? We’ve played a ton of popular family board games, hunting for the ones that keep everyone laughing, thinking, and not flipping the table (too often). We focus on games that are easy to learn, work for all ages, and bring out just the right amount of friendly competition. Whether you want teamwork, strategy, or snack-sized card play, our list covers it all. If you’re on the hunt for the best night in, these popular family board games will keep your crew happy and asking for another round.
On this list:
13 Ticket to Ride
We can’t make a list of popular family board games and skip Ticket to Ride. This game turns train routes into a mad dash for the best tracks. Even our aunt, who once said board games put her to sleep faster than chamomile tea, loved it! It’s simple to learn, but still has plenty of competition for all ages. We always end up accusing each other of stealing a route. That’s a true family moment right there. The colorful pieces and steady pace mean no one zones out or gets bored.
12 Catan
Catan is basically the gateway board game for folks who only know Monopoly. We’ve traded sheep for wood so many times, we started naming our resources like pets. The rules are clear, and games move along quick once everyone gets the hang of it. Catan is one of those popular family board games that makes you talk to people, make deals, and laugh at your uncle’s terrible luck. Plus, there’s enough strategy to keep everyone locked in.
11 Carcassonne
Every family has that one member who wants to build stuff. Carcassonne feeds that urge without the mess of Legos. Tiles go down, cities grow, and suddenly, your grandma is a tile-laying ninja. We found it quick to set up, which is big when someone is already losing patience. The simple scoring keeps the fun going without anyone feeling left out. It’s perfect for new players trying out popular family board games.
10 Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! won our hearts one snack at a time. This fun card-drafting game is simple, which pleases everyone from our 7-year-old cousin to our snack-loving grandma. The adorable cards make us hungry every time, but collecting sets and blocking opponents keeps us focused. If you blink, it’s already your turn again. Fast rounds mean no one grumbles about waiting, which makes it a winner among popular family board games.
9 Kingdomino
Kingdomino is one of those rare games that lets us build our own little kingdoms in under 20 minutes. We always feel very important, even while fighting for the best patches of wheat. There’s no stress about rules, but enough strategy to make us second-guess every move. Kingdomino is a king among popular family board games for its quick play and smart tile choices.
8 Qwirkle
Qwirkle is great for families because you don’t need to know a single word of English to enjoy it. Match shapes and colors, and you’re good to go! We enjoy it most when someone tries to create a whole new shape and gets called out. It’s easy enough for the kids, but even the adults compete to pull off a perfect Qwirkle. It’s also sturdy, so it’s survived all of our family spills.
7 Splendor
Jewel-collecting sounded boring, but Splendor changed our minds. Everyone at the table soon started talking about ‘my emerald empire’ way too seriously. It’s a race to collect cards and gems, which keeps us on the edge of our seats. No reading required, so younger players don’t get left out. It’s quick to teach and always makes us want to play, which places it high among popular family board games.
6 Azul
Azul has gorgeous tiles that make us feel like we’re playing with candy. We once caught Aunt Carol trying to swipe a tile for her kitchen! The rules are simple, but making the best patterns is harder than it looks. We find ourselves planning a move, then having it ruined by another player’s surprise pick. Azul is one of those popular family board games that pleases both puzzle lovers and folks who just like pretty things.
5 Codenames
Codenames is the party game we pull out when half the family wants to test their spy skills. This word guessing game is quick to teach and always funny when someone makes a wild guess. We like how it works for both big and small groups. It’s clever, but silly enough that grandma, grandkids, and everyone between can laugh and play together. It’s a staple in our stack of popular family board games.
4 Patchwork
Patchwork is a two-player game, which is perfect for the odd occasions where no one else wants to play. We end up feeling like puzzle wizards, fighting for the best pieces to make the coziest blanket. It’s easy to set up, quick to play, and always satisfies both our competitive and creative sides. If you want popular family board games that work for two, Patchwork is our top pick.
3 The Game of Life
We honestly love The Game of Life for family night, even if Uncle Rick loves to remind us he’s retired and living large. Spinning the wheel and seeing what jobs and events pop up always brings out wild stories and a lot of laughs. It’s got luck, it’s got choices, and it’s easy for everyone to understand. The silly cars and little kids make it classic among popular family board games.
2 Clue (Cluedo)
There’s no bonding like accusing your sibling of a fake crime. Clue has all the twists we love and keeps everyone guessing. We always argue over who gets to be Miss Scarlet and someone calls ‘cheater’ before the end. It’s easy to pick up, and we always leave wanting to play again. With its suspense and laughs, Clue is a legend in the world of popular family board games.
1 Pandemic
Pandemic is our top pick for popular family board games. It turns everyone into a team, working together to save the world. We end up yelling advice, celebrating, and maybe blaming Dad when he messes up. It’s tense but never mean, and the thrill of winning (or losing!) as a group is unforgettable. Pandemic brings everyone together and makes memories, which is why we think it’s the best.
