10 Best Recommended Board Games for Families 2025 Guide
Looking for fun? Our list of recommended board games for families guarantees laughs, teamwork, and lasting memories around the table!
Finding the perfect game night for everyone can be hard, but our list of the 10 best recommended board games for families is here to help. We tried these games with friends and family of all ages—yes, even that grumpy uncle who hates fun—so we know which ones keep everyone smiling. We focus on easy-to-learn rules, short play times, teamwork or friendly competition, and enough laughter to shake the table. Whether you want puzzles, strategy, or pure silliness, our picks for recommended board games for families cover all the bases. Get ready to shake up your next family gathering!
On this list:
10 Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is always near the top of our list for recommended board games for families because it’s simple, yet not boring. Building trains across the map feels so satisfying, and even our pre-teen cousin managed to beat us once (we’re still salty). The rules are easy enough that Grandma picked it up right away, but strategic enough that Uncle Dave keeps plotting out the longest routes and crushing everyone. It doesn’t take all night, so you can play more than once, or fit it in before bedtime. The colorful trains and map are a bonus for family photos, too.
9 Sushi Go!
We love Sushi Go! because it makes us hungry and happy at the same time (not a combo you find every day). It’s a quick card drafting game full of cute sushi, and you can teach it in under five minutes. Even picky players get into trying to collect the best sets. Kids enjoy the artwork, adults enjoy the sneaky card grabs, and even when we lose, we sort of win because the cards are adorable. Sushi Go! works great for recommended board games for families who want something light and fast.
8 Carcassonne
Carcassonne brings out everyone’s inner architect, which is surprising when you see our lopsided towers in real life. You lay down tiles to build cities and roads, making a different board every game. It’s a chill experience for families because you can be as competitive or as helpful as you want. We’ve lost to a six year old who just liked building roads to nowhere. Recommended board games for families should include one that’s both peaceful and sometimes hilariously chaotic, and Carcassonne is that game.
7 Kingdomino
Kingdomino is what happens when dominoes and city-planning fall in love and make a game you can play after dinner (or during dessert, if you love multitasking). It’s super quick to set up, has simple rules, and fills the table with colorful tiles. Our family plays two or three rounds in a row because nobody wants to stop. Kingdomino is a top pick for recommended board games for families who want to sneak in some logic and strategy without any stress.
6 Qwirkle
Qwirkle looks like a classic, feels like a classic, but it’s actually a modern logic game with colorful wooden blocks. Matching shapes and colors is something everyone can do, from your five-year-old niece to your great aunt, who claims she never plays board games (but somehow wins anyway). When it comes to recommended board games for families, Qwirkle is perfect because you never outgrow it and it’s as fun to play together as it is to silently plot your next move.
5 Codenames
Family game night got wild when we added Codenames to the mix. This word guessing game gets everyone working together. You can play with teams, yelling out clues and giggling at the odd word pairings that happen. Our mom once gave the clue ‘animal’ when the words were ‘cat’ and ‘tank’. We’re still worried about her pet choices. Codenames is a top choice for recommended board games for families who like teamwork, laughter, and minor confusion.
4 Azul
Azul looks fancy, but it’s easy to learn and has that ‘just one more game’ vibe. You draft tiles to build a beautiful mosaic that’s almost too pretty to lose at (but trust us, someone does). It gets competitive, but not mean, and we find it’s a great way for everyone to show off their color matching skills. Among recommended board games for families, Azul always wins points for being relaxing and fun at the same time.
3 Outfoxed!
If you have younger kids, Outfoxed! is a fantastic cooperative game where everyone becomes a detective chasing a sneaky fox. We had to work together to find clues, and it’s a rare case where our little cousin outsmarted us all. The game moves fast, the rules are simple, and adults have fun too, especially if you get really into the ‘fox detective’ voice (we do). Outfoxed! is a real winner among recommended board games for families with young kids.
2 Just One
Just One is a word guessing party game where you all try to help one person guess a mystery word, but you can’t give the same clue or it gets erased! We find ourselves in tears laughing when three people all write ‘banana’ for the same clue. This game works for all ages and group sizes, and it gets people talking and shouting, so it’s always a hit. If you like recommended board games for families that are easy and hilarious, Just One nails it.
1 Pandemic
Pandemic is our pick for the best recommended board games for families because it gets everyone to work together against the game, not each other. Whether you win or lose, it’s a team effort (and sometimes, you’ll lose a lot—but it feels epic every time). We love the suspense and excitement as everyone has their own role, plotting out how to save the world from outbreaks. The game is super replayable, and every victory feels like you’ve just saved the world before dessert. If you want a memorable family board game, Pandemic is hands down the best.
