12 Best Family Board Games 2025: Top 10 Reviewed
Looking for the top 10 family board games? We’ve played them all, laughed a lot, and picked favorites you’ll love!
Ready to find the perfect pick from the top 10 family board games? We know hunting for a game that won’t end with your aunt flipping the table is tough. When we chose our list, we looked for games that work for all ages, don’t take an entire weekend to learn, and keep everyone laughing or at least talking to each other. We also focused on replay value because nobody wants a game that’s boring after two rounds. If you want fun, easy-to-grasp, and replayable games, our guide to the 12 best top 10 family board games is for you!
On this list:
12 Ticket to Ride
We had a blast with Ticket to Ride. Building train routes across North America never felt this tense and joyful. Every game, Uncle Joe tried a wild strategy and still lost, but he smiled. The rules are easy, so everyone—grandma, cousin, or that neighbor who just popped in—can get started quick. The game gets everyone talking and plotting, but also laughing about who stole whose route. Ticket to Ride is perfect for families who want something that’s straightforward but still gets the gears turning. It won’t wear out your patience, and the board is colorful enough to brighten any game night.
11 Carcassonne
Carcassonne makes you feel like a medieval land baron—without any of the real-life paperwork. The tile-laying in this top 10 family board games contender is simple. Kids and adults picked it up fast. We always end up arguing (nicely!) over who gets the biggest city or longest road. And those little meeples? The real MVPs. Carcassonne works well with two, but add more and the chaos ramps up just enough. It’s strategic, but nobody ever feels left behind. Even if your city gets walled in, there’s always another move. Our family keeps asking for ‘just one more game.’
10 Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! is a quick hit for anyone new to board games or sushi (come on, try the sushi). The cards are cute, and passing hands around the table adds a bit of suspense. We laughed every time grandma forgot what a sashimi was, but she still won! The game plays fast enough for short attention spans. It’s portable enough to take to family vacations or picnics, which we did—and it survived a juice spill, unlike our Monopoly box. If you want a light, top 10 family board games pick with charm, Sushi Go! is top notch.
9 Kingdomino
If you like dominoes but want castles and kingdoms, Kingdomino hits the spot. We played this on a rainy day and instantly fell in love. The rules are clear, so even the youngest player caught on quick. Drafting tiles keeps everyone hooked and searching for the best fit for their kingdom. It’s light, but you feel smart when you nail that perfect match. The artwork is fun, and the box doesn’t take up much space. Kingdomino slides right onto our top 10 family board games list because there’s zero fuss. It’s the kind of game we finish and say, ‘Let’s go again!’
8 Codenames
Secret words and sneaky hints—Codenames is the ultimate family spy game. We once played a round where every clue from Aunt Sally made no sense, but somehow her team won. You don’t need to be a word genius to have fun. Kids and adults think differently, which only adds to the comedy. It’s one of those top 10 family board games you can play with a big group, and everyone will want to play again. The only downside? Your family might invent new inside jokes that last for years. Warning: competitive siblings take this one very seriously.
7 Azul
Azul is all about making pretty tile mosaics, and, let’s be honest, pretending to be a fancy artist. Our family felt clever as we picked the best tiles and tried to block each other, but nobody got upset if their perfect plan crashed—too busy admiring their own board. Easy to learn, but always different. It’s calm, but not boring. Even our grumpy uncle said, ‘Hey, this is nice!’ after one round. Azul makes the cut for our top 10 family board games because it looks great on the table and makes everyone feel proud of their handiwork.
6 King of Tokyo
Want to smash things and yell ‘ROAR’? King of Tokyo is perfect. We played this one rainy afternoon and suddenly our living room was full of giggles, monster impressions, and dramatic dice rolls. The game is easy to teach and plays quick, so nobody gets bored. If you get knocked out, you don’t have to wait long for the next round. The wild cards and power-ups keep things fresh. King of Tokyo brings out the silly side in everyone, which makes it a favorite on our top 10 family board games list.
5 The Game of Life
Spin the wheel, make choices, laugh at your weird new career—The Game of Life never gets old. We’ve played this since we were kids, and now our kids play it too. Sure, sometimes Aunt Linda ends up a brain surgeon with three dogs and no money, but that’s half the fun. It’s a classic for good reason: easy set-up, colorful pieces, and you never know who’s going to win. In our house, The Game of Life is a true top 10 family board games must-have because it blends luck, choices, and laughs every time.
4 Labyrinth
Labyrinth makes everyone feel like a genius magician—until you get totally blocked by Grandma’s move! Sliding tiles to find treasure feels satisfying, and the board changes every game. It’s great for new and younger players who want a bit of puzzle with their fun. Our family kept coming back to this one, trading wild stories about getting lost in the maze. Labyrinth stands out among the top 10 family board games because it’s quick to learn, different every time, and gives that ‘aha!’ moment when you finally snatch your treasure.
3 Qwirkle
Qwirkle looks simple—match colors and shapes—but wow, did we get competitive! Our youngest had just as much fun as the grandparents, and nobody needed to remember tricky rules. Every time we played, the board filled up in a new way. It’s like Scrabble but friendlier (and no arguments about fake words). If you want a solid, easy to explain game that still makes you think, Qwirkle is top 10 family board games material for sure. Bonus points for chunky, satisfying tiles you can’t lose under the sofa (we checked).
2 Forbidden Island
Cooperation, adventure, and a chance to save the day—Forbidden Island turns the whole family into a team of treasure hunters. We loved having to work together and shouting advice across the table (sometimes too loud). The shrinking island keeps everyone guessing, and nobody gets left out, even if the island sinks and you all lose together. Forbidden Island makes the list because it’s tense, pretty, and makes you realize Aunt Sally is secretly great at planning escapes. For families that want to win or lose together, this should be on your top 10 family board games shelf.
1 Catan
Catan takes the crown as our best pick among the top 10 family board games. We played this game for hours—trading sheep for wood, plotting road-building schemes, and yes, accusing each other of being sneaky (all in good fun). There’s never just one way to win, and even when someone pulls ahead, a smart trade or a lucky roll can change everything. It taught our kids basic strategy and even some math, but mostly, we laughed a lot. No family game shelf is complete without Catan—it’s the game that turns regular nights into legendary battles. This one wins because it brings out the best (and funniest) in everyone.
