13 Best Family Board Games to Play in 2026
Looking for the best family board games? Here are our top picks that guarantee laughs, teamwork, and fun for all ages!
The 13 Best Family Board Games for Hours of Fun Together! We all know the world of family board games is a wild and wonderful one. When picking games for our top list, we looked for games everyone can jump into, from the tiny tots to the grumpy uncle who pretends he hates fun. We picked games that are easy to learn, quick to play, and bring everyone together (without causing too many family arguments). Whether you love teamwork, clever strategy, or just a good laugh, our picks have something for every family game night. Let’s get started!
On this list:
13 Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is the potato salad of family board games—everyone somehow likes it and nobody complains. We first played it with a mix of cousins and cranky aunts. Magically, nobody flipped the table! The rules are super simple: build train routes, collect cards, and try not to let Uncle Bob block your Boston connection just because he can. It fits new players but doesn’t bore seasoned ones. There’s enough strategy to make you feel clever and enough luck to make Dad yell at the dice. It’s the best for family reunions, because even grandpa can play after a nap.
12 Carcassonne
If your family thinks jigsaw puzzles are ‘exciting’ then Carcassonne takes things up a notch. We played once during a power outage, using only candlelight. Laying tiles and claiming roads is soothing, even if cousin Tim claims every single church, again. The rules are easy, but there’s just enough sneakiness to make things spicy. A great family pick when you want a game that doesn’t require a ton of reading or arguing. It works for all ages and you’ll only lose one meeple under the couch, guaranteed.
11 Kingdomino
Kingdomino is pure gold for short attention spans and family game nights that can’t survive a 2-hour slog. We finished an entire game before Mom finished her tea. The rules make sense (dominoes, but cooler), and everyone can understand what’s happening. The game looks pretty and there’s just enough strategy to cause a little sibling rivalry. It’s the family board game for when you want to actually finish a game before bedtime.
10 Outfoxed!
This is Sherlock Holmes if Holmes was a chicken and Watson was a suspicious fox. Outfoxed! is a silly, cooperative family game where you race to catch a sneaky thief before they escape. We played with little cousins and everyone got way too involved in accusing the wrong animals. The deduction keeps kids thinking and the teamwork keeps peace at the table. Perfect for families with young detectives who want to work together instead of yelling ‘I win!’
9 Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! makes passing cards around the table weirdly addictive, even for people who think sushi is ‘suspicious raw food’. Our family played this between dinner and dessert—quick, easy, and filled with sneaky moves. It teaches kids about set collection and good sportsmanship, mostly because someone always steals your pudding at the last second. Fast rounds mean nobody gets bored, and the cute art makes everyone smile. You’ll want this for those family nights that need a boost.
8 Codenames: Pictures
Family communication, chaos, and lots of laughs—Codenames: Pictures has it all. The game is about clues, wacky guesses, and hilarious explanations (‘How did you get ‘dog’ from that picture?!’). We played after a family BBQ and it got loud, but in a good way. There’s enough mystery for adults and simple rules for kids. Great for big family groups that want to talk, laugh, and sometimes argue about what a blurry drawing really means.
7 Qwirkle
Qwirkle starts calm and quickly turns into a family brawl over who can make the longest color or shape chain. We brought this on a camping trip and everyone got hooked, including our dog (he mostly ate a tile). The rules are as simple as tic-tac-toe, but you can pull off clever moves that make you look like a genius. It’s perfect for families who like games that are easy to teach, quick to play, and secretly competitive.
6 Patchwork
Patchwork is two-player family fun at its weirdest—you compete to make the prettiest (or least ugly) quilt. We played this on a rainy Sunday and found ourselves quietly sabotaging each other for the best patch. Simple to learn, surprisingly deep, and oddly soothing for a family game. If you have a crafty family member or just need a chill, strategic game for two, Patchwork will become a favorite. Bonus: no sewing required!
5 Azul
Our family turned tile-laying into an art form with Azul. We weren’t sure if it was a game or a design contest, but either way, we laughed the whole time. The rules are easy to teach but the consequences for bad picks are real—get ready to hear ‘Why did you take MY tile?!’ over and over. It’s great for families who like pretty things, a dash of strategy, and don’t mind a bit of drama by the end.
4 The Game of Life
For pure nostalgia and chaos, The Game of Life is hard to beat. Our family dusted off a copy last year and had a blast spinning the wheel, getting fake jobs, and trying not to end up broke with five kids and a pink car. It’s silly, random, and sparks funny conversations about what ‘real’ life could look like. It’s not as strategic, but it’s a classic that everyone in the family understands. Sometimes, that’s all you need.
3 Just One
Just One made us laugh so hard we nearly cried. It’s a cooperative word game where you give clues, but if they match someone else’s clue, both vanish. Family members learn quickly who thinks alike (and who really, truly doesn’t). It’s perfect for big groups, super easy to set up, and doesn’t leave anyone out. It’s our top pick for family gatherings where not everyone likes ‘strategy’—but everyone loves a good time.
2 Camel Up
If your family likes a little chaos and a lot of yelling, Camel Up is a safe bet. Betting on racing camels feels as silly as it sounds, but we cheered so loud the neighbors thought there was a real race. The game is fast, unpredictable, and great for making bets just to see someone’s camel run backwards. Works with big groups and keeps everyone laughing. If you want a family board game that’s pure fun, this is it.
1 7 Wonders
We crowned 7 Wonders as the best family board game because it hits the sweet spot—easy to teach, quick turns, and everyone builds their own ancient empire without waiting ages for their turn. Our family loved competing but nobody felt left out or frustrated. It’s colorful, interesting, and feels epic without taking hours. New players pick it up fast, and there’s enough depth for the serious gamers in the family. If you want one board game to bring the family together (and maybe brag a little about your pyramids), this is it!
