2025’s Best Family Games: Top 6 Must-Play Picks
Finding the perfect board game for family night can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack—or a missing sock after laundry day. In our quest to provide you with the cream of the crop, we prioritized games that encourage family bonding, laughter, and maybe a little friendly competition. Our top picks deliver engaging gameplay without being too complex, making sure everyone from grandma to the youngest kid has a blast. Whether you’re strategizing, building, or rescuing, these six games promise to turn an ordinary family evening into an unforgettable adventure. Ready to roll the dice?
On this list:
6 Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is a delightful train-themed board game that combines strategy with a sprinkle of luck. We’ve had countless family game nights plotting railways across North America. It’s easy to learn but challenging to master, making it perfect for a mix of ages. The game also teaches basic geography, which is a bonus. Our grandmother, who’s not a big fan of long convoluted rules, even became a train tycoon during one of our sessions. Plus, who doesn’t love collecting colorful train cards and laying tracks? It’s the competitive spirit without the Monopoly-style tension!
5 Catan
Catan is a classic for a reason. With its blend of resource management and strategy, it keeps everyone engaged. We often joke that it turns us into real estate moguls. The first time we played, our youngest thought sheep were the best resource, and hilarity ensued when she traded them all. With Catan, every game is different, making it a fantastic choice for those family marathon weekends when Netflix just isn’t cutting it. This game sharpens negotiation skills and offers endless replayability, as no two games are the same.
4 Forbidden Island
This cooperative game is a family favorite because it encourages teamwork and communication rather than competition. Forbidden Island brings everyone together as we attempt to recover treasures and escape before the island sinks. We’ve had some tense moments where the island was nearly lost, but somehow, we always manage to pull through, sometimes with high-fives all around. It’s like being in an adventure movie where we’re all the heroes. The game is quicker than others, perfect for a shorter family gaming session before bedtime.
3 Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a tile-laying game that’s simple yet deep. As our family builds cities and roads, there’s a bit of friendly competition involved in placing those strategic tiles. We love how it’s both calm and thought-provoking. Even our youngest gets in on the fun, although we suspect she just loves the idea of building. This game is all about creating your own little world, one tile at a time. It’s fantastic for family bonding and is highly addictive once you start playing.
2 Kingdomino
Kingdomino is a refreshing twist on the classic domino game, making it a fantastic family option. It’s easy to grasp, and even our youngest member could play after a few rounds. We’ve spent many weekends trying to build the perfect kingdom. The game is quick, which is a plus when attention spans vary. Its charm lies in the simplicity with enough strategy to keep adults interested. Kingdomino is like your favorite snack – hard to have just one round. We promise, more than once we’ve said ‘one more game’ and ended up playing four.
1 Pandemic
Pandemic tops our list because of its incredible ability to unite the family in a fight against diseases. Instead of competing, you all work together to save the world. The tension is real as the diseases spread across the map, but that’s also where the magic lies. We’ve come close to defeat many times, only to snatch victory with a last-minute cure. Every game feels like a mini-movie with its own plot twists. It teaches cooperation and critical thinking, making it not only fun but also an educational choice for families.
