7 Best Childrens Board Games Reviewed for 2025
Looking for the best childrens board games? We tested the top picks, making fun memories and laughter for every childrens gaming night.
7 Best Childrens Board Games for Hours of Fun
Choosing the best childrens board games is harder than convincing a toddler to eat broccoli. We focus on games that bring laughter, teach a little, and keep everyone from flipping the table. Our group tested these games with kids of all ages—if it caused tears or someone hid under the table, it didn’t make the cut. We looked for childrens games that spark imagination, build teamwork, and keep the rules simple. Whether you want something quick or a game that keeps them busy while you hunt for snacks, this list has you covered.
On this list:
7 Candy Land
Candy Land holds a special place in our childhood hearts as the first game most of us played before we could even spell ‘strategy.’ The rules are simple, you move by color, making it perfect for the littlest kids. The art is colorful and so sweet it’ll make your teeth hurt. We played this with our nieces and nephews, who cheered louder for landing on Gumdrop Mountain than for ice cream. Sure, it’s pure luck, but that’s half the fun at this age. If your game night needs zero reading, lots of giggles, and an intro to board gaming, Candy Land is a classic start for all childrens.
6 Outfoxed!
Outfoxed! is a co-op whodunit where everyone works together to find the sneaky fox. We played this with the neighbor’s kids, and oh boy, the detective hats came out. The game is equal parts deduction and luck, with enough suspense to keep kids hooked but not frustrated. Rolling dice and matching clues feels exciting, especially when everyone argues over which suspect is the real rascal. For a group of childrens who love to solve mysteries (or just accuse the plastic fox of being shady), Outfoxed! is a great pick that teaches teamwork without feeling like homework.
5 Animal Upon Animal
Animal Upon Animal is a stacking game where kids—and sometimes clumsy adults—pile wooden animals as high as Jenga towers. We once built a leaning tower of penguins that would’ve made a zookeeper cry. The bright animal pieces are sturdy, perfect if your table shakes a little or if someone’s laugh snorts turn into earthquakes. This game is easy to set up, has rules a five-year-old can explain, and brings out unexpected tension. Perfect for younger childrens who wanna show off their steady hands and for adults who think they have them. Spoiler: we don’t.
4 The Game of Life
The Game of Life is the first time most childrens drive a car—albeit a tiny plastic one. We spun the wheel, got fake jobs, and more fake kids than we could count. The decisions are light, but it’s fun to see whose peg-family retires with more cash and who ends up living in a pink trailer. Whenever we play, our group races for the most outrageous life story instead of winning. It’s a fantastic intro for childrens to games with choices and thinking ahead, and it’s silly enough that grown-ups get to relive their own first brush with midlife crisis—plastic money style.
3 Carcassonne Junior
Carcassonne Junior brings tile-laying fun to the youngest childrens in your life. We played this with a mix of kids and adults, and everyone wanted to build the biggest connected road. It’s much easier than regular Carcassonne, so no one has to explain medieval French geography. The rules are simple, but the colorful artwork and quick playtime keep everyone engaged. It’s perfect for families who want to introduce strategic play but don’t want bedtime meltdowns. Plus, you finish before anyone gets bored or starts eating the tiles. Always a win at family gatherings!
2 Rhino Hero
Rhino Hero is an absolute riot. It’s a game where you build a tall, wobbly skyscraper out of cards—and then send a superhero rhino up to save the day. Every time we play, the table shakes from laughter (and failed attempts at steady hands). It’s simple, quick to teach, and has that ‘just one more round’ feel. Young childrens love the bright artwork, and adults love to pretend they aren’t sweating as the tower leans. If you want a game that has little rules and big tension for all ages, Rhino Hero never lets us down—unless the tower falls.
1 Ticket to Ride: First Journey
Ticket to Ride: First Journey is the ultimate board game for childrens, and we crown it the best on this list. We played with a batch of kids and they all squealed with joy when their trains connected the cities. The rules are much easier than the grown-up version, so no one gets lost figuring out routes. The game looks gorgeous, and the feeling of completing tickets makes kids feel like champions. It sneaks in geography without feeling like a school lesson, and every session finishes with shouts of ‘again!’ We pick this as the best because it’s fun for the whole family and lets childrens feel clever without being overwhelmed.
