Board Games We Actually All Agree On
Board games are a great way to bring the family together for fun, laughs, and friendly competition. However, finding games that everyone in the family can agree on can sometimes be a challenge. Whether you’re looking for something quick and easy, or a more strategic game, here’s a list of board games that are guaranteed to please everyone, no matter their age or preferences.
1. Ticket to Ride
Why We Love It:
Ticket to Ride is a strategy board game where players compete to build train routes across the map. It's easy to learn, fast-paced, and offers a good balance of strategy and luck. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the game without it getting too complicated, and there are variations for different age groups and maps around the world.
Ideal for: Families looking for a game that’s not too heavy on rules but still requires some strategy and thinking ahead.
2. Codenames
Why We Love It:
Codenames is a word game that challenges players to think creatively and communicate well with each other. The goal is to guess the right words based on one-word clues given by your teammate. It’s a perfect mix of fun, strategy, and teamwork. The game is easy to grasp, but the clues can be tricky enough to keep everyone on their toes.
Ideal for: Families with older kids or adults who enjoy wordplay and light strategy.
3. Dixit
Why We Love It:
Dixit is a beautifully illustrated game that involves creative storytelling and interpretation. Players take turns as the "storyteller," giving a clue to a picture card, and others must guess which card fits the clue. The game is open-ended and lets everyone stretch their imagination. The artwork is stunning and provides a fun atmosphere for family play.
Ideal for: Creative families who enjoy storytelling, art, and a bit of mystery.
4. Carcassonne
Why We Love It:
Carcassonne is a tile-laying game where players build cities, roads, and fields in medieval France. The game is easy to pick up, but offers plenty of depth in strategy. As the game progresses, the board grows with cities, roads, and cloisters, and players compete to claim areas and earn points.
Ideal for: Families that like building and strategy without overwhelming rules.
5. Settlers of Catan
Why We Love It:
Settlers of Catan is a classic resource management game that’s fun for older kids and adults. Players trade, build, and settle on an island to gather resources and earn points. The game involves negotiation, strategy, and a bit of luck with dice rolls. It’s a game that keeps everyone engaged and requires both teamwork and competition.
Ideal for: Families who enjoy longer, more strategic games with an element of negotiation.
6. Pandemic
Why We Love It:
In Pandemic, players work together as a team to stop the spread of diseases around the world. It’s a cooperative game, which makes it great for families that want to work together instead of competing. It’s a bit more intense, as there’s a sense of urgency to save the world, but it's satisfying when everyone pulls together to win.
Ideal for: Families who like a challenge and enjoy working together as a team.
7. Apples to Apples
Why We Love It:
Apples to Apples is a simple party game that everyone can play. The goal is to match up nouns with adjectives, and the funniest or most fitting answer wins. It's hilarious, easy to play, and can be enjoyed by both younger kids and adults alike.
Ideal for: Families looking for a light-hearted, easy-to-learn game that leads to laughs.
8. Sushi Go!
Why We Love It:
Sushi Go! is a fast-paced card game where players collect different types of sushi to create the best meal. It’s a quick and fun game that’s perfect for a short break between other activities. The rules are simple, and it’s a great introduction to card games for younger players.
Ideal for: Families looking for a quick, fun card game that doesn’t require much setup.
9. Clue (Cluedo)
Why We Love It:
Clue is a classic murder mystery game where players deduce who committed the crime, with what weapon, and where. It's perfect for families who like solving mysteries together. It’s easy to pick up and involves some deductive reasoning and strategy to narrow down the possibilities.
Ideal for: Families who love puzzles, deduction, and a little bit of suspense.
10. Scrabble
Why We Love It:
Scrabble is a beloved word game that’s been around for decades. Players use letter tiles to form words and score points based on the letters’ values. It’s a great game for families who enjoy word challenges, and it can be played casually or competitively depending on the mood.
Ideal for: Families who enjoy word games and have players with varying vocabularies.
11. Sorry!
Why We Love It:
Sorry! is a classic board game that involves moving pieces around the board while trying to send your opponents’ pieces back to start. It’s simple, fast, and fun for players of all ages. It’s also a game that’s often filled with moments of playful rivalry and surprise, making it a great choice for family game nights.
Ideal for: Families looking for a fast and fun game with an element of chance.
12. The Game of Life
Why We Love It:
The Game of Life is a family favorite that simulates a person’s journey through life, from college to retirement. Players make decisions that affect their fortunes, such as choosing a career or starting a family. The game offers a fun, light-hearted way to teach kids about decision-making, and it’s great for older kids and adults.
Ideal for: Families who enjoy strategy with a bit of life simulation mixed in.
13. Telestrations
Why We Love It:
Telestrations is like a game of telephone but with drawings instead of words. Players draw a word or phrase, then pass it to the next person who tries to guess what the drawing is. It’s hilarious to see how the drawing and guesses evolve throughout the game. It’s perfect for creative families who love to laugh.
Ideal for: Families that enjoy drawing, guessing, and a good sense of humor.
14. Forbidden Island
Why We Love It:
Forbidden Island is another cooperative game, but this one is a little more adventurous. Players work together to recover treasures from an island that is slowly sinking. The game combines elements of strategy and teamwork, making it a fun challenge that everyone can enjoy together.
Ideal for: Families who love adventure and teamwork with a bit of risk.
Finding the right board game for family game night doesn’t have to be a challenge. Whether you're into strategy, creativity, or a bit of healthy competition, there’s a game for every family. These games are not only fun but also bring families closer together, offering opportunities to bond, learn, and create lasting memories.