7 of the best board games for family fun

Old-school classic Scrabble(opens in a new tab) is our top pick for the ultimate family board game, because of its multiplayer option, crossword challenge, and ease of use. 

What makes Scrabble a great choice is that two to four people can play, so if you’re playing with a spouse or with children, the game can easily accommodate a small group. 

Playing the game is also easy regardless of skill level. All you have to do is use letters to rack up points and win, it’s that easy. Take turns creating words on the board and count the value of all the letters in every new word you spell out. If you place letters on premium squares, you’ll also get bonus points. The problem-solving part of this game is great, considering you can be in elementary school or an adult to build cool words on the board. 

Scott Payne(opens in a new tab), an Amazon reviewer, says: 

“I bought this game when I had been off work for months after having foot surgery! My wife and I got bored and wanted something to stay busy to move the time along! My wife asked what my childhood favorite game was and I said

“I bought this game when I had been off work for months after having foot surgery! My wife and I got bored and wanted something to stay busy to move the time along! My wife asked what my childhood favorite game was and I said

Scrabble

“I bought this game when I had been off work for months after having foot surgery! My wife and I got bored and wanted something to stay busy to move the time along! My wife asked what my childhood favorite game was and I said

Scrabble

and she agreed she felt the same way! She ran across this game and purchased it without hesitation! When we got it it was just like old times and had all the special features of wooden holders and game pieces. Yes, the board seems a bit thinner than I remember but didn't stop us from enjoying the activity! If you are looking for something that will bring the past back this game should do it.” 

And ladyrs(opens in a new tab), another Amazon customer, writes:

“I am 76-years-old and had not played

“I am 76-years-old and had not played

Scrabble

“I am 76-years-old and had not played

Scrabble

in many years, but my daughter in Mia ordered one and we played together when I went for a visit. I beat her. Has since played with another daughter and a granddaughter and beat them also. It’s great to keep your mind active and lots of fun also. Nice to sit and play board games with family and friends rather than each playing a game separately on each one's computer.”

Have a big group coming over? Your entire crew will love playing Monopoly(opens in a new tab), a family board game that accommodates up to eight players, makes finance fun, and gives you the freedom to “buy” properties at your own pace. 

Compared to other board games, Monopoly earns bonus points for its big group appeal. With multiple players, there are more opportunities to win or lose the game. Considering everyone will purchase or lose different types of “property,” playtime is very exciting. Plus, the board provides different stops to make or break your Monopoly experience. Pass Go to make it rain money, Go to Jail to skip your turn, or get risky with Chance cards to build up your “real estate franchise.” 

Pre-game setup is a little more intensive, since you have to make sure everyone understands the board itself and each player needs $1500 to begin their journey. Even though you might take 5 to 10 extra minutes for this, it’s well worth it for a thrilling game experience. 

Amazon customer Denise B.(opens in a new tab) writes:

“

“

Monopoly

“

Monopoly

is my 8-year-old daughter's new favorite game. Her math skills which have always been exceptional have really improved in the money department. She's getting to know what a mortgage is and how to lose gracefully.”

And Marcques L. Washington(opens in a new tab), another Amazon reviewer, says: 

“What more can you ask when it comes to a Classic game like

“What more can you ask when it comes to a Classic game like

Monopoly

“What more can you ask when it comes to a Classic game like

Monopoly

?! I read some reviews comparing quality from previous versions, but unless you are collecting board games, who cares? The quality is good enough to play on without noticing the small differences. My family played it the first night after receiving it for three hours. To say what's enjoyed playing was an understatement.”

“What more can you ask when it comes to a Classic game like

Monopoly

?! I read some reviews comparing quality from previous versions, but unless you are collecting board games, who cares? The quality is good enough to play on without noticing the small differences. My family played it the first night after receiving it for three hours. To say what's enjoyed playing was an understatement.”

Take your small gathering to the next level with Qwirkle(opens in a new tab),(opens in a new tab) a fun family board game that focuses on tactical maneuvering, spatial recognition, and strategic planning skills. 

Qwirkle is an easy game to play, but there’s one catch: you’ll need a sturdy table as your “board,” since there isn’t a board included with the set. Plus, to keep score, it’s helpful to have a pen and pad on hand. 

Great for kids and adults, Qwirkle makes game play challenging with its 36 possible color and shape combinations. To win, players need to score the most points by building lines that share the same color and shape. 

During the game, players take turns creating combinations of colors and shapes until a grid forms. On the back of each tile, there’s an illustration that indicates its point value, so you can easily keep score during the game. If younger children are playing, adults might have to remind them that duplicate tiles don’t count, but they can easily help them choose a similar color or shape if they run into trouble. 

MindWare, the manufacturer of Qwirkle, offers a 100 percent guarantee. If you’re not happy with the game, you can request an exchange or refund within 90 days of the purchasing date. 

Mr. McGibblets(opens in a new tab), an Amazon reviewer, writes: 

“This game relies on such a simple concept of matching colors and shapes that it would be easy to dismiss this as something childish, certainly beneath that of any respectable gamer. But that is the beauty of it. It dumps the polarizing themes that tend to put newcomers off and the rules are so straightforward that the game can be explained in just a few sentences. What little confusion one might have is usually resolved within a couple of turns and suddenly a world of strategy begins to unfold as you subtly try to mislead, block, and steal combinations from the clutches of your beloved opponents. It is truly a wonderful tool for family bonding and better still, it serves as a gateway game to pull loved ones into the world of tabletop games.” 

At only $9, Clue is a budget-friendly board game pick for multiple skill levels and oodles of mystery-themed fun. 

Clue(opens in a new tab) turns crime-solving into a strategic board game with a thrilling objective. You can play the boardwalk or mansion-themed Clue, because both versions come on a double-sided board when you buy the Clue game box. 

In the game, Mr. Boddy of Tudor Mansion is murdered and players must find out who’s responsible for his death. To start detecting, players accumulate details on the property’s rooms, weapons stored there, and guests present. This game will challenge you to think outside the box, considering multiple “clues” are available at your fingertips. Whoever guesses the suspect of the crime, how they did it, and where they did it wins. 

Clue also racks up bonus points for its funny-named characters. Colonel Mustard, Professor Plum, Miss Scarlet, and other wacky personalities make Clue a hilarious game night pick. 

Amazon customer Sam J. (opens in a new tab) writes: 

“My grandchildren and I have been enjoying playing the game

“My grandchildren and I have been enjoying playing the game

Outfoxed

“My grandchildren and I have been enjoying playing the game

Outfoxed

. Which is sort of an easy clue game.. Even though it is for young kids even the 12-year-old enjoys playing it. So I decided that with my youngest in Kindergarten and starting to read it was time for the real clue This one is just like when I was young, except it has added some special cards that increased the fun. So, we recommend this as a great family game with a long history of helping kids use deductive reasoning.”

Little ones will love Candyland(opens in a new tab), a kid-friendly board game that’s complete with sweet-themed board stops and easy strategy for fun playtime. 

First, let’s discuss how adorable this game is. Gingerbread men movers come with the game, and they’re sized just right for tiny hands. Children will enjoy this game, because they’ll have to draw from 44 colored cards to guide them on the candy-centric board. They’ll get to visit the Licorice Castle, the Gingerbread Plum Trees, and the Peppermint Forest on their way to Candy Castle. Whoever gets to Candy Castle first wins the game. Its easy objective make it a great entertainment pick for little ones who are not ready for other board games. 

Justin Evans(opens in a new tab), an Amazon reviewer, says:

“When looking to buy

“When looking to buy

Candyland

“When looking to buy

Candyland

for my son, I was sad to hear that the newer versions of the game have a spinner rather than cards and that the characters have changed and are overly sexualized. I ended up with this version and I am happy with it. My 4-year-old lives this game and it's a great introduction into board games. Taking turns, matching colors, following rules, and sometimes losing, are all great skills he is acquiring by playing this game.”

“When looking to buy

Candyland

for my son, I was sad to hear that the newer versions of the game have a spinner rather than cards and that the characters have changed and are overly sexualized. I ended up with this version and I am happy with it. My 4-year-old lives this game and it's a great introduction into board games. Taking turns, matching colors, following rules, and sometimes losing, are all great skills he is acquiring by playing this game.”

There aren’t many board games out there for teens, but Pandemic (opens in a new tab)provides the ultimate test for adolescents: prevent four diseases from wiping out mankind. 

For this game, players have to work together to put their characters’ strengths to action and plan a cure strategy before it’s too late. If a player is an operation specialist, they can develop research stations for medical help, while the scientist needs only four cards of one of the diseases to cure it. With obstacles along the way, this game puts cooperation to the ultimate test and fosters problem-solving skills for players to win. 

Warranty information isn’t readily available for this game, however, you can contact Z-Man Games, the manufacturer of Pandemic, if you’re not satisfied with the game or experience issues. 

Miss Moe(opens in a new tab), an Amazon customer, writes: 

“This is also a cooperative game (rather than competitive) which different than most board games but is a lot of fun - you're working with other players to save the world... and inadvertently brushing up on your geography on the way there. I'd say teens and up on this one if the players are going to get the point and understand the somewhat involved game play (Lots of tiny pieces, different draw decks, two separate trackers, different kinds of player, and assorted other simultaneous rules.)” 

Families will have the ultimate entertainment night with Catan(opens in a new tab), an award-winning board game that challenges you to build a settlement by gaining property, engaging in proper bartering, and navigating obstacles like robberies and monopolies. 

Unlike other board games, Catan gives you more in-game action. You’ll have to race other opponents to establish a successful settlement in Catan Island. Throughout the game, you’ll have the creative freedom to accumulate resources through cards, lucky dice, or trades. Build homes, roads, and more during 60 minutes of intense play. The player with the greatest presence on Catan Island wins the game.