15 Best Family Games For All Ages

Looking for board games that get the whole family around the table?

The best family games create magical moments where kids, parents, and grandparents all have equal fun. These games bring laughter, friendly rivalry, and memories that stick around long after the dice have rolled.

But finding the perfect game that's both kid-friendly and entertaining for adults can be tricky.

That's why we've compiled 15 of the best games of all time that cater to a wide age range, so you can focus on what's important: making unforgettable memories as a family.

Let's jump in.

15 Family Board Games

Let's explore 15 of the best family games for all ages, kicking off with toddler-friendly picks and wrapping up with favorites that even Pop-Pop would enjoy:

1. First Orchard

• Ages: 2+

• Players: 2-4

First Orchard by HABA Games is a great first game for little ones. It's simple, quick, and designed to be played as a team, so even the younger kids can get involved. Kids will practice counting and color recognition, and use their fine motor skills as families work together to harvest apples, plums, and pears before the sneaky ravens get to the orchard. So simple, but so much fun!

2. Candy Land

• Ages: 3+

• Players: 2-4

This classic, delicious-sounding, rainbow-colored adventure remains a top pick for family game nights. Players dodge sticky obstacles like Molasses Swamps and Cherry Pitfalls with their gingerbread man figure to reach the Candy Castle. The nostalgic appeal hits different generations, making it perfect for younger players, parents, and older kids alike.

3. Spot It! 1,2,3

• Ages: 3+

• Players: 1-5

Another great game for all family members to enjoy is Spot It! 1,2,3. A simplified version of the original Spot It!, this quick-thinking, number-matching card game teaches little ones maths and recognition skills from an early age. The best part? Its compact size makes it perfect for taking on vacations or camping, keeping both kids and adults entertained for hours.

4. Catan Junior

• Ages: 6+

• Players: 2-4

This pirate-themed version of the classic Settlers of Catan simplifies gameplay for young adventurers. Build pirate hideouts, gather resources like swords, goats, gold, and wood, and set sail while avoiding Spooky Island: the lair of the mysterious Ghost Captain.

5. Blokus

• Ages: 7+

• Players: 1-5

Blokus has a little more strategic depth, but it's a hit for so many families. Ideal for ages seven and up, every person gets 21 Tetris-like game pieces in blue, red, green, or yellow and takes turns placing them on the game board. The catch? New pieces can only touch the corners of your existing ones.

The aim is to fit as many of your pieces on the game board while blocking your opponents from doing the same. It's easy to learn, surprisingly competitive, and fits perfectly in our Firefly coffee games table!

6. Bananagrams

• Ages: 7+

• Players: 1-8

Bananagrams is a fun, fast-paced game that's similar to Scrabble, but without the board. Ideal for ages seven and up, this party game is quick to learn, super portable, and so addictive it's bound to drive you bananas! Everyone races to build their crossword using letter tiles, and the first one to use up all their tiles wins the round, earning the title "Top Banana"!

7. Clue

• Ages: 8+

• Players: 2-6

This is a favorite family game for a reason. The classic murder mystery cooperative game is ideal for kids eight years and older. It involves strategic decision-making to determine who committed which crime, with what weapon, and in which room. Think you've got what it takes to outwit other family members? Then Clue is the game for you!

8. Ticket to Ride

• Ages: 8+

• Players: 2-5

With such simple gameplay, this entire game can be mastered in under 20 minutes. Players collect various types of train cars and use them to claim railway routes throughout North America. The longer the route, the more points you earn! The aim is to build the longest train trip. Easy peasy.

9. Blue Lagoon

• Ages: 8+

• Players: 2-4

This ocean-themed board game gives us total Moana vibes as players explore tropical archipelagos, collect resources like bamboo and coconuts, and connect villages by land and sea. The catch? The cooperative game is played over two phases: exploration and settlement, so it's double the fun!

10. Disney Villainous

• Ages: 10+

• Players: 2-6

Sometimes being bad feels SO good - well, for this fun game at least! Each player controls a classic Disney villain with unique powers and evil schemes. Whether you're Maleficent, Jafar, the Queen of Hearts, or Ursula, every character plots and plans differently to complete their evil mission while fending off other players. This asymmetric, cooperative strategy game is for everyone to enjoy.

11. Codenames

• Ages: 10+

• Players: 2-8

This team-based word game challenges players to identify hidden words using one-word clues, like "disease", "Germany", and "carrot" (yes, for real!). Each team has a "spymaster" who knows the hidden agendas of 25 agents. The goal? The first team to identify all agents or assassins wins!

12. That's It!

• Ages: 10+

• Players: 3-99

That's It! is an amusing game that many families love playing. Similar to 30 Seconds, one player tries to describe five clues while everyone else guesses the exact "it" word. The game has simple rules, is great for larger groups, and is guaranteed to have everybody in stitches!

13. Kitchen Rush

• Ages: 12+

• Players: 1-4

Kitchen Rush is a fast-paced cooperative cooking game that captures the chaos of a high-pressure restaurant. Players work together to take orders, prep ingredients, serve meals, and manage the budget, all while racing against the clock. Sounds simple? Not quite. Each game is played over four intense 4-minute rounds where every second counts if you want to keep the business afloat!

14. Taboo

• Ages: 13+

• Players: 2-6

With a list of words you aren't allowed to use, players need to describe words to their teammates without breaking the "taboo". Earn one point for every correct guess or lose a point every time a forbidden word is used; the team with the most points wins!

15. Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5E)

• Ages: 13+

• Players: 2-6

Dungeons & Dragons 5E is a [popular game played across many US states]. It's the ultimate storytelling game where fantasy, adventure, strategy, and imagination collide. Creating fictional worlds, players solve problems, fight monsters, and shape the story as the dice rolls. It's ideal for older kids and adults who love longer gameplay, lasting as long as your imagination does!

Having ended our list of family favorites, it's worth mentioning that the benefits of playing games are more than just having fun. They help build stronger bonds, encourage teamwork, and create memories that last long after the game is over.

Does your family play games together? Do you have a dedicated game room for playtime?

How to Make Family Game Nights Unforgettable

Transform ordinary evenings into special family traditions that will have the kids begging to play more. Here are a few ideas to take your family game nights up a notch (or three!):

Choose the right spot

Pick a dedicated area in your home where you can enjoy all your favorite games. Basement or attic conversions are ideal, giving you the space you need for endless hours of fun. If you're short on space, a living room or kitchen nook works just as well!

Choose games for all ages

Stock up on games that cater to all age groups so everyone can join in. Mix it up with classic board games like chess, creative games like Dungeons & Dragons, or puzzle games that help the brain juices flow. Consider a few we've mentioned in our list above!

Create a comfortable space

Set up a cozy game area with good lighting, comfortable seating, and enough storage to keep everything in its place. High-quality game tables like our Dresden or Mimosa serve double duty: a gaming surface and functional furniture, perfect if you're short on space.

Make it a tradition

Want the kids to remember an epic childhood? Carve out time each week for family game nights. What's that saying? Families that play games together are happier together.

Have fun!

At the end of the day, the goal of a game night is for everybody to have a good time. Sure, it might be tempting to dominate at Monopoly, but it's no good if the room ends up with sore losers and bad vibes. Play competitively, yes, but keep it light and be mindful of younger kids by giving them a chance to win every now and then.

FAQs

What makes a good family game?

A good family game caters to different ages, keeping younger players engaged without boring the adults, and vice versa.

Which games are good for families to play together?

Monopoly, Clue, Hungry Hungry Hippos, 30 Seconds, and Taboo are all excellent games for families with older children to play together. If you have younger kids, Scrabble Junior, Candy Land, and Uno are top picks.

How to choose a game for mixed-age groups?

The best way to cater to a wide range of ages is to choose games that are easy to learn and not too complicated for younger players. Cooperative games are a good place to start, where older players can help younger teammates get into the swing of things.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it: a quick rundown of 15 of the best family games for all ages.

Whether it's First Orchard for younger kids or Dungeons & Dragons 5E for older players, this list of family-friendly games will keep everyone entertained for ages.

And remember, if you want to take your game nights to a whole new level, investing in a high-quality family games table can make all the difference!

Looking for more inspiration? Check out more game room ideas and custom-designed furniture at BandPass Designs today.