The 16 Best Family Board Games of 2021

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks

Yeti in My Spaghetti at Walmart

"Keep the yeti from falling into the bowl in this wacky game that can be played by kids as young as 2-years old."

Kids on Stage Charades at kohls.com

"This easy version of charades is fun for the whole family. Prepare to act our animals, objects, and actions."

Uno at kohls.com

"This portable and classic game is best for kids five and up, and can be played with two to 10 players."

Rummikub at Amazon

"This fast-paced game combines sequencing, pattern recognition, and planning skills."

Pie Face at kohls.com

"Make your family laugh with this fun game that will probably leave some whipped cream on your face."

Zingo at Amazon

"An updated version of bingo! This game builds matching and word recognitions skills."

No Stress Chess at Amazon

"No Stress Chess is the perfect introduction to the game, as it illustrates exactly how each of the pieces can move."

Battleship at Walmart

"Sink battleships with this two-person game that trains letter and number recognition skills."

Exploding Kittens at kohls.com

"Silly and fast-paced, this game will take no more than 15 minutes per round and is great for anyone age 7 and up."

Scrabble at Walmart

"This classic word game helps build a robust vocabulary and spelling skills."

Board games are a terrific way to spend time together as a family. They can be fun, challenging, educational, and will encourage you to do something else besides eating, bickering, or watching a screen.

Finding a game for the whole family can sometimes be a challenge, but once you do, get ready for hours (or at least multiple minutes) of fun. We've found the best family board games to keep everyone entertained and having fun together.

Our Top Picks

Yeti in My Spaghetti

In this wacky setup, the noodles are piled across the bowl with the yeti figure placed on top of the noodles. Each person takes a turn removing a noodle, hoping the yeti won’t fall into the bowl. If you make the yeti fall, you lose. Most rounds don’t last more than five minutes and the game can be played by kids as young as 2 years old.

Kids on Stage Charades

Get ready to laugh with this easy version of classic charades featuring animals, objects, or actions. Acting out the clue while getting the other players to guess will encourage confidence and develop communication skills. The simple picture recognition makes this possible for kids ages 4 years old and up to easily play. There’s really no limit to how many people can play the game.

Uno

Easy to play and quite portable, Uno is a classic card game for good reason. Players take turns matching the cards in their hand with the card showing at the top of the deck. Kids just need to know their colors and numbers to play. The game is best for kids ages 5 years old and up and can be played with two to 10 players.

Rummikub

A mix of strategy and luck guide this easy-to-learn and fast-moving game. Two or more players take turns placing their numbered tiles in runs of either consecutive numbers of the same color or groups of the same number in different colors. Kids 6 years old and up will benefit from the inherent lessons of sequencing, pattern recognition, and planning skills.

Pie Face

Requiring absolutely zero skill, it may be a stretch to even call this a board game, but it’s sure to bring lots of laughs to your family. Load the arm with whipped cream (not included) or a wet sponge and take turns cranking the arm until someone gets whacked in the face with a dollop of whipped cream. Recommended for ages 5 years old and up, but if your youngster is okay with some whipped cream in the face, go for it.

Zingo

Like bingo but better, this fast-paced family game builds matching and word recognition abilities. Great for 3-year olds and up, even little kids will be able to keep up and go head-to-head with parents, siblings, or any one else. You’ll need at least two people for this game and can play with as many as six people

No Stress Chess

Whether you are perplexed by chess or a master, No Stress Chess will introduce the age-old partner game to kids ages 6 years old and up. The innovative set includes a standard chess board along with cards. Each card illustrates exactly how to move the piece.

Battleship

Kids can go up against adults in this high-stakes two person guessing game where you aim to sink each other's ships before yours get sunk. While appropriate for ages 7 and up, if your child is younger but has good letter and number recognition, that’s all they need to play.

Exploding Kittens

This ridiculously silly, fast-paced game is easy to learn and easy to play. The goal is to avoid drawing an exploding kitten card. There’s a bit of card strategy, a lot of luck, and a bunch of goofiness. The game is best for ages 7 and up. The game takes about two minutes to learn and no more than 15 minutes to play a round.

Scrabble

Older kids and parents will enjoy this classic word game that requires players to put their letter tiles together to build words, add up points, and try to win the game. It may be harder for younger kids to go head to head with adults since much of the skill of Scrabble relies on a robust vocabulary and proficient spelling skills.

For a high schooler stuck at home, this could be their chance to show off and take down mom or dad. Scrabble is for two to four players and recommended for ages 8 and up.

Trouble

The classic Pop-O-Matic bubble will bring parents back in time while your little ones will enjoy the game. With straightforward rules, the simple goal is to move your four pieces around the board without getting into “trouble” and heading back to start. Trouble is for kids 5 years old and up.

Jenga

Everyone’s heart will be racing as your family builds the block tower taller and taller, just waiting for it to fall. It’s perfect for ages 6 and up and can be played with as many people as you have. If no one else wants to play, no worries. Jenga is fun as a solo game too.

Mousetrap

Little builders will enjoy the challenge and hands-on nature of this game. Players are tasked with creating a mousetrap to capture their opponents while moving around the board at the same time. The game is for two to four players and is best for ages 6 years old and up.

PuppyFluffle

Best for the youngest set, this sweet game challenges toddlers to collect as many dog treats and toys as possible. Each round teaches simple counting skills and doesn’t take much time. Kids ages 3 years old and up will enjoy the game.

Yahtzee

The classic dice game mixes strategy and luck with every roll of the dice. Kids will enjoy the fast-paced game and won’t even realize all the math they are doing as they play. This portable game is best for kids 8 years old and up.

Dog Bingo

Dog lovers (and everyone else) will have a great time playing Dog Bingo. Just like the classic bingo game, this set includes beautiful images of 64 dog breeds from around the world. From the tiny Chihuahua to a sleek Saluki, your family will enjoy seeing amazing dogs and playing a classic game of bingo.

Why Trust Verywell Family

I'm a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. I’m also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 6-year-old son, and 2-year old daughter. Sadly, my husband is the rare person that does not like family board games. I enjoy them, but am left to play them alone with my brood, which never seems to end as well as I want it to. Maybe that’s why he doesn’t like them.