best critical thinking board games

12 Board Games for Developing Thinking Abilities and Life Skills

Board games can build valuable life skills.

My sister works for—and is part owner of—a company that brings innovative teaching methods from around the world to Panama and licenses them to schools here. One of the programs that she promotes is called the Mind Lab Method. Here’s what the method is about :

“At the heart of the Mind Lab Method is the notion that the most effective way to learn is through an immediate and authentic experience that leaves one wanting more. Game-playing is the perfect example of such an experience – it is entertaining, engaging, and exciting, and therefore stimulates eager involvement. Game-playing also provides fertile ground for the training and application of thinking abilities and life skills.”

Reflective Thinking
Problem Solving
Decision Making
Logical Thinking
Emotional Intelligence
Cooperation
Competition
How to Deal with Mistakes
Deferring Gratification; and so on.

Of course, it’s not just children who can learn from playing board games, but adults as well.

In fact, in my blog post on becoming more resilient , I recommend playing board games as one of the strategies to follow in order to increase your resilience. After all, board games help to develop mental flexibility, and being mentally flexible will help you to bounce back quickly when adversity strikes.

I sat down and did some research in order to determine which board games would be helpful in developing thinking abilities and life skills, and here are the 12 that I came up with:

By playing Settler of Catan, you learn all of the following:

Resource management — Players have to choose how to best allocate the resources that they acquire.
Negotiation — Rarely can a player win a game of Settlers of Catan without negotiating with other players in order to trade for the resources that they need. Of course, many different aspects will impact the negotiations — the current value of each of the resources; you may not want to trade with someone if that ensures their victory, even if they have something you need; you may not want to trade with someone if they refused to trade with you when you needed a particular resource; and so on.
Analysis of the current environment and how that impacts your chances of winning the game — How have the other players established their settlements? What resources have lost value because they’re no longer needed? What resources have risen in demand? Given the current situation, are there certain resources you’ll want to hoard?

Playing chess promotes brain growth–specifically, it fuels dendrite growth–, and it exercises both sides of the brain. In addition, playing chess can increase IQ. A study conducted in Venezuela involving 4,000 students found that 4 months of chess instruction increased the students’ IQ scores.

In addition, chess teaches a plethora of valuable skills, including the following:

It teaches focus and concentration – In order to play chess well you have to focus completely on the board that’s in front of you. As you constantly visualize the board, its pieces, your moves, and your opponent’s possible counter-moves, your power of concentration grows.
It teaches planning and foresight – Chess teaches foresight by having to plan ahead.
It improves logical thinking – When you’re playing chess, you have to keep saying the following to yourself: “If I do this, then my opponent is likely to do that.” That’s logical thinking in action.

Here’s a quote from Benjamin Franklin about learning from chess: “We learn from chess the greatest maxim in life – that even when everything seems to be going badly for us we should not lose heart, but always hoping for a change for the better, steadfastly continue searching for the solutions to our problems.”

This game teaches all of the following:

It teaches you the difference between assets and liabilities.
It teaches you how to maintain a basic Income Statement so that you can get a clear picture of your cash-flow situation.
It teaches you how to create a balance sheet.
It teaches you basic cash management — how to budget and allocate your cash.
It teaches you how to evaluate financial opportunities to determine whether they’re good or bad deals.
It teaches you how to make money by purchasing real estate, businesses, shares and mutual funds.

That’s when Andrew decided to create a game that would replicate the way we learn our first language. He wanted to make learning languages easier, and fun. And that’s how Kloo was born. When Andrew tested his game he discovered that both kids and adults learn an average of 20 to 30 words in their target foreign language per game. And without even realizing it!

Kloo games are available to learn Spanish, French, Italian, and English. Here’s their suite of products (they have card games and board games):

KLOO’s Learn to Speak French Language Card Games Pack 1
KLOO’s Learn to Speak French Language Card Games Pack 2
KLOO’s Learn to Speak French Language Board Game – Race to Paris
KLOO’s Learn to Speak Spanish Language Card Games Pack 1
KLOO’s Learn to Speak Spanish Language Card Games Pack 2
KLOO’s Learn to Speak Spanish Language Board Game – Race to Madrid
KLOO’s Learn to Speak Italian Language Card Games Pack 1
KLOO’s Learn to Speak Italian Language Card Games Pack 2
KLOO’s Race to London – The Teach English as a Foreign Language Board Game

Here are some of the lessons in dealing with life’s challenges which you can learn from “Chutes and Ladders”:

The fist lesson is that you need to accept that chutes are just a part of the game of life. Even if you plan everything out very carefully, sooner or later you’ll slide down a chute (the chute can be short, medium-sized, or really long). That’s just the way it is.
The second lesson is that you can recover from sliding down a shoot. In fact, sliding down a chute may even be a good thing. After all, when you fall back to the beginning of the game, this gives you another chance to land on the longest ladder on the board, which shoots you right up to the top.
The third lesson is that, just as there are chutes everywhere, there are also ladders everywhere. When you least expect it, a great opportunity can present itself. Keep your eyes open for opportunities.

Mancala has been played for thousands of years in Africa and different parts of the Middle East. There are also versions in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Mancala can teach all of the following:

It teaches observation skills — Players need to distinguish good plays from bad ones.
It teaches how to think analytically – Players must learn to plan and develop strategies.
It teaches problem solving — Whenever there’s a gap between the way things are, and the way you want them to be, you have a problem. At the start of a game of Mancala, the Kahalas are empty, while the players want them to be full. Players have to move their pieces in a way that will allow them to get the greatest number of pieces into their Kahala, while trying to prevent the other player from doing the same.

Phlip E. Orbanes, author of Monopoly, Money, and You: How to Profit from the Game’s Secrets of Success , explains that playing Monopoly teaches the following life lessons:

“To ‘win’ in life, you need to think like a game player. Establish your goals and, before making any decision, ask the following question: Will it bring me closer to my goals, or will it cause me to veer off course?”
“Monopoly teaches the necessity to invest in order to grow your savings. And also to wisely spread your investments (diversification) in the event one choice does not turn out as you anticipated.”
“You must keep enough cash handy to pay for typical setbacks in the game, and in life.”

Set has won over 35 best game awards including MENSA Select.

Playing Set teaches pattern recognition. In turn, the ability to recognize patterns gives us the ability to predict what will happen next with some degree of accuracy. That is, predict what other people are likely to do, how circumstances are likely to play out, and what has a high probability of occurring next in your environment.

There are many people who think that the purpose of intelligence is prediction. After all, the better you are at predicting what will happen in the future, based on patterns that you’ve recognized in the past and in the present, the more likely it is that you’ll succeed in life.

By playing Prime Climb–which can be played by people who are “bad at math” and math whizzes alike–you’ll acquire deeper mathematical understanding. This game will turn everyone in your house into a lover of math.

Unlike most board games, Pandemic is cooperative, rather than competitive. The players, as a team, must coordinate their actions to stop a global pandemic. A game of Pandemic will have all the players discussing strategy and options together on almost every turn. If everyone does their part, the world is saved and all the players win.

As you can clearly see, Pandemic teaches teamwork and cooperation.

Mastermind can be used to teach, practice, and discuss scientific reasoning skills. Specifically, the game can be used to to teach topics such as sound experimental design, hypothesis-testing, careful interpretation of results, and the effective use of controls.

Playing Clue teaches deductive reasoning, which encourages critical thinking. As players move about the board making guesses as to where, who and what did the killing, they have to use deductive reasoning to narrow down the list of suspects, the possible murder locations, and the possible weapons.

Clue has been used to teach propositional logic and computer programming to college students.

Board games are fun, and they’re a great way to spend quality time with friends and family. However, board games can also teach us thinking skills, as well as life skills. Live your best life by playing board games–you can start by playing the 12 games described above.

What have you learned by playing board games? Please share on Twitter (I’m @Marelisa ).

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11 Best Brain-Building Board Games for Teens in the World!

Inside: If you want to build your teen’s sense of creativity and problem-solving skills, you need brain-building board games for teens. Playing the right games will exercise the brain and make teens smarter. These games require strategy, spatial organization, and visual perception. They are perfect for teens and tweens. Play games with your kids and watch their brains soar.

Board Games for Teens

Playing games with your kids will help develop their abilities to problem-solve and strategize. These are qualities they can use in later life

If you’re looking for the perfect activity to do with your teens or a gift to give your teens–try board games! The right board games for teens will exercise their brains in amazing ways and make them smarter kids. And I speak from experience.

Here is a list of 10 board games for teens plus a super bonus game that will get your tweens and teens thinking on all four cylinders. These are brain-building board games for teens that involve intricate strategy, spatial organization, and visual perception. Several of them are considered “oldies but goodies,” because they have stood the test of time and are loved and beloved by many.

Bottom line: For this age group, they are literally the best board games for teens in the world. Plus–check out the “review section” from people who play these games regularly.

Best Board Games for Teens & Tweens

#1 board games for teens: settlers of catan.

About the Game :

The goal is to build cities, settlements, roads and to collect development cards.

Each player uses various resources such as grain, ore, lumber, farm animals, or brick to sell or trade with other players. You get resources by rolling the dice and trading with other players. However, you must be on the lookout for someone trying to rob you or block your ability to trade.

Catan is a landmark game, and a modern classic of teaching social order wrapped up in play. It was awarded “Game of the Year,” in the United States and Germany and is considered an international favorite and an amazing board game for teens.

Ages: 10 and up

How it builds the brain:.

Players are required to think and both visually and mentally strategize their moves. This kind of play builds the spatial areas of the brain which in turn helps kids in math. It also teaches basic economics.

Review from Jason:

This is a must-have for any game-playing family. Strategic enough to entice adults yet simple to reel in young children. Warning: highly addictive!

Teens and tweens love to play board games–they build problem-solving skills, spatial intelligence, and team-building skills.

#2 Board Games for Teens: Hive

About the Game:

As more and more pieces are added; the game becomes a fight to see who can be the first to capture the opposing Queen Bee. Playing the game is easy and you can become quite proficient in a short amount of time.

Although not as intense as chess, it is more interesting than playing checkers. Unlike chess, the board is always changing (as you build the hive), and it’s easier than chess—even though you have to be on your toes thinking through each move.

Ages: 8 and up

How it builds the brain: .

It’s a game of strategy and perception, so each player must think and think again. Many board games just require shaking the dice and moving the pieces. Not this! You are thinking, strategizing and maneuvering the entire time. And, it also strengthens the spatial areas of the brain as you build your hive (which increases math understanding).

Review from Brandon:

Hive is a lot like chess. Lots of versatile pieces, two-player only, super addicting, and tons of strategy play. It brings out the best problem-solving skills you never thought you had.

#3 Board Games for Teens: Coup (The Dystopian Universe)

This is considered one of the “Resistance” games because Coup is all about deception and political intrigue.

Kids love to play board games–especially when their parents join in the fun!

The government is run for profit by the “royal class” of multinational CEOs. Because of their greed, most people live lives of poverty and desperation while the upper class lives, “high on the hog.”

Out of the depressed rises “The Resistance,” an underground organization bent on overthrowing the greedy rulers. They create discord and weakness in the political royal, almost bringing the government to collapse.

According to the cards you draw, you can manipulate, bribe, and bluff your way into absolute power. In order to win, you must destroy the influence of your rivals and send them to exile. Unfortunately, there is only room for one person to survive.

Ages: 12 and up

Another game about thinking and strategizing. Consider this: your teen must use his/her thinking hats when playing these games and in turn, he/she translates those same skills while doing schoolwork. Playing and strategizing using games is the best way to learn thinking skills.

Coup is a fun social game about honesty and deception. You can bluff your way into any action, but it’s never mandatory. Truth-telling can also be rewarded. You get to decide. The fun of the game is detecting the fibbers, calling them out, or perhaps even getting tempted yourself to spin a yarn. It’s a game that’s best elevated when you’re playing with people who can appreciate a good poker bluff and not mind being called out for it.

#4 Board Games for Teens: Dominion: 2 nd Edition

About the game:

Each player is a monarch and ruler of a small kingdom (just like your parents before you). But, you have bigger hopes and dreams than your parents and want a larger kingdom. You want a Dominion.

In all directions on the board are small pieces of land, controlled by petty lords; verging on anarchy. Your goal is to bring civilization and unite these people under your banner. However, other monarchs (players) have the same idea. The race is on and you must get as much unclaimed land as possible. To accomplish this, you hire minions, construct buildings, spruce up your castle, and fill the coffers of your treasury.

Ages: 14 and up

How it builds the brain :.

This game builds critical thinking skills because players analyze, synthesize and evaluate each move as they play.

Review from Melissa:

Though intimidating at first, quickly becomes addictive and exciting , to say the least. Don’t let the many decks of cards stress you out. Strategically placing a specific card may be the turning point in you winning or losing the game.

#5 Board Games for Teens: Blokus

The goal of this game is for the players to fit all of their pieces onto the board. As they place a piece, it cannot lie adjacent to the other player’s pieces. But it must be placed touching at least one corner of their pieces already on the board. The player who gets rid of all of their tiles first is the winner.

The game is easy to learn, takes about 30 minutes to play and can be repeated for more family fun.

Ages: 7 and up

Blokus is a fast-paced strategy game that defines “One Rule, Endless Possibilities.” It requires quick-thinking, considering all possibilities, and making careful calculations. This game strengthens the spatial areas of the brain which translates into better math skills.

This is a great game for budding engineers and anyone who is good at spatial games (think Tetris). Will also come in handy for later endeavors like packing suitcases in the car.

Games teach kids how to strategize and think–all important life-time skills!

#6 Board Games for Teens: Codenames

There are two rival spymasters who know the identity of 25 agents. Their teammates know the agents only by their codenames. Each team tries to make contact with all their agents first and win the game.

Spymasters give one-word clues that can point to multiple words on the board. Teammates try to guess words while avoiding those belonging to the opposing team. There is also an assassin that everyone tries to avoid.

Helps your teen to strategize, analyze, and evaluate knowledge. In other words, it is building critical thinking skills. For your child to be successful in school and beyond, they must learn how to think critically. This game helps to develop those skills.

Review from Melissa:

A card game like no other. Having to think of one word to describe many things — It’s a fun way to stretch your brain and really see if you know the people you think you know.

#7 Board Games For Teens: Stratego

About the game :

Two armies clash and one is victorious. These are Napoleonic armies and each player must devise plans to deploy troops with strategic attacks and clever deception to break through the opponent’s line and capture the flag.

Ages : 8 and up

How it builds the brain :.

Another game of strategy, evaluation, and analyzation—the basis of critical thinking skills

Review from Jason :

A simple game that has stood the test of time. I loved it as a kid, and I love it as an adult. It combines the quintessential features of a quality game: enjoyable for all ages, and fun enough to keep coming back for more.

The ultimate game of strategy, careful evaluation and knowing your opponent’s next move

#8 Board Games for Teens: SET: The family game of visual perception

The object of the game is to find as many SETs as you can—the player with the most SETs at the end of the game wins. A set of cards consists of 3 cards that are either All Alike or All Different in each of 4 features: symbols, colors, numbers, and shadings. Twelve cards are displayed at once and everyone is racing to find sets and when a player finds a set, he/she must call it out and point it out.

Ages: 6 and up

As the game states, it’s about visual perception. Visual perception is extremely important for learning, reading, and writing. It’s the process of absorbing what you see, organizing it in the brain, and making sense of it.

Review from Yael:

I love SET because not only does it exercise your brain, but I love seeing how everyone’s minds work. Some people notice the simple sets, some only look for the complicated ones (that was me, sometimes I wouldn’t see a super easy one staring me in the face!), some people are methodical about searching…anyway, it is always a lot of fun and very rewarding to win!

#9 Board Games for Teens: Spontuneous : The Song Game

One player says a “trigger” word and the race is on for the others to sing a song containing that word. Each player tries to stump other players from singing a portion of any song containing the trigger word. The first person to reach the “Finish Line” of their song wins the game.

How it Builds the Brain:

I’m all for anything that has a musical component to it. As you “sing” your way through this game you are building the auditory areas of your brain which translates into better reading, writing and concentration skills.

Review from Sharlene:

Last year I didn’t know a whole lot about this game–got it, played it–and it’s fabulous! Because there is a listening component to it, it will help to develop the aural skills (or listening skills) of your children. This is a keeper!

#10 Board Games for Teens: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

When choosing board games for your tweens and teens, choose ones that require higher-order thinking skills such as having to analyze, synthesize and evaluate their moves

Okay, I’m not a fan of video games. I’ve seen too many kids stare comatose into a screen hour after hour and push buttons to maim or kill their opponents. Most video games are not educational (sorry). And all that staring at a 2-dimensional screen is anything BUT good for the brain.

However, my daughter-in-law encouraged me to include one video game that actually requires a lot of strategy and thinking. Hence: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Each player is exploring the wilds of Hyrule; climbing towers, mountain peaks and braving the wilderness. They battle enemies, wild beasts and gather ingredients for food and elixirs for the journey. Players discover 100 Shrines of Trials and solve puzzles inside that include physics, harnessing the power of nature, (including electricity, wind, and fire), and thinking outside the box.

Players must be prepared and equipped with different outfits and gears as they encounter varying temperatures and a need for clothes that can make you faster or stronger. And of course, battling enemies is part of the deal. And each enemy has its own attack method and weaponry—so you must put on your best thinking caps to defeat them.

After carefully reading dozens of reviews on this game, I’ve come to the conclusion that it really does require higher-level thinking skills and strategizing. I believe that kids develop these skills precisely through game playing and NOT through boring workbooks (that they are given in school). Hence, I think this sounds like a game that will definitely build critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills.

Breath of the Wild is not your average video game. It opens you to a massive, open universe and dares you to explore. It challenges you to problem solve in super creative ways. It tests your ability to analyze complex puzzles like no Zelda game has ever done before. You’re always learning how to best survive, forage for food and weapons, adapt to cold and hot climates, and how to best defeat your enemies. Best of all, this game allows you to discover all of this through experimentation. The level of freedom is incredible and super refreshing. You’d be hard-pressed to find a smarter, more rewarding video game experience.

#11 Board Games for Teens: Bonus Game: Dabble

You say “go” and the race to spell 5 words in 2 minutes using your 20 tiles is on! The first person to spell 5 words wins the round.

Ages: 8 and up. 2-4 players needed

How it builds the brain:.

Strong readers have strong spelling and vocabulary skills. This game builds both. Each player needs to think and work fast to spell 5 words correctly. Plus for older players, it acts as a brain-teaser and keeps the brain sharp!

Review by Max:

This game is amazing for kids as young as 8 and as old as 100. Why? Because it provides a great brain-teaser for people wanting to keep their minds in tip-top shape. At times it almost feels like a crossword puzzle—having to think of words and spell them correctly. Another advantage; it can be played solo.

So, there it is—11 of the “Best Brain-building Games in the World” for your tweens and teens.

Here is the “Teaching Tips for Parents” section. They include ideas for parents to help increase fun, learning, and interaction with your kids as you play the best board games for teens.

board games for teens, board games for kids, board games for families, sequence board games, family board games, best board games, best board games for adults.

Check out the 2-minute video here

If you have experience with any of these games—please comment below. Or, if your family plays other games that you love, and that build your kid’s brains, please let us know which games (so we can join in the fun).

Want to remember this post post these “ 11 best brain-building board games for teens in the world ” to your favorite pinterest board.

February 2, 2023 at 10:03 pm

My Daughter is 9. She struggles with dyslexia. She is in 3rd grade. During COVID I keep her home and tried to home school her. It was a major failure. So she pretty much didn’t go to 2nsd grade. Now she’s struggling. I want to find fun learning games and activities we can do to help her in school.

February 3, 2023 at 10:25 am

I had a son that was dyslexic. If possible, I would talk to an Occupational Therapist for ideas on how to help your daughter. It can be very frustrating for kids to learn when they have learning challenges. Have you had your daughter tested for auditory processing? There could be a connection. We played lots of games with my son–all of the ones I’ve listed here. It takes time to help learning-challenged kids. And reach out to her school and teachers–they may have ideas, too. Best of luck!

December 16, 2018 at 4:54 pm

I love your list. We are a HUGE board game family! Settlers of Catan is our second favorite game! One that didn’t hit your list but our house favorite is 7 Wonders. We are an extremely competitive family, and this is one where your play doesn’t negatively affect other players. So, nobody gets mad. It’s not a cooperative game, but your play affects only you, and it’s just a really fun game. Pandemic is another house favorite, a cooperative game… And for extended play, Pandemic Legacy.

December 16, 2018 at 6:58 pm

Stephanie! These are great suggestions! I’m going to check them out–before Christmas. We like to exchange board games (we used to exchange DVDs–a waste). These sound perfect for the gifts I still need to get. Thanks for your input & suggestions!

December 11, 2018 at 3:53 pm

What a great list of games for teens!!! I can honestly say I haven’t played a single one of this list. This excites me though because now I have 11 games to introduce in our house. First on my list, Spontuneous:The Song Game, for my music loving son.

December 11, 2018 at 5:01 pm

He will love Spontuneous! But–try Settlers of Catan–that one is amazing! Thanks for your input–always appreciate your support!

November 14, 2017 at 9:34 pm

Thanks for the info about these games. I’m always looking for new and GREAT games. My grandkids are getting older and several of these games sound perfect. They are smart kids who like a challenge!

[…] teens and older kids, some of the best brain-building board games to play during the pandemic include Settlers of Catan, […]

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5 Great Board Games to Boost Critical Thinking - Eva Varga

Critical thinking is a very important skill to have for multiple different areas of your life. It will help you at your job, at school, and even in your personal relationships. While there are many different ways to build up your critical thinking skills. One of the most enjoyable and exciting is playing board games.

However, not all board games will boost up your critical thinking skills, despite how fun they might be. So which board games are good for developing critical thinking skills? Without any further ado, today I share 5 great board games to boost the critical thinking of everyone from teens to adults.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links through which I will earn a small commission. Reviews are done based on my own opinions of the quality of the products. All opinions are my own.

Dungeons and Dragons

While more of a tabletop game than a board game, Dungeons and Dragons definitely can help improve your critical thinking. It is a game all about crafting your character and working through your own adventure with your friends.

My daughter loves D&D! She explains, “I like being able to experience the fictional words I always dream about, creating unique characters, trying things out, and experiencing the repercussions of my decisions. It’s also fun!”

I think the role playing aspect is large part of the attraction. My daughter really gets into the game when she plays and even uses uniques voices for her characters. She has journals full of character sketches and notes on their abilities.

By rolling dice, the game throws numerous different problems and roadblocks at you, and you will need to decide upon the right action incredibly quickly. The game can help you make the right decision at high speeds, and also helps you think outside the box. It allows for a ton of creativity as well.

The game is easy to get started with as long as you have some friends and a set of dice. Dungeons and Dragons can be made even more exciting by purchasing fun accessories like game mats, dice trays, game master screens, and mini-figures. If you’re in the market for some colorful and unique dice for your Dungeons and Dragons journey, consider checking out D20 collective . I’m partial to the Druidic Dreams color scheme shown here.

Settlers of Catan

Catan is a wildly popular game that is played by tens of millions of people regularly. The game starts you off with a couple of roads and settlements, and you need to build that up to a whole civilization. Using a roll of the dice, you will eventually get the materials required to build your settlement.

The game is incredibly fun and rewarding, but can really test and improve your critical thinking. You need to always be aware of how many resources you have, the best ways to use them and whether there are any trades worth making. You need to come up with a strategy for how you’ll build the best civilization, while also making assumptions about the goals of others.

There are many versions available of Settlers of Catan including expansion sets, card games, and dice games (pictured above) .

Dating back hundreds of years, chess is one of the quintessential board games when you think of critical thinking. The game is played by two people, with the ultimate goal being to take out the opponent’s king piece. Each piece in chess can be moved a certain way and is unique from the other pieces on the board.

There are thousands of different moves that can be made and strategies that can be used. Chess relies a lot on using your mind, applying critical thinking skills. You need to think of the best and most optimal strategy for yourself. Using concentration, logical thinking, and focusing on the potential moves your opponent could make in response to what you do.

While there is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to first playing the game, once you know the rules, it becomes easy. Chess is also great as it can be played by anyone, no matter your age or background.

With a name like Mastermind , you just know that this game will be able to help boost your critical thinking. It is a game about breaking a code where one person creates a code, and the other tries to eventually break it over time. This takes a lot of critical thinking, deductive reasoning and helps to utilize and build up these skills.

There are well over 1,000 different patterns of colored pegs that could be chosen by the code maker, and the codebreaker has to start from nothing and use their critical thinking and reasoning to eventually decipher it. You need to think about not only choosing the right colors, but also eliminating the wrong ones on your journey to breaking the code.

Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride is without a doubt, one of the most exciting games on the market and is also one that challenges you to think critically. The goal of the game is to connect train cars and fill railways across the map, trying to make links between specific places. The game is all about using logic and strategy to successfully build your connections, while also preventing others from doing the same.

Ticket to Ride is one of my family’s favorite games. We actually own three different versions – Asia , Nordic Countries , and Europe (including the expansion, 1912 ). In my post, Board Games & Fun , I share more of our favorites.

Ticket to Ride is a game with very simple rules, but can be played and won in several different ways. Some people might try to fill the largest railways possible to score points. Others will spend their game trying to stifle other people’s plans and focus on building smaller train connections. You have a lot of options and with numerous ways to connect different routes. You are free to play the game how you want.

In conclusion, these board games are great ways to not only have fun, but also boost critical thinking. What are your family’s favorite games?

previous Language Learning Resources: Linguacious

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Colleges Decreasing Out-of-State Tuition

Traditionally, out-of-state tuition is much more expensive than in-state, and it is inevitable for students who are interested in out-of-state colleges.

However, some colleges are alleviating or decreasing out-of-state tuition charges, according to The U.S. News and World Report . High-ranking, popular colleges that already attract many intelligent prospective students are not decreasing out-of-state charges. These colleges have many students who are willing to pay the high fees.

Also, these schools have stricter restrictions for who can apply for in-state tuition. Most of these schools only allow students to receive in-state tuition if they graduated from an in-state high school or their parents live in that state, according to The U.S. News and World Report . However, some of these schools are making it easier for out-of-state students to attain in-state tuition.

The U.S. News and World Report stated that there are ways to avoid the higher out-of-state tuition charges by moving to the state to pay taxes and claim residency. However, most students must live in the state for about a year before they can qualify for in-state tuition. Traditionally, the restrictions are tougher in states that attract more students. California is one of the strictest states.

Some colleges are allowing students to register in-state tuition to students after living on campus for a certain amount of time, registering to vote in that state and paying local taxes, according. The restrictions and details are not firm, but if students make efforts toward the aforementioned details, then it will help their cause.

Also, many other colleges reward out-of-state students with in-state tuition if they maintain a certain GPA (usually 2.5 or higher) or achieve a certain ACT/SAT score, according to The U.S. News and World Report .

Many colleges offer in-state tuition to students who live in neighboring states or close to the college, despite it being in a separate state.

3 Critical Thinking Board Games to Improve Your Brain Skills

Board games were and are a favorite form of family entertainment. They are a form of a platform that allows for positive interactions with social groups. Also, board games help develop interpersonal skills and confidence. There are many more surprising health benefits of board games , but those are just a few. Critical thinking board games, however, are beyond entertainment. Board games which are based on analytical thinking test and improve your brain skills.

The Best Board Games for Critical Thinking

Board games are more than just a form of entertainment. They provide us with an escape, push us to become more competitive, and allow us to use our brainpower. There are thousands of board games that exist with more and more being created each day. Although a lot of them are entertaining, here at Aurosi, we like to think that the classics will suffice. Here are just a few of the board games we find are great at improving your brain skill .

The first game that strikes us when discussing critical thinking board games is chess. An intelligently designed game, chess is about strategy, tactic, evaluation, calculation, and logical thinking. While playing chess, your brain is evaluating the infinite possibilities that can result if you move your knight from f6 to e4. All pieces are linked and moving them forms a pattern on the board that surfaces gradually. Our brains can identify these patterns and analyze the game accordingly, but we may not necessarily know how to practice that ability. If your opponent has allowed his or her rook to enter your territory, there is a plan in place that you have to identify. What move is expected from you? Where would it lead your army?

Backgammon is known to be the oldest board game, inspired by the ancient Egyptians. Despite its age, backgammon retains its status of being one of the most famous critical thinking board games. While backgammon has been subjected to luck vs. skill debate for long, the mental skills required to dominate the game cannot be undermined. The two most important skills for a successful backgammon strategy are the basic understanding of arithmetic and probability and identifying patterns. Backgammon is a game of numbers. You roll two dices, which means you are going to get several sums – 36 to be precise. While you don’t have any control over the numbers, you do have control over your moves. Which move will put you at an advantage in case your opponent gets lucky with the dices? Which move would be the least damaging? Which step could get your opponent nervous?

How would a real estate board game like Monopoly qualify to be in the category of critical thinking board games? Surprising as it may be, Monopoly can improve your math skills. Monetary transactions are the critical element in the game – you pay rent, buy properties, negotiate with other players, and deal with the banker. In short, you are the real-life investor who calculates to improve his finances without depending on luck. Monopoly not only requires the brain’s cognitive skills like planning and decision-making, but it also requires social skills like negotiating and trading. Do you come off as an arrogant buyer? When should you take the risk? When should you play safe? You may not have enough estates as your opponents. Does that mean you have lost while the game is still on?

Critical thinking board games are not just for fun. Playing challenging board games infuses us with an enthusiasm to win, which isn’t possible without using brain skills like assessments, logic, evaluations, and decision-making. The fact that necessary arithmetic skills can be applicable make these board games remarkable.

Backgammon Basics – A Simple Guide to Playing

It’s All Strategy: How to beat your opponent in a Luxury Game of Chess

Hotel Basics: Recreational Games for Your Customers Experience

Think Too Much Mom

THE List of Critical Thinking & Logic Board Games For Kids

Look, I’ll just say it: there’s a supreme lack of critical thinking in the world today . I don’t know what to do about it, other than hope that we can teach our kids – the next generation – to do better. MUCH better. And the only way to accomplish this is if we, as parents, take it upon ourselves to teach them that they can think. One of the best ways to do this is through critical thinking and logic board games for kids.

I want to stress here that there’s a seemingly small, but quite significant, difference between “teaching kids HOW to think” and “ teaching kids that they CAN think “ . These terms often get used interchangeably, but I prefer to say “teach kids that they CAN think” because that’s essentially what critical thinking is: the confidence in knowing that we can think on our own …and not just performing a thought sequence in the manner how we’ve been taught to think it.

This may sound like a small issue of semantics, but I think it matters, so I wanted to point it out.

Either way, on to the matter at hand: THE List of Critical Thinking & Logic Board Games for Kids.

If you want to know why I care about/teach logic & critical thinking (and my background experience), see HERE.

If you want to know about the logic course I’m hoping to develop, see HERE.

Why am I reviewing all of these logic board games for kids? Simple answer: I was on a quest to find some good games for my own kids, and I tend to think too much about stuff & go down rabbit trails, & I started researching all the games I could find. So here we are & I figured I might as well share my reviews & opinions on these logic board games for kids with everyone else too!

This list is CONSTANTLY growing! Be sure to bookmark this page and/or share on social media and/or follow me on instagram for updates on new logic board games for kids reviews.

**another fun fact: click on each board game name to be taken to a much longer review post of the game.**

THE List of Critical Thinking & Logic Board Games For Kids!

Toddlers/preschool.

Bugzzle : A pattern matching puzzle bug! Ages 3+ 1 player

Kids/Elementary

Kaleidoscope Puzzle : Color Mixing Logic Game Ages 8+ 1 Player

Jungle Logic Ages 7+ (though my 4 yr old likes it) 1 player

Logic Land : The Enchanted Castle Deduction Puzzle Ages 8+ 1 player

Pre-Teens/Middle School

Teens/high school/adults.

I hope you enjoyed this lists of logic board games for kids! If you did, please feel free to share this list with others, or poke around and check out other parts of this site or flow me on social media.

Best Logic Board Games for Adults

By: Author Cheryl Kochenderfer

Categories Board Games , 2 Player Board Games , Round-Ups

Logic skills really do come in handy. Analyzing a situation and finding the best solution to problems is an essential skill. It can get you out of trouble or ahead in life. And on a lighter, fun note, it can also help you win some games.

Board games are a great way to get you thinking outside the box. So how are your logic skills? Test them out with our top picks for the best logic board games for adults.

Table of Contents

Chess & Go

Players: 2 Playing time: 10-60 minutes Ages: 6+ Complexity: 3.66

Chess has been around for over a millennium, making it the original logic game.

In Chess, all the information is technically in front of you. Players take turns moving one piece at a time to trap the opposing King — with no possible escape. However, there are many paths to take, and your opponent’s countermoves can throw you off.

Chess requires a good amount of focus, planning, and determining causation. You must analyze the board to decide the best course of action. If you moved your bishop across the board, how would it all play out? How might your opponent respond? What would your subsequent move be?

Plan the perfect attack to take down that King. Once you have, there’s nothing more gratifying than that famous final word…“Checkmate.”

Dominion (+ Any Expansion)

Players: 2-4 Playing time: 30 minutes Ages: 13+ Complexity: 2.35/5

Dominion is a deck-building game that tests your analytical thinking skills. The goal is to earn the most victory points through certain cards in the deck. Ultimately, you want to dominate the deck to build the best Dominion!

Hold 5 cards in your hand at a time. Select one more card from the table or play an action card each turn. Set aside the cards in your hand and grab 5 more from your deck every time. You’ll play through your own deck, recycling cards as you go. Analyze which will benefit you in future plays to gather the most Victory Points.

All the added expansions give Dominion high replayability and versatility.

Prosperity is a popular expansion and adds a wealth of fun to the original game. In this version, Provinces get a run for their money from Colonies which count as a whopping 10 Victory Points. You’ll also collect more cash than you ever dreamed to use in creative ways.

Terra Mystica

Players: 2-5 Playing time: 60-150 minutes Ages: 12+ Complexity: 3.97/5

Terra Mystica is a perfect information game. It’s all about strategic thinking without any elements of luck. Winning or losing is entirely in your hands.

Your job is to gain Victory Points by gaining power across the Terra board. You have your own faction board to keep all your resources in place. Use workers , coins, and priests to complete actions. Expand your land with buildings, dwellings, strongholds, or temples. Compete for more landscapes to dominate the most regions on the board.

Terra Mystica is a great strategy game with beautiful artwork to boot. Still, the gameplay is slightly more involved than most on this list.

Players: 2-4 Playing time: 30-45 minutes Ages: 8+ Complexity: 1.76/5

Azul is a logic game that involves spatial thinking and planning. The colorful tiles and personal boards add a nice touch.

Azul is played over rounds with 3 phases each. Gather tiles in the factory offering phase. When all tiles are collected, stock them on your lines. Excess tiles will go to the floor row.

Time to tile your wall! Place corresponding patterned tiles on your wall, scoring points for how you add tiles in relation to one another. Lose points for excess tiles remaining. Whoever scores the most points after 3 rounds wins.

Deciding which tiles to collect and where to place them is critical in this game. Don’t get walled in with these tiles. Think outside the box!

Five Tribes

Players: 2-4 Playing time: 40-80 minutes Ages: 13+ Complexity: 2.85/5

Five Tribes plays a bit like Mancala, but with many more components to juggle. The rules are simple, but the strategies can be pretty complex.

There are many ways to strategize, from bidding for turn order to worker placement. When it’s your turn, move your meeples across the board, leaving one in each space as you go — as you would in Mancala.

When you reach the last tile, clear the same colored meeples off that tile. If all the meeples are the same color, clear the tile and claim that tile’s points. Special cards, as well as assassins, add additional rules to gameplay.

Utilizing all the different elements will require critical thinking , problem-solving , and a lot of concentration . Come up with the best route to clear tiles and collect those winning points on the board.

Players: 1-20 Playing time: 30 minutes Ages: 6+ Complexity: 1.67/5

This Mensa Select Winner is great for big groups and plays quickly, making it a fun party option.

SET is a card game requiring speed and pattern recognition. 12 cards are laid out on the table. Cards consist of various shapes in different colors, numbers, and shadings. Spot 3 cards that are either the same in one aspect or all different in one way. Your 3 cards might all be triangles but different in color, shading, and number. If you find it first, grab your SET. Those cards are yours to keep for points.

The rules sound simple, but the varying shape features make it trickier than first meets the eye. You’ll need to scan the table quickly while your brain processes all the elements. But don’t take too long, or a player will beat you to the punch!

Players: 2 Playing time: 20 minutes Ages: 8+ Complexity: 1.79/5

How quickly can you crack this code ? Test your code-breaking skills in Mastermind, the quick-playing logic game for 2 players.

In Mastermind, you’ll be the Codemaster or Codebreaker. The Codemaster comes up with a secret sequence of colored pegs. Take guesses to determine the order of colored pegs. The Codemaster tells you if those colors are present and in the correct or incorrect placement.

Test your hypothesis and use those methods of deduction to decipher the key. But your guesses are limited, so use them wisely.

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective

Players: 1-8 Playing time: 60-120 minutes Ages: 13+ Complexity: 2.68/5

“When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Keep this quote in mind as you solve crimes throughout Victorian-era London. Your cooperative team of investigators has all the clues needed to crack the case. You just need to piece together the puzzle . Who stole the famous painting? Who is behind the murders ? Interview witnesses, gather evidence, and use deductive reasoning to find the culprit.

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective is not technically a board game in the traditional sense but comes with materials one would naturally use in detective work of this time: newspapers, a directory, and a map to track suspect whereabouts. There are ten cases to crack, with expansions available if you crave more.

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective - Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures

Best Sherlock Holmes Board Games

Players: 3-4 Playing time: 60-120 minutes Ages: 10+ Complexity: 2.30/5

Catan is a tabletop fan favorite. It uses strategy, negotiation, and resource management all in one.

Catan is played on a base with moveable hexagon tiles, making each time you play unique. The goal is to build up to ten points by having cities, settlements, the largest army, or the longest road.

Exchange resources for roads, cities, or settlements. More resource cards are given based on the luck of the dice and wherever you have settlements. The more settlements, the higher your chances. However, resources are limited, so strategize accordingly.

This game allows you to use expert negotiation skills to trade cards with other players. Can you get what you want without giving away too much?

If you haven’t already, try this game night staple and find out what all the rage is about.

Best Catan Expansions
Board Games Like Catan
Catan vs. Risk

We hope you enjoyed our list of the best logic board games for adults! These strategy games help to develop critical thinking, deductive reasoning, and problem-solving skills for board gamers of any age. Have you tried any of the games on this list? Which game is your favorite logical challenge?

Cheryl is a teacher, writer, and board game fan. She likes incorporating games into all areas of her life, from classrooms and family nights to lively parties with friends. While she’s played too many to count, her favorites have always been classics like Codenames and chess.

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7 Best Lateral Thinking Board Games

If you’re not familiar with lateral thinking , it’s a type of problem-solving that often involves thinking “outside the box”, so to speak. This type of creative and sometimes unconventional reasoning is an important skill, and there are even board games that require you to utilize it.

Today, we’re highlighting the 7 best lateral thinking board games available, including Hedbanz, Super Mario Labyrinth, Dominion, and several more.

To learn more about these top 7 problem-solving games , including info on their age ranges, prices, and customer ratings, keep reading. We’ll highlight the best features of these games so that you can understand them all. Let’s get into it now!

Our pick of the top 7 games that utilize players’ lateral thinking and creative problem-solving skills include the following:

Super Mario Labyrinth
Ticket to Ride

This is one of the simplest and best lateral thinking games out there. It’s a question and answer style game that challenges players to think outside the box in order to advance.

But don’t just take our word for it; consider the more than 13,000 positive reviews and ratings from Amazon customers (average 4.7/5.0 stars). It’s also highly rated for readability, learnability, value, and giftability.

Lateral Thinking Benefits: both adults and children alike can practice critical thinking skills and develop deductive reasoning skills while playing this game.

2. Dominion

Dominion is a true exercise in creative problem-solving skills, but it takes critical thinking to the next level. It’s a tactical science fiction-themed game that you can add expansions to increase the difficulty and complexity for players.

With an average rating of 4.9/5.0 stars on Amazon, from more than 3,000 happy customers, it’s one of the best-rated lateral thinking games. It’s also highly rated for learnability, making it accessible to beginners.

Lateral Thinking Benefits: Exercise players’ thinking skills without lasting too long.

3. Super Mario Labyrinth

This maze-themed board game includes the characters from your favorite Super Mario games and takes less than a half-hour to play.

Super Mario Labyrinth has an average rating on Amazon of 4.8/5.0 stars (more than 10,000 customer reviews) and good ratings for learnability and value.

Lateral Thinking Benefits: requires unique problem-solving skills to advance in the game, as the maze changes each time a player takes a turn.

4. Ticket to Ride

This railroad-themed board game requires players to use their spatial reasoning skills and problem solve to build their train routes across the map. And it takes less than an hour to complete the game, on average.

This game is rated as beginner-friendly and learnable by customers, with an average rating of 4.9/5.0 stars (more than 19,000 ratings overall).

Lateral Thinking Benefits: challenges players to use spatial reasoning and arrive at answers without the use of traditional logic.

Dixit is a storytelling board game with clues and illustration cards. It’s an award-winning board game that the whole family can enjoy in about 30 minutes. The fun revolves around a world of fantasy.

Dixit has an average Amazon rating of 4.8/5.0 stars from over 300 customers, and it’s also well-rated for beginner-friendliness, giftability, learnability, and value.

Lateral Thinking Benefits: according to players, it’s the perfect game to get you thinking outside the box. You use clues to come to conclusions that may not be accessible with traditional step-by-step logic.

6. Telestrations

Although Telestrations isn’t set up on a player board, it’s still a super creative rendition of the age-old telephone game. Players draw the clue, then pass it on to the next player to draw it again. By the end of the line, the last player has to guess what the picture was supposed to be.

With an average Amazon rating of 4.8/5.0 stars from more than 10,000 customer reviews, it is a well-loved game. It’s also easy for beginners to learn, and its price is hard to beat for the value.

Lateral Thinking Benefits: this unique game relies on creative skills and guessing abilities – something that sits outside the box.

7. Wingspan

This competitive board game is themed around birds and building bird habitats. Players must use strategy and critical thinking to advance in the game, which uses cards as its primary piece.

The average rating for this board game on Amazon is 4.8/5.0 stars (from more than 8,000 customer ratings), and it’s also well-rated for its quality and craftsmanship.

Lateral Thinking Benefits: game relies on complex strategy skills and challenges players to find unconventional solutions to presented problems.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, our guide to the 7 best lateral thinking board games has helped you to find one that suits your gaming needs!

The above 7 games are all highly rated on Amazon and will challenge players to use their think-outside-of-the-box skills and critical reasoning.

https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/67597/games-feature-lateral-thinking

Linear thinking vs lateral thinking (A complete guide)

https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/board-games-for-kids-2643189514

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Best Board Games for Brain Training

Looking for the best board games for brain training ? You are not the first person to do so! Board games aren’t an invention of the 21 st century. Archaeologists have found evidence of children playing board games dating back to medieval times.

There was a common misconception regarding board games. Everyone thought that they were just supposed to keep people occupied or were supposed to act as an alternative for fun group exercise. However, recently, it has been made clear that mental exertion during specific board games can be vital for the brain training of toddlers and adults alike.

Let’s see which are the best board games for brain training in the market!

Our Overall #1 Rated Pick

Solar Quest

Easy to play
Enhances motor skills
Improves strategic thinking
Increases mental clarity

The board games can be fun and learning at the same time. It is a fact that board games are good for brain training. These games improve motor skills and mental clarity. It also helps to increase cognition.

Solar Quest is a very simple yet unique game. The games come with a board, cards, and other accessories. It is very easy to play. The game has small fuel tank stations. It sticks to the board with magnets on the bottom.

The 10 Best Board Games for Brain Training – Comparison Table

Ticket to Ride

The 10 Best Board Games for Brain Training – Product Reviews

Best Board Games for Brain Training out there

The shipping of the game is good. It comes with an original cellophane seal from the factory. You will get all of the accessories and a playing guide. It is a group-oriented game. You can play with friends or family. The game enhances your critical thinking and strategic planning.

It is similar to monopoly but more fun to play. Solar Quest is a new edition of the space-age real estate. You can buy fuel stations and visit other places. The player with the most money wins at the end.

Increases mental clarity
It is a family-oriented game
The game is the latest edition
Good game for space lovers
The game has a lot of small pieces which can be dangerous for kids

The board games are entertaining and fact-based. You can learn a lot of new playing strategies through a board game. Battleship is a new game introduced in the market. It is based on a movie. If you are someone interested in naval combat. This is the perfect game for you.

The battleship classic game is group-oriented. You can play it with family or a group of friends. The game helps to enhance motor skills, strategic planning, and critical thinking. The game is compact and easy to store.

It comes with a board, combat ships, and a rule book. The game will make you think of different strategies to kill the opposite ship. It makes your brain work fast. That is why it is a good pick for brain training. The packaging of the product is fine.

The game contains two plastic cases, one for each player. It has small target tools to destroy the opponent’s ship. The player with more safe ships at the end wins. The battleship classic board game comes with salvo features. It helps you to advance multiple attacks.

The game is easy to play
It enhances the mental clarity
It improves critical thinking
The game is made of solid material
It is played between two players
The game is compact and easy to store
It enhances the motor skills
Contains a lot of small pieces
It is expensive

The board games help to enhance critical thinking. It will make you think fast and plan strategies. Mastermind is a classic board game. It improves motor skills, mental clarity, and planning capacity. The game is simple and fast to play.

It is played between two players. If you are someone interested in coding, then it is the perfect game for you. The game has 2000+ combinations. It is a STEM-based game. The game is full of science, innovative technology, improved engineering, and mathematics.

It is good for brain training. The game improves motor skills and critical thinking. It is a fun and entertaining game. The color-coding makes you play it more often. It is a game full of logic and reasoning.

Create a code and test it. The power of your mind will make you strong in the game. It will challenge you on different levels. The game has a secret code and you have to break it. Overall, it is a fast, simple, and fun board game.

You need good luck. The game gets tough after each code. The code maker provides hints that will help you break the code. The game also allows you to make a code with as many possible combinations. It is guaranteed that every code is a brain teaser.

The game is STEM-based
It improves critical thinking
The game enhances your motor skills
It helps with strategic planning
The game includes art element

Scrabble is one of the classic board games. The game is fun and learning. It comes with alphabet tiles, aboard, and a scoreboard. You have to make words and game scores. The games improve critical thinking and strategic planning.

The game board is compact and easy to store. It enhances motor skills. The game is overall good for brain training. It is played between 2 or 4. The 100 wooden tiles are enough to make words of your choice.

The game comes with a rule book and an English dictionary to consult. You can store the tile in the drawstring bag easily. The score of each word is counted by the numbers inscribed on tiles. The player with more scores wins at the end.

Scrabble is a fun game. It is the perfect way to spend quality time with friends or family. The competitive game makes your brain work fast and quickly.

It enhances motor skills
The game helps with strategic planning
It makes you think fast
The game is easy to store
It has multiple ways to play
None to be mentioned

Ticket to Ride is a fun board game. The payers ride the trains cross-country and collect different cards. It improves motor skills, critical thinking, and strategic planning. The game is a good opportunity to spend quality family time.

The rules of the game are easy and the design is simple. Players have to connect the railway track across the country. The routes appeared in different colors on the map. The player with the highest score wins at the end. The game has a board, ticket cards, and train blocks.

The players will claim their route between cities by playing an equal number of matching cards. In the game, the player can use the powerful locomotive card in replacement of a missing card. The game is good for brain training.

It encourages the players to build routes and think about different strategies. The game is compact and easy to store. The game is played between 2 to 5 players and lasts for 60 minutes.

The game improves critical thinking
It is good for brain training
The game is group-oriented
It enhances your motor skills

Board games are supposed to be fun and learning. Confidence is a very simple and strategic game. The game makes you guess about the answers. The game comes with a bunch of fun questions to ask. Each player has to guess.

The player with the closest answer gets more points. It helps to improve the mental clarity, thinking capacity, and guessing power of a player. The game is not about the right answer. However, it is about the closest guess.

The game comes with small boards to write the answers. Confidence is a game that includes risk and fun. You will enjoy quality time with friends and family. The game is easy to play and the rules are very simple. Once you start playing, you will get addicted.

The game is group-oriented and can be played between 2 to 30 players. It is a brilliant concept of guessing and winning. You can always spice up the game as you want. The game will make you think fast and quick. It is a great brain exercise.

The game is easy to play
It improves thinking capacity
The game is fun
It is based on guessing
The game is worth the money

The sequence is a fun, exciting, and challenging game. The game includes playing cards, chips, and aboard. The game is played between 2 to 12 players. The game is full of strategies and critical thinking. If you placed five ships in a row, it’s a sequence.

The game is quite challenging for kids and adults. It is a group-oriented game. The game is good to spend quality time with your friends and family. You can make a team of two. Each player has to score more than the opponent.

The game is based on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It challenges your brain and enhances mental clarity. The game has an exciting touch. It includes a jack with two eyes. It can be placed in any chip on the board.

It is important to keep in mind that you cannot place the card in a complete sequence. The player that completes the five-card sequence first wins.

It is challenging
The game is fast and fun
It is a group-oriented game
The game enhances motor skills
The game is good for brain training

Checker is a game played between two players. It is an interesting game and includes different strategies. The board game involves different diagonal moves of one color. It is mandatory to jump over the opponent’s checker in the game.

The name of the game is similar to the moves in the game. It comes with a board and chips of two colors. The quality of the game is worth buying. It is a challenging game for playing between friends. The checkerboard has 64 squares arranged on an 8×8 grid.

The game is easy to play and the rules are also very simple. It enhances the motor skills, critical thinking, mental clarity, and strategic planning of an individual. The game board has folding features. That makes it easy to store.

The game is challenging
It is a fun game
It improves mental clarity
It enhances strategic planning
The game is worth buying

Monopoly is a real-estate based board game. The game is played among two to eight players. It is a fun and exciting game to play. The goal of the player in the game is to stay financially strong. The player with more finance wins the game.

The players can get bankrupt and lose. Overall, it is a fun game to play. The game is full of challenges and levels. You sell, buy, and trade to survive through the game. The game improves your strategic thinking and mental clarity.

The players buy properties from each other and make their way to the riches. Monopoly board games come with hotels and houses. You can buy them and place them on the property. It has lucky cards and chest cards.

The game includes a board, 8 tokens, 16 lucky cards, 16 chest cards, 12 hotels, and 32 houses.

The game is fun
It improves strategy building
The game enhances critical thinking
It is worth buying
The game challenges the players

The game is full of challenges and strategies. It is a delightful game introduced around the 1930s. The game is fun and exciting. It is a group-oriented game. The game includes an object. The Player has to move the 4 pawns from the start to the home.

It improves your critical thinking and strategic planning. The sorry card has an advantage. You can move anyone pawn from the start and move it to the opponent’s side. That will send their pawn back to the start.

The game has a board full of artistic work from history. It is an interesting game that includes a lot of skills. The game has 16 sorry pawns and a deck of cards. It has an intermediate level of playing. The instructions are easy to follow.

It has easy rules
The game improves strategic planning
It enhances your critical thinking

Best Board Games for Brain Training – Buying Guide

Purchasing a memory board game might seem like a fairly simple task to accomplish. However, in reality, it is not simple at all. There are so many variable aspects that need to be evaluated before you invest your child’s interest in a particular game.

This is because once your child is invested in a game, there is no way of going about it if the game doesn’t serve the purpose of brain training. So, a lot more is at stake if you want to sharpen your child’s cognitive game or even you want to boost your memory retaining skills.

After much deliberation and research, we have found the following features to be a must in a memory board game.

STEM is a teaching methodology that focuses on four fields including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Parents and teachers who use this approach to teach the children under their wing swear that using this methodology increases a child’s interest in scientific fields by 10 fold. STEM is not just focused on reading but also can be incorporated into a child’s extracurricular activities such as board games.

Board games are not just supposed to be items for time passing. They should also incorporate STEM technology. There are many ways that STEM methodology can be incorporated such as the creation of situations where children have to build colonies or learn a trade.

It is always better to choose the games for children where your child can indulge most of the parts of their brain and that is only possible when the board game uses STEM incorporated technology. If a STEM-based board game becomes a consistent part of your child’s extracurricular activities, it will produce very beneficial effects on their brain development.

Moreover, STEM is not just applicable to adolescents. Even adults and teenagers can benefit from it and sharpen their memory by making STEM approved board games a consistent part of their life.

Whether it is a child in question or an adult, everyone needs a bit of fun in their lives. Especially in recent times, as the pandemic has hit the world rather hard. As everyone is forced to be cooped up in their homes, a stimulating yet fun board game can be beneficial in relieving the stress and sharpening the mind.

You can make a specific board game as technical as you can but unless you succeed in making it fun, you or your child will not be drawn to it. For a board game to be successful in brain training, one needs to play it often and deduce different scenarios from it.

Unless the overall game has some fun aspects to it, the chances of anyone indulging in the game go from 100 to zero. So make sure that the memory board game you are about to purchase for yourself and your family is fun to play in addition to its memory enhancing benefits.

Mind-Stimulating

An indulging board game is the one that hooks you to itself. The first principle of creating a good board game is that it should be super indulgent for all ages. An indulging board game is the one that can tether your mind to it.

By this, we mean that the board game must be able to stimulate all of the functional centers of your brain. A board is indulgent only if it can paint them a picture of the pseudo realities going on in your brain.

When a board game is indulging enough to create a visual of possible outcomes in your brain, it activates all the centers of the brain. This includes the one that is responsible for resolving complex scenarios as well as the goofy side of your brain. Thus, it sharpens all of the skills one needs to live a normal life.

Children and adolescents love an indulgent game as their sensory perceptions are far greater than those with developed minds. If you want to train your child creatively, then an indulgent game is the way to go.

Story-Based

There are many types of board games available in the market which are fairly superficial. Their makers haven’t spent a second of thought on the back story of the game. We know that children are naturally inquisitive.

Most of the time, they even render adults speechless with their highly creative inquisitions. When a board game is story-based, it increases the chance of your child’s ability to pick that game for their playtime.

A story-based game is even indulging for adults so they can feel better connected with their child without having to bore themselves.

Multi-Task Oriented

Another aspect that makes memory board games best for brain training is having multiple components. The reason we have mentioned this feature in the buying guide is its close association with success in brain training.

The human brain has multiple zones and areas that perform different functions. A complex game that has multiple components makes us use one part of the game for multiple arenas that creates the ability to multitask.

Being able to focus on multiple things at the same time, and ace every one of them is an important life skill that can be learned through a game that has multiple components. A board game that forces children to multitask at a smaller scale prepares their brain to make this ability an inherent part of their personalities.

In today’s world, amidst fierce competition, only the best of the best rise up. Having the ability to multitask is a skill that creates successful individuals.

Cognitive Development

Since the emergence of the pandemic, children are forced to live indoors. Outdoor exercises have been reduced so much so that it has affected normal growth and development of the brain. We all know physical exercises are important for the cognitive development of the brain.

Logic, strategy, memory, and quick wit are all responses that are a part of our cognition. Sometimes children are left behind in one or two aspects of cognition because their early development did not include activities that were vital for cognitive development.

Our brain works at a specific speed and our ability to form judgments is dependent on that speed of our brain. When we play board games, we force our brain to act faster and faster each time we play. Once our brain gets used to start producing a strategic response quickly, our cognitive thinking becomes as advanced as it can.

Relaxing

Playtime is not just supposed to be stimulating it is also supposed to be relaxing for you and your children. It is the only time when even adults can also exhibit childlike behavior and let their worldly worries fade away.

Being able to relax is one of the important aspects of a board game. Although you may feel like the relaxing and cognitively stimulating aspects don’t match but in a board game, these two features can go hand in hand.

A board that brings the family together for a relaxing and fun time while it trains your little one’s brain to perform faster is ideal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How to build my child’s interest in board games?

A. Try purchasing the board games with animations or start by purchasing board games based on your child’s favorite cartoon or comic character. And slowly move from animatronic to memory board games for brain training.

Q. What kind of board games are the best for brain training?

A. Memory board games are best for brain training but they range in complexity so you need to choose the one that can be solved by the person who will be subjected to the board game. Make sure the board game is suited for age in complexity.

There are many types of board games available in the market that range in complexity but most of the memory board games have been super useful in enhancing your overall cognitive skills. Especially in recent times, when everyone is confined to their homes, board games can be the right thing that can be used to have fun as well as for some mental exercise.

Choose the best board games for brain training that are fun to play, don’t cause havoc, and stimulate the mind and you will be good to go.

Here’s to keeping our brains active!

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Board Games for Kids: Boosting Critical Thinking and Communication Skills

Families are always looking for fun and engaging way to spend quality time kids. Board games are a wonderful family activity. They provide so much more than just an activity to occupy some time. There are many skills which can be developed and strengthened through playing board games. Knowing the additional benefits of board games allow families, teachers and caregivers to optimize the time spent at the table.

Boost Critical Thinking Skills

There are a significant number of games that require a great amount of thought. Many games require decision making, strategic thinking, and problem solving. All these tasks develop critical thinking skills in children. One ways to support their critical thinking is to asking them questions about their strategy. This shows you are letting them take point on the strategy rather than telling them what to do, which can help foster creativity and encourage your kids to think outside the box. That said, if they are really stuck on what to do suggestions can be offered, and they can choose the strategy they think is best.

Some examples of games

Sushi Go (decisions on cards to pick)
Ticket to Ride (section of cards and planing routes)
Planted (choices about which resources to take/use)

Improve Communication Skills

Board games whether they are cooperative or competitive provide lots of opportunities to develop communication skills. In competitive games, there can be communication about rules and turns. In those instances there needs to be active listening as well as clear communication.

With cooperative games the communication is even more critical since all players are working towards the same objective. It really encourages players to express themselves in effectively so their ideas are conveyed clearly. Ideas need to be shared and all players need to listen and respond to the ideas. This support the ability to understand others’ perspectives both around the table, and communicating outside the gaming setting.

The greatest communication skill cooperative game support is learning how to work together effectively. It is really easy for one player to take over the game a direct the other players on what they need to do on their turn. Working together, all players contribute to the strategy. Seeing more experienced gamers listening to their thoughts on the the strategy and being encouraged to collaborate, rather than just following the directions of the player that has taken the lead, will really support their development of communications skills.

Some examples of cooperative games that require communication include:

Last Defense
Forbidden Island
Indiana Jones Sands of Adventure
Zombie Kidz Evolution

Develop Sportsmanship and Resilience

Sportsmanship is so important in all different aspects of life. Board games offer a low investment way to learn how to loose graciously and bounce back from setbacks. If a child needs to develop their sportsmanship and/or resilience, games with a short playtime are the way to go. When the game is short then the time and mental investment in the game is lower and it is easier to reset and play again.

Throughout the game make sure to reinforce the importance of being a gracious winner and loser. Encourage your kids to congratulate the winner and offer encouragement to the losers. This can help them learn how to handle both success and failure with grace and humility.

For more suggestions check out my article Building Sportsmanship with Board Games

Some examples of games that Develop Sportsmanship and Resilience

The Fuzzies
Happy Salmon

Choosing the Right Game

Regardless of the purpose it is so important to choose the right game for the players. You need to consider the age recommendation on the game, the skill level involved, and the theme of the game. What is engaging and best for younger kids is different than older kids. Younger kids do best with simple games with only a few rules. Short playtime is best since their attention wains quickly. In contrast, older kids may enjoy more complex games that require more elaborate strategic thinking. That said, some older kids prefer shorter streamline games. Overall game play can take longer and have more rules than with their younger counterpoints.

Games for younger kids:

Unicorn Glitterluck (3+)
Count Your Chickens (3+)
Hoot Owl Hoot (4+)
Dragomino (5+)
Ticket to Ride: First Journey (6+)

Games for Older Kids:

Kingdomino (8+)
Block Ness (8+)
Abandon All Artichokes (10+)
Forbidden Island (10+)

For more recommendations, check out my other articles:

Board Game Recommendations for Toddlers and Preschoolers Ages 2 to 4

Games for Beginning Readers: Board Games for Ages 5 to 7

EFG Essentials: Great Board Games for Kids

Final Thoughts

Board games and gathering together around the table creates many opportunities to develop critical thinking and communication skills. Like so many things, it is important to match the skill you are looking to develop with a game that supports that skill. Additionally, making sure the game matches the skills and interest of the child is key. Time spent at the table can be so beneficial to modeling, and practicing skills and strategies. Board games are a great way to spend time together, and supporting you child’s skill development is an additional benefit.

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

Make sure to keep your eyes on Engaged Family Gaming for all of the latest news and reviews you need to Get Your Family Game On!

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25 Board Games That Promote Executive Functioning Skills

Written by:

Amy Sippl

Filed under: EF Apps & Tools , Executive Functioning

Published: February 13, 2024

Last Reviewed: February 15, 2024

READING TIME: ~ minutes

One of the most common questions and resources we’re asked for at LSA surrounds ways to better connect classroom activities with real-world skills for our neurodivergent learners. Traditional teaching methods, while effective, can sometimes fail to fully engage students or provide the practical, hands-on experience they need to master executive functioning skills like planning, organization, and time management.

Surprisingly, board games have a rich body of research supporting how they can be an effective approach to enhancing EF skills in learners with ADHD and autism. Games offer a unique, interactive, and non-traditional learning experience that can boost skills and fun in the classroom.

In this post, we’ll delve into 25 board games specifically chosen for their potential to improve executive functioning skills.

Click here to jump to the TL;DR summary.

How do Board Games Promote Learning?

Before we roll into the game selections, let’s first start with the research.

Bayeck (2020) conducted a comprehensive review of board gameplay and learning, arguably one of the most extensive reviews available for educators and therapists. The robust findings from more than 40 studies on board games in education and learning indicate that board games:

Reduce complex topics and skills into more manageable components
Have the capacity to build a variety of skills (creative thinking, flexibility, team work, working memory),
Motivate students who may otherwise struggle with traditional teaching methods,
Can be used for a variety of learners and skill levels. Board games have been used extensively with neurodivergent learners with ADHD and ASD.

25 Board Games that Promote Executive Functioning Skills

Now that you have a sample of the support for using board games in the classroom, here’s a list of 25 games that practice various executive functioning skills.

If you’re new to EF skills, before diving into this list, we encourage you to review T he Executive Functioning 101 Resource Hub . It’s our comprehensive resource with information about each of these EF skill areas and strategies you can use to evaluate EF skills your learner may be struggling with.

Chess: The timeless strategy game. Chess challenges players to think several moves ahead, develops the ability to plan and foresee the consequences of actions, and can offer endless skill development. We love chess for so many reasons, including that it’s an affordable leisure activity that can generate social opportunities for neurodivergent learners. Chess boards come in thousands of iterations; chances are you can find a board and pieces that match your preferred interests. There are free options online, digital apps and lots of teaching resources available as well. One of our favorite ways to teach the components of the game: No Stress Chess
Settlers of Catan: In this resource management game, players must strategize on building settlements and cities, requiring careful planning and foresight to manage resources effectively and outmaneuver opponents. There are lots of rules for Settlers, but many different iterations of gameplay. It does take some time to complete a game, so may not be the easiest option for classroom or therapy sessions.
Ticket to Ride: One of the most well-loved board games on the market right now, Ticket to Ride is a cross-country train adventure game where players collect and play matching train cards to claim railway routes. The game promotes strategic planning and critical thinking as players have limited time and resources to build railways. It’s easy to learn and enjoyable for a variety of skill levels.
Agricola: A 17th-century farm management game that pushes players to strategize on resource allocation, animal husbandry, and crop growth, demanding detailed planning to ensure the prosperity of their farmstead. The game consists of 14 rounds, so requires learners to carefully plan out and organize their strategy, flexibly adjusting along the way.
Pandemic: Unlike the other games on this list, Pandemic is a cooperative board game. Players work together to treat infections worldwide, gathering resources for cures, necessitating careful strategic planning and teamwork. It’s reminiscent of the COVID-era, but does encourage strategic thinking and cooperation.

Organization

Dominion: This deck-building card game encourages players to efficiently organize their decks to gain the most points, promoting organizational skills through strategic selection and use of cards. Tons of expansion packs and variations if your learners enjoy this game.
7 Wonders: Perfect for history and architecture fans, players in this game guide one of the seven great cities of the Ancient World. Requires learners to leverage resource management and play cards in strategies ways, building organizational and flexible thinking skills as they aim to balance military, scientific, and cultural development goals.
Terraforming Mars: Set in the 2400s, players work to make Mars habitable, managing large project cards representing different aspects of building a new world. Organization and planning skills are key to efficiently managing resources and project timelines.
Carcassonne: A tile-placement game where players draw and place tiles to score points as they build a medieval city. Carcassonne is one of the most approachable strategy games on this list and a good place to start for learners who may need more support with planning and organization. There are modified rules available online to make the game more approachable to beginners.
Power Grid (The Card Game): In this economic strategy game, players bid for power plants and acquire resources to produce electricity. A straight-forward card game that can be completed in 30-45 minutes, this one mimics the older board game version (which takes significantly longer to play!), and requires careful organization and planning to efficiently accomplish the goals of the game.

Time Management

Race for the Galaxy: Players build galactic civilizations using game cards that represent worlds or technical and social developments, requiring quick decision-making and efficient time management to outpace opponents. This game also requires learners to anticipate the strategy of other players, increasing attentional and emotional control skills.
RoboRally: A fast-paced board game where players program robots with cards, predicting opponents’ moves and hazards on the board, requiring effective time management and strategic planning. There are more than 80 different setup options for the game, making it a long-lasting option for learners who easily get bored with one or two gameplay iterations.
Escape: A cooperative dice game where players roll dice and work together to collect the required gems to escape the temple. This game requires quick thinking and effective management of resources since it operates on a fixed number of rounds. Good for a quick activity at the end of a lesson or class period.
Perfect Timing: If your learner schedules not only with time management, but struggles with the basic skills of telling time and understanding time concepts, Perfect Timing offers a fun and simple way to practice time-related understanding. Learners play cards strategically to move the hands of a clock forward and backward to land on the target time.
Quicksand : A real-time cooperative challenge where players work together to deactivate the Quicksand, an ancient apparatus of gears and sand that sits on the table. It’s really a series of sand timers that all operate at once. Players take turns playing cards that strategically flip different timers over again to extend the game’s play. Requires quick decision-making, understanding and balancing different demands, and how to manage time with moving parts.

Working Memory

Magic: The Gathering: Fans of Magic will know this collectible card game challenges players in a variety of executive functioning skills. We especially like how it builds working memory as players must remember and utilize complex rules and interactions between cards, enhancing what learners already know to build more strategic play.
Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective: An interactive mystery game where players solve cases with clues from newspapers, maps, and the London directory, requiring significant memory recall to piece together evidence. There are several different versions of this game, some more appropriate for classroom settings than others. All require learners to practice working memory skills.
Hanabi: A cooperative card game where players work together to create the perfect fireworks show by placing cards on the table in the right order, challenging players to remember which cards they and their teammates have. This one is fun for a variety of skill levels, changes every time, and is perfect for classroom groups.
The Resistance: A social deduction game where players must remember past actions and statements to identify who among them are undercover spies, testing memory and deduction skills. This one requires a lot of gameplay skill, but is a fun option to challenge advanced learners in new ways.
Codenames: A social word game where players guess the names of agents from their spymasters’ clues, requiring concentration and the ability to recall previous clues and guesses. This one has been recognized as Game of the Year in multiple lists and has many different iterations now, but does require some general popular culture knowledge to play.

Emotional & Attentional Control

Space Escape: A team survival game where players practice communication, strategy and shared decision-making as they work as a team to collect the Mole Rats’ equipment, dodge the snakes and get to the escape pod!
Dixit: A storytelling card game that encourages players to use creativity and intuition to match stories with illustrated cards, requiring emotional insight and empathy to connect with others’ thoughts and ideas. It’s a more sophisticated version of Apples to Apples that can be played with a variety of learners.
Awkward Yeti Anxiety Attack: The Anxiety Attack game board is designed to look like a human brain, culminating in the dreaded Anxiety Spiral. Players take turn reviewing cringe-worthy scenarios and fun responses to stress.
The Mindfulness Game: Designed by teachers and therapists, this simple card game teaches Meditation, Breathing Techniques & Social/Coping Skills. Has some evidenced based support that game play can help with coping with stress and anxiety.
Bounce Battle: A stand-up and move-around game where players must bounce ping pong balls into a wooden structure in strategic patterns. Requires focused attention and persistence in an easy-to-use individual or group game format.

How to Maximize the Executive Functioning Benefits of Playing Board Games

While playing games with family and friends has clear social benefits, there are a few tips that can help maximize the executive functioning boost for your learners.

Customize game selection for individual students. Choose games that align with your students’ or clients’ specific executive functioning needs. Consider the developmental appropriateness of a game, their interests, and the specific executive functioning skills they need to develop.
Make it a regular activity. Executive functioning skills don’t develop overnight or happen without specific practice. Dedicate specific times each week for games.
Challenge your learners. Gradually increase the complexity of the games you introduce to your learners play as their skills develop. Start with games they enjoy and find easy or relaxing. Then move to more challenging games. For games that have easy, moderate, and challenging rules, gradually increase the challenge for your learners as their skills progress.
Encourage play with different groups. If we continue to play games with the same participants over time, it’s likely that your learners will become attuned to the strategies and ways of thinking for the specific group. This can be an advantage to building skills initially, but over time, playing with different peers can help your students encounter different strategies and flexible thinking.
Facilitate discussion. After gameplay, lead a discussion on the experiences and lessons learned during the game. Ask questions that prompt reflection on decision-making processes (“What helped/didn’t help during the game?”), challenges faced (“What would you do differently next time?” “What was unexpected?”), and how emotions were managed (“How did you feel when ___ happened?”).
Track progress over time. Like most of our recommended executive functioning interventions at LSA, we encourage you to track data on student progress. Keeping a log of games played, observable improvements in skills over time, and notes from the discussion can provide valuable feedback over time.

For tools to track student progress, download our FREE .pdf behavior log worksheet from The Real-Life Executive Functioning Workbook (coupon code LSA20 for 20% off). Simple tools to help you log student progress with EF skills.

By following these guidelines, you can maximize the benefits of using board games as a tool for developing executive functioning skills. Whether in a classroom, therapy setting or at home, these games offer an alternative and engaging way to enhance critical skills that are essential for success in various aspects of life.

TL;DR – (Too Long, Didn’t Read)

This post highlights how board games can be used as practical, engaging tools for enhancing executive functioning (EF) skills in neurodivergent learners.

Board games have been shown in research to simplify complex skills into manageable components, motivate diverse learners, and build skills like creative thinking and working memory.

The selection of 25 different games includes games that foster planning, organization, time management, working memory, and emotional & attentional control. Special emphasis is placed on customizing game choices to individual needs, making gaming a regular educational activity, challenging learners progressively, and encouraging play within diverse groups.

The post also suggests facilitating reflective discussions post-gameplay and tracking progress to maximize EF skill development, offering an innovative approach to connect classroom activities with real-world skills for neurodivergent learners.

About The Author

Amy Sippl is a Minnesota-based Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and freelance content developer specializing in helping individuals with autism and their families reach their best possible outcomes. Amy earned her Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Cloud State University and also holds undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Family Social Science from University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Amy has worked with children with autism and related developmental disabilities for over a decade in both in-home and clinical settings. Her content focuses on parents, educators, and professionals in the world of autism—emphasizing simple strategies and tips to maximize success. To see more of her work visit amysippl.com .

Coaching vs. therapy which one do i need, how to make school more executive function friendly, how to make working out executive function friendly, executive functioning skills 101: flexibility, the ultimate guide to executive function coaching, 13 practical time management skills to teach teens.

Life Skills Advocate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Some of the links in this post may be Amazon.com affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, Life Skills Advocate will earn a commission. However, we only promote products we actually use or those which have been vetted by the greater community of families and professionals who support individuals with diverse learning needs.

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The Best Family Board Games That Will Make Kids Forget All About Their Screens

These tabletop board and card games bring family members of all ages together for lasting, often hilarious memories.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Parents / Jaclyn Mastropasqua

Board games bring so much to the table besides just hours (or at least multiple minutes) of laughter and memory-making with friends and family. Playing them can help your child build social skills , and critical thinking, and even help them learn to accept losing gracefully. From moving pieces after a dice roll to flipping cards to uncover the next move or strategy, the best family board games can be challenging and educational screen-free fun.

“We should all realize that [playing board games] is an advantage to kids and one of the best-kept secrets of learning at home,” says Long Beach, Calif., educator and author Malissa Parks. “Games allow children to form and adopt theoretical solutions and strategies while challenging multiple methods of thinking as well as carrying out being in opposition and counter-opposition.”

Steve Jozef, managing director at Brooklyn Game Lab in New York, also touts the benefits of good old-fashioned game time . “Games allow kids to escape into new worlds, create communal memories of joy, find an accessible common ground to make friends, and overall play in ways they never would have thought possible on their own,” he says.

From spooky monsters to funky ice creams to intense strategy games, we picked our favorites to liven up family game night. We carefully considered any age recommendations, rules, number of players, challenge level, and entertainment value when reviewing products. While we consulted our team of editors (and parents) for their recommendations on board games their families love, consider looking for games that appeal to your own children's ages, interests, and learning levels.

Exploding Kittens Mantis Game

There are only two rules with this roller coaster of a card game: steal or score. Mantis is a game of collecting matching sets of mantis shrimp cards you either pull from a draw pile or steal from your opponents to win more points. Kids ages 7 and up learn reasoning and deduction skills, as the colorful cards themselves offer hints about what lies on the other side. Readers love the included classic comic Why the Mantis Shrimp is My New Favorite Animal by The Oatmeal (aka Exploding Kittens co-founder Matthew Inman).

The Details:

Number of players: 2-6
Age recommendation: 7 and up
Skills required: Reasoning, decision making

Hasbro Clue

Just when you thought a classic couldn’t get any better, the newest edition of Clue says, “Hold my candlestick.” Giving its beloved characters modern makeovers, this who-done-it challenges sleuthing skills as kids work to uncover who killed Boddy Black before their fellow players do. Check out the textured, gold-plated zinc “weapon” tokens; sculpted character movers; and beautifully illustrated Tudor Mansion. This upgraded classic is for kids ages 8 and up, and take it from us, the kids are often much better at it than their grown-ups.

The Details:

Number of players: 2 to 6
Age recommendation: 8 and up
Skills required: Deductive reasoning

Hasbro Gaming Clue Junior Case of the Broken Toy

Clue Junior introduces little ones to the beloved mystery-solving game, only without the bloody murders. In “Case of the Broken Toy,” players must deduce who broke the toy, which toy was broken, and when it was broken. There’s also a “Case of the Missing Cake” version of the game, in which players try to figure out who ate the cake, when they ate it, and with what drink.

Age recommendation: 5 and up
Skills required: Deductive reasoning and strategy

Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit

For adults, tweens, and teens who love storytelling, strategy, creativity, and socializing, this box is full of everything they need to get started playing your first D&D adventure. You’ll enter the famous and fantastic world of adventure, where heroes battle monsters, find treasures, and overcome epic quests for a cooperative storytelling game. Of note: Brooklyn Game Lab’s Jozef says they have more kids come to Brooklyn Game Lab to play D&D than any other single game by a long shot.

Number of players: 1 to 6
Age recommendation: 12 and up
Skills required: Creative thinking, strategy, imagination

Exploding Kittens Throw Throw Burrito Game

What do you get when you combine dodgeball with cards? Throw Throw Burrito! Two to six players, ages 7 and up, try to match up cards faster than their opponent, all while throwing, ducking, and dodging squishy, flying burritos. If you enjoy this, don’t miss Throw Throw Avocado which can be played on its own or combined with this one.

Skills required: Pattern recognition

Winning Moves Games No Stress Chess

No Stress Chess will introduce the age-old strategy game to kids ages 7 years old and up. The innovative set includes a standard chess board, along with cards. Each move is determined by drawing an action card that illustrates exactly how to move the piece, helping chess beginners become familiar with the rules.

Number of players: 2
Skills required: Basic strategy and critical thinking

Days of Wonder Ticket To Ride

The goal of this game is to build the longest railway route across the country, collecting trains and destinations along the way. Kids will enjoy blocking their parents’ routes with the colorful plastic trains. This game is also compatible with Amazon Alexa, who can keep score, teach you the rules, and even play against you. Designed for two to five players, this game is made for kids age 8 and up.

Number of players: 2 to 5
Skills required: Strategic thinking

What Do You Meme? Family Edition

This popular adult card game now has a Family Edition. All ages can compete to create the funniest memes by pairing caption cards with photo cards. Everyone takes turns being the judge to pick the best one each round. This creative game tickles your funny bone and is designed for ages 8 and up.

Number of players: 3 and up
Skills required: Reading

Pressman Mancala

In this ancient strategy game, each player will take turns moving stones into their pockets in a counterclockwise direction until they are out of stones. The player who has the most stones in their home space at the end wins the game.

Age recommendation: Ages 6 and up
Skills required: Counting and strategy

PlayMonster Yeti in My Spaghetti

Yeti in My Spaghetti from PlayMonster is a unique game that even the smallest members of your family will enjoy. In this wacky activity, the plastic noodles are piled across the bowl with the yeti figure precariously placed on top. 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. While the game recommends that players be age 4 and up, younger children might also enjoy learning the game a little help from a grown-up.

Number of players: 2 or more
Age recommendation: 4 and up
Skills required: Hand-eye coordination

What Do You Meme? Search Party: Chaos at the Park

Sometimes kid-induced chaos can actually be enjoyable for the whole family. With Search Party: Chaos at the Park, kids work together (or on their own, as this can even be a single-player game) in a hands-on search to complete any of the game’s 15 missions. The magic unfolds (as does the giant 3D roller coaster and Ferris wheel) as they use a trusty magnifying glass to search for hidden clues, follow characters around the board, solve mysteries, and discover objects. Have a younger one? Try playing “I Spy” to see if they can spot a clue or two themselves.

Number of players: 1 or more
Skills required: Problem-solving

Hasbro The Classic Crossword Game: Scrabble Board Game

Older kids and adults 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, this could be their chance to show off and take down a parent. Scrabble is designed for two to four players who are ages 8 and up.

Number of players: 2 to 4
Skills required: Spelling and word recognition

Briarpatch Kids on Stage Charades Game

Courtesy of Khol's

Get ready to laugh with this easy version of classic charades featuring animals, objects, or actions. To play, spin the wheel, move the corresponding number of spaces on the board, then draw a card with a clue to act out. Acting out the clue while getting the other players to guess the answer will encourage confidence and develop communication skills. The simple picture recognition makes this playable for kids ages 3 years old and up, even if they can’t read. There’s really no limit to how many people can play the game, making it a great pick for family game night.

Age recommendation: 3 and up
Skills required: Word and image recognition

Catan Studio Catan Junior Board Game

In this swashbuckling twist on the popular empire-building game, players navigate the different isles to collect resources like wood, goats, and molasses. Trade your resources for ships, pirate lairs, and more while avoiding the spooky Ghost Captain. The first player to collect seven pirate lairs wins.

Age recommendation: 6 and up
Skills required: Strategy

Hasbro Gaming Monopoly Board Game

In this classic real estate game, it’s all about getting money, buying property, and building hotels (and staying out of jail). It’s a great way for kiddos to practice their math skills, and the whole family will enjoy racing their tokens around the board to snap up new properties.

Number of players: 2 to 8
Skills required: Basic math, strategy

Catan Studio Catan Board Game

When players settle on the uninhabited island of Catan, it’s up to them what happens next. While the land is rich in natural resources, players ages 10 and up have to hone their skills in negotiation and trading to build roads and new settlements that eventually become cities. The changeable board translates to a unique experience every time you play.

Number of players: 3 to 4
Age recommendation : 10 and up
Skills required: Strategic thinking, negotiation

Hasbro Game of Life

The Game of Life has been around for more than 140 years and continues to be a family favorite for game night. Drive your car around the board as your character gets a job, has a family, adopts a pet, and more. (In this updated version, your character might even get a job as a vlogger.) It’s designed for two to four players, ages 8 and up. Get ready for adventure, action, and lots of surprises!

Skills required: Basic counting and reading

Mattel Games UNO Attack!

An exciting twist on a classic, UNO Attack! is similar to the beloved card-drawing game, with the addition of a machine that randomly shoots out cards. If you’re lucky, nothing will come out when you press the button, but you (or an opponent) may be met with a barrage of cards to add to your hand—you just never know! The machine makes a variety of fun sounds and can be used to store the cards when not in use. This fast-paced game is designed for ages 7 and up. “My family can’t help but laugh when the machine spits out a bunch of cards,” one of our editors says.

Number of players: 2 to 10
Skills required: Basic number and color recognition

Fat Brain Toys Mr. Bendy

Fat Brain Toys

Consider this Pictionary with a 3D twist (literally). After flipping a card to decide his fate, up to six players take turns transforming and bending the poseable foot-high Mr. Bendy with wax sticks. He could be an astronaut, a soccer player, a scarecrow, or more, and everybody races to guess what he's become before the time runs out. Correct guesses add up to points gathered over four rounds to select the winner.

Number of players: 3 to 6
Skills required: Manual dexterity, spatial reasoning, observation skills

Kitten Games The Best Worst Ice Cream Game

You can expect giggles when playing this matching game from the creators of Exploding Kittens. Players pick cards with silly and gross ice cream flavors as they race to fill up their ice cream cones first. The cards are colorful, and the delightfully disgusting flavors (think hot dog, snail, and eyeball) keep you laughing and spark creative conversation. Whether they know it or not, kids as young as 4 are practicing reasoning and creative thinking to match flavors while building their kooky cones to win the game.

Number of players: 2-5
Skills required: Pattern recognition, basic reasoning skills, basic color skills

Ravensburger Horrified: Universal Monsters Strategy Board Game

The village is under attack, and players have to defend it from the horrifying creatures: Frankenstein, Dracula, the Bride of Frankenstein, the Wolfman, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, and the Creature From the Black Lagoon. Each unique monster requires a different strategy, so the difficulty level changes. Using dice, cards, and tokens, players use cooperation to take action, moving heroes and villagers, and manipulating items to save the day.

Number of players: 1 to 5
Age recommendation: 10 and up
Skills required: Cooperation, strategic thinking

Czech Games Codenames

With up to eight players working in teams of two, this clever and challenging social word game is wrapped around a suspenseful spycraft framework. Two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents, and teams compete to contact all of their agents first with one-word clues that point to multiple words on the board. But be careful to avoid the assassin!

Skills required: Word recognition and association, teamwork

Ravensburger Disney Villainous Strategy Board Game

Think you can outsmart a Disney bad guy? Now’s your chance. Playing as villains themselves, players compete against a number of famous Disney bad guys (Captain Hook, Maleficent, Jafar, Ursula, to name a few), each one with their own goal, allies, and resources. The game is recommended for kids ages 10 and up, and there are expansion sets and other villain themes ( like Marvel ) available for more excitement.

Hunt A Killer Nancy Drew - Mystery at Magnolia Gardens

Great for building a team-player mentally, this board game finds Nancy Drew, the famous strawberry-blonde sleuth, needing help as she investigates a poisoning case at the once-peaceful Magnolia Gardens. The investigation is complex, so it’s meant for older teen and adult tabletop gamers, as they go through the physical evidence (complete with maps, dangerous plant cards, a locked box, and more) to solve the case.

Age recommendation: 14 and up
Skills required: Critical thinking, timeline creation, deduction skills

USAopoly Blank Slate Board Game

Test whether great minds really do think alike in this family-friendly word-association game. Each round, someone draws a card with one word and one blank, and players fill in the blank to make a common phrase on their own mini whiteboard. The goal is to have the same answer as another player—otherwise, you won’t get a point. This game is intended for ages 8 and up.

Number of players: 3 to 8
Skills required: Word recognition and word association

University Games Pete the Cat Missing Cupcakes Game

Young children (ages 3 and up) who love the Pete the Cat books will enjoy teaming up with Pete and his friends to rescue cupcakes from Grumpy Toad. To save the cupcakes, players must sing, cooperate, act out activities, and identify foods, animals, and words. The game includes 14 colorful 3D cupcakes, a cupcake tray, 20 birthday present cards, a game board, four game pieces, and of course, Grumpy Toad himself.

Number of players: 2 to 4
Skills required: Picture and word association

Hog Wild T.A.P.E.S!

Barnes & Noble

Why measure in inches when you could measure things in gummy bears or basketballs? In the silly measuring game T.A.P.E.S!—which stands for "Turn-Based Approximate Proportion Estimation Showdown"—players select an object in the room, spin the wheel to determine their unit of measurement, then estimate how many units they think the object is, earning points when their guess is the closest to the real thing. The game comes with a clipboard, four measuring tapes, pencils, and paper. “It's falling-on-the-ground hilarious and kind of humiliating to realize that my 9-year-old can measure in squirrels much better than I can,” one of our editors says.

Age recommendation : 6 and up
Skills required: Spatial awareness and critical thinking

Monikers Wavelength

Find out whether you’re really on the same wavelength as your family members with this fun game. To play a round, draw two cards: one with a spectrum (for instance, hot to cold) and one with an object (coffee, for example). Then, one player secretly places a target where they think that object falls on the spectrum. The rest of the players then turn a dial to where they think the first player placed the target. The closer their guess is to the target, the more points they earn. The game is recommended for ages 14 and up, but tweens may enjoy it, too.

Number of players: 2 to 12
Age recommendation: 14 and up
Skills required: Critical thinking

Big Potato P for Pizza Board Game

This cheesy board game is a fitting addition to your next family pizza night. To play, match letter cards and category cards together to build a pizza shape. The first person to shout out an item from the category that begins with the given letter wins a card to add to their own personal pie. The cards are color-coded in red, yellow, and green to denote levels of difficulty, so you can tailor the game to your child’s skill levels.

Age recommendation: 8 and up
Skills required: Word association

PlayMonster Drone Home Game

Host a futuristic family game night with Drone Home, which includes a drone that launches into the air and flies around the room. To play, race to be the first to get your marble-like alien into the drone (or knock an opponent’s alien out of the drone!), then launch your alien, and watch it fly. The game is quick, so you can get in a few rounds before bedtime. Make sure to charge the drone with the included USB cord before you play. “I was skeptical when I bought this game for my boys, but it's really fun, even for adults,” an editor mom tells us. “The drone really flies into the air and around the living room, which delights my boys.”

Z-Man Games Carcassonne Board Game

Expand your empire and conquer your enemies in this medieval tile-placing game. Strategic thinking is a must as you place city, monastery, road, and field tiles around the fortress city—since you build the board as you play, the game goes differently each time. We like that you build the board as you play, so it's different every time,” says an editor who plays this with her family. “And it's addictive—we can never play just one round."

Players can take on the role of a knight, monk, farmer, or thief as they form alliances or outsmart opponents. Since it contains small pieces, be cautious about letting little ones near the board. The game is recommended for two to five players, ages 7 and up.

Number of players: 2 to 5

Hasbro Gaming Wordle The Party Game

This game translates the viral online word game onto dry-erase boards, so you’re not limited to just one Wordle a day. One player will choose a five-letter word, while the rest of the players race to guess the word in as few tries as possible. To add to the competition, you can play in “fast mode” or “timed mode,” in which players compete against each other or the clock. The game is recommended for ages 14 and up, but younger kids with wider vocabularies may enjoy trying to guess the Wordle, too.

Skills required: Vocabulary and strategic thinking

USAOPOLY Telestrations

Pictionary meets Telephone in this clever game. The first player chooses a card and attempts to draw the clue on a dry-erase board. The next player must guess what the drawing is of to provide the clue for the third person’s drawing. The game continues until you’ve reached the last player and the final guess is revealed.

Number of players: 4 to 8
Skills required: Drawing, deductive reasoning

Modiphius Entertainment The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim The Adventure Game

Teens and adults who are fans of the video game will enjoy this board game adaptation of Skyrim. In this replayable fantasy strategy game, you’ll go on quests through Tamriel, fight dragons, hoard treasure, and defeat evil. Appropriate for ages 14 and up, this game can be played alone or with up to four players.

Number of players: 1 to 4
Skills required: Advanced strategy and critical thinking

Spin Master Games HedBanz

In this game, one player wears a headband with a card facing out and tries to guess what animal, food, or object is on the card by asking the other players “yes” or “no” questions. It’s a race against the clock, so there will likely be a bit of friendly family competition.

Jax Sequence

Board games meet traditional cards in this clever matching game. When a player plays a card, they place a chip on the corresponding square on the board. Once you have five in a row, it’s a “sequence.” (Note: Jacks with two eyes are wild cards for added excitement.) The game is designed for up to 12 players, ages 7 and up.

Pressman Rummikub The Original Rummy Tile Game

This easy-to-learn and fast-moving game is guided by a mix of strategy and luck. 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 7 years old and up will benefit from the inherent lessons of sequencing, pattern recognition, and planning skills.

Skills required: Sequencing and pattern recognition

Hasbro Pie Face

It may be a stretch to call this a board game. It requires absolutely zero skill, 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 it until someone gets whacked in the face with a dollop of whipped cream. It’s recommended for ages 5 years old and up, but if an even younger child is OK with some whipped cream in the face, go for it.

Skills required: Basic number recognition and counting

ThinkFun Zingo!

Like bingo but better, this fast-paced family game builds matching and word recognition abilities. It’s great for 4-year-olds and up, and even little kids will be able to go head-to-head with parents, siblings, or anyone else. You’ll need at least two people for this game and can play with as many as six people.

Skills required: Basic language and matching

Hasbro Battleship

In the high-stakes two-person guessing game, players aim to be the first to sink the other’s ships and crash the other’s planes. Each board has storage compartments for the pegs, ships, and planes, so it’s easy to clean up. While it’s targeted for ages 7 and up, if you have a younger child who has good letter and number recognition, that’s all they need to play.

Skills required: Basic number and letter recognition

Hasbro Gaming Trouble

The classic Pop-O-Matic bubble will bring parents back in time, while little ones will enjoy moving the colorful pegs. With straightforward rules, the simple goal is to move your four pieces around the board without getting into “trouble,” which sends them back to start.

Skills required: Basic counting

Hasbro Jenga Mini Game

Courtesy of Target

Everyone’s heart will be racing as your family removes the blocks one by one, 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. We like this mini version that stands at just 7 inches tall because it’s a bit quieter to play and easier to clean up.

Number of players: 1 or more
Skills required: Motor skills and hand-eye coordination

Hasbro Mouse Trap Board Game

Little builders will enjoy the challenge and hands-on nature of this game. Players are tasked with creating a mousetrap out of wacky plastic pieces 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.

Skills required: Motor skills and number recognition

Hasbro Yahtzee Classic Dice Game

This classic dice game mixes strategy and luck with every roll of the dice. Kids will enjoy the fast pace of the 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.

Skills required: Age-appropriate math skills

Disney Mad Tea Party Game

If your family likes Alice in Wonderland , they’ll love this classic book-turned-Disney-movie-turned-board game. Choose from a deck of cards to find out how you’re going to stack the teacups without knocking them over. It’s made for children ages 5 and up, and two to 10 players can play.

Skills required: Basic reading

Our Review Process

We handpicked all of the games on our list of the best family board games by considering entertainment value, creativity, rules, and challenge level to provide an exciting mix of games for different interests and ages. To find out how board games can enhance children’s development and education, we interviewed Shannon Bennett , PhD, mother and clinical director at the Center for Youth Mental Health at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. We also spoke with Steve Jozef, a new father and managing director of Brooklyn Game Lab in Brooklyn, N.Y., as well as Long Beach, Calif., educator and author Malissa Parks, who has fond memories of engaging with her young son during Connect Four.

Factors to Consider When Buying Board Games for Kids

Type of game.

There are several types of tabletop games, each with its own value. This isn’t an exhaustive list but family-friendly games usually fall into one of these categories:

Role-playing games: Players assume roles to move through gameplay.
Strategy games: Gameplay involves solving a puzzle of some sort.
Card games: These usually involve collecting cards to win the game, but can also involve cards to help strategy.
Dice games: Games that allow you to move forward or gather points by rolling dice.
Adventure board games: Games that have a storyline you move through.
Multimedia: Includes an electronic engagement on a laptop or smartphone to accompany board or card play.

While most age limits are based on the skills needed to play the game, recommended age ranges may or may not match what’s right for your child. Some also might have toy parts unsafe for certain ages or storylines that aren’t age-appropriate. Advanced-level reading, strategy, or complicated, multi-step rules might frustrate younger players. If you're searching for an appropriate gift for a 9-year-old , for example, consider whether or not they have the skills to play a game designed for tweens.

Setup and Learning Time

It’s important to look at how simple a game is to assemble, how well it’s constructed, and how durable it is during play. Game pieces that require a level of care (for example, small cut-out cardboard tokens) might not be suitable for younger kids. Also pay attention to how long it might take to understand the rules and play the game through—you don’t want to be bored before you even begin!

Educational Value

In addition to exercising social skills and spending time making memories with friends and family, many games also encourage language development, strategic thinking, math skills, scanning, matching, memory, and other cognitive processes.

Entertainment Value

When you’re looking for just something fun to do on a rainy day with your child, choosing a game that’s strictly for entertainment is also completely fine. “Whichever game makes family time special, harmonious, and fun is likely the best bet,” adds Dr. Bennett.

Your Questions, Answered

When can my kid start board games.

While each child is different, kids as young as 2 can start playing games, provided those board games involve simple tasks such as color and shape recognition, matching, sorting, and memory recall to keep frustration at bay and attention at its best.

What do traditional board games have over video games?

While neither is absolutely better than the other, unplugged play can be a valuable alternative to video games. “Video games take away much of the imagination that unplugged play stimulates,” explains Jozef. “A child playing Dungeons and Dragons is visualizing their adventure in their own mind. Video games take away that opportunity.” Screen time can also be more isolating than board games, with video games either offering single-player adventure or potential multiplayer online gaming environments not necessarily appropriate for the younger set. “Board games are inherently social,” he adds.

How do board games enhance child development?

Board games provide many opportunities for the development of social skills, including working as a team, negotiating, and losing or winning gracefully, says Jozef. “There are also tons of opportunities for applying math, writing, and more. Just see how many numbers and calculations appear in a single D&D combat session.” In the end, the critical thing that games provide is an incentive to use these skills, as the more they do, the higher the chance of a player winning. “When kids feel invested, they don't even notice they're learning,” he adds.

Playing board games at home is also a good opportunity to practice somewhat complex social skills in a safe space, according to Dr. Bennett, such as getting comfortable with winning and losing, playing by the rules, and when to leave a game if it’s feeling too difficult.

How do I choose the right game for my child?

According to Dr. Bennett, game choices depend on each child, taking their age, developmental stage, and interests into account. “Look for games they’re interested in and what they may be able to engage with appropriately,” she says. It’s also possible to amend the rules or make up your own family rules, if that makes sense for your children. Be sure to acknowledge that other children or families may play the game differently to avoid conflicts later.

“Find out what your kids like and choose games around that, while leaning into what that theme means to them within the game,” agrees Jozef. “If your child loves unicorns, break out a copy of Unstable Unicorns, then focus less on what the cards do and more on the delightful array of unicorns appearing before them.”

How can I make game night more enjoyable?

“There’s definitely an ‘old-fashioned’ art to playing board games, which is spending time with family and friends,” says Parks. “When children are more interactive at play at home, they learn more. Just a simple game with family members can make a difference in their educational abilities like team building, focusing, strategic thinking which promotes self-esteem boosting that is sure to follow.”

Any time set aside for family activities, ideally without screen time, can be special and important, according to Dr. Bennett. “Including special snacks if appropriate, a slightly later bedtime, or something like that which makes it seem extra special can be nice,” she continues, “but just having everyone set aside time to play together without distractions is what makes it special.”

How do you avoid fights on family game night?

When competition is involved, tough lessons soon follow. When a challenging win-lose situation arises, that doesn’t need to deflate the mood. “Talking ahead of time about game rules and family rules and expectations is important,” says Dr. Bennett.

Ahead of the game, remind everyone that the goal is to have fun together, not just to win or lose, while also acknowledging that everyone will have a turn and have a chance to do their best. “As much as we can talk ahead of time about any potential conflicts and how we will work through them can be useful,” Dr. Bennett continues. “Creating a plan for taking turns, even on whose turn it is to choose the game to play and whose turn it will be next time, can help.”

Cheryl Fenton is a Boston-based freelance lifestyle writer who has enjoyed a 30-year career of bylining in both national magazines and popular websites, as well as authoring a book or two. While her games of choice were Boggle, Sorry!, and Clue (played with her dad on his original childhood board) while she was a child, today she loves to play Hunt a Killer games and the Game of Life with her husband and teen. Because she is both a professional and self-proclaimed “word girl,” both sadly refuse to play Boggle or Scrabble with Cheryl. Losers.

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

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The Best Board Games for Kids, According to Experts

Whether you’ve got antsy kids at home or in the classroom, a good board game can keep the little ones entertained for hours — not to mention help strengthen their critical-thinking skills. So while we’ve written before about all sorts of games and activities in the past — including the best four-player board games , two-player board games , and board games for adults — here, we’ve rounded up the 21 best board games for kids.

Best strategy board game for kids

Ticket to Ride is an adventure-style game in which players attempt to cross the country and connect cities by building train routes. Suitable for ages 8 and up, it is easy to pick up “but also offers a level of strategy and tactics just deep enough for competitive gamers to return to time and again,” says Ian Ross, who runs the popular Instagram page Board Games As Art .

Best pick-and-pass-style card game for kids

For a lightning-quick, pick-and-pass-style card game, Lauren Bilanko, a co-owner of Twenty Sided Store , suggests Sushi Go! , which she says is very easy to learn but still fun enough to play over and over again. The gameplay is simple: collect cards to create collections of dishes for different point values, and whoever scores the most points wins.

Best farming-style board game for kids

Illustrator Stephen Walsh told us about this “really sweet” game about competitive panda husbandry that’s a favorite of his kids. It asks players to cultivate land plots and grow three species of bamboo for pandas. Walsh describes it as the “perfect Christmas Day game” to break out when you want something family-friendly and cheerful. The game takes about 45 minutes to play and is suitable for ages 8 and up.

Best building-focused board game for kids

Most ’90s kids will remember this classic, which is suitable for children ages 4 and up and can accommodate two to four players. “Nothing could beat being a kid and unboxing this game to build a wacky Rube Goldberg machine,” says board-game designer Rob Sparks .

Best family-friendly word-association board game

In our roundup of the best board games to break out during parties, five of our experts praised Just One . “Hands down, Just One is our favorite new party game,” says Kelsey Demers, who runs the board-game blog the Tabletop Family . “It’s simple to play, a breeze to teach, and utterly addictive.” The game won the prestigious 2019 Spiel des Jahres, or German Game of the Year, which evaluates board games based on their game concept, rule structure, layout, and design. The main objective, as the title suggests, is for players to help their teammates guess a word by suggesting “just one” word as a hint. Which sounds easy enough, but, as Matthews warns, “Watch out, duplicate words cancel each other out,” so you need to be creative. A right answer scores your team one point, while a wrong answer docks two points, with the ultimate goal being to get as many points out of 13 as possible. This game takes about 20 minutes to play and is suitable for up to seven players.

Best storytelling board game for kids

Walsh describes Dixit as “a great icebreaker of a game, fantastic for getting everyone interacting.” Great for kids with strong imaginations, it begins with one player being designated the storyteller; that player makes up a sentence based on the image on one of the cards in their hand. Then each player selects the card in their hand that best matches the sentence and gives it to the storyteller. The storyteller shuffles the cards and presents them to the other players, who place bets on which is the original card with the winners gaining points for correct guesses. As an added bonus, “the card artwork is beautiful, imaginative, and sometimes a little surreal,” Walsh says.

Best bingo-style board game for kids

Recommended by longtime Manhattan nanny Kasia Dabrowska, this bingo-esque game is easy to teach kids because the name of the game is speed-spotting familiar items like a dog, bird, or baseball bat. Strategist contributor and father of two Steven John also keeps it in rotation with his family.

Best whodunit-style board game for kids

“ Outfoxed has more replay value than I have ever experienced in a child’s board game,” says John. For months after first getting the game, his then-5-and-a-half-year-old requested a round nearly every single day, he adds. A classic whodunit, the game’s kids discover a series of clues and a group of suspects, zeroing in on the guilty fox through a process of elimination.

Best nostalgic board game for kids

Similar to Mousetrap , Operation was beloved by ’90s kids. Walsh told us that while he loved this game when he was young, he also enjoyed playing it when he was older with his friends after a night out. The whole family can sit down and operate on Cavity Sam to remove his various ailments — including his wishbone, charley horse, and Adam’s apple — without setting off the buzzer.

Best balancing board game for kids

Melissa & Doug Suspend Family Game (31 pcs)

For kids who love to build things, this game asks players to build a shifting tower by adding pieces. The game can accommodate up to four players, which encourages socialization and “very important” peer interaction, explains child therapist Glenda Stoller, co-founder of Village Parenting NYC .

Best board game kids can play with friends

Colleen Russo Johnson , a children’s-tech and media expert, recommends this remix of the original Connect 4 game, which requires a bit more strategy. In addition to placing their pieces in a slot, players must spin the corresponding column, which keeps gameplay interesting.

Best card-slash-board game for kids

“I was really surprised at how it held up,” says clinical child psychologist George Sachs . Fourth-grade teacher Courtney Caulfield adds that the kids in her class also love the throwback. “They like it because they can play with friends,” she says. “And it usually makes them think.”

Best active board game for kids

Anya Kamenetz , mother of two and author of The Art of Screen Time , recommends the fast-paced Exploding Kittens game Throw Throw Burrito , “which is a fun combination of goofiness and actual strategy.” Gameplay is only 15 minutes and can accommodate two to six players. Toy blogger and reviewer Lori Jepsen of Toysenberry is also a fan. “ “I mean, what’s not to love about throwing burritos at your siblings or parents or spouse?”

Best party game for kids

According to Strategist contributor and dad David Pogue , “this is the greatest game ” that all ages can play. The rules of this spy-themed favorite are very similar to the basic elements of charades, with players dividing into two teams with one designated spymaster, who provides clues. By guessing the words correctly, players unveil the other teams’ agents. The first to unmask all of its opponents’ spies wins. Pogue calls it “truly hilarious and satisfying,” and though the designer has it labeled for kids 10 and up, Pogue notes that “ Codenames is super-fun with younger kids because they make fantastically imaginative connections between the words.”

Best board game for kids who like breaking rules

This edition of Monopoly is designed for cheaters: The goal is to see how many rules you can bend or break in order to win. “Isn’t that the way every kid plays all the time anyway?” says Zibby Owens, mother of four and host of Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books . The game “encourages secret bank thefts, secret property swipes, and serious consequences if caught,” Owens adds.

Best fast-paced game for kids

Ideal for kids ages 10 and up, this fast-paced board game’s main objective is to be the first to help all of your aliens escape into outer space via drone. Suitable for two to four players, “it’s the first game I’ve ever seen with a real flying drone,” says Adrienne Appell of the Toy Association , who recommends it because it “combines different kinds of play for a lot of fun.”

Best planning board game for kids

This farm-animal-themed board game “challenges kids to really think about each move,” says NAPPA Awards director Elena Epstein. The game’s main objective had kids create a layout for a series of cows, pigs, and other farm animals that must be kept separated using a limited number of fences, which tests a child’s logic, spatial reasoning, and planning skills. “Kids feel a lot of pride as they figure out each level,” Epstein says.

Best tic-tac-toe–inspired board game

This tic-tac-toe inspired board game is “visually appealing” and “complex,” according to Sophia W., a nanny for the New York–based SmartSitting agency. Even better, Sophia says, “It’s well suited for gifted and special-needs children, as the colors stimulate kids who think visually.”

Best 3-D board game for kids

Tetris Head-to-Head Multiplayer Strategy Game

This 3-D Tetris game, recommended by Ali Mierzejewski, the editor-in-chief of the Toy Insider, works much like the original version of the game except you’re competing against other players using one pot of physical pieces. “You have to be strategic about what pieces you need and try to predict what the other players will need while playing. It’s a really fun way to update the classic video game,” she says.

Best dice board game for kids

A tried-and-true for a reason, Yahtzee is “easy to teach, with minimal setup, and suitable for any number of players,” says Sparks. “This absolute classic will have players pushing their luck to roll high-scoring combinations of dice.” Most important, Yahtzee is fast-paced, so it will keep kids engaged throughout the gameplay.

Best cooperative survival-style board game for kids

Forbidden Island – The Cooperative Strategy Survival Island Board Game

Collaborative games are great because they teach kids teamwork skills as they work together toward a common objective. Caitlin Meister, founder of the Greer Meister Group , a private-tutoring and educational -consulting practice in Brooklyn, recommends Forbidden Island , in which players have to work together to get off an island before it sinks into the ocean. “You reassemble the board each time by laying out tiles, so it doesn’t get boring,” she says. It has plenty of replay value.

Best board game for little kids

If you’re struggling to find games for very little kids, try Monkey Around . “It’s like Twister for toddlers,” explains Holly Magelof, toy buyer for the Dolphin Bookshop , which she says is very popular among the toddler set. “You see the kids wiggling and giggling — it’s consistently a best seller.”

Best challenging board game for kids

Richard Scarry’s Busytown Eye Found It! Game

“My 4-year-old, a huge fan of Richard Scarry books, loves playing this game,” says Strategist writer Lauren Ro, whose son Augie received the gift for his latest birthday. It’s sure to be a hit for any kids who demand a Scarry book before bed since it’s basically the board-game version of Busytown. The objective seems simple: Players work together to race to the island before the picnicking pigs eat all their food. But, Ro says, “it’s actually pretty challenging, even for adults” because, depending on what you spin, you either advance or go on a scavenger hunt to collect different objects on the highly detailed, six-foot board. “Augie relishes the challenge and gets really excited each time he plays,” she adds.

Best travel-size board game for kids

Spot It! is a matching card game in which kids try to find two identical images between two cards first. Since it’s small enough to fit in your hand, it’s a great game to keep in your purse for doctors’ waiting rooms or long car rides. This one is animal-themed, but the game comes in a bunch of different variations, including favorite IP like Frozen and Paw Patrol .

Best math-focused board game

For something more educational, try this math game that was featured in our gift guide for 8-year-olds. To win a card, players have to get to the center number by adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing the five other numbers on the card (each number can be used only once). The first player to collect five cards is crowned the winner. While the game is designed for kids ages 8 to 12, each player starts the game by choosing their own level of difficulty, meaning kids of different skill sets can all play together.

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Today’s Top Clicked

Board Games

The 10 Best Complex & Heavy Board Games for Epic Gameplay

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Many board game lovers shy away from games that take longer than one hour to complete. I think just about anyone would feel intimidated by a board game with a three-hour playtime and a 20-page rulebook.

Most complex games have a sharp learning curve, especially if you're used to lightweight games. Despite this, complex games are still worth learning—it's extremely rewarding to complete a game after hours of strategic thinking.

The following complex board games are perfect for players who want heavy gameplay that lasts a while.

10. Advanced Squad Leader

Players supported: 2 players

Average playing time: 120 to 480 minutes

This game is a bit of throwback since it initially came out in 1985. Don't let its age turn you off though because it's a deep game with one of the highest weight ratings of any on the market.

If you're into deep military tactics, you should find its game systems to be rather rewarding—once you get the hang of them.

Advanced Squad Leader is only for two players, so you'll need to keep that in mind before you dive in for a session. Sessions can take anywhere from two hours to a staggering eight hours.

9. Gaia Project

Players supported: 1 to 4 players

Average playing time: 60 to 150 minutes

The first thing we need to talk about with Gaia Project is the ridiculous rating it has on BGG. It carries a staggering 8.5, which makes it one of the highest-reviewed on the entire website.

That plus steep difficulty make it the perfect game for board game players looking to play something a little more intense.

At its core, this is a territory game, but it has tons of depth and an incredible amount of balance that makes it a cut above most games in the category.

You should expect games to take a minimum of an hour, but it could get longer depending on the size of your group and how they play.

8. Mage Knight

Average playing time: 60 to 240 minutes

Mage Knight is one of the few board games that actually feels like a full-blown RPG (in the video game sense, not the D&D sense). It has all the complexity and engagement you seek.

You play as one of four Mage Knights as you explore the world, build an army, acquire items, battle enemies, and conquer cities. Mage Knight can be played competitively, cooperatively, or even on your own—which some consider the best way to play.

If you want a rich and complex board game with deck-building mechanics, RPG mechanics, and lots of depth, then Mage Knight should absolutely be on your list.

7. Spirit Island

Average playing time: 90 to 120 minutes

Spirit Island is a standout board game in that it's intensely complex while being cooperative between up to 4 players. You can play it alone if you want, but it's way more fun with others.

The theme of Spirit Island is that you're inhabitants of a magical island where spirit powers still exist, and you need to fend off colonizing invaders who want to exploit the land of your home.

Spirit Island has simulataneous turns, and it's actually quite challenging. Be prepared to lose a number of times before you really start to understand the game—and even then, you'll lose several more times before your first win.

6. Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization

Players supported: 2 to 4 players

Average playing time: 120 minutes

This is the kind of game you can get really sucked into for the long haul. You're looking at least two hours to get through a single game, and that doesn't include the amount of time it'll take for you to learn the deep and complex rules.

Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization is all about building the best civilization possible. At the same time, the other players are trying to do the same, which leads to some interesting land grabs.

5. Dominant Species

Players supported: 2 to 6 players

Average playing time: 120 to 240 minutes

Dominant Species takes place in 90,000 BC, the period just before the life-changing ice age. Each player represents one type of animal: a reptile, amphibian, bird, mammal, arachnid, or insect.

Your species will flourish at the start of the game... but that's all bound to change as gameplay progress.

Throughout the game, you must work to increase the chances of your species' survival. Environmental changes, glaciation, migration, and speciation will affect your entire species.

The player who gains the most victory points before the ice age occurs wins.

4. Food Chain Magnate

Players supported: 2 to 5 players

Food Chain Magnate is a complex board game that revolves around the fast-food industry. The beginning of the game signals the beginning of your career as a fast-food mogul.

You'll compete against up to four other players in a game that lasts about two to four hours.

The game's map tiles are set up randomly in each game, and the amount you use depends on the number of players.

To build your company, you'll need to hire employees, train staff, and manage marketing campaigns. The richest player at the end of the game wins!

3. Agricola

Players supported: 1 to 5 players

Average playing time: 30 to 150 minutes

In Agricola , you and four other players assume the role of struggling farmers. You'll each start out living with a spouse inside of a simple shack. The game consists of 14 rounds and six harvests. It's your goal to grow your home, farm, and family.

At the beginning of each round, you'll get two actions: one for you, and one for your spouse. With these actions, you can choose to gather resources, have kids, and feed your family.

While kids can help you expand your farm, having them without enough resources and food can sabotage your gameplay. The player who has the best farm wins the game.

2. Twilight Struggle

Average playing time: 120 to 180 minutes

If you're a history buff, you'll love Twilight Struggle . The game centers around the events of the Cold War, starting from 1945 to 1989. Twilight Struggle is a two-player board game, but that doesn't make it any less complex.

You and a friend have the option of playing as one of the two world powers during this time: The United States or Russia.

On the game board, you'll find a world map that shows the United States' and Russia's global interests. As you progress through the game, you can control and influence other countries.

Meanwhile, the Cold War still remains in the background—the events that actually happened during the Cold War will affect your gameplay.

1. Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game

Players supported: 3 to 6 players

Battlestar Galactica takes two to three hours to complete, but it's worth every minute. This game is based on the popular sci-fi Battlestar Galactica series. However, you don't have to be a fan of the series to play this complex game.

The game takes place on board the Galactica following the Cylons' devastating attack on the Colonies.

As the spacecraft makes its way back to Earth, the crew realizes that there's at least one traitor amongst them. This makes it even harder to manage resources on the ship.

Gather three to six players and embark on a semi-cooperative mission of survival. You'll get to choose from ten characters, all of which come from the Battlestar Galactica series.

At the beginning of each game, players will get a card that determines whether they're secretly a Cylon. If the humans manage to make it back to Earth, they win the game—otherwise, the Cylon will take over the ship.

Complex Board Games Are a Challenge

Approach a complex board game with confidence, and you'll have a lot of fun playing. If long, arduous gameplay is your thing, these games definitely won't disappoint!

If you like deep gameplay with epic outcomes but not as much complexity—for those game nights where you're feeling a wee bit lazier—then you should look into 4X strategy board games!

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Best Family Board Games of 2024

Family board games may have taken a back seat to smartphones in recent years, but if you’re ready to transform nightly screen time into game time, we’re here to help. There’s pure joy to be found in scheming and problem-solving with each other. Even if there’s only one victor, you’ll all feel like winners after a rollicking game night.

You don’t have to dust off the old Monopoly game or checkerboards to capture that joy. Nothing against the classics, but we’re excited about a new crop of games that engage and challenge modern players on entirely new levels. We put our gaming skills to work to gather the best of them. No matter your family member’s ages, skill levels, or interests, you’re bound to find a game to help your family ditch the screens (at least for a few hours) and embrace the fun of competing together.

Table of Contents

Best Family Board Games

Tips for a Successful Family Game Night

How We Chose

Cascadia »

Accessible yet exciting for both casual and dedicated gamers

Easy to play in teams of younger and older players

Exceptional artwork

Encourages learning about science and wildlife

Peaceful, calming play

Vast potential for replaying

Not designed for groups larger than four (unless played in teams)

Minimal interaction between players

Take your family on a trip to the great outdoors from the comfort of your living room. Cascadia invites you to use tiles that depict animals and plants to build an ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest. You’ll watch your ecosystem grow while strategizing about what your grizzly bear needs or how your hawks can thrive.

Cascadia is accessible without being easy; first-time board gamers can pick it up quickly, while dedicated gamers can keep it exciting by trying new strategies. It’s different every time for maximum potential to replay. The artwork on the tiles is stunning, drawing you into the game and upping the stakes as you build. Plus, the game stays peaceful while still feeling exciting, which is perfect for families that don't need game night to get raucous.

We also love that this game is easy to play with little family teams. A parent could team up with a younger kid and openly strategize about their next move without giving away any important info or jeopardizing a win. All in all, it’s a gorgeous game that you can learn, enjoy, and get excited to play again, all in one night.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza »

Convenient for on-the-go play

Simple to learn even for young players

Up to eight players

Can get physical

No strategy or skill required

Need a hilarious game you can take anywhere for less than $10? Check out Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. This fast-paced, easy-to-learn game would be worth it at a higher price tag for the laughs alone.

Each player starts with a set of cards they’re trying to get rid of. The first player flips their card over and says “taco,” the next player does the same but says the word “cat,” and so on. As soon as a flipped card matches the spoken word, everyone has to pounce. The last unlucky hand to hit the deck has to take the cards. It’s funny, physical, and over quite quickly, but it’s addictive enough that you’ll want to sneak in another round.

The game can be played with three to eight players, so it’s fun for bigger families, too. Plus, since it’s just a deck of cards, you can easily pack this for vacation or keep it in your bag for when it might come in handy. Not all parents love a game that gets a little physical, but we think this one stays gentle enough to keep the game as peaceful as it is fun.

Telestrations »

Hysterical gameplay

Great for big groups

Easy to learn

Endless potential for replaying

Players younger than 10 or 12 may require guidance

Not ideal for small families (best played with five or more people)

Telestrations is a total hoot. It’s a mix of the classics Telephone and Pictionary. Each player gets a secret word they have to draw, and then everyone passes their drawing around the circle to guess what their fellow players have drawn. Once you start laughing about everyone’s miscommunications and questionable drawing skills, you just don’t stop. There’s a scoring element, but you might find you’re giggling too much to worry about who’s ahead. It’s best played with five or more players (and could be easily played with a two-person team of an older kid and a younger one), making this a good one for big families and gatherings.

The suggested age range for the game is 12 and up. Yet while younger players may not be able to create very discernable drawings or understand all the prompts, their silly guesses might only add to the hilarity. While you wouldn’t want to play it with only a handful of kids age 8 or younger, it’s the game that’ll make you laugh till you cry during a family game night of kids and adults.

Ecosystem »

Fosters learning in organic way

Teaches cooperative skills alongside science lessons

Accessible for younger players while still strategically challenging

Great value

Quick run time

Not as flashy as other options

Requires strategy that players younger than 8 may struggle with

Some educational board games teach kids in quite a straightforward way, rewarding them for using math skills or answering trivia questions, for instance. While that can be super fun in the right setting, we love Ecosystem for its more organic (pun intended) route to education. Ecosystem combines classic gameplay elements, like strategic world building via drawing cards, with earth science education.

As players figure out how to use their cards to build a thriving ecosystem, they’re developing critical thinking skills and learning about which plants and animals can coexist in nature. It’s easy enough for young kids to pick up quickly but complex enough that older kids and adults will thrill at the challenge of building a sustainable ecosystem. Plus, since cards make that challenge different every time, Ecosystem has excellent potential for replaying. This might take a little convincing for some kids to play, as the gorgeous nature drawings of the game aren’t quite as flashy or action-packed as other options, but we’ve found that once your family sits down and gets to work building their ecosystem, they just don’t want to stop.

Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig »

Mix of competitive and collaborative elements makes strategizing challenging and fun

Innovative premise

Good for large groups

More difficult to learn than other options

Not great for small families (best with five to seven players)

Higher price than other options

Families who’ve conquered the classics can move on to this challenging board game. Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig is a compelling mix of competitive and collaborative. You must build two castles: one with the player to your left and one with the player to your right. Your lowest-scoring castle is the one you’ll be judged on at the end. In short, you’re trying to optimize both your castles while somehow ensuring that even your own partner is slipping up in their other architectural endeavors.

You have no idea how scoring will go until the end, so you’ll be kept on your toes wondering whether or not you’re working the right strategy. Even so, the slightly absurd premise and funny prompts keep this game from getting too bogged down by its complexity, making it fun rather than frustrating for families.

The game takes a little while to learn, and it’s best played with five to seven players, meaning you’ve got to gather a group ready to take on a relatively challenging game. So if you have a crew that wants to take their game nights to the next strategic level, this is your pick.

Wavelength »

Ideal for big groups and gatherings

Funny chats encourage family bonding

Higher price than comparable games

Lack of strategy may disappoint dedicated gamers

The bigger the family, the more people on your wavelength – at least that’s the hope with this guessing game. Players are divided into two teams and must take turns guessing a clue based on where it falls along a spectrum of two concepts. You’ve got the help of an appointed “psychic” who knows the location of a bull’s-eye, and they guide you as lively discussions ensue. Where does “Star Wars” fall on a spectrum of sci-fi to fantasy? Is “Happy Birthday” a 95% happy song? Are artichokes the exact middle ground between good and bad pizza toppings?

Players are broken into teams with unlimited numbers, so it’s ideal for big families. Plus, since it’s super easy to understand and players can lean on the help of their fellow team members, it’s a fun option for a multigenerational family gathering where you’ve got tons of ages and cognitive levels.

No matter who’s playing, we love that this game can be played again and again and that the discussions can go anywhere. Conversations might get philosophical, but they’ll probably get hilarious. They may even get your family so animated and chatty that you’ll forget who’s winning and losing.

Patchwork »

Designed for immersive two-player experience

Compelling mix of strategy and creative thinking

Might not be challenging enough for experienced gamers or older kids

Hear us out – quilting competitions aren’t just for the state fair, and you’ll want to enter this one. It doesn't matter if you’re not normally a crafter because Patchwork will turn you into one (or at least the gamer version of one). In the game, two players go head to head in a quilting competition. You never know which quilt patch you’ll draw next, forcing you to strategize and flex your creative muscles to craft an aesthetically pleasing quilt. It’s easy to pick up, and it’s different every time, preventing everyone from getting bored no matter how many times you play.

We love that this is specifically designed for two players rather than a game that can be adapted for two. It helps the quilt-building process feel more intimate and immersive, fostering some lovely bonding time between you and the other player. Patchwork might not be the first game you’d reach for on a shelf full of brighter, buzzier board games, but the unique premise and quiet complexity help it feel surprisingly fresh.

Exit: The Game Series »

Escape-room-esque setting fosters cooperation and teamwork

Immersive art, clues, and riddles keep game exciting

Several series options to fit family’s interests and skill levels

Only playable once

Not great for big groups

Want the thrill of an escape room from the comfort of your living room? Check out Exit: The Game Series. These are cooperative-style games, meaning that rather than compete against each other, your family works together to arrive at a solution. In this case, you’re cracking puzzles, riddles, and codes to “escape” from a spooky scenario.

Exit offers tons of these spooky scenarios ranging in complexity and difficulty. Whether your family wants to search for sunken treasure, navigate an enchanted forest, or explore a pharaoh’s tomb, there’s probably something up your alley. We also love that they offer a few versions for younger kids where the cooperative element remains but with less sinister scenarios and easier clues.

The one downfall to the Exit games is that you can only play them a single time, as once you’ve found the solution, you win. Still, we’re ready to dish out for a game that brings the family together even just for a night. Plus, at about $15 per game, it’s still more affordable than streaming a new release or taking a trip to a real escape room!

Horrified »

New strategy and tactics every game for endless replaying

Cooperative style great for families with wide age range

Heavy on monster theme, which some may dislike

Higher price than some competitors

What do you do when monsters are taking over the neighborhood? You beat them at their own game! That’s the premise of Horrified, a cooperative game where players work together to defeat classic movie monsters like Frankenstein. No single strategy can take down all the monsters, and no single game sees the same attack plan from the monsters. That means replaying is baked into the fabric of the game.

It’s easy for even casual players and kids as young as 7 to pick up, especially since the collaborative nature of the game allows those younger voices to feel like they’re adding to the game rather than losing a competitive battle to more experienced players. Given all the possible tactics and outcomes for each game, it never gets old no matter how many times you face the bad guys.

Not everyone loves the monster theme (especially outside of Halloween), but the artwork is lush and impressive rather than gory and terrifying. If you can embrace taking on Dracula and the Mummy, you’ll be able to battle them again and again without ever getting bored.

DeDuckto »

Easy to learn and play in 15 minutes

Fun and cute characters

Affordable price

Can be replayed

Not great for groups larger than four

Older teens may find characters too silly

If you’ve got 15 minutes, a set of DeDuckto cards, and some deductive reasoning, you’ve got all you need to play a round of this fun game. A little bit of Clue and a little bit of Guess Who? combined, this lightning-fast game feels like a race against the clock. Opponents ask yes or no questions of each other to determine which adorable animal suspect is to blame. Kids will learn to use clues to suss out suspects and giggle about silly characters like Pinky the Pig in a Wig.

Most rounds are completed in less than 15 minutes, so it’s the perfect alternative to screen time as the final activity before bedtime and great for kids who struggle to focus for longer games. Plus, all you need to play is this affordable set of cards. It’s fast, on-the-go fun for moments of boring downtime, like waiting in a pickup line or killing time between activities. With so many different cards and combos, the potential for replaying is endless.

DeDuckto is at its most fast and fun with just two or three players, meaning it’s not the best game for bigger families, but for quick on-the-go fun with a little group, this one is a good time.

Fosters creative thinking and imaginative play

More accessible than most role-playing and imaginative games

Gorgeous artwork

Experienced role-playing gamers may miss continued storylines

Not as much interaction as some storytelling games

Many popular imaginative games require hours of commitment to develop characters or take on themes that can get too mature for little kids. Dixit is unique in that it can spark just as much creative thinking and imagination as any role-playing game but in less than an hour – and you can come back the next day to play with entirely new stories, ideas, and adventures.

The idea is brilliantly simple. Each player takes turns making up a one-sentence story about one of the whimsical artistic cards they hold. Opponents then choose one of their own cards to potentially match the sentence and get a chance to guess which card was the original storyteller’s.

The game is a natural fit for family members whose imaginations already run wild, but, since the gameplay is so simple, it’s also fantastic for kids whose storytelling skills you want to stoke. Sure, there’s not as much creative back-and-forth as there would be in a game like Dungeons & Dragons, but Dixit serves as a gateway to those games while being fun and accessible enough for more casual gamers to want to play again and again.

Colt Express »

Immersive, interactive experience

Easy to learn but remains challenging

Fun character play and visuals

Works for replaying

Requires more than 20 minutes of setup the first time

Some parents might not like competitive “Stealin’” portion of game

Want to channel your inner outlaw? Colt Express invites players to become the richest bandits the Wild West has ever seen. There’s tons of strategy involved during the “Schemin’” part of the game, and then the “Stealin’” portion turns you into a quick-thinking desperado who’s got to make big moves to pull off the heist. It’s interactive the whole time since the different phases of the game require planning and plotting.

Fantastic Western visuals make it easy to stay in character. A 3D train helps players feel more “in” the game – though this may take about 20 minutes to set up the first time you play – and while a solid strategy helps you win the game, it’s an easy enough game for casual players and younger kids to pick up.

The game suggests an age range of 10 and older, but we think some kids as young as 7 could have fun with it, especially with guidance from or teamwork with an older family member. While it’s not the cheapest board game out there, replay value makes this a steal worthy of a winning bandit.

Feed the Woozle »

Fun for toddlers and preschoolers

Designed for different stages of play to grow with children

Cute and silly premise

Helps kids learn motor skills

Cooperative element teaches in age-appropriate ways

Older playmates might get bored after a while

Some kids might wish for more “snacks” to feed the Woozle

Easy enough for preschoolers but fun enough for the whole family, Feed the Woozle is a cooperative game where players work together to spoon-feed silly treats to a cute monster before time runs out. The game has a lot of ways for kids to learn new skills while having fun. Along with the counting and motor skills involved with feeding the Woozle, they’re learning what it means to take turns and work as a team.

We love that this game grows with kids. It includes three different stages of play they can learn over time, making this a valuable addition to the toy closet since they won’t lose interest after a week or two. It’s easy to play with just two players but is fun with up to five, making it a good activity for playdates and little parties. Kids older than 6 might tire of this pretty quickly, but this game won’t get old for parents who love watching their kids discover new creative and cooperative ways to work together.

Awkward Guests »

Many moving parts keep older kids stimulated and strategizing

Possibilities for fun and creative back-and-forth play

Potential for replaying

Good for groups as big as eight

Involved setup each time

Can run more than one hour

Got tweens or teens who think they’re too cool for board games? Play Awkward Guests. It’s a leveled-up version of Clue where players must determine not just who killed Mr. Walton but why and if anyone helped the murderer. Plus, you might have a chance to trade info with a fellow gumshoe, question the household staff, or consult a police report. In short, it requires a level of strategy and detective skills that keeps older kids on their toes.

The game is a bit of a nuisance to set up as a result of having to sort through hundreds of cards to get the right ones for each game. It can also last more than an hour, so it may be a hard sell for older kids whose attention spans stray. Even so, we’re willing to bet that if you can sit them down for at least one game, they’ll be charmed enough by the intrigue of Awkward Guests to keep coming back for more, which is no problem since you can play this game thousands of times without a repeat solution.

The Bottom Line

Family board games shouldn’t accumulate dust, so we set out to find games that your entire family will be excited to check out. Cascadia earned our top spot for its unassuming ability to bring out the strategist in kids (and adults!) of every age, spark interesting discussions about our world, and still feel fresh even when played over and over. It’s accessible and fun and has beautifully designed visuals. For all our picks, we prioritized affordability, ability to be replayed, and ease of play and setup, collecting a mix of games that’ll have your family counting down the days till game night.

Don’t overthink it. “Pick a game and sit down,” says Arby Baldwin, game expert and manager at toy store Henry Bear’s Park. You’ll work out the kinks later, like what habits, snacks, ambience, and games create your family’s perfect game night, but your games will only gather dust if you never just pick one and actually play.
Give everyone a chance. Even if a game people love is too complex for the younger players, find age-appropriate ways everyone can be involved, like rolling the dice, choosing cards, or having a vote on strategy, says Jen Taylor, a social worker and therapist who utilizes play in her work. You can also give everyone the chance to choose a game of the week, keeping people excited about the tradition and on the lookout for fun new favorites.
Switch it up. Sticking to the same game each week can get stale. Keep a few favorites in rotation, says Baldwin, and don’t be afraid to try a new way of playing. “If you already have a family that plays together competitively, then maybe something that has a cooperative element will elevate the experience into new territory, or vice versa,” he notes.
It’s a sprint, not a marathon. Don’t let game nights get stymied by an hours-long slog. “Short run times are always a plus,” says Baldwin. To start, pick something that keeps everyone wanting more. After all, you can always play again!

How We Chose the Best Family Board Games

At U.S. News 360 Reviews, we know that a family board game should provide enjoyment for all ages, skill levels, and competitive styles. When selecting the best family board games, we looked at inclusive game features that would be compelling and engaging for all players. We spoke with Arby Baldwin, game expert and manager at toy store Henry Bear’s Park , who offered his favorite games for fun family play and the keys to a successful game night. We also consulted Jen Taylor , a social worker and therapist who utilizes play to help families experience more joy in their lives. She shared her insight on why family game nights can be so beneficial. Additionally, we considered affordability with games that don’t require many add-ons or expansion packs for fun, have fresh replaying ability, and can be quickly and easily explained and played.

WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST US?

Rachelle Dragani , the author of this piece, has been researching and writing stories in the home and lifestyle commerce space for more than a decade. At U.S. News 360 Reviews, she’s helped readers find everything from the best in baby carriers to trusted baby humidifiers . Rachelle loves finding fun ways to spend screen-free time with her family. Megan Wood is a U.S. News 360 Reviews senior editor focusing on baby gear, which is a role that perfectly combines her decade of product review and editorial testing experience with her love of obsessively helping parents find the right products for their families.

Games have a suggested age range, but trial and error is the best way to learn if a game works for your family. You can also check out YouTube and the reviews section of online retailers who sell the game, as this is where caregivers and dedicated gamers give detailed reviews that break down their experiences playing with people of varying ages and skill levels.

Remember that if a game some of your family loves is too complex for all, adapt it rather than scrap it. Reduce the number of points needed to win or let younger kids roll the dice or be a “team member” with an older player. Finding creative ways to involve everyone can be more fun than sticking to the exact rules.

While some board games are designed for specific educational purposes (like games with a geographical element, kids’ trivia games, or games that build math or language arts skills), many of the educational benefits of board games are found beyond traditional classroom-style learning. If you’re looking to maximize the educational value of a board game, look for ones that prioritize critical thinking skills like reasoning, deduction, and strategy. Cooperative games are excellent for developing social skills like teamwork and mental flexibility.

For younger kids, board games that involve tactile elements can help build motor skills. Additionally, board games are excellent teachers of the emotional skills of competition, like learning not to take winning or losing too seriously.

While playing a game together, your family can build social and teamwork skills, says social worker Taylor. She especially likes cooperative board games for fostering those skills.

“Everyone has to work together and so when the family defeats the game, they can celebrate their teamwork. This typically leads to family members showing more cooperative behaviors outside of the game,” she says.

Don’t worry if you don’t love cooperative games, though. Taylor stresses that simply finding a game your family loves and playing it together is enough to receive the benefits of play.

About Our Team

Rachelle Dragani

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Senior Editor

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

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Nurture and Thrive

Raising Children With Big Hearts and Strong Minds

Best Board Games For Kids: Games that are Fun and Boost Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills

Inside: These are the best board games for kids that are fun and also help your child practice executive function and self-regulation skills. These skills are going through major development in early and middle childhood. These are my favorite learning games for 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 8-year-olds, and 9-year-olds!

In graduate school, I did my dissertation on effortful control, which is a fancy way of describing the skills children use to control their impulses. In this study, we used several types of games to test 4 and 5-year-old’s self-control abilities.

The type of games we used was similar to Simon Says games, games that asked children to move slowly, to wait their turn, to follow a change in the rule, or to switch between two sets of rules. All of these kinds of games were designed to specifically measure how well children had developed executive thinking.

Executive function is the cognitive or “mind” part of self-regulation. The Center for the Developing Child defines executive functions and self-regulation skills as:

The mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully. Just as an air traffic control system at a busy airport safely manages the arrivals and departures of many aircraft on multiple runways, the brain needs this skill set to filter distractions, prioritize tasks, set and achieve goals, and control impulses.

Games as An Executive Function Activity for Kids

It is no coincidence that playing board games are a great way to help our kids practice these skills and not just a way to test their skills.

The Center for the Developing Child at Harvard Universit y recommends that to help kids develop executive function skills you should play many kinds of games with your kids, including board games.

Games that challenge memory skills, attention skills, quick-response games, strategy games, logic and reasoning games, guessing games, and I spy games are all games that give kids the opportunity to practice executive function skills. I’ve included a link to their activity guide at the bottom of this post.

Best board games for kids regulation skills

Games are listed from least challenging to most challenging below.

Some of the learning games on this list will be too hard for a 5-year-old, but they will grow into it soon. There are also many games that your child may start playing when they are 6 years old, but that is still really fun when they are 8 or 9 years old.

To practice these brain skills you want games that are truly challenging for your child, but not too challenging– something that they can master with practice.

You will also notice that your younger child may focus-in on one aspect of strategy, ignoring others. Whereas, older kids will begin to play the games in a more sophisticated way.

Go at your child’s pace with this — you may gently point out other strategy choices (or simply model them), but I mostly prefer to let them discover this on their own as they play over and over. You can literally see the “lightbulb” go on when they realize a new way to win the game.

Reading is not required for any of these games. Get ready to level up for your family game night!

Do you have younger children? Read this post: Games to develop self-regulation in 3 to 5-year-olds

Best Board Games for Kids Aged 5-Years-Old to 9-Years-Old

Melissa and doug suspend junior age 4+, 1-4 players, 10 mins..

The object of the game: Don’t Knock it Down! Players are supposed to use one hand to hang their piece on a spot that isn’t occupied. You can modify the one-hand rule if it is too challenging. The first to run out of pieces wins the game. This is a really fun and quick game that is actually quite challenging.

I recently brought this game to a class party and the first graders loved this game. This was probably the most popular game at the party. In fact, I brought it back again for the end-of-year party and it was a big hit the second time around as well. While this is labeled 4+ a group of 7-year-olds loved it too.

Skills Practiced: Planning, decision making, attention, fine motor skills, following instructions, impulse control, taking turns, and regulating disappointment, excitement, and frustration.

Buy on Amazon: Melissa & Doug Junior Suspend Game

Eye Found It! Hidden Picture Game Age 4+, 1-6 players, 20 mins.

We got this as a gift and my 5-year-old loves this game. The board is 6-feet long and has different time periods from prehistoric to the future. The object of the game is to get home before your time machine runs out of fuel. It is a cooperative game — meaning that players work together to get the time machine home.

Cooperative games are nice because children can be mentally challenged without having to regulate the disappointment of losing. These kinds of games are great for siblings.

As you move along the board you also search for objects and place finder rings on the board. The search for objects is similar to the “I Spy” books and is great for practicing attention skills.

Skills Practiced: Focused and selective attention , working memory, categorization, taking turns, counting, prioritizing, and following instructions.

Buy on Amazon: Journey Through Time Eye Found It! Game

build kid's self-regulation skills with board games

Race to the Treasure Age 5+, 2-4 players, 20 mins.

The goal of this game is to plot a course to the treasure before the Ogre gets there. Players work together to win the game and beat the Ogre. I absolutely love that in order to set up the game, children will be using basic graphing skills when plotting the tiles. This is for the younger kids, 7-year-olds may be bored with this game. But, it could be fun for older-younger sibling pairs.

This one is great for spatial attention and planning. It has also was several awards, including the PAL (Play Advances Learning) seal of approval.

Skills Practiced: Spatial planning, working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility , basic graphing, prioritization, coordination, taking turns, following instructions, and cooperation.

Buy on Amazon: Peaceable Kingdom Race to the Treasure! Award Winning Cooperative Game for Kids

Outfoxed Age 5+, 2-4 players ,20 mins.

My son got this game for his 5th birthday from his cousin and we love it! The object is to discover which fox stole Mrs. Plumpert’s prized pot pie before the fox escapes.

Players work together (cooperative game) to beat the fox. Like the classic game of Clue, players use dice to uncover suspects and clues. I think this may be my favorite game to play on most days because it’s entertaining and pleasant — it’s cooperative so I don’t have to be prepared to help my son handle disappointment and I don’t have to think as hard as I do for some of the more challenging memory or strategy games, but it’s not boring either. Again, as a cooperative game, it is great for siblings and the younger kids within this age group.

Skills Practiced: Counting, probability, attention to details, deductive reasoning, prioritization, planning, working memory, critical thinking, cooperation, taking turns, and suppressing impulses (resisting the urge to peek too soon at the Thief card in the “clue decoder.”)

Buy on Amazon: Outfoxed! Game Board Game

Catan Junior Age 6+, 2-4 players, 30 mins.

This is the junior version Catan. If you are a Catan fan, you will love introducing your child to this game series. If you are new to Catan but you like strategy games, this game is a great introduction to a world of games that you can play with your kids forever.

My brother-in-law introduced us to Catan and it is so cool to see how he and his brothers still gather around their parent’s table at holidays to play. These days that table has grown as the brothers bring home their own families and pass on the game and the tradition.

If your child is 7-years or older, you might consider skipping the junior version and going straight into Catan. My son is 8, and we still play this one, but the real one as well.

In this junior version of the game, the object is to collect resources in order to build pirate hideouts or “lairs” and ships. The first player to have 7 pirate lairs wins the game. Players must think about where to build lairs in order to get resources that they need, watch out for the ghost pirate, and evaluate trades with the bank, the market or other players to get the resources they need. This is a great game for developing critical thinking skills.

Skills Practiced: Planning, working memory, inhibitory control, taking turns, prioritizing, competition, cognitive flexibility, counting, and critical thinking.

Buy on Amazon: Catan: Junior

Best Board Games for Brain Development in Kids

Carcassonne, Ages 7 and up, 2 to 5 players 35 mins.

In this game strategy for what you build and where you build it is key. You need to plan ahead, weigh options, and make decisions. This is truly a fun game for adults and kids.

This is our new favorite game! Another fun aspect of this game is that it changes every time you play it because you recreate the game board with each game. This keeps the game fresh and interesting.

Buy on Amazon: Carcassonne

Magic Labyrinth Ages 6-99, 2-4 players, 20-30 mins.

This is my 5-year-olds favorite on the list and perhaps mine too. It is a gorgeous and brilliant game that is challenging and captures the imagination of children. Winner of the Kinderspiel des Jahres in 2009 (and 14 other awards!), this is a game that really challenges self-regulation skills. Every time I ask my son if he wants to play a game — this is his first choice.

The object is to collect 5 magical symbols by moving your wooden character along a board. But watch out! Invisible walls block your path! As the instructions say “ Labyrinth, turn around, walls disappear, ways will be found.” The wooden characters are magnets for a metal ball that you place under the board. Beneath the board is a grid-like structure that holds wooden “walls.” To get to the magical symbols you have to learn the path through the maze with some strategy and some trial and error.

The challenge is remembering the path. Honestly, your child may be better at this than you are. Maybe that is why it’s my son’s favorite — he knows he can beat me. Ha! My mommy-brain is no match for his 5-year-old memory. Keep in mind though, this game can be very challenging. If your child gets frustrated, put it away and try again when they are older.

Skills Practiced: memory skills, inhibitory control, taking turns, prioritizing, competition, cognitive flexibility, counting, and critical thinking.

Buy on Amazon: The Magic Labyrinth Board Game

labyrinth board game- best board game for 8 year olds

Rat-A-Tat-Cat, Age 6+, 2-6 players, 20 mins.

This is another more recent favorite. Winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Best Toy Award and the Mensa 1996 Best New Mind Game Award, this is a fun and fast-paced card game that challenges memory, strategy, timing, and math skills.

This is another one that is fun for both adults and kids. If you are anything like me, your memory isn’t what it used to be, so while adults have more strategy and math skills than kids– they often have better memories, so it is fun for everyone!!

My son loves playing card games with his grandparents. This one and Five Crowns Junior are great first card games for kids.

kills Practiced: math, memory skills, inhibitory control, risk-taking, taking turns, competition, cognitive flexibility, counting, and critical thinking.

Buy on Amazon: Rat-a-tat-cat

Quick cups Age 6+, 2-6 players, 15 mins.

This is a “fast response” game. The object is to match the order of colors on the card either vertically or horizontally with your stack of cups. The first one to finish rings the bell. A quick-paced, fun, and challenging family game.

Challenging is the keyword. This is just on the cusp of difficulty for my 5-year-old, mostly because of the racing aspect. If he races on his own, he does fine. But if I try to play with him he gets so distracted by what I am doing that he can’t focus on his stack. That takes ALOT of regulation. I imagine at age 6, he will love this game.

This game requires cognitive flexibility at a quick pace — you have to change how you stack based on the direction of the card. This is a hard skill for kids to master and truly fun for the whole family.

Skills Practiced: Attention, cognitive flexibility, quick decision making, inhibition, taking turns, competition, and working memory.

Buy on Amazon: Spin Master Games, Quick Cups

King Domino Age 8+, 2 to 4 players, 15 mins.

This is currently my 8-year-old’s favorite game to play and probably ours as well. Winner of the Spiel Des Jahres 2017 this is a fun family strategy game.

Building on the basics of dominos, players build kingdoms by matching landscapes. Points are multiplied based on the number of crowns on the landscapes. I highly suggest watching one of the many videos online that show how to play — it’s really an easy game to play, but hard to explain.

Planning, spatial awareness, decision making — the multiple layers of strategy are great for practicing executive function skills and gameplay, yet it is light enough game that the whole family can enjoy.

Skills Practiced: Planning, working memory, inhibitory control, spatial awareness, taking turns, prioritizing, competition, cognitive flexibility, counting, and critical thinking.

Gridopolis Ages 8+, 2 to 4 players, 20-60 mins.

We received this game to review and it has quickly jumped to the top of the pile in terms of which game we chose to play on family game nights. It is truly fun for the whole family and younger players could team up with parents to play older siblings.

My son loves the 3-D aspect of the game, which is like classic checkers, but in modular form. Thinking in 3-D is definitely challenging, especially when it comes to jumping in a straight line to different levels in order to capture your opponent’s pieces. There are also special pieces that allow you to beam around the board, leaving the linear game of checkers far behind.

Honestly, I haven’t figured out all of the possible strategies yet — thinking in 3D challenges my brain — so this game is a seriously good brain-stretching exercise for parents as well.

During the game, each player has the chance to build onto the board which can completely change the board and your strategy (mind blown!)

Spatial planning, divergent thinking, and strategic decision-making are just some of the executive function skills this game will help your kids (and yourself) practice.

I am always on the lookout for great children’s games. Comment below and let me know what your favorites are and I will check them out!

More on Self-Regulation:

7 steps to a better regulated child, my favorite games for self-regulation in 3-5-year-olds.

Here is the link to the Center on the Developing Child’s guide to developing self-regulation and executive functioning skills in children at all ages.

Activities Guide: Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence

About Ashley Soderlund Ph.D.

Hi! As a mom and a child psychologist who spent over 15 years studying children’s emotional development, I am excited to share science-backed tips and tools with you so that you can thrive as a parent.

I know that good parenting is a combination of instincts and learning. Sometimes new knowledge helps you trust your instincts, and sometimes it gives you a new perspective. As we grow and learn, so do our kids. Here, at nurture and thrive, you’ll find the tools you need to nurture your children’s hearts and minds.

4 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About the “Fourth Trimester” 6

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COMMENTS

5 Board Games to Develop Critical Thinking Skills
This board game develops problem-solving skills, cooperation, and teamwork. Pandemic is a great way to enhance your evaluation and explanation skills. Pandemic has several expansions and editions, including On the Brink, which includes a fifth player. 2. Chess.
6 great board games to boost critical thinking in teens and tweens
Time's Up. This game is played in teams of two and is similar to charades. Each team has a deck of 40 cards that name famous people. One player gives clues to get his teammate to guess the person on the card. Here's where critical thinking comes in: In each round of play, there are increasingly tougher restrictions on the clues players can ...
12 Board Games for Developing Thinking Abilities and Life Skills
KLOO's Race to London - The Teach English as a Foreign Language Board Game. 5. Chutes and Ladders. Although Chutes and Ladders is a simple kids' game, it's filled with important life lessons. In fact, I wrote an entire blog post on this one: Dealing With Life's Challenges - Life is Like a Game of Chutes and Ladders.
Best Critical Thinking Board Games for Adults Problem-Solving
Players: 2-7. Playing time: 45-60 minutes. If you like critical thinking games with a theme, you'll enjoy Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig. It's the Post-Napoleonic era, and castles are in high demand. The Mad King Ludwig commissioned his finest architects to design a castle according to his demands.
25+ Best Logic Board Games for Kids of All Ages
It teaches strategic thinking and planning. 3. Dinosaur Escape. Ages 4 and up, 2-4 players, 10-minute playtime. Kids work together using memory and strategy to rescue the dinosaurs before the volcano erupts! This is a great logic board game for younger kids that incorporates team-building and shared decision making. 4.
11 Best Brain-Building Board Games for Teens in the World!
Best Board Games for Teens & Tweens #1 Board Games for Teens: Settlers of Catan. ... Hence, I think this sounds like a game that will definitely build critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills. Review from Brandon: Breath of the Wild is not your average video game. It opens you to a massive, open universe and dares you to explore.
5 Great Board Games to Boost Critical Thinking
Chess. Dating back hundreds of years, chess is one of the quintessential board games when you think of critical thinking. The game is played by two people, with the ultimate goal being to take out the opponent's king piece. Each piece in chess can be moved a certain way and is unique from the other pieces on the board.
Engaging Critical Thinking Games for Developing Analytical Skills
Critical thinking is crucial for developing analytical skills. Engaging critical thinking games can enhance analytical thinking. Puzzle games, strategy games, logic games, and problem-solving games are effective in developing critical thinking. Incorporating critical thinking in everyday activities such as reading, writing, decision making, and ...
4 Board Games to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills
The four board games below, some familiar and some unusual, are wonderful ways to both enjoy yourself and to strengthen your critical thinking skills. You may also want to take a look at these educational road trip games for the whole family. 1. Chess. The inclusion of chess in this list will likely surprise few people.
3 Critical Thinking Board Games to Improve Your Brain Skills
Backgammon. Backgammon is known to be the oldest board game, inspired by the ancient Egyptians. Despite its age, backgammon retains its status of being one of the most famous critical thinking board games. While backgammon has been subjected to luck vs. skill debate for long, the mental skills required to dominate the game cannot be undermined.
15 Strategy Board Games That'll Unleash Your Inner Genius
Age range: 8+. Players: 2-8. Monopoly is a classic board game that combines strategic thinking and the luck of the dice. The purpose of the game is to go around the board buying and trading ...
THE List of Critical Thinking & Logic Board Games For Kids!
One of the best ways to do this is through critical thinking and logic board games for kids. ... A Deductive Logic Grid Puzzle Game Review Critical Thinking/Logic Curriculum & Resources The Best Liberty Books For Kids: A Tuttle Twins Review. September 25, 2021 by Ronni, ...
Best Logic Board Games for Adults Critical Thinking & Reasoning
Ages: 13+. Complexity: 2.35/5. Dominion is a deck-building game that tests your analytical thinking skills. The goal is to earn the most victory points through certain cards in the deck. Ultimately, you want to dominate the deck to build the best Dominion! Hold 5 cards in your hand at a time.
7 Best Lateral Thinking Board Games
Lateral Thinking Benefits: this unique game relies on creative skills and guessing abilities - something that sits outside the box. 7. Wingspan. This competitive board game is themed around birds and building bird habitats. Players must use strategy and critical thinking to advance in the game, which uses cards as its primary piece.
Best Board Games for Brain Training 2024
The board games help to enhance critical thinking. It will make you think fast and plan strategies. Mastermind is a classic board game. It improves motor skills, mental clarity, and planning capacity.
Board Games for Kids: Boosting Critical Thinking and Communication
Board Game Recommendations for Toddlers and Preschoolers Ages 2 to 4. Games for Beginning Readers: Board Games for Ages 5 to 7. EFG Essentials: Great Board Games for Kids. Final Thoughts. Board games and gathering together around the table creates many opportunities to develop critical thinking and communication skills.
The 10 Best Strategy Board Games for Tactical Thinkers
Players: 1 to 5 players. Average playing time: 90 to 120 minutes. Buy Now. Players: 3 to 4 players. Average playing time: 60 to 120 minutes. Strategy games put your critical thinking and planning to the test. And these mind-boggling board games will help you put them to the test.
25 Board Games That Promote Executive Functioning Skills
Pandemic: Unlike the other games on this list, Pandemic is a cooperative board game. Players work together to treat infections worldwide, gathering resources for cures, necessitating careful strategic planning and teamwork. It's reminiscent of the COVID-era, but does encourage strategic thinking and cooperation.
24 Best Board Games for Adults
the strategist. ask a cool person. toys and games. Leave a Comment. The best board games for adults, including Just One, Amigo 'Saboteur' Strategy Card Game, Ticket to Ride, Raccoon Tycoon ...
The 45 Best Family Board Games of 2024
The best board games also build skills while making lasting memories. ... Skills required: Critical thinking, timeline creation, deduction skills; USAopoly Blank Slate Board Game .
25 Best Board Games for Kids 2024
More. We found all the best board games for kids, including Ticket to Ride, Sushi Go!, Takenoko, Mouse Trap Board Game, Just One, Dixit, ThinkFun Zingo!, Outfoxed!, Operation, Melissa & Doug ...
The 10 Best Complex & Heavy Board Games for Epic Gameplay
Put your critical thinking skills to the test with these complex board games with heavy gameplay that result in epic game sessions. If you buy something using our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! Players supported: 2 players. Average playing time: 120 to 480 minutes.
Best Family Board Games of 2024: Expert Picked
The best family board games get your kids off their screens and around the table for fun and strategy. Here are our expert-vetted picks and tips for game night. 360 Reviews
Best Board Games For Kids: Boost Their Executive Functioning Skills
Skills Practiced: Counting, probability, attention to details, deductive reasoning, prioritization, planning, working memory, critical thinking, cooperation, taking turns, and suppressing impulses (resisting the urge to peek too soon at the Thief card in the "clue decoder.") Buy on Amazon: Outfoxed! Game Board Game.
Best Train Board Games: From Ticket to Ride to Imperial Steam
If you want a train game that really brings trains to your tabletop, then Colt Express features a 3D model of a steam train in place of a board. Players represent Wild West ne'er-do-wells intent ...

12 Board Games for Developing Thinking Abilities and Life Skills

11 Best Brain-Building Board Games for Teens in the World!

Board Games for Teens

Best Board Games for Teens & Tweens

About the Game :

Ages: 10 and up

Review from Jason:

#2 Board Games for Teens: Hive

About the Game:

Ages: 8 and up

Review from Brandon:

#3 Board Games for Teens: Coup (The Dystopian Universe)

Ages: 12 and up

#4 Board Games for Teens: Dominion: 2 nd Edition

About the game:

Ages: 14 and up

Review from Melissa:

#5 Board Games for Teens: Blokus

Ages: 7 and up

#6 Board Games for Teens: Codenames

Review from Melissa:

#7 Board Games For Teens: Stratego

About the game :

Ages : 8 and up

Review from Jason :

#8 Board Games for Teens: SET: The family game of visual perception

Ages: 6 and up

Review from Yael:

#9 Board Games for Teens: Spontuneous : The Song Game

How it Builds the Brain:

Review from Sharlene:

#10 Board Games for Teens: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

#11 Board Games for Teens: Bonus Game: Dabble

Ages: 8 and up. 2-4 players needed

Review by Max:

Check out the 2-minute video here

If you have experience with any of these games—please comment below. Or, if your family plays other games that you love, and that build your kid’s brains, please let us know which games (so we can join in the fun).

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THE List of Critical Thinking & Logic Board Games For Kids

Either way, on to the matter at hand: *THE* List of Critical Thinking & Logic Board Games for Kids.

THE List of Critical Thinking & Logic Board Games For Kids!

Kids/Elementary

Pre-Teens/Middle School

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Best Logic Board Games for Adults

Chess & Go

Dominion (+ Any Expansion)

You may also enjoy:

Terra Mystica

Five Tribes

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective

7 Best Lateral Thinking Board Games

2. Dominion

3. Super Mario Labyrinth

4. Ticket to Ride

6. Telestrations

7. Wingspan

Either way, on to the matter at hand: THE List of Critical Thinking & Logic Board Games for Kids.