Board games are a fun way to bond with your family. It offers a great way to bring everyone together for some much-needed quality time.
Choosing the right board game can be challenging, especially when you have to cater to kids of different ages. That's why we rounded up six of the best family-friendly board games to help you choose which to try out.
Best For Younger Kids
First Orchard
Age: 2 to 5
Players: 1 to 5 players
Playing time: 10 to 15 minutes
If your child is playing board games for the first time, this is a perfect introductory game. Designed for children ages 2 to 5, First Orchard introduces the very basics of board games: taking a turn, following rules, making decisions, and solving problems.
In First Orchard, players work together to gather fruits for the trees in the orchard before a raven gets to them. Players will pick a fruit to add to the basket or move the raven closer to the trees based on a die roll.
Chickyboom
Age: 4+
Players: 2 to 4 players
Playing time: 10 minutes
In Chickyboom, you begin by stacking chickens, wagon wheels, and hay barrels on a perch on the barn roof. Your goal is to "save" as many pieces from the perch as possible before they topple. The player with the highest score at the end wins the game.
This award-winning game helps children develop several skills, including hand-eye coordination and balance and weight assessment. It's also simple to learn, and the quick gameplay is perfect for a young child's attention span.
Best for School-Age Kids
Throw Throw Burrito
Age: 7+
Players: 2 to 6 players
Playing Time: 15 minutes
There is nothing quite like playing a chaotic family game, and that's exactly what Throw Throw Burrito offers. In this unique card game, players race to match up cards faster than the others. However, there are three cards that add a "battle" element to the game: brawl, war, and duel.
When players draw any of the three battle cards, they must begin throwing the foam burritos at their opponent. The first player hit loses the battle and loses a point. The player with the most points at the end of the second round wins.
Boop
Age: 10+
Players: 2 players
Playing time: 15 minutes
Boop is an adorable version of the classic tic-tac-toe. Players will have to fight for space on a bed and win by lining up three cats in a row. Sounds simple, right?
But there's a bit of a twist: a player can "boop" any adjacent pieces (even the player's own cat) one space away each time it is placed on the board. It's a core concept anyone familiar with tic-tac-toe can play, but it provides a strategic element that sets it apart from the classic.
Best for Families
MicroMacro: Crime City
Age: 12+
Players: 1 to 4 players
Playing time: 15 to 45 minutes
If you and your kids enjoy sleuthing, MicroMacro is a must-have. This board game is a cooperative game about solving crimes. Players will use a magnifying glass to hunt for suspects and clues on a very expansive map.
MicroMacro features elements of "Where's Waldo" combined with narratives that take you through each crime scene. The game requires you and your family to work together to come up with theories and track down the culprit.
While the game can be played by younger children, it is generally recommended for those aged 12 and up, as some cases have adult topics.
Herd Mentality
Age: 10+
Players: 4 to 20 players
Playing time: 30 minutes
If you're one to throw large parties, Herd Mentality should definitely be part of your plans. This party game is simple: all players must aim to write the same answer as everyone else to questions like "What's the best pizza topping?" If you are part of the majority, you collect a cow token. The first player to get eight cows wins the game.
