41+ Best Games for Family Game Night
Today’s article will tell you all the best games for family game night and unique family games the whole family can enjoy!
Let me start by saying how much I LOVE games.
Growing up, game nights with my family were all about fun competition, from beach volleyball, to I Spy on road trips, to classics like Monopoly and Blackjack.
Even though it got tougher to keep up with these traditions as we got older and moved to different areas, we’ve managed to bring back our game nights recently!
Now we have a new treasured tradition with our online family game nights.
Plus, when I was a teacher, I was always trying to find ways to make learning both fun and educational.
If you’re looking for the best games for family game night, I’ve got you covered!
Share on Pinterest 📌
Related: Gameschooling: 7 Things You Need to Know
Related: STEM Toys for 5 Year Olds: Building a Bright Future With STEM
Related: 100+ Amazing Unschooling Supplies for All Ages
Related: How to Make Sensory Bags: 5 Fun and Affordable Sensory Bag Activities
Choosing the Best Games for Family Game Night
Whether you’re hosting a game night for little kids, wanting to mix in learning with play time, or wanting a game the whole family can enjoy, I’ve got just the right game for you.
Before we get into the best games for family game night, here are my three tips that’ll help make sure you have a fun night playing games with your family!
Essentials for Family Game Night Success ♥
- SNACKS: Hungry can turn to hangry real quick. Have snacks and drinks close by and ready so you keep the game moving.
- Pictures: Take some pictures and videos during the game. If you save them with apps like Snapchat or Timehop, they’ll be so fun to look back on later!
- Reading the rules: If possible, find a short, engaging video that explains the rules.
Preschool-Friendly: Best Games for Family Game Night
These games are simple, colorful, and engaging for your littles!
They’ll provide a great intro to the basics of gameplay and turn-taking.
Perfect for little hands and growing minds, these games preschoolers love encourage basic counting, color recognition, and cooperation.
Count Your Chickens
Cooperative gameplay meets farmyard fun! Players work together to help mother hen collect her chicks and bring them back to the coop.
Pete the Cat: The Missing Cupcakes Game
A sweet game with our favorite cat, Pete! A game that combines storytelling, singing, and counting as players help Pete the Cat find his missing cupcakes.
Candy Land
A classic that guides children through a sweet adventure, teaching colors and taking turns in a magical land of sweets.
Go Find It!
We LOVE this outdoor scavenger hunt game that encourages exploration and observation, perfect for little adventurers.
The Best Worst Ice Cream
In this game, players mix and match flavors to create the best (or worst 😈) ice cream combinations, learning about choices and consequences.
Friends and Neighbors (The Helping Game)
This game teaches empathy and social skills as players work together to solve problems and help neighbors in need.
Sequence for Kids
A child-friendly version of the classic Sequence game, combining strategy and luck to match animals on the board.
Hungry, Hungry Hippos
Another classic that is just as fun as you remember. This game challenges players to feed their hippos as many marbles as possible.
Related: 17+ Excellent Earth Day Books for Preschoolers!
Related: 10 Unique Kindergarten at Home Activities for Engaging Learning Time
Educational Games: Best Games for Family Game Night
Who says the best games for family game night can’t teach you a thing or two?
These educational game ideas for children are both fun and help your kids (and maybe you, too!) learn a little something along the way.
Whether it’s putting on your thinking cap with Where in the World for older kids or building memory skills with Midnight Market, educational games can teach you new things while you play!
Tapple
Fast-paced category game that challenges vocabulary and quick thinking.
Midnight Market
A memory game that offers multiple winners, perfect for younger players.
Farkle
A super fun dice game that teaches math and risk vs. reward. Plus, it’s in a little cup that’s very easy to travel with!
Apples to Apples Junior
An entertaining game for building vocabulary and creative thinking.
Zeus on the Loose
A unique and fun card game that lets you double dip in teaching math skills and Greek mythology. To play, you use Greek gods and math to reach a target number.
Great States
Learn about U.S. geography and history while having fun with educational family board games like this one.
Where in the World?
A global geography game that helps players to learn about different countries and cultures.
Outfoxed
A game that’s like Clue, but it’s cooperative and great for all ages. Pay attention to who, what, when, where, and why to figure out “whodunnit”!
Related: 11 Critical Thinking Activities for Homeschoolers to Unleash Creativity and Intelligence
Puzzle Games: Best Games for Family Game Night
Puzzle games are a great way to work together as a family and really stretch your brains together!
These games can work for various skill levels, making sure that everyone can participate and enjoy solving these fun puzzles.
Kanoodle
A brain-teasing game that focuses on spatial reasoning and critical thinking.
The Uzzle
Players use logic and problem-solving skills to arrange colorful puzzle pieces into a specific shape.
Blokus
A strategy game that requires players to place differently shaped pieces on the board without overlapping their own pieces.
Qwirkle
Players must match tiles based on either color or shape, creating a unique and engaging gameplay experience.
Qwirkle Cubes
A three-dimensional twist on the popular game Qwirkle, players must now match cubes based on color and shape.
Q-Bitz
A fast-paced brain-teaser game that requires players to recreate a specific pattern using various colored cubes.
Patchwork
A two-player game where players compete to create the best quilt by strategically placing differently shaped pieces on their board.
New York Zoo
This game combines puzzle and tile-laying mechanics as players design and build their own zoo.
Family Board Games: Best Games for Family Game Night
Probably the most popular category in this blog post, you’ll love these family board games I picked for you.
Although I’ve sprinkled in some games you might have heard of, I’ve tried to use this section to help you find some brand new board games for your next family game night!
Ticket To Ride
Players compete to build railroad routes across North America in this engaging and easy-to-learn game.
Just One
A cooperative game where players must give clues to help their team guess a word, but be careful not to duplicate any other player’s clues. This game is all about teamwork and communication.
Hues and Cues
A colorful and cooperative game where players must guess the right color based on clues given by their teammates.
Codenames
Teams compete to guess secret words based on clues given by their teammates in this challenging and engaging card game.
(Codenames is also available as a FREE collaborative web-based game.)
Kingdomino
A tile-laying game where players create their own kingdom by strategically placing domino-like tiles.
Potion Explosion
A unique game that combines strategy and luck as players create potions by picking marbles from a dispenser.
Planet
This unique board game combines strategy, luck, and dexterity as players race to build the tallest planet.
Takenoko
Players tend to a bamboo garden while trying to complete tasks and score points in this charming game.
Dutch Blitz (Honorable Mention)
Although it’s a card game, not a board game, I HAVE to share this family favorite with you. 👇
Dutch Blitz is a fast-paced, competitive card game that requires quick thinking and coordination to be the first player to get rid of all their cards.
Online Games: Best Games for Family Game Night
Whether you share custody of your children or want to include family members from all over in your game nights, these online games are a great way to get everyone involved no matter where they’re located!
Among Us
A popular multiplayer game where players work together as a team to complete tasks on a spaceship, while trying to figure out who among them is an imposter. It’s perfect for larger families or groups of friends.
Jackbox Party Pack
A collection of interactive and hilarious party games that can be played using smartphones, making it ideal for virtual or in-person game nights.
Ultimate Werewolf
A social deduction game where players are assigned roles as villagers or werewolves, trying to figure out who is on their team while eliminating the opposing side. It’s a fun and strategic multiplayer option.
Overcooked
A chaotic cooking simulation game that requires communication and teamwork to successfully prepare meals in different kitchen settings.
Tabletop Simulator
This virtual tabletop platform allows players to recreate and play their favorite board games online. It’s a great way to stay connected and enjoy some friendly competition.
Shell Corp
Kind of like the physics elements of Angry Birds, but as a party game where you control, paint, and crack eggs! With simple controls and wobbly eggs, play against friends or A.I. in various frantic free-for-all and team mini-games. Can you win the Egg Cup? Ideal for virtual game nights with friends or family.
Skribble.io
A drawing and guessing game that can be played with friends or strangers online. It’s a great way to showcase your artistic skills while having fun and socializing.
Gartic Phone
A spin on the classic game of telephone, players take turns drawing a prompt and passing it along to be guessed by others. It’s a silly and entertaining game that can be played with friends or family.
Wrapping Up the Best Games for Family Game Night
Remember, the real magic of family game night is in hanging out and creating awesome memories together, not who wins or loses.
By mixing up the games, making sure everyone can play, and focusing on having a great time, you’re all set for epic nights that’ll turn into cherished family traditions.
Before You Go, Comment Below!
Which of my picks for the best games for family game night will you try first?
Or, what games are your favorite that I need to add to the blog post?
Leave a comment and let me know!!
I’m always updating my articles with your suggestions, so let me know in the comments below!
For everything homeschool, we can PlanIt. ♥
