Whatever the scenario, it’s time to get your game on.
The holidays, summer included, are a time when families have more time to hang out and relax, or let’s face it- you just want to keep the kids occupied- I get it!
So let’s bring everyone together (or the kids together) with some fantastically fun games!
In this blog post, I’ll show you:
- board games kids love
- laugh-like-crazy games for adults
- games families play together
- non-board-game games (hint: dice, cards, puzzles)
- strategy, diplomacy, and luck-based games
- games TO AVOID buying
- care and storage of your games
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Best Board Games For Kids
When it comes to fun, there’s nothing like a good board game for kids, so let’s get started with their games.
Simply click on the link for the games you think they’ll love and purchase on the product page- it’s that easy!
Here are five classics that’ll provide hours of fun:
1.) Hasbro’s Scrabble Junior:
Not only is Scrabble Junior a fun way to build vocabulary and practice spelling, but it’s also great for teaching kids about strategy and planning ahead.
2.) Hasbro’s Perfection:
Perfection is all about speed and matching shapes. It’s a great way to teach kids about spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination.
3.) Hasbro’s Chutes and Ladders:
A classic that’s perfect for younger kids, Chutes and Ladders teaches the little ones important skills like counting and basic strategy. Plus, it’s just plain fun!
4.) Hasbro’s Sorry!:
Sorry! is an excellent game for teaching kids about taking turns and following rules. It can be frustrating at times, but that’s all part of the fun.
5.) Mattel’s Apples to Apples Jr.:
Apples to Apples Jr. is all about making comparisons and using your imagination. It’s perfect for kids who are creative and love to have a good time.
6.) Taco Vs. Burrito:
Taco vs. Burrito is the perfect game for kids who love to be silly. It’s a fast-paced, fun-filled game that will have everyone laughing.
7.) Hasbro’s Connect 4:
Connect Four is another classic game that’s perfect for kids of all ages. It’s a great way to teach basic strategy and problem-solving skills.
8.) Hasbro’s Operation:
Operation is a great game for kids who are interested in medicine or science. It’s also a lot of fun and challenges hand-eye coordination.
Best Board Games For Adults
There are new games being released all the time, but sometimes the classics are just as much fun to play.
Here are some of the best board games for adults:
1.) Hasbro’s Scrabble:
This is a classic game that is perfect for adults. Scrabble requires a bit of strategy and luck, and it’s always enjoyable to see who can come up with the highest-scoring words.
2.) Mattel’s Apples To Apples:
This is a great party game for groups of adults. Apples to Apple’s is fast-paced and always leads to some laughs.
3.) Hasbro’s Betrayal at The House on The Hill 3rd Edition:
Betrayal at House on The Hill is a great game for adults who love to be scared. It’s perfect for those who like to work together but watch their backs!
4.) Wingspan:
Wingspan is a great game for adults who are into nature and birds. It’s a beautiful game with simple mechanics that is easy to learn but difficult to master.
5.) Carcassonne:
Carcassonne is a great game for adults who like strategy games. It’s a bit more complex than some of the other games on this list, but it’s definitely worth the time to learn.
6.) Looney Lab’s Fluxx:
Fluxx is a great game for adults who like to keep things fresh. The rules of the game are constantly changing, so you never know what’s going to happen next.
7.) Hasbro’s Clue:
Clue is a classic mystery game that is perfect for adults. It’s a great way to spend an evening with friends, trying to figure out who did it.
8.) Hasbro’s Risk:
Risk is a great game for adults who like strategy and competition. It’s perfect for those who want to test their skills against friends.
Best Board Games for Families
There are a lot of different games out there that the whole family can enjoy. Here are some of our family’s favorites:
1.) Hasbro’s Jenga:
Jenga is a classic game that’s perfect for families, easy to learn, and can be played by people of all ages.
Plus, it’s always fun to see who’ll make the tower collapse.
2.) Hasbro’s Twister:
Twister is a great game for families- it’s active, can be played by all ages and it’s hilarious to watch people try and contort their bodies into different positions.
Be prepared for a lot of laughs- and maybe a few bruises!
3.) Do You Really Know Your Family?
Do You Really Know Your Family? is a great game because it’s fun, informative, and a great way to learn more about your family members and see just how well you really know them!
Best Games for Learning that Are NOT Board Games
Games are not just for fun – they can also be a great way to learn new information, skills, or strategies.
Dice are excellent for teaching probability, counting, and statistics.
1.) 10,000:
This is a FUN game for teaching probability and basic math skills. Players take turns rolling six dice, and the goal is to score as many points as possible. The catch is that you can only score points if you roll certain combinations of numbers.
2.) Yahtzee:
Yahtzee is another great game for teaching probability. In this game, players roll five dice and try to score points by rolling certain combinations.
Again, the catch is that you can only score points if you roll certain combinations of numbers.
3.) Liar’s Dice:
Liar’s Dice is a great old game to learn for bluffing and poker faces.
Card games can help improve logic and memory skills.
1.) Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza:
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a visual, hilarious, fast-paced, card game, and pure amusement.
2.) Uno:
Uno is a great game for teaching basic addition, and it’s lively and fun (my kids were JUST playing it 2 days ago-timeless)!
3.) Playing Cards:
Playing cards are a great way to teach basic math skills. There are many games that can be played with a standard deck of cards like:
- Go Fish, Old Maid, Memory
- Crazy 8’s, Twenty-one, Bridge
- Hearts, Poker, Gin Rummy
- Solitaire, Cribbage, War
- Snap, Canasta, Whist
And the list goes on and on and on… like my bills…
Puzzles, meanwhile, are perfect for practicing problem-solving skills.
1.) Gravity Maze:
This is a great game for teaching basic physics concepts like gravity and magnetism. Next time you’re looking for a fun family activity, consider busting out Gravity Maze– we got it for Christmas, and love it!
2.) 3D Puzzles:
3D puzzles are great for teaching spatial awareness and problem-solving skills. We enjoy the Ravensburger line of puzzles, which come in a variety of difficulty levels.
3.) Jigsaw Puzzles:
Jigsaw puzzles are perfect for teaching patience and problem-solving skills and the sense of accomplishment you feel when you finally finish is… sigh… nice!
The Different Types of Board Games
Board Games are generally divided into 3 categories- strategy, luck-based, and diplomacy games- most of which we’ve seen already. Depending on the age groups you’re shopping for, you may want to consider which types fit best!
Strategy board games rely on skill and planning to win, while luck board games rely on chance.
Luck-based board games, are simply that, you get lucky and win.
Diplomacy board games require players to work together to achieve common goals.
Here are three board games that will test your skills and give you a challenging and fun experience.
Strategy
1.) Chess:
This classic board game that’s been around for centuries. It is a two-player game in which each player tries to checkmate the other’s king.
Chess requires strategic thinking and an understanding of chess notation and the rules of the game.
2.) Settlers of Catan:
This is a board game in which players try to develop their settlements by collecting resources from the surrounding area. It’s made up of hexagonal tiles, and at each turn, players roll dice to see what resources they collect.
Strategy is important in Settlers of Catan, as players must decide how to best use their resources in order to expand their settlements and build roads and cities.
3.) Ticket to Ride:
The game board is made up of a map of North America, and players must strategize in order to connect cities efficiently and complete their routes before their opponents do.
Ticket to Ride is a fast-paced and exciting board game that requires both luck and strategy- other countries available.
Luck
1.) Monopoly:
Monopoly is a classic board game that requires players to roll dice in order to move their pieces around the board.
The game is heavily reliant on chance, and players can often find themselves in jail or bankrupt simply because they rolled the wrong number.
2.) The Game of Life:
The Game of Life is another board game that is largely based on luck.
Players spin a wheel to determine their fate, and they may end up with a successful career or a life of financial struggle depending on where the wheel lands.
3.) Candy Land:
Candy Land is a board game specifically designed for young children. It includes a series of colorful cards that players must draw in order to progress through the board.
The game is completely reliant on luck, as there is no way for players to control which card they will draw next.
Diplomacy
1.) Diplomacy:
Diplomacy is about negotiating alliances, backstabbing your enemies, and trying to take over the world. Players need to be very diplomatic in order to succeed.
2. Axis & Allies:
Axis & Allies is set during World War II, and players need to work together in order to win.
However, there is also a lot of room for backstabbing and betrayal, so players need to be careful who they trust.
3. Arkham Horror:
In Arkham Horror, players need to cooperate in order to defeat Lovecraftian monsters that are trying to overrun the world.
However, the game also includes a lot of opportunities for political intrigue, as players can make deals with otherworldly beings in order to further their own goals.
What Games NOT to Buy
There are a few games in this category. No, actually- there’s only one.
1.) Ouija Board:
Trust me, just leave this one on the store shelf and walk away.
How To Store Your Board Games
Board games are a cherished part of many people’s childhoods and it’s so important to take care of them so they can be passed down and enjoyed for years.
Especially since the quality back then was SO MUCH BETTER– if you have any older, sturdier games- take care of them!!
Here are some tips on how to store and take care of your board games:
- Store your board games in a cool, dry place to prevent warping or damage from moisture.
- Store loose game pieces, cards, money, or other accessories in baggies, or containers with lids.
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight, which can fade the colors on the game pieces and boards.
- Keep your games organized so they are easy to find and put away. This will help to prevent lost pieces and damage from mishandling.
- Inspect your games periodically for damage, and repair or replace any damaged components.
- When playing your games, use coasters for drinks to avoid damaging boards or paper components.
- Put away your games immediately after playing them.