Six Multiplication Board Games for Kids

Even though multiplication is one of the elementary arithmetic skills, kids and adults alike can still find multiplication tricky. Once a child hits the third grade, they start learning about more advanced math during the school day – often including multiplication! While there are all kinds of tricks and tips that should help make the […]

Splendor: The Ultimate Gate-Way Board Game

Do you want to introduce more board games into your family time? No, I don’t mean Monopoly, Candyland or Scrabble. I mean a fun game that all ages can enjoy and won’t consume your whole evening (unless you want it to)? Splendor is a fast paced, easy to pick up board game that doesn’t break the bank.

When I first encountered Splendor it was my grandpa that owned a copy! My grandparents are not typically “board-game-people”. We pulled it out and played a quick round with two young adults, one tween, and one grandparent. It only took a minute to set-up and a minute more to explain the rules. In 20 short minutes the game was over and everyone had fun!

How it Plays

The concept is simple: collect gem tokens to buy gem cards. The cards have a point value as well as an assigned gem color. Each gem card you buy can then be used in place of a gem token. The more cards you have, the more cards you can then buy! The first player with 15 points signals the last round. At the end of the last round, the player with the most points wins!

I found many interesting, yet simple features of this game that make it enjoyable. The game plays three tiers of cards laid out in a grid which represents the board. There are 6 types of gem tokens: Diamonds, Sapphires, Rubies, Emeralds, Garnets, and Gold. The gold tokens act like a wild card and are only received by reserving a card. I found this especially useful for winning! There are also Aristocrats for high point values, which you receive automatically as soon as you qualify for them.

The game is simple and easy to explain. The rounds are short, so no one is waiting too long for their turn, and there are multiple strategies that can be employed to win the game. For example, when I play, I always aim for an aristocrat and so far I have never lost! If you want to play with young children, the bright colors and tangible tokens are great for helping them keep track of what they have and what they need. If you decide to play a round or two with your die-hard board game buddies, the tactical opportunities can create a riveting experience with triumph and revenge.

Why it’s worth the buy!

If Splendor becomes a family favorite in your home, as it has in mine, that might open the door to other unique board game experiences. When introducing more complex games to your family, you can refer to Splendor for any similarities or as a measure of difficulty.

Splendor is truly a game for all ages and experience levels, so, whether you are introducing your kiddos to board games or opening your parents or grandparents eyes, Splendor is the perfect “gate-way” game.

Sale
Splendor Board Game (Base Game) - Strategy Game for Kids and Adults, Fun Family Game Night Entertainment, Ages 10+, 2-4 Players, 30-Minute Playtime, Made by Space Cowboys
  • STRATEGY GAME: Compete to build Renaissance Europe’s most lucrative and prestigious jewelry business....
  • FUN AND FRIENDLY COMPETITION: Players vie for control of gem mines, trade routes, and storefronts to...
  • COUNTLESS REPLAY OPPORTUNITES: Fast and intuitive, this strategy game is a fun game for game nights. The...

 

Best Board Games for 3 Year Olds

 

The Best 5 Board Games for 3 Year Olds

There is nothing better than family game nights, especially while your kids are still young. Get the fun started early, with a great batch of board games for 3 year olds. Once our kids hit the teenage years, it can be hard to keep everyone together. So start early!

Oftentimes, parents are apprehensive about playing board games with preschoolers. Don’t get too caught up with the negatives. Preschool age is the best time to have them associate simple rules with having fun. 

Board games geared towards the 3 year old crowd are often team games or games featuring easy competition. Board games for 3 year olds can offer great learning opportunities for all sorts of things. Whether its numbers, letters, colors, vocabulary, or critical thinking, board games for 3 year olds are good brain builders. 

Here are our 5 favorite board games for 3 year olds. You should consider any one of these for your little one’s next birthday or surprise present.

Our top Board Games for 3 year olds 

best board games for 3 year olds
Peaceable Kingdom Feed the Woozle Educational Insights The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game Hi Ho Cherry-O Peaceable Kingdom Stack Up! Award Winning Preschool Skills Builder Game Wonder Forge Richard Scarry’s Busytown, Eye Found It
2-5 players 2-4 players 2-4 players 2-6 players 2-6 players
For ages: 3+ For ages: 3+ For ages: 3-6 For ages: 3-5 For ages: 3+
Cooperative game? Yes Cooperative game? No Cooperative game? No Cooperative game? Yes Cooperative game? Yes
Teaches: Counting, Dexterity, Motor Skills, Balance, Body Awareness Teaches: Colors, Matching Teaches: Colors, Counting, Matching Teaches: Color-matching, Balance Teaches: Counting
Check Price Check Price Check Price Check Price Check Price
  • best board games for 3 year olds

  • Peaceable Kingdom Feed the Woozle Award Winning Preschool Skills Builder Game
  • 2-4 players
  • For ages: 3-6
  • Cooperative game? Yes
  • Teaches: Colors, Shapes, Numbers, Counting
  • Check Price
  • Educational Insights The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game
  • 2-4 players
  • For ages: 3+
  • Cooperative game? No
  • Teaches: Colors, Matching
  • Check Price
  • Hi Ho Cherry-O
  • 2-4 players
  • For ages: 3-6
  • Cooperative game? No
  • Teaches: Colors, Counting, Matching
  • Check Price
  • Peaceable Kingdom Stack Up! Award Winning Preschool Skills Builder Game
  • 2-6 players
  • For ages: 3-5
  • Cooperative game? Yes
  • Teaches: Color-matching, Balance
  • Check Price
  • Wonder Forge Richard Scarry’s Busytown, Eye Found It
  • 2-6 players
  • For ages: 3+
  • Cooperative game? Yes
  • Teaches: Counting
  • Check Price
 


Peaceable Kingdom Feed the Woozle

best board games for 3 year olds

To start with, we’ve put Feed the Woozle at the top of our board games for 3 year olds recommendations because of the fun factor. It teaches your young one dexterity, gross motor skills, body awareness, balance, language development, and counting! First, it’s incredible that a simple board game can do so much for the development of a child. Plus, it offers enough variation for a multitasking parent to stay relatively engaged. 

The idea behind this game is that the “Woozle” loves eating hairy pickles and fuzzy donuts. Accordingly, and working together, players help feed him 12 crazy treats before all of the snacks are gone.

One of the best parts about Feed the Woozle is that it can grow with your child, because it has three different levels. Feed the Woozle makes a good board game for 3 year olds, but you could start your 2 year old off with this too. The game doesn’t require any reading, so even very young children can participate in this game! In additional to all of the wonderful developmental benefits of this game, children will also learn how to take turns. So if you have kids spaced apart by a year or two, this is a good way to help them guide in social skill development. Feed the Woozle is also a nice game for the kids on early age playtime get togethers.

Cooperative games such as this one are known to support emotional development, positive self esteem, shared decision making, and creative problem solving. They can also develop a sense of community through a non-stressful play environment.

Your child is sure to love playing this game, and you’ll have fun playing with them! The best part about it is that you’ll get to directly see the benefits that they gain from it.


Educational Insights The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game

2

Depending on where you live, there’s a good chance your child has already been exposed to outdoor animals. Maybe you have a cat or dog in the house who goes nuts watching squirrels from the kitchen window. Either way, the Sneaky Snacky Squirrel is a good segue into teaching your kids about the great outdoors. 

This can be a thrilling and multi-functional board game for 3 year olds. The squirrels are hungry and it is up to the players to collect five acorns in order to win.

Each player takes turns spinning the spinner and then using the large squirrel tweezers to retrieve an acorn and put it into the matching color on their own log.

Not only does this exciting game help to teach colors and matching, it also helps to teach strategy with options like “lose” “steal” and “pick” an acorn. The use of the squirrel tweezers helps to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. 

This game also helps with great social skills like turn-taking and good sportsmanship. So, it’s great for playing amongst siblings and little friends. Keep in mind, the “acorns” that come with the game are small and can present a choking hazard. If your child is still in the stages of eating random objects, wait a few more months on this one.


Hi Ho Cherry-O

3

A fantastic fall activity for the little ones is going fruit picking. This might be in an apple orchard if you live in the right climate, or maybe an orange grove. The late stage toddler years are formative. So, board games for 3 year olds that offer fun introductions to the outside world are particularly beneficial. 

Hi Ho Cherry-O is a timeless classic game for 3 year olds and preschoolers that makes counting fun for everyone!

Each player chooses a fruit (cherries, blueberries, oranges, or apples) and races to fill their fruit basket first. Turns are taken with the spinner where the player gets to count the number and put that number of fruit into their basket. Otherwise, their basket spills or a bird eats a piece of fruit, and they must return fruit to the tree. Whichever player fills their basket first wins!

This fun game teaches social skills such as turn-taking, patience, and good sportsmanship (not everyone is the winner!). Furthermore Hi Ho Cherry-O helps to teach and reinforce math skills like addition and subtraction in an exciting way.


Peaceable Kingdom Stack Up! Award Winning Preschool Skills Builder Game

4

Stack 12 blocks before the Stack Smasher comes!

In this fun, low-stress, cooperative game, players work together to stack 12 blocks before the Stack Smasher smashes their tower. To begin with, they spin once to find out which color of block they must add to the tower, and spin again. On this second spin, they’ll get a tricky challenge for adding the block. One challenge might be putting the block on top of the stack with their eyes closed.

There are three levels and sets of directions to play this game so that it grows with the children and their abilities. Stack Up! is the kind of game that can still be lots of fun to play for several years.

Stack Up! teaches great hand-eye coordination for kids, as well as color matching and balance. Lastly, it’s a great game for reinforcing teamwork in a playful and positive manner.


Wonder Forge Richard Scarry’s Busytown, Eye Found It

5

This game includes a game board that is over six feet long! In summary, players will have to work together as a team while they bustle through Richard Scarry’s World of Busytown on an adventure. Throughout the game, they’ll be searching for secret objects.

Pig Will and Pig Won’t are on a task to gobble up all the food on Picnic Island. It is the players’ goal to find all the hidden objects in Busytown before the piggies eat everything. Each player takes a turn spinning the spinner in order to make a move. The players aim to make it onto the ferry and to Picnic Island before the pigs have devoured all the food. Finally, once they’ve escaped to the ferry, they win!

Teamwork is imperative for this interactive and engaging game, and it also teaches counting and turn-taking. This age is a truly critical time for connecting your child with the idea that success often depends on cooperation. If your kid can enter preschool with a team player mindset already grained, they’re on the right track. 

Furthermore, this is a great board game for 3 year olds because it presents a truly imaginative world. Every parent wants their kids to have a budding imagination to keep the creative juices flowing.


Board Games for 3 Year Olds: Final Thoughts

If you are ready to introduce board games to your little tyke, go ahead and play one of these great games. Any one of them is sure to be a hit with your kid and with you too. As a rule, for parents, it’s important to stay engaged with your child when you’re playing. Undoubtedly, all parents have to multi-task here and there, but you want to be sure your kid is on the right path. Therefore, when you’re playing board games with your 3 year old, leave the phone in the next room.

Looking for more board games for 3 year olds? Check out our guide to the best strategy board games of all time and our list of board games with marbles. Have you played any of these games? Leave your thoughts in the comments section, tell us what you think!

Two Player Games for Kids: Best and Most Exciting Ones (Updated 3/2020)

Parents all over the world are fighting the same fight: getting their kids off their devices while still allowing them to have fun. Not only is too much time on the TV, iPad, or mobile device detrimental to their sleep and eyesight, they’re also not learning any beneficial social skills.

Board games, card games, and other fun activities may be a great substitute, as they often engage children’s minds while encouraging social development. Unfortunately, many of the classic games are just too slow-paced for modern kids’ tastes, and they quickly revert to the glowing screen.

However, there are some game manufacturers out there that are tackling this problem with innovative, exciting, and engaging new games specially designed for modern kids. So, if you find your kids quickly growing bored of Monopoly and Yahtzee, these might be the games to save the day (and your sanity).

How We Reviewed

​image by pexels

We went straight to the source to find out the best two-player games for kids, combing through hundreds of reviews to find the games that had the best reviews. No matter how new or how obscure, if parents were happy with the results, we were sure to take notice.

Overall Price Range

family-four-home-with-toys

​image by ​freepik

Depending on the game and the factors like materials, the number of pieces, and size, you can expect to pay anywhere between $10 and $30.

Top 10 Best Two Player Games for Kids

If you’re looking for two-player games for kids of all different ages, these are some of the best the industry has to offer. Some of these games are so good that even parents might join in the fun!


Spot It! (Color/Packaging May Vary)

  • Award winning game of visual perception for the Whole family
  • Between any two cards there is always one and only one Matching symbol; Spot it fast to win
  • Five challenging ways to Play for hours of frenzied fun for 2 to 8 Players

Spot It! is a fun, fast game for two to eight players, and is billed as a game that “develops focus, motor skills, and visual perfection skills.”

Using a deck of 55 cards, players must identify matching symbols. Every single card features exactly one symbol that matches another card in the deck. The first one to “spot it,” wins! As a bonus, there are five different ways to play the game, plus easy-to-read, illustrated directions for kids.

Spot It! has become so popular, that the manufacturer is feverishly pumping out new versions. So far, these include Spot It! Splash (for playing in the pool) and Spot It! Jr., which features animals and is geared toward younger children.

If you’re looking for a game that’s fun, easy to learn, and will keep kids occupied for hours, this is definitely worth your consideration.

Pros
  • Fast-paced and exciting

  • Travel-friendly container

  • Five ways to play 

Cons
  • Not suitable for under age seven. 

  • Young kids might lose cards. 


Mindware – Q-bitz

  • GAME TO TRAIN THE BRAIN: The Q-bitz game is a great way to say goodbye to boredom and challenge your mind all at once….
  • THREE WAYS TO PLAY: With Q-bitz, it’s not the same game over and over again. You get 80 different puzzle cards that you…
  • COMPREHENSIBLE GAME PLAY: Each game contains three rounds, each round with a different card. Players puzzle over how to…

Though most parents would be happy just to have their kids playing nicely and off the television, there are some two player games for kids that have educational or mentally stimulating effects.

One such game is Q-Bitz, a unique pattern-based game that helps children practice symmetry, quick thinking, and visual acuity. Though it doesn’t necessarily require math, the spatial reasoning practice a child gets with Q-Bitz has proven beneficial enough to put the game in classrooms around the country.

Q-Bitz is for two to four players, ages 6 and up. There is, however, a Q-Bitz Jr. for younger kids who might want to get in on the fun. Created by the highly-regarded manufacturer Mindware!, the game has earned multiple awards, including the Parent’s Choice Gold Award and the Major Fun Award.

If a little education is something you value in your child’s entertainment, Q-Bitz would be a great game to include on the shelf.

Pros
  • Fun and educational

  • Teaches memory and spatial reasoning skills

  • Three ways to play / Multiple difficulties

Cons
  • Lots of parts and small pieces

  • Young kids may find it too challenging


HABA My Very First Games – First Orchard Cooperative Game Celebrating…

  • A simplified variation of the classic “Orchard” game adapted to suit players ages 2+, this game has been enjoyed by…
  • Game Idea: Working as a team, the children try to pick the fruits from the trees before the raven reaches the end of the…
  • If the players succeed in harvesting all the fruit before the raven reaches the orchard, they win together! If the raven…

Just because a game has been around for 30+ years doesn’t mean that it can’t still provide hours of entertainment for the kids of today. That is the case with First Orchard, a traditional German game geared toward kids as young as two.

Unlike most two-player games for kids, which usually feature some sort of competition-based gameplay, First Orchard puts more of a focus on teamwork. This cooperation helps kids learn valuable social skills, understanding of rules, and color recognition.

Most younger kids will find the gameplay fun and exciting thanks to the hand-sized wooden “fruit” that the kids need to “pick” before it’s eaten by the hungry raven. While some older kids might still have a good time playing, First Orchard is best suited to kids between the ages of two and six.

Pros
  • A classic, tried-and-true children’s game

  • Perfect for ages as young as two

  • Fun and team-oriented

Cons
  • Older kids may find it too simplistic

  • Quite a large game with big pieces


Electronic Egg Toss, The Family Fun Kids Game That Will “Crack” You…

  • EGG TOSS – Play the classic “Egg Toss” kids game without the mess! It responds to your actions, check out the DEMO…
  • SMART SENSORS – Determine a SOFT vs. “EGG-SPOLSIVE” catch! Pass to a friend, catch it softly, take a step back. See how…
  • HILARIOUS RESPONSES – Includes 40+ Egg-Mazing puns and sound FX that will “CRACK you up!”.

Extreme Egg Toss is a new twist on “Hot Potato” that will provide hours of safe, plush fun for kids ages three and up. Best of all, the game talks to kids as they play, increasing engagement and making the entire experience more fun for everyone. Of course, as this is a game that requires throwing, limiting the location of playtime is a must to protect household items from damage.

Using smart sensors built into the soft plush “egg,” the game can tell the difference between how hard or soft a child catches it, and will tell them when they’ve “cracked the egg” and lost the game. Plus, as the entire unit is machine-washable, this is a game that can help get kids outside and active.

For parents who want two-player games for kids that build both excitement and encourage physical activity, this is a great choice.

Pros
  • Interactive and exciting

  • Talks to kids as they play 

  • Machine-washable plush toy

Cons
  • Parents may find the voice annoying

  • Could lead to household accidents


Emojinks Emoji Card Games for Families – Fun Card Game for Kids Emoji…

  • Value Pack, 2-in-1 Emoji Card Game, Beginner And Advanced Levels
  • Emoji Party Card Game
  • Helps Develop Identification Of Feelings And Emotions, Promotes Turn Taking

Another lightning-quick card game that kids will love, Emojinks! uses familiar emoji images to create a fun match game that can be enjoyed by two or more players.

One of the things parents seem to like about Emojinks! over similar card-based games is the practice it gives kids in identifying emotions and symbols. The game comes in two levels—Easy and Advanced—and assists kids in areas like coordination and turn taking.

Perhaps the best part about Emojinks! is the clever use of images kids see on phones and other devices. While they certainly won’t see it as a substitute for endless texting and YouTube videos, the faces and shapes will at least give them something to do with all their emoji knowledge.

If you’re looking for a game that’s perfect for parties and suitable for virtually all ages, this is one that will see a lot of use.

Pros
  • Fast-paced gameplay

  • Fun, familiar images

  • Great for parties and travel 

Cons
  • Younger children may struggle with the quick pace

  • Lost cards will ruin the game


Qwirkle Board Game

  • TACTICAL STRATEGY: Featuring a massive amount of in game choices, including three tiles each of thirty six possible…
  • EASY TO FOLLOW RULES: An engaging game with easy to follow rules, Qwirkle is great for younger players. The rules of the…
  • GAMES THAT TEACH: Qwirkle is playable from early ages up, allowing young children and older individuals alike to develop…

Qwirkle is another game from the people at MindWare that is not only fun to play but also secretly educational. Especially when it comes to younger players, this game is designed to help develop strategic planning skills, tactical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Best of all, the game has received a range of awards, including the Major Fun Award, Mensa Select Award, and Parents’ Choice Gold Award.

Though it only takes two to play, Qwirkle can be enjoyed by up to four players, which makes it perfect for parties, sleepovers, and family game nights. Using the provided blocks, players are tasked with building lines by matching colors or shapes. The more complex the combinations, the more points they score!

If you’re looking for two player games for kids that will engage their minds as well as keep them occupied for hours, Qwirkle is a must for any playroom.

Pros
  • Fun and easy tactical strategy game

  • Great for all ages

  • Beneficial for developing minds

Cons
  • 108 tiles could be easy to lose

  • Complaints of poor quality packaging


Monopoly Deal Card Game

  • New Monopoly Deal card game that is moving through Family Game Nights everywhere
  • Collect 3 complete property sets but beware of the Debt Collectors, Forced Deals and Deal Breakers
  • If you are looking for a fun family/friend game, this is it

Monopoly is a classic, but it can take hours to play, even with two people. Monopoly Deal solves this problem by dramatically speeding up gameplay to around 15 minutes.

Using cards instead of pieces, kids and adults alike can compete with each other in a lightning-fast contest of property swapping and rent raising. Not only is it more exciting than the traditional game, but it’s formatted in such a way that it will keep younger children engaged despite the lack of flashy photos and colors.

If you’re looking to introduce your kids to an old favorite with a new twist, Monopoly Deal is an excellent example of a modern update done right.

Pros
  • A faster approach to a classic game

  • Teaches strategy and friendly competition

  • Can play well into adulthood

Cons
  • Property cards could go missing

  • Younger kids may not be interested 


Sequence Game

  • Play a card from your hand, and place a chip on a corresponding space on the game board – when you have five in a row,…
  • Each player or team tries to score the required number of five-card sequences before their opponents.
  • Easy enough for kids and challenging enough for adults – great for individual or team play!

Sequence is an exciting and imaginative game that is perfect for kids ages seven and up. Though it is easily played with two players, as many as 12 can join in the fun, which makes this a perfect option for family game nights or sleepovers.

Using a combination of cards, colored chips, and a game board, players are tasked to use a combination of luck and skill to build sequences from the cards they draw. The catch? Each card has two corresponding spaces, so players need to choose wisely to win.

All in all, it’s great fun and a wonderful way to build skills like strategy and critical thinking. There is also a version for younger children (Sequence for Kids) as well as specialized educational versions like Sequence Numbers and Sequence Letters.

Pros
  • Can be played by a wide range of players

  • Builds STEM skills

  • Lots of specialized versions 

Cons
  • Lots of pieces and cards

  • Not travel-friendly


Czech Games Codenames

  • For 2 8+ Players
  • 15 minute playing time
  • Age 14 and up

It’s no secret that older kids are among the hardest to motivate when it comes to playing games instead of playing on their phones. Luckily, there’s an award-winning game for teenagers that’s so engrossing, it will keep them busy for hours.

Suitable for two to eight players, Codenames is a fast, fun, and challenging. Participants play spymasters who know the secret identities of various undercover agents and must contact them all before their competitor. To keep things fun, there both an “assassin” and “double agent” card which can dramatically change the game.

Though Codenames deals with slightly-adult subject matter, it’s all portrayed in a humorous and engaging way. Obviously, enough parents have deemed it suitable for the game to earn a stack of accolades, including being dubbed the world’s #1 Part Game.

Pros
  • A fun and engaging game for older kids

  • Easy to play in 15 minutes or less

  • Great for parties and sleepovers

Cons
  • Slightly “dark” subject matter

  • Not for younger kids (14 and up only)


Ravensburger Labyrinth Family Board Game for Kids & Adults Age 7 & Up…

  • Fun play experience – In Labyrinth, Ravensburger’s hugely popular board game for kids and adults, you have to find…
  • High quality components – contains a playing board, 34 maze cards, 24 treasure cards, 4 playing pieces, and…
  • Easy to understand instructions – high quality, easy to understand instructions make it easy to start playing right…

There is no shortage of board games out there, but when it comes to choosing the right board games for young children today, excitement is a crucial factor. Labyrinth from Ravensburger games has excitement in spades, and tasks players with finding treasure in a moving maze.

With lots of replay value and relatively short game times, Labyrinth has become immensely popular among kids ages seven and up. Despite its humorous and reward-based gameplay, Labyrinth also teaches cause and effect, planning skills, and strategy.

If you want a game that will keep kids on edge each time they play, Labyrinth is a maze worth navigating.

Pros
  • Loads of replay value

  • Exciting, consequence-based gameplay

Cons
  • Not suitable for kids under seven

  • Cardboard design does not lay flat

The Verdict

What’s our verdict?

Looking at our list of best and most exciting two-player games for kids, the top choice is Qwirkle. With exceptionally high replay value, a relatively low cost, and an impressive number of awards to its credit, Qwirkle is educational enough to make parents happy and exciting enough to keep kids wanting to play over and over.

That said, any of the games on this list would be a perfect way to keep children engaged, learning, and using their minds instead of their thumbs. Here’s to days of peace and quiet and long nights of fun with the family. Game on!

two-little-children-playing-with-digital-toys-classroom

Best Party Board Games Reviews

Reviews of the Top 9 Best Party Board Games

You’ve got drinks, chips, helium balloons, and an amazing playlist. The one thing that is missing is an entertaining board game. That’s where the best party board games come in.

Maybe, you might spread out a polka-dotted mat for a game of Twister? Or perhaps test your knowledge of the film industry with a rousing game of Scene It? Or, just play a simple game of Clue.

Whatever you choose, it needs to be super fun. When selecting the perfect board game for your party, you should consider a few things like the number of people involved per round, how engaging the game is, and how long it takes to set up and play.

Here are some good selections:

Comparison Table

Top 9 Best Party Board Games

close-up photo focused on cards and wood blocks used in board games

1. Codenames


Czech Games Codenames

  • For 2 8+ Players
  • 15 minute playing time
  • Age 14 and up

In Codenames, two teams are created. Next, you select a player from each team and try to get the other co-players to come up with words that are corresponding to a color on a small grid without saying a word.

Giving your team the right word clue could make them answer the correct words and earn your team points. But giving them the wrong clue will give the other team a chance to answer on your team’s behalf and you may lose the points.

2. Telestrations


USAOPOLY Telestrations Original 8 Player | Family Board Game | A Fun…

  • Telestrations “The Original” for 8 players is what got the party started!
  • Over 1,700 words, 8 erasable sketch books, 8 dry erase markers, 8 clean-up cloths
  • Perfect for families, small parties or friends; LOL fun for everyone!

The next of the best party board games is Telestrations. Each player rolls a die and sketches an illustration according to the outcome. A sand timer limits the amount of time spent to draw. When time is up, all players should pass the sketches to the player next to them who must guess what is drawn. The guesses are then passed to the next player who should draw what they see, and so on.

3. Cards Against Humanity


Cards Against Humanity

  • Cards Against Humanity is a party game for horrible people.
  • This is the main game. Buy this first.
  • Contains 500 white cards and 100 black cards for maximum replayability.

Players describe this game as the “horrible people’s game”. It’s more fun when played in the right environment and with the right people.

It simply involves one player laying down a question card as the rest of the members try to give the right funniest answer they can.

4. Spontaneous


Spontuneous – The Song Game – Sing It or Shout It – Talent NOT…

  • Do you, or someone you know, have a song for everything? It happens to millions of us.
  • Can you think of a lyric with the word “night” in it? Pitch perfect or not, just let your voice rip!
  • The 1st player to blurt out a song, rolls dice to advance on the board. More details in description.

The objective of this game is to move your avatar to the end of the board before all the other players.

You start by creating a list of words from any song you know. Then, players take turns in figuring out the song. And whoever sings it correctly gets to roll the dice and start moving around the board.

It seems pretty simple but its unpredictability makes it fun and challenging at the same time. We consider this one of the best party board games.

5. Quadropolis


Quadropolis

  • For 2 – 4 players
  • Ages 8 and up
  • Playable in 30 – 60 minutes

This game can be played by up to four players who take up the role of city planners working on building a city from the ground up.

In the game, you will be required to take turns in assigning out teams of four architects, plan for buildings, and construct them in your metropolitan map. Each building constructed earns you victory points depending on the location and type.

6. Monopoly


Monopoly Classic Game

  • Buy, sell, dream and scheme your way to riches
  • Players buy, sell and trade to win
  • Build houses and hotels on your properties and bankrupt your opponents to win it all

Monopoly is a classic game loved by many. The rules may vary a little bit from one group to another. Nonetheless, you have to roll the dice and move your avatar the same number of spaces as the outcome.

The best part about the game is its predictability – you can end up with hotels, farms, on your friend’s property, or even in jail!

7. Pit


Winning Moves Games The Pit Game – Deluxe

  • Contains: 74 premium quality cards, silver toned bell and rules
  • Fast-Paced and Fun!
  • Great for group play!

This game involves a lot of player interaction, yelling, and energy. It emulates the trading floor of the stock market. The players act like commodity traders and trade with their opponents.

You should act and move quickly to let everyone know what you are selling or what you are buying. This may involve a lot of yelling and shouting.

8. One Night Ultimate Werewolf


Bezier Games OWUWBEZ One Week Ultimate Werewolf

  • A social deduction game where the tension builds throughout the game until the final vote takes place
  • Each game is different thanks to more than a dozen rooms, of which only a few are used each game.
  • No app required!

This is a simple board game to learn. And it requires a lot of player interaction.

Each player is assigned a secret role of which one of them is a werewolf. The group has to identify and eliminate the werewolf (hopefully, you are not the werewolf). Different roles have different special abilities to help capture the wolf.

9. Sequence


Sequence Game

  • Play a card from your hand, and place a chip on a corresponding space on the game board – when you have five in a row,…
  • Each player or team tries to score the required number of five-card sequences before their opponents.
  • Easy enough for kids and challenging enough for adults – great for individual or team play!

In this game, players take turns playing a card from their hand and placing a chip on the corresponding space on the game board. Once you get five in a row, it’s a Sequence! Each player or team is working to score the five-hand Sequence before their opponents.

Not only is this a fun party game, but with this exciting game play, it can help develop certain STEM skills, such as strategy. Although the game sounds simple, it is actually challenging! It can be played with anywhere from 2 to 12 people. Sequence is meant for players ages seven and older.

In addition to the normal game of Sequence, there are some Wild Cards thrown into the mix that keeps the game interesting. This game is not based on luck, there is a decent amount of strategy involved!

Sequence is a staple to any board game collection, and is excellent to whip out at any party. It’s easy to learn and incredibly entertaining for both young children and adults alike!

Make Your Party Fun with This Party Game Boards

close-up photo showing the lower left corner of monopoly board with paper money and cards

Everyone likes to party in their own different way. You can go for several games above and let people at your party choose what they like.

Keep in mind that the best party board games will vary according to your type of guests, the age bracket, and the number of people at the party. So, choose wisely!

Best Pirate Board Games

5 of the Best Pirate Board Games

With busy schedules and technology, good old fashioned family game nights are just not as common as they once were.

Family dinners and conversation seem to be a thing of the past, instead it is games on the cell phone while eating French fries in the back seat of the car.

It’s time to make an old tradition new again. Make a pizza, pop some corn, and pull out a board game.

Talk, laugh, and work together to make a rainy Friday night feel like a day full of sunshine.

Kids and adults alike appreciate some classic pirate adventure, so why not find a game that everyone will like?

Take turns with games that everyone can enjoy. The games for young children can be played with a twist for the older kids to enjoy, and create teams so the younger ones can play along with the older ones too.

You can choose games that are played with a team effort, or games that challenge each player alone.

Board games can be educational, but the kids will have so much fun, they will not even know they are learning.

You can twist up a pirate game by using costumes, props, and even try talking like a pirate throughout the game.

Pick more than one game and set up stations throughout the room at your child’s next birthday party.

Anyway you choose to play, the night will be fun for the whole family, and you can relax knowing that you picked the right games that everyone loves!

Which one is the best pirate board game for your family night?

The following is a list of games that will help you to make your night a positive success:

Loot Don’t Rock The Boat Merchants & Marauders Dead Men Tell No Tales Board Game Pirate’s Cove
Number of Players: 2-8 Number of Players: 2-4 Number of Players: 2-4 Number of Players: 2-5 Number of Players: 3-5
Promotes Math Skills Assists in the Development of Eye- Hand Coordination Promotes critical thinking, imagination, and decision making Group Co-Operative Game Strategy Family Game
Ages: 10 & Up Ages: 5 & Up Ages: 13 & Up Ages: 13 & Up Ages: 10 & Up
Approximate Play Time: 20 minutes Approximate Play Time:Quick Turns, Fast Game Approximate Play Time: 180 minutes Approximate Play Time: 60-75 Minutes Approximate Play Time: 60-90 Minutes
Check Price Check Price Check Price Check Price Check Price
  • Loot
  • Number of Players: 2-8
  • Promotes Math Skills
  • Ages: 10 & Up
  • Approximate Play Time: 20 minutes
  • Check Price
  • Don’t Rock The Boat
  • Number of Players: 2-4
  • Assists in the Development of Eye- Hand Coordination
  • Ages: 5 & Up
  • Approximate Play Time:Quick Turns, Fast Game
  • Check Price
  • Galt Toys Inc. Pirate Pursuit Board Game
  • Number of Players: 2-4
  • Promotes Counting and Color Recognition
  • Ages: 3 & Up
  • Approximate Play Time: Plays Quickly
  • Check Price
  • Dead Men Tell No Tales Board Game
  • Number of Players: 2-5
  • Group Co-Operative Game
  • Ages: 13 & Up
  • Approximate Play Time: 60-75 Minutes
  • Check Price
  • Pirate’s Cove
  • Number of Players: 3-5
  • Strategy Family Game
  • Ages: 10 & Up
  • Approximate Play Time: 60-90 Minutes
  • Check Price

Loot

1-1This is the perfect game to keep the kid’s busy at your child’s birthday party!

For ages 10 and up, and for two to eight players, this card game full of strategy will help to promote their math skills, while exploring through an exciting adventure.

Players must try to capture the other player’s merchant ships, collecting gold pieces, but they must keep their merchant ship protected at the same time. The player with the most loot at the end of the game wins.

For a birthday party twist, use candy as gold pieces, and have everyone dress and talk like pirates.

With the maximum total of eight players, the game will go fast, and don’t worry, because the adults can have just as much fun with this game at their own party.

The game consists of 78 playing cards, and is easy to store without losing any small pieces.

With the high rating and low price that is attached to this game, it should be a sure reason for you to add this one to your collection.

Don’t Rock the Boat

2-1The sixteen pirate penguins will await their turn on top of the boat in the hopes that you will not let them fall off.

This great eye-hand coordination game will have your child thinking about the perfect place to stack his penguin, because the person that tips the boat over loses the game.

For ages 5 and up, this is the perfect rainy day game that provides quick turns and fast play for two to four players.

Do you have an only child that is anxiously waiting for you to play with him? Let him practice alone while he waits, because this game will also provide fun for one player.

This game comes with a ship, three masts, a 2-piece water wave for the boat to sit on, and sixteen pirate penguins.

A good rating is provided with this exciting game, and it will keep you and your little one busy for hours.

Merchants & Marauders

Merchants & MaraudersIf you’re looking for a more challenging game that will delight both the tweens and the adults in the family, Merchants & Marauders fits the bill perfectly.

The board game is designed for 2 to 4 players aged 13 and up and involves each player taking control of a sailing ship in the Caribbean Sea. From there, it’s up to them to decide which route they want to take. A player can launch attacks on others, become a friendly merchant, or simply sail around and win victory points.

The rules of the game are fairly complex – so much so that it may take a while for everyone to understand how things are going to work. That being said, the instructions are clear and easy to follow. And once you start playing, you’re in for a real treat.

Merchants & Marauders is immersive and designed to encourage critical thinking and decision making. It features a unique trade system and a thematic combat system. Plus, players can modify their vessels and hire special crew members.

All in all, it’s a complex and rewarding board game that will surely appeal to the entire family.

Dead Men Tell No Tales Board Game

4This co-operative game for 2-5 players makes a great team building exercise with the family.

The players must work together to build the board and search for the treasure. They will find themselves fighting a battle against the enemies, guards, and a fiery inferno, but they will have the use of items they will find along the way.

The players will have a system for tracking fire and locating the enemies while attempting to collect the ship’s treasure before it sinks and burns.

Experience the demanding challenge, while working together in this unique game of strategy and excitement.

This game is for ages 13 and up, and would be a great way to spend a Friday night with the family.

Although the price is a little higher than the rest, the rating is great, and you will not be disappointed when the family comes together as a team!

Pirate’s Cove

5If you like a game that is fun to play, easy to learn, and doesn’t take an entire night to complete, then this would be the one for you.

In this game, you will play through twelve months at sea in approximately sixty minutes of real time!

You will have to make some strategic moves and upgrade your ship, all without confrontation from other players, because your goal will be to end with the most points and become the most famous pirate that everyone fears.

All the players synchronize their moves working toward the same goal, so there will never be any down time while waiting for your next turn.

Pirate’s Cove comes with a board, a spinner, cards, dice, and colorful pieces, and can be enjoyed by family members ages 10 and older. Smaller ones in the family can enjoy the fun as a team player with an adult.

With all the laughter, cheering, and fun that will be enjoyed by all, you should understand why this game has been ranked with one of the highest ratings.

Now that you have had an opportunity to explore some of the best pirate games on the market, you should have no problem deciding which one you like best. Still in need of more board game ideas? Check out our funnest board games of all time or our best strategy board games.