The Best Board Games for Kids

I come from a game-loving family. From the simple to the complex (like the ones you have to watch YouTube videos to understand), we will play anything. Fortunately, my husband joined right into the game playing, and therefore, our children had no choice but to follow along. Playing board and card games brings your family together, away from the screens, and kids learn some incredible life skills: how to win graciously, how to lose gracefully, how to think ahead and develop strategy, and how to have fun with the people they love.

Luckily, there are so many great board games on the market, it's easy to find one everyone in your group will love. And don't worry — the games on our list are all easy to learn and a blast to play, so you and your kids can pick up the rules quickly and get to playing.

Best Junior Board Games for Kids

Help your kiddos get ready for grown-up games with the junior versions of the games we love. Ticket to Ride has been a favorite of ours for a long time, so we started our kids with Ticket to Ride First Journey, and now? They love playing the original with us. Confession: I'd rather play Monopoly Junior than the classic board game — it's much faster to play and easier to understand.

Best Beginner Board Games for Kids

Hoot Owl Hoot was one of our favorite board games to play with our littles. Recommended for ages four and up, the cooperative matching game helps kids learn simple strategies and work together to get all the owls in their nest before the sun comes up. It's a great way to introduce how to take turns, how to follow directions and how to lose gracefully since you all win and lose together. Other beginner board games include Hi Ho! Cherry-O, Count Your Chickens! and Candy Land Preschool.

Best Strategy Board Games for Kids

Easy to play and no game is the same twice, Blokus gets your and your kids’ brains thinking about strategy as you try to get all 21 of your pieces on the board. Grab a color and challenge each other to a STEM competition. Up for more challenges? Check out AnimaLogic, Azul or snag a two-in-one wooden chess and checkers set.

Best Guessing Board Games for Kids

Get the whole family laughing, guessing and shouting out answers with these fun games. From the classic Guess Who? and the colorful Hues and Cues to the hilarious Hedbanz and Pictionary, you'll take on your family individually and on teams to see who comes out on top.

Best Quick-Moving Board Games for Kids

Give kids and parents the chance to throw things at each other (in good fun, of course) with the game Throw Throw Avocado. The goal is to match three-of-a-kind cards before anyone else does, but along the way, you play Avocado Cards to battle each other. If you get hit by an avocado, you lose a point — but you gain a lot of laughs. Consider other quick-moving games like Zingo!, Hungry Hungry Hippos and the classic Connect 4 as well.

Best Card Games for Kids

Who doesn't love a good card game? Whether you like fast-paced (Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza) or more thoughtful (Sushi Go Party!), you can find the perfect match for your family. Card games are easy to take on the go when traveling, waiting at a restaurant or keeping a younger sibling busy during big sister's volleyball practice.