✅ Reviews by experts
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If you can't stand the thought of another Monopoly session with your folks, break the emergency glass on these best family board games. No matter whether you're preparing for a cozy night in or something to play this holiday season, there's no shortage of choice.
Actually, knowing where to start can be intimidating… and that's why the GamesRadar+ experts and I have swooped in to recommend the very best family board games here. Because we've been covering the industry for years now with reviews, guides, and more, you should find something to suit you regardless of skill level or budget. (Though you can check in with our 'how to choose' section for advice if you're not sure where to start).
To make sure we're recommending the cream of the crop when it comes to family board games, this list is made up of options our experts have had extensive hands-on experience with. If it doesn't wow the GamesRadar+ team and compete with the best board games, it doesn't get on the list. You can find out more in the 'how we test' section further down the page.
Benjamin has spent more than six years covering board game news, reviews, and features for GamesRadar+. He has also been writing professionally since 2012. However, he began playing family board games from the moment he was able to roll dice as a child.
Quick list
Easy to learn yet spellbinding, Ticket to Ride is a satisfying experience regardless of whether you win or lose. Even though it's got a strategic edge, you don't need a tactical mind to play; the fun lies in racking up as many points as you can.
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The name says it all. This is a gloriously silly game about collecting pigeons, and every card shakes things up with a ridiculous effect from swapping boards to flicking dice at rivals that'll knock their tokens off the table. It's quick, easy, and very fun.
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You won't find a better ice-breaker than this. Even though everyone's racing to reach eight points, it's not really competitive. Herd Mentality is also straightforward enough to be enjoyed by all ages; it's all about fitting in, not standing out.
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This laid-back challenge is accessible and satisfying in equal measure. That's why it's often called a 'gateway game' for anyone hoping to graduate from the likes of Clue; it's a step up in complexity, but not so much that beginners will feel lost.
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This deep-sea strategy game lets you chart your own course; although everyone's trying to earn the highest score, how you go about that is up to you. The result is satisfying, especially because it takes the best bits from Wingspan but adds more accessible rules.
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Most trivia games go out of date after a few years, but not Articulate; it uses charades-style gameplay rather than obscure facts, so everyone's able to join in. Plus, it can be played by 20+ people so is ideal if relatives are descending en masse.
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Best family board game overall
"Yes, Ticket to Ride has a competitive edge... but not to the point its players fall out. Aside from an occasional gold rush over routes everyone wants, it's a refreshingly sedate puzzle you work on by yourself. There's a layer of strategy chugging away beneath all that, though. Deciding when to push your luck or play it safe gives this game the compelling hook it needs, so even though it's not the most complex option, there's plenty here to engage with."
No matter whether you want to entertain the family on a lazy Sunday or you're feeling sleepy post-Christmas dinner, the last thing you want is a complicated game that'll tax your brain. This is why Ticket to Ride is so brilliant. While there are tactics involved, it's a much more laid-back experience than other family board games on this list. It's also the kind of thing you can learn in 15 minutes or less, so everyone will be able to join in regardless of their experience level.
Crucially, it's not so competitive you'll fall out. Players should still enjoy themselves even if they lose, which makes a change from Thanksgiving sessions of Risk.
Ticket to Ride whisks us back to a time when top hats were cool, and you're trying to make a fortune from new-fangled steam locomotives. Players score points by creating train routes across the continent (which one depends on the version you've bought). Easy, right? Sort of – winning isn't so straightforward. Because certain routes are worth more than others and board space is limited, the race is on to claim them before anyone else can.
An impressive 93% of user-reviews at Amazon awarded Ticket to Ride a full five stars, while Board Game Geek (a popular community forum for fans of all things tabletop) offers a rating of 7.4/10. Many comments compliment how good it is for those who are new to board gaming.
Basically, the game drags you in by the scruff of your neck despite being so laid back. Players draw secret routes (many of which cross over) at the beginning of the game then scramble to complete them, and it's a satisfying personal challenge. There's something fulfilling about completing a long and complicated route, especially if you have to go around a rival's line.
Speaking of which, all that jostling for space injects an undercurrent of strategy. Which routes should you prioritize? Do you risk building a longer line for maximum value? Or should you finish a bunch of shorter routes to score quickly? It's a similar dilemma to Jaipur (AKA one of the best card games), and will keep you invested for a while.
Buy it if:
✅ You want something easy but fun: If you're looking for an accessible game that won't bore you after a couple of sessions, Ticket to Ride fits the bill.
✅ Your family is new to board games: Ticket to Ride is often considered a 'gateway' game because it balances accessibility with more complex mechanics.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a challenge: This isn't the most strategic game out there, even if it offers challenges of its own.
❌ You'll play it a lot: I can say from experience that Ticket to Ride will lose its shine if you play too often.
- Read more: Ticket to Ride review
Best quick family board game
"Oh My Pigeons! is a goofy, light-hearted time that'll charm you right away. It's quickly become a favorite of my family, and serves as a great option when you don't have time for anything else or want something that'll ease you into game night."
Looking for something quick, fun, and replayable? Here it is. Oh My Pigeons! is a blast that's fast-paced and easy to slip into.
It's also thoroughly stupid, though I say that as a compliment. You're trying to collect a flock of plastic pigeon tokens before anyone else, but the way you do this is… well, a bit unusual. Everyone plays a card each turn, and while some let you add a bird to your bench, others careen off the rails. They involve everything from swapping boards to rolling dice that give you special abilities.
This is where things get interesting. Some results let you steal pigeons for your own collection, while others involve flicking the die at someone else's bench. Your opponent loses any tokens that are knocked down, evening the score.
The result is chaos of the best kind. Besides being very funny, Oh My Pigeons! is memorable because of how downright weird it is. That, and the game's rapid-fire nature, make it a hit with little ones that don't have much patience. It's goofy enough to seize their attention, and you can run an encore without much trouble.
Not that it's only for kids, of course. It'll be a hit with all ages, and is a great warm-up game before moving onto something with more depth.
Buy it if:
✅ You want something quick: Matches of Oh My Pigeons! rarely last more than 15 minutes, so it's easy to set up fast or re-rack and play again.
✅ You want something light-hearted: This is a thoroughly silly, easy-going game that's simple but very effective.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a more strategic game: Although you can get tactical with when you play cards (and there's a 'no' card to counter other players), it's a chaotic game at heart.
❌ You want something calm: It's a lot of fun, but you couldn't call Oh My Pigeons! a relaxing experience.
Best family party board game
"Herd Mentality manages to be exceedingly silly yet still involves a satisfying element of social strategy, especially if you know the group you’re playing with well. Side note: you’ve got to give props to Herd Mentality for supporting up to 20 players, this will definitely come in handy during big family-togethers."
If my family's getting together and wants to play something, Herd Mentality is my go-to. It's the perfect board game for families that don't even like board games. As well as being incredibly straightforward, it's low-pressure and doesn't require any kind of specialist knowledge. It won't ever become outdated, either. This one hinges on what the group thinks instead of your ability to remember trivia.
Herd Mentality was designed by the company behind many excellent party board games (Big Potato), and that means it can be explained in 10 seconds flat. Rather than posing trivia questions to make you think, it throws out bangers like "what is the best sauce?"
There's no 'right' answer, of course. Instead, you're trying to match what you think everyone else is going to say. You earn points if you're in the majority, and because everyone's writing down or sharing what they think at once, there's no downtime to kill.
The fact that there's no 'correct' answer will come as a relief for those who don't usually play board games, or avoid them because they aren't sure what to do; there's much less pressure. Herd Mentality is also perfect if your loved ones are uncomfortable joining in – you'll find them starting to comment with what they think from the sidelines. My mom certainly does, and she never plays family board games with us.
Even if everyone disagrees, that can be fun in and of itself. You'll all joke about why you're right, or discuss someone else's surprising answer. That makes it an opportunity to learn something about each other and open up new discussions that get everyone talking.
Buy it if:
✅ You're looking for a light-hearted game: It doesn't get more laid back than this, so Herd Mentality is perfect if you're hoping to kick off a games evening or need a low-effort choice.
✅ You're playing with people who don't usually get involved: There's absolutely no pressure to Herd Mentality, and there isn't a 'right' answer to any of its questions either.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want something strategic: There's very little by way of strategy with this one, and the only 'tactic' you'll need is the ability to second-guess what your family might write down.
❌ You don't know the other players well: Are you hoping to make a good impression by playing this with your loved one's family? You may struggle, because it's much easier if you have an idea of how everyone will answer those questions.
Best family puzzle board game
"This map-building classic is fun for the whole family. It's a gateway game that can ease even the most reluctant board gamers into the hobby with a simple dominoes-like ruleset that's layered with fascinating area control mechanics. Definitely one for the collection."
Carcassonne is seen as a modern classic for good reason; much like Catan, it was a trendsetter back when it launched in 2000 due to unique tile-laying mechanics that continue to delight fans now. It's also spawned a host of expansions too (ranging from dragons add-ons to Halloween packs), which is always a good sign.
Inspired by the walled medieval town of the same name, Carcasonne's board is created as you play. Everyone fills out a section of Southern France using tiles drawn at random, and placing meeples – little wooden people – earns you points for each completed city, road, or connected field they stand on. It's a simple concept and laid back by design, so this is a good family board game for those who want a relaxing time around the table.
That doesn't mean it's challenge-free, though. Having a strategy in mind while placing your pieces is crucial. Although luck of the draw is involved, leaving yourself enough space to finish landmarks is a challenge in itself.
Similarly, you can cut into a rivals' space or share control of their cities by linking your unconnected town with theirs. This ability to think on your feet and plan for possible moves keeps the game interesting. Plus, there's a lovely social element at play here because you're all contributing to the same, shared board.
It won't occupy strategy gamers for long, but there's something satisfying about cashing in a chain of meeples as well. Carcasonne is the kind of game where the leaderboard can shift very quickly, especially if you embrace chaos and try to sabotage other players.
Buy it if:
✅ You want something short: Matches of Carcassonne rarely last longer than 30 minutes, so it's a great option if you're short on time.
✅ You don't want a tactical game: If you aren't a fan of analyzing every move before you make it, the easy-going Carcassonne will appeal.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want something strategic: This game isn't particularly deep, so anyone that enjoys a more cerebral challenge will be left cold.
❌ You hate randomization: Luck of the draw plays a huge role in Carcassonne's gameplay.
- Read more: Carcassonne review
Best family strategy board game
"I've loved its predecessors for quite some time now, but you know what? Finspan may just be the best in the series. It's a close-run thing, anyway, and it improves on what came before in numerous ways."
Wingspan became an instant hit the moment it left the nest in 2019, and it's been recommended as a great strategy game for families ever since. However, I think it's finally met its match in this ocean-based spin-off. Finspan takes the same idea but sands it down into something more accessible, all without losing the tactical 'depth' (pun intended) that made the original so beloved.
As is only right for a deep sea game, you play as divers cataloguing the many amazing forms of life beneath the waves. This is represented by fish cards that are placed in three distinct areas of your ocean playmat – the surface, Twilight, and Midnight zones. These provide resources or abilities that are activated as you 'dive' down each column. As in most engine-building games, those abilities kick off a domino effect that earns you extra resources or lets you gain even more fish, which keeps the cycle going. It's a simple, satisfying loop.
Much like Wingspan, steadily increasing tension is this game's secret weapon. Although you have a number of actions to use each round, you'll never be able to do everything you want. Choosing what to prioritize is key as a result, and thinking several moves ahead becomes essential. This makes Finspan something of a headscratcher, and you'll rarely be left twiddling your thumbs. Even though everyone takes turns to act, you're all working on your own separate board and will be planning your next move between goes.
Don't think having a personal board will reduce competitiveness, though. You're all jockeying for a series of random goals that award points at the end of each round (for the most eggs, the biggest fish, etc), so you'll need to come up with a better plan than your rivals. Your tactics may be stymied by the cards that are available, of course, but Finspan cleverly provides workarounds so that you feel in far greater control.
It's the kind of system that'll really get its claws into you by the end of your first match, to the point that you'll be eager to rerack straight away.
Buy it if:
✅ You want a deeper experience: Everyone is competing for points, but how you earn them is totally up to you. You have freedom to form your own strategy.
✅ You're fascinated by sealife: This is a celebration of the deep sea world and its many beautiful, bizarre creatures – all rendered in gorgeous watercolor.
Don't buy it if:
❌ Experimenting with playstyles sounds like a chore: Seeing as there's not one singular way to win, anyone who wants to play on autopilot isn't going to appreciate this.
❌ You hated Wingspan: If you've already tried (and disliked) the birding equivalent, you may not get on with Finspan.
Best family trivia board game
"Perfect for revealing the true extent of the mental connection between you and your teammates (or just making a bit of a fool of yourself), Articulate offers rapid-fire fun for all the family. Its exceedingly simple gameplay loop and high level of replayability means you can expect Articulate to make a regular appearance at family board game nights."
If you'd rather avoid a free-for-all around the table, Articulate is on the money. It puts you into teams and is playable with 20 or more people, making this one of the best cooperative games for those with a big family.
Its brand of trivia doesn't go out of date either, so Articulate can be relied upon for years to come. Because these categories are suitably broad, even the trivia-averse won't feel lost.
Rather than having you rattle off a stream of questions, Articulate is more like charades. After splitting into teams, a member of your group draws a card. They then have to describe whatever is listed on the card without saying those words (so anyone describing 'Washington D.C.' might yell "capital of the USA"). If the team guesses correctly, you move on to the next card – and so on – until 30 seconds is up. The amount you get right dictates how many spaces your team's token moves along the board. First to the finish line wins.
While this is simple enough, the board adds a wrinkle to proceedings. Each space dictates which category you'll be using next (ranging from Geography to Action), and some let you either move ahead or push your rivals back a space. Spicy.
Thanks to its simple premise and accessible rules, anyone can get involved. You don't even have to be a trivia boffin, either; success relies on how well you can describe something, not random titbits. When combined with a broader focus (it trades topical references for something more generic), it stays relevant years after publication. This isn't a family board game that'll show its age a decade down the line.
OK, so it won't win any awards for strategy. I wouldn't call it pulse-racing either unless you hate being in the spotlight. But that simplicity is Articulate's trump card. Everyone can get involved, no matter their age or interest.
Buy it if:
✅ You want an accessible team game: This is an incredibly easy game to understand, and you're working in teams. Even those who aren't regular board gamers should feel at home.
✅ You have lots of players: Because Articulate can be played with 20 or more people, nobody has to be left out.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You struggle with pressure: Seeing as someone needs to be the 'teller' every round, those who dislike the spotlight may be uncomfortable with this one.
❌ You want deep strategy: There aren't any tactics for Articulate beyond deciding what to do when you use the spinner. (Should you push opponents back a space, or go forward yourself?)
- Read more: Articulate review
How to choose family board games
If you're not sure what you're in the mood for, don't worry - the GamesRadar+ team and I have some advice. We've been doing this for a long time now (I started writing about the best family board games for the site in 2018 and have played them since I was knee-high), so let me impart some hard-won wisdom that'll narrow things down.
Here's what I tend to ask when recommending board games for families:
Want an overview of what's available, on the other hand? It's worth dropping in on our guide to the many types of board games. Besides filling you in on terms and genres that can be confusing unless you're a hobby veteran (like Eurogames), it's crammed with suggestions that could spark inspiration.
How we test board games for families
- We've written over 100 tabletop game reviews
- Experience interviewing industry experts
- We have reported on board games for years
- Our team visits tabletop game conventions each year
How we test board games is incredibly important to the entire GamesRadar+ team, and we won't ever suggest a product we wouldn't be happy to buy ourselves. Basically, we need to love something for it to get on this list of family board games.
As discussed in our guide to how we test board games, our reviewers (who have years of experience covering the industry) live and play with a game for as long as possible to get the best sense of how it works. This helps us establish whether it'll be a five-minute wonder or not as well.
For much the same reason, we'll always run multiple sessions with different numbers of people to get an idea of how this changes the experience - if at all.
For more information on our process sitewide, be sure to see the GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ review policy.
Board games for families FAQ
Want a better idea of what's hot in the world of family board gaming right now? What should you look forward to, and where should you go if you want a good discount on must-have titles? The GamesRadar+ and I are sharing all our know-how right here to keep you ahead of the curve.
What are the top 5 family board games?
While there are countless family board games on offer right now, a few rise above the pack. You'll find our experts' personal favorites on this page (Ticket to Ride, Herd Mentality, Carcassonne, Finspan, Sushi Go, and Articulate), but it's a slightly different story in terms of sales. I've checked against different sources and my research indicates that chess, checkers, Monopoly, Scrabble, and Clue make the most money each year. Risk, Trivial Pursuit, and Battleship follow close behind them.
Another good metric would be the Amazon bestsellers list. In our most recent search, I was surprised to find that it wasn't all classics that made up on the top 10. Indeed, newer entries like Flip 7 sat above everything else. This is an excellent game that's as fast-paced as it is fun, so clearly y'all have great taste.
What is the best game to play as a family?
There are a wealth of board games for families these days, and store shelves groan under the weight of them all. However, I'd always recommend ignoring these and trying Ticket to Ride first. It's a gentle game that doesn't require a lot of brain-power, but has enough strategy to keep you invested. It's not so competitive that you'll have everyone falling out, either - always a plus so far as I'm concerned.
Herd Mentality is also a favorite in terms of family board games. It's easy to get into and doesn't put pressure on its players; you're all submitting your answers at once rather being put on the spot individually. This makes it ideal for those who don't like the attention that comes with certain games. At the same time, it's easy-going fun that won't leave you feeling bored.
Are board games good for families?
Board games are an incredibly healthy pastime for families. As mentioned in our guide to how board games help cognitive health, they're a tremendous way to improve social skills, problem-solving, and more. In the piece mentioned above, Game to Grow founder Adam Davis told us that board games build "frustration tolerance, working and sharing with others, logical sequencing, cognitive flexibility, imaginative thinking, and appreciating the unexpected."
Where can I get cheap family board games?
The best family board games can be expensive, especially in today's climate. That's why the GamesRadar+ team and I are always hunting down board game deals come rain or shine. Want to take up the search yourself? No problem. Here's a selection of retailers that I tend to check whenever I'm seeking out a bargain.
US
- Amazon: Best for variety
- Target: A reliable mix of classics
- Walmart: Regular deals on favorites
- Miniature Market: Wide range
UK
- Amazon: Best for general variety
- John Lewis: Respectable selection
- Argos: Reliable for classics
- Very: A surprising range
- Magic Madhouse: For hobby games
For more suggestions on what to play next, be sure to check out our guides to the best card games and classic board games everyone needs in their collection.
