Finding ways to entertain kids from the comfort of your home is difficult. Sure, you can always turn to movies, television shows, gaming systems, or cell phones, but if you want your kids to unplug from technological devices, there’s one tried and true activity—board games.
Board games have withstood the test of time and they’re a great way for you to connect with your family. We’re not only talking about old-school board games like Clue, Monopoly, and Life—this list includes some new additions and some classics which you probably already have at home.
BANANAGRAMS
For children ages seven and up, BANANAGRAMS is a highly addictive, simple word game that’s loved by millions. The goal is to use all your letters to build a word grid in a race to the finish. The player who uses all their tiles first is awarded the title of “Top Banana!” BANANAGRAMS is educational and fun. Plus, there’s no pencil, paper, or board required—everything comes in an adorable banana-shaped pouch that is easy to transport.
Monopoly
We couldn’t create a board game list without at least including Monopoly. We have so many fond memories connecting with our parents growing up while time seemed to fly by playing this game. Buy, sell, and trade away your property while trying to bankrupt your opponents to win big. Beware of the chance and community chest cards that can cause you to lose your investments as quickly as you made them. With tons of different editions available including ones from your favorite television and films like Stranger Things, Rick and Morty, Game of Thrones, and Star Wars. There’s even a Junior version that’s sure to excite the little ones with kid-friendly properties like candy stores, pet shops, a pizzeria, and video arcades. Monopoly is intended for ages eight and up and the Junior version is for ages five and up with two to eight players.
Hi Ho! Cherry-O
We had no idea math could be so much fun! This counting game is ideal for two to four players and ages three and up. Even the youngest members of the family can enjoy picking pretend cherries, blueberries, apples, and oranges from the trees on the game board and filling their buckets. The spinning lets the player know how much fruit to pick or put back. If you land on a spilled bucket, you’ll have to start the game all over. Race to be the first one with 10 cherries in your basket.
Jenga
What do kids love more than building things? Watching them all fall down to pieces. Jenga is a classic game that you probably already have a version of lying around your house. The goal of this stacking game is simple—not to be the one to knock it down. Players take turns pulling wooden blocks from a tottering tower and placing it on the top level without letting the structure fall to pieces. Can you keep your hands steady enough to pull out the last block, without the tower crumbling down? There are even different versions of this game which include a giant Jenga set that can reach over four feet high and a cardboard set that stacks up to eight feet high!
Catan
For children who want a bit more strategy and gameplay, this civilization-building board game is more involved than Risk or Monopoly. Be the first to make the most out of this new, uninhabited land. Harvest and trade resources for your civilization while keeping an eye out for robbers who want to get a piece of your wealth! The roads and settlements you build will go on to become cities. The bigger your settlement gets, the more point you earn and the first to reach a set number wins. Catan is intended for ages 10 and up and for three to four players. If you get tired of the original, there are the Seafarers, Cities & Knights, Traders & Barbarians, and Explorers & Pirates extension packs.
Ticket to Ride
Train lovers will be begging to play this game every second they can! Everyone no matter, their age will love this cross-country train adventure where players collect cards of types of train cars and routes before your opponents get to them. You’ll be connecting North American cities and building train roots to get points and the ticket cards keep you on your toes by challenging you to connect two faraway cities to earn extra points. The game takes about an hour to complete and it’s meant for two to five players ages eight and up.
Candy Land
Play your favorite childhood game with your family. This game, which is suitable for children ages three and up and two to four players, remains a classic for a reason. Between the bright colored game board, the fast-paced structure, and the simple rules, this game will teach your children rules, turns, and patience. Your child only needs to know the basic colors and they’ll be on their way to the mouth-watering destinations like Candy Cane Forest and Gumdrop Mountain. Players take turns choosing a card and moving to the colored spaces on the board. The game is finished when a player reaches Candy Castle.
