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Want to cut past the awkward small talk and see a whole new (surprisingly competitive) side of Aunt Tilda? Or find a screen-free way to connect with your kids? The answer is: board games. More specifically, family-friendly board games.
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Through Happy Kid Awards testing—and just living life in general—PureWow staffers play dozens of games. So, whether you're searching for the best board games for kids, teens or adults, we've got you covered. Here are the ones editors and readers would recommend to anyone.
The 30 Best Party Games for Adults to Upgrade Your Next Social Gathering
1. Telestrations
Why We Love it:
If you're looking for a game to bust out at holiday gatherings or family parties to keep everyone engaged, reach for Telestrations. It's essentially telephone and Pictionary combined—in the best way. "It's easy for people of all ages to pick up and start playing, and the stakes are low enough that even those who typically shy away from games will get into it," says Candace Davison, PureWow VP of editorial content. "It's hilarious to see how wildly warped a drawing gets as it's passed from person to person."
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2. Ticket To Ride
Why I Love It:
Designed for two to five players (ages eight and up), this board game requires strategic thinking and complex planning, but it’s not so hard to learn that it will make your head hurt. Ticket to Ride serves up adventure and surprise—the kind that puts problem-solving skills to the test for players of any age. Puzzle your way through this one once, and all parties will be eager to replay (though maybe another day, since this one does demand a full-hour of engagement).
"My family is OBSESSED with this game, which I like to think of as Settlers of Catan light--i.e., a land-claiming strategy game you can play in 30 minutes, with plenty of room for sabotage and last-minute calculations." says PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint.
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3. Pictionary Air
Why I Love It:
This classic family game night staple has gotten a major upgrade with the magic of the air pen. Like the traditional version, a small group (four or more players) splits into teams and takes turns trying to render a prompt with a rough sketch while the other team guesses. Instead of a sketchpad, players draw in the air and the image is rendered on a screen or displayed on everyone's phone. Happily, Pictionary is funnier and more entertaining when the artwork is bad, so it’s a great choice for participants of any age and skill level.
4. Wits & Wagers
Why I Love It:
The premise of this game is simple: Guess the answer to a trivia question, then everyone places bets on who they think has the most accurate answer. This means you don't actually need to know the right answer—and you can use that to your advantage. "I love that you don't need to be a trivia buff to excel; part of it is reading people and making educated guesses," says Davison. "But more than that, it's just lighthearted fun...where you might accidentally learn a thing or two along the way."
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5. Poop Wars
Why I Love It:
For those not afraid of bathroom talk, this game is absolutely hilarious. With four turds to choose from (Runny Rob, Stony Sid, Perfect Pam and Gooey Gus, respectfully), players will journey through and try not to fall into the depth of the sewer, depending on what cards they pull and spaces they land. It's not for the faint of heart.
6. Hedbanz
Why I Love it:
Deductive reasoning skills in a box. Each player receives a new mystery identity via a card to stick in their headband. As the timer ticks, they ask “yes” or “no” questions to determine who or what they are. If they guess correctly before the clock runs out, they’re on their way to a win.
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7. Twister
Why I Love it:
Ok, so this one may not technically be a board game per se, but since there’s a spinner involved and it comes in a cardboard box, we’ll let it slide. Invented in 1966, it simply never gets old. Ask anyone who’s watched her grown husband—wearing the required socks—languish with his booty in the air as her kindergartener crab-crawls beneath him, hellbent on reaching a colored circle.
"Twisterlooks innocent but is actually this masochistic game of core strength—but I'm always on the floor laughing every time!" says Marissa Wu, Associate SEO Editor.
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8. Cranium
Why I Love It:
For those who hate reading and explaining endless directions (attention span? what attention span?), this one has no complicated list of rules to break your…uh…cranium. Instead, players simply team up, roll the colored dice and pick a related card. They are then challenged to complete a funny task—from spelling a word backward to drawing with their eyes closed—before the timer runs out.
9. Race to the Treasure!
Why I Love It:
After weeks of sibling smackdowns, we’ll take the road with less rage, please. Enter this magical adventure from cooperative game maker Peaceable Kingdom. Players age five and up work *together* to construct a path and collect keys to a gilded treasure box. Their only opponent? A gruesome ogre angling to get there first.
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"I loved this game when my kids were younger and had trouble with the winning/losing elements of board games," Quint says. "This is so fun because you work together with the other players to defeat the ogre, so it's all about teamwork—and involves way, way fewer tears."
10. Pie Face Game
Why I Love It:
Want to make a toddler think you are funnier than Tina Fey, Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong combined? Allow yourself to get whapped in the face with a tablespoon full of whipped cream or pudding. Giggles for days.
11. Throw Throw Burrito
Why I Love It:
Ask the child(ren) in your life how they feel about a game that involves pelting soft, doe-eyed burritos at their elders: the gleeful response you receive is precisely what you can expect from this action-packed event. Truth be told, there’s no board involved here—just cards, tokens and, of course, burritos—but “the world’s first dodgeball card game” goes down easy. Best of all, this game can be played with just one opponent or with a group of up to six.
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12. Spontuneous
Why I Love It:
Depending on how seriously you take yourself, this one has the potential to blow karaoke night out of the water or send you running for the hills. That’s right, friends, the singing here is all a capella. To get the game going, players write down five words and toss them out to other players one at a time. The first to belt out a song using the keyword gets to advance their playing piece. But beware, your winning repertoire might get you into more trouble; certain spaces on the board bring additional challenges drawn from the deck.
13. Herd Mentality
Why I Love It:
Find out how well you know your family and friends (and vice versa) with this entertaining board game that poses questions and rewards players for thinking (and responding) like the rest of the group. The rules of play couldn’t be easier to learn and the content is squeaky clean, so tweens can get in on the action, too. Best of all, this one is quick to play with as few as four and as many as 20 people, making it a solid choice for pretty much any occasion.
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14. You Little Stinker
Why I Love It:
Equally adorable as it is competitive, this challenging dice game is sure to delight both younger and older kids—and even adults. A winner of PureWow's 2024 Happy Kids Award, this fast-paced game involves shaking "Little Stinker" and either removing or gaining dice, depending on what comes out. Plus, you can play as much or as little rounds are you can handle.
"When we tested it for the Happy Kid Awards, kids immediately got hooked, asking to play round after round after round of this dice-matching game," Davison says. "Plus, each round lasts 10 minutes or less, perfect for shorter attention spans."
15. Outrageous
Why I Love it:
Outrageous is a hilarious battle of the wits—much like Cards for Humanity, but with more room for creativity, since players are required to respond to prompts by filling in the blank. (Note: For this reason, the game can be clean or risqué, depending on the crowd.) Players win points whenever the judge deems their reply the cleverest of the bunch, but there really are no losers here since it’s basically a guarantee that you’ll laugh until your sides hurt. Try this one out with a group of four to eight people for 30 minutes of rapid-fire fun—just keep in mind that the prompts require some general knowledge, so this one works best for ages 13 and up.
16. Parcheesi
Why I Love It:
An old-school favorite that has stood the test of time, Parcheesi is a classic two to four-player game of “chase, race and capture” that will take your strategic thinking skills on a spin around the track. Best of all, this board game is as engaging for 8-year-old newcomers as it is for those who remember playing it back in the day.
17. Disney's Villainous
Why I Love It:
Disney lovers will rejoice in this classic strategy game that features all the beloved movie characters...and an opportunity to rewrite their classic happy endings. Pick a villain and prepare to take down your protagonist with the help of action cards, allies and diabolical scheming. This beautifully designed board game boasts plenty of visual appeal, thanks to the Disney theme, but this two- to six-player game has plenty of substance, too. As a result, this game is complex and moderately time-consuming (roughly an hour), so it’s best for ages ten and up.
18. Imposter!
Why I Love It:
We all love a mystery—and calling out our family members for being an imposter! This card game will assign players as innocents or imposters, who will have to do a little bit of bluffing as they try to smuggle out treasure without getting caught. Every round each "team" will gain a point, but the challenge is not knowing who is really on your site.
19. Monopoly Go!
Why I Love It:
Also a popular mobile game, Monopoly Go! speeds up the classic game by giving each player their own mini board for quick 15-minute rounds rather than hours of play. There's so no money, meaning less cleanup, and the aim of the game is to build a landmark first. But don't worry, there's still plenty of opportunities to sabotage one another with bank heists and shut downs along the way.
20. Operation
Why I Love It:
If you’re looking for a game night option that preschoolers and adults can enjoy then Operation is the answer. This classic, which can be played by one or many, promises light-hearted fun and a fine motor skill boost to boot (because the challenge of conducting surgery with a steady hand isn’t just child’s play).
"Is anyone good at Operation? I swear they make it impossible to succeed, but that makes it all the more addictive. I remember playing that at my grandparents' house all the time, and the noise absolutely drove my parents up the wall," says StephanieMeraz, Associate Fashion Commerce Editor.
21. Trekking The World
Why I Love It:
Gorgeous graphics combine with rich strategic gameplay in this unique and enriching board game. The focus is on the joys of travel and, of course, the careful planning that goes into mapping out a rewarding trek...so it’s an ideal way to satisfy your wanderlust without the airfare. The rules are fairly complex but with some guidance from a grown-up, kids as young as eight can join the game and puzzle their way around the world (and you only need two travelers to play).
Note: This game can take up to 90 minutes to play, but considering the visual and mental stimulation it provides, it’s safe to say that’s time well-spent.
22. King of Tokyo
Why I Love It:
With gameplay allowing for two to six players, this monster mutant takeover game required some strategy, teamwork and maybe a little back stabbing. Each roll of the dice requires a choice like attacking enemies, healing wounds, leveling up and more. It's relatively simple but the crazy characters and storytelling will keep everyone engaged for the 30 minutes of gameplay.
23. Jaws Game
Why I Love It:
You can pick your favorite human character from this cult classic film, or opt to play the part of a blood-thirsty Great White Shark. Either way, you can delight in both phases of the Jaws plot with this gripping game of strategy. Fortunately, this fight for your life is actually fun; the tension is palpable, the entertainment endless and, yes, the theme song will be stuck in your head...forever.
24. Back to The Future - Back in Time Board Game
Why I Love It:
Go back in time with a two- to four-player board game that will entertain and excite players of all ages (and fill the older ones with '80s nostalgia). This guy covers all the favorite moments from the original flick, including the thrill of the race against time. Plus, the cooperative play involved in this game makes it a family-friendly option for players ages ten and up (and a refreshing change from the dog-eat-dog competition of the standard fare).
25. Battleship
Why I Love It:
An upgrade to a time-honored favorite, this two-player game includes aircraft in addition to the typical naval vessels used in the original Battleship. Aside from that, not much has changed: You can expect family-friendly warfare and all the strategic thinking that requires from this rousing pegboard game. The end result? A rip-roaring good time for anyone ages seven and up.
26. Pandemic
Why I Love It:
Engaging and smart when it came out ten years ago, this game of strategy is really on point right now. Unlike most board games, Pandemic doesn’t pit players against one another, but rather focuses on how such a public health crisis can actually unite communities: Players work together to find necessary resources while following challenging rules and assuming complex characters. The takeaway? A two to four-player treat that teens and adults can enjoy together.
27. Sequence
Why I Love It:
This popular board game only takes about half an hour from start to finish, so you don’t have to settle in for a serious time commitment. And the gameplay—a combination of classic card games, checkers and bingo—is a fast-paced competition that demands teamwork and careful thought. Play your hand right (and foil your opponent’s plans as often as possible) and you can be the first to line up five chips and claim victory...but even if you lose, this one is far from boring.
"Sequence is my absolute favorite!" says Nakeisha Campbell, Associate Editor of News and Entertainment. "My roommates and I are super competitive when it comes to this game, but playing it has become a long-standing tradition because we just love how strategic it is. As a bonus we trash talk/roast each other whenever we play, it's wonderful."
28. Super Big Boggle
Why I Love It:
Sure, Scrabble is a sweet way to spend a rainy day—but sometimes a wordsmith craves a faster-paced form of entertainment. (You know, the kind where you don’t have to wait 20 minutes for a pensive player to make a move.) Enter Boggle, a classic game for two or more players that picks up the pace with a mad dash to jot down as many words as possible from a randomized six-by-six letter board. Shake things up (and make some noise) after every round to rearrange the alphabet dice into a new formation...so you can quickly cream the (eight years old and up) competition again.
29.5-Second Rule Junior
Why I Love It:
The premise is simple: Read a card and answer its question as quickly as possible (because you only have 5 seconds to do so). No matter how serious you are, the race to respond is sure to trip you up, resulting in funny phrases and fumbles that gets everyone laughing.
30. What Do You Meme?
Why I Love It:
Good news for fans of family game night: The innovative best-seller What Do You Meme? just got a squeaky clean makeover, and the result is every bit as funny as the original. Gather three or more players (ages eight or older) and you’re ready to play a fast-moving card game that will get everyone’s creative juices flowing. May the best wit win!
31. Disney Jungle Cruise Adventure Game
Why I Love It:
This Disney-themed board game will appeal to adventurers ages eight and up and is action-packed and full of peril (lost passengers, jungle beasts). This one involves more luck than anything—but what it lacks in strategic challenges, it makes up for with excitement and wit (think, plot-based puns). You’ll need to set aside 45 minutes to an hour for this cruise—but in terms of straightforward and family-friendly entertainment, this game is hard to beat.
32. Sagrada
Why I Love It:
Calling all skilled artisans and strategists: The objective of Sagrada is to construct a stained-glass window by using drafting dice to determine which piece of glass you can use to complete your showpiece. The finished work of art isn’t all left to chance, though, because the decision of where to place each piece is up to you and your smarts. Color and shade requirements add to the difficulty of the task, as do the whims of your master from the Familia Sagrada. Suffice it to say, this creative one to four player board game will put your wheels in motion for at least 30 minutes (and tween or teenagers will love it, too).
33. The Game of Life Junior
Why We Love it:
It’s hard to find a board game you can play with a kindergartener that doesn’t make your eyes glaze over within minutes. Enter, the Game of Life Jr.—an extra kid-friendly take on the oh-so-American classic that’s easy to learn and boasts an exciting vacation theme. Play this whenever you need a two to six-player game that doesn’t leave the young ones out.
34. Kingdomino
Why I Love It:
KingDomino is an award-winning territory-building board game for two to four players, complete with 3D tiles and castles, that hones abstract thinking and visual reasoning through strategic play. The rules are straightforward, so kids as young as seven can play, and the game itself goes quickly enough to keep the young and restless engaged as well. The mechanics of the gameplay, however, present a problem-solving challenge that will pique the interest of players of all ages.
35. Mancala
Why I Love It:
This simple wooden board game has been around for decades—it's that good. By splitting up mancala pieces and dropping them in each spot, players with need to use some critical thinking and brainpower to win as the aim to gather the most pieces. Games are quick, meaning everyone can challenge the winner for some healthy competition.
36. The Floor Is Lava!
Why I Love It:
If you have kids, it’s likely that ‘the floor is lava’ is a familiar phrase—a precursor to a high-energy, adrenaline-filled burst of play. The under ten set can easily accomplish a freestyle version of this game, but the game spinner, foam stepping stones and challenge cards in this two to six player packaged deal make for a more organized affair (i.e., entire drawers of folded clothing will not be spilled on the floor in the service of protecting tiny feet from imaginary lava).
37. It’s In The Bag!
Why I Love It:
Step up your Charades game, big time, with a three-round guessing game that combines verbal clues and miming for an uproariously funny round of play that’s great for small or large groups and easy enough for little kids to participate in. (Note: Some of the prompts will include pop-cultural references that young players won’t understand, but there’s an easy workaround—just have your kid pick another card.)
38. Parcheesi
Why I Love It:
An old-school favorite that has stood the test of time, Parcheesi is a classic two to four player game of “chase, race and capture” that will take your strategic thinking skills on a spin around the track. Best of all, this board game is as engaging for 8-year-old newcomers as it is for those who remember playing it back in the day.
39. Priorities
Why I Love It:
How well do you know your family, really? With these prompts you'll be able to find out! Just note that some of the prompts may involve alcohol and (somewhat) scandalous dancing, but it is otherwise appropriate for most older kids.
"We loved the Priorities game," says Emma Singer, PureWow freelance editor. "It's a great and very light-hearted family bonding exercise that requires all the other playersto collaborate and arrive at some agreement as to what the other family's members likes/dislikes/priorities are in order. I highly recommend this one but maybe not for parents of kids in that age group who are super puritanical or easily scandalized."
40. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
Why I Love It:
Quick to learn and quick to complete, this is a game you can whip out with any group. The premise might seem simple, slap down a card that matches the word the player in front of you shouted. Warning: some people may intentionally say the wrong word, making it hectic and fun. At just $10, this is something anyone can add to their board game arsenal.
