My Top Family Board Games

Turn Iʼm bored into Iʼm board . . .

Letʼs face it. The kids are bored. Scrolling through 115 television channels, each of which has nothing on, was never your idea of “family time”. Why not spend some quality time with your children that doesnʼt involve some form of video screen?

Playing classic or new board games with the family is a great way to cement those familial bonds. Games can be a fun activity for all ages and all types of families -- traditional, non-traditional, blended or choice.

Board games can combine entertainment and laughter with education. Sometimes the learning is so subtle, your children donʼt even realize it! Games teach sportsmanship, problem-solving, teamwork, and everything from reading skills to motor skills. Creativity can be fostered in children of all ages, including your spouse! The whole family can learn about history, budgeting, or geography while having a ball doing so. Not sure where to start? I've listed some of my favorites below that should work for any family.

Board games are a terrific investment. Unlike a day at the movies -- where you blow 50 bucks on tickets, popcorn, and drinks that will wire the children for the rest of the day -- a board game can be played over and over. Games are available to pass a pleasant hour or a pleasant afternoon.

So the next time you hear one of your children say, “Iʼm bored,” turn that into board -- a family board game that is.

Ticket to Ride

Price: $49.99$44.99 (10% off)
  • A fast-paced, award-winning board game
  • Connect iconic North American cities and build your train routes to earn points
  • Players must compete to grab the best train cards and routes before their opponents
  • Ticket cards challenge you to plan ahead and connect two faraway cities for additional points
  • 2 to 5 players, 60 minutes, 8+
King of Tokyo

Price: $39.99
  • For 2-6 players
  • 30 minute playing time
  • From Richard Garfield, the designer of Magic: The Gathering
  • Fast-paced, lively family game
Ticket to Ride: Europe

Price: Unavailable
  • A fast-paced, award-winning board game
  • Connect iconic European cities and build train routes to earn points
  • Introduces Ferries and powerful Locomotive cards to claim unique routes
  • 2 to 5 players, 30 to 60 minutes, ages 8+
Love Letter

Price: $11.99
  • A game of risk; deduction and luck
  • For 2 to 4 player game
  • Takes 15 minutes playtime
Pandemic

Price: $39.99
  • As skilled members of a disease fighting team, you and the other players work together to keep the world safe from outbreaks and epidemics
  • Pandemic is a cooperative board game in which players work as a team to treat infections around the world while gathering resources for cures
  • 2 - 4 players
  • 45 mins
Lords of Waterdeep

Price: $49.99$37.89 (24% off)
  • An exciting Euro-style board game set in Waterdeep, the greatest city and jewel of the Forgotten Realms
  • This immersive game casts players as Lords of Waterdeep who hire adventurers to complete quests
  • Game play: 1 hour
  • Perfect for 2 to 5 players
Qwirkle

Price: Unavailable
  • TACTICAL STRATEGY: Featuring a massive amount of in game choices, including three tiles each of thirty six possible color symbol combinations, Qwirkle is the perfect game to hone player's tactical maneuvers, strategical planning, and forward thinking. Will you see the monolithic move that catapults you into first place?
  • EASY TO FOLLOW RULES: An engaging game with easy to follow rules, Qwirkle is great for younger players. The rules of the game are basic: simply build lines by matching tiles based on either color or shape, and score points for doing so. However, the ability to build complex combinations will keep children interested and engaged, and challenge them mentally
  • GAMES THAT TEACH: Qwirkle is playable from early ages up, allowing young children and older individuals alike to develop and hone their spacial recognition, planning, and problem solving skills. Plan, win, and learn simultaneously
  • FAMILY FAVORITE: Qwirkle is a fantastic game for families, as it can involve a wide range of ages, from children to adults. It only takes a few moments to explain, so new players such as extended family or your child's play dates can jump right in and play
  • INCLUDES: Product comes with 108 wooden Qwirkle tiles, 1 drawstring bag, 1 rule book
Smash Up

Price: $34.99$26.94 (23% off)
  • For 2-4 players
  • Takes about an hour to play
  • "Shufflebuilding" card game
Hanabi

Price: $10.95$6.57 (40% off)
  • For 2-5 players
  • 2013 Spiele des Jahres game of the year
  • Takes about 20-30 minutes to play
  • 60 Hanabi cards, 8 blue clock tokens, 4 black fuse tokens
Rampage

Price: $59.99
  • Dexterity-based gameplay
  • Special power-up cards
  • Family fun game experience
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