The Best Games for Family Game Night
Our family of five loves games. Before kids, Ross and I spent many lazy Sunday afternoons and cozy weeknights playing games together. That excitement we found beating each other in intense games of Monopoly, or Scrabble didn’t fade when we started our family. It grew. And, we passed it on to the next generation!
However, family game night is not just about bragging rights and determining which family member is superior. It’s about spending quality time together, talking, laughing, engaging, and having fun. It can also be about learning new skills and lessons such as math, strategic thinking, and how to be a good winner or loser.
Are you looking for the perfect games to add to your collection for family game nights? Here are the best gamers for family game night, that you and the kiddos are sure to love as much as we do!
Ticket to Ride First Journey
My first experience was the OG Ticket to Ride, not the Jr. addition. I was hooked and so excited to hear there was a version made with younger kids in mind! Players of all ages can embark on an exciting train adventure across America with Ticket to Ride: First Journey by Alan R. Moon. Featuring a fresh map and simplified rules, First Journey is the ideal introduction to the classic game of cross-country travel. Just like the original Ticket to Ride, players collect train cards, claim routes, and aim to connect cities from coast to coast. However, in First Journey, the routes are shorter, train cards are drawn directly from the deck, and the game ends when a player completes six tickets, earning the coveted Golden Ticket. All aboard, adventurers—your thrilling first journey awaits!
Number of Players
2-4 players
Average Playtime
15 - 30 minutes
Recommended Player Age
6 years old and up
UNO is one of the first games we started playing when the kids got big enough for family game night, and it is still one of our most favorite games to play. UNO is not just great for family game night, I keep a deck in my purse and pull it out at restaurants or any other time I need the kids to entertain themselves for a period of time! UNO is the timeless family card game that's quick to learn and hard to put down! Players take turns matching a card from their hand to the one on top of the deck, either by color or number. Special action cards like Skips, Reverses, Draw Twos, Wilds, and Draw Four Wilds add twists and excitement, allowing you to change the course of the game and outsmart your opponents. If you can't make a match, you'll need to draw from the pile. Don’t forget to shout "UNO!" when you’re down to one card. The first player to discard all their cards wins! Now available in a durable tin, perfect for travel and easy storage.
Number of Players
2-10 players
Average Playtime
15 - 30 minutes
Recommended Player Age
The box says 7+, but my kids started at 4 or 5 with no trouble
One of my favorite games as a kid has now become one of my kids’ favorite games. Mouse trap is interactive, action packed, and everyone gets a kick out of watching the marble run the course! Mouse Trap is the classic game of action and chain reactions, now with an easier setup than ever! A longtime family favorite, this zany game promises lots of laughter and excitement. Players race around the board collecting cheese and stealing it from others, all while trying to avoid getting caught in the trap. The best part? Kids will love setting off the chain-reaction trap to catch their opponents! Relive your own childhood memories of Mouse Trap and introduce this wacky and wild game to the next generation.
Number of Players
2-4 players
Average Playtime
30 - 45 minutes
Recommended Player Age
The game says 6 and up, but again, 4 -5 year olds can play just fine
Card Games
Card games are a bit hit on family game night in our house. Good old-fashioned card games are a perfect choice for family game night, offering a blend of simplicity, strategy, and fun that everyone can enjoy. Classics like Go Fish, Crazy Eights, Rummy, and Hearts have been passed down through generations, bringing families together for timeless entertainment. These games are easy to learn, quick to play, and ideal for all ages, making them a great way to bond while sharpening critical thinking and social skills. One of our favorite card games that the kids actually taught us is Trash!
Get ready for laugh-out-loud fun with the party game of hilarious comparisons! This Apples to Apples Party Box edition comes in simple brown packaging, keeping the game a surprise until you open it. In each round, a new judge selects a Description Card, and players must choose the card from their hand that they think best matches it. The judge decides the winner, so creativity and humor are key! With a huge variety of cards in this edition, no two games are ever the same, ensuring endless rounds of unpredictable fun.
Number of Players
4 - 10 players
Average Playtime
30 - 45 minutes
Recommended Player Age
The box says 12 years and older, there is also a Junior Version ideal for younger kiddos!
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