Game night
Board games and card games for family game night
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Mattel UNO card game, 2-pack
UNO is easy to learn, plays in minutes and brings the family around a table.
Check price on AmazonWhat to look for: A pack that includes the full card deck.
Good family games are simple to learn, quick to reset and fun for mixed ages: UNO or Jenga for kids and adults, Rummikub for a quiet table, CATAN for older children and adults. Check the age range and player count, and keep a pack of cards in the drawer.
At a glance
| Pick | Best for | Skip | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mattel UNO card game, 2-pack Top pick | Kids who can match colors and numbers. | n/a | Check price on Amazon |
| Hasbro Jenga with Digital Die | Kids ages 8 and up and their families. | n/a | Check price on Amazon |
| Rummikub original rummy tile game | Families who play games together. | n/a | Check price on Amazon |
| CATAN board game | Kids ages 10 and up who like strategy. | for younger kids who might not wait their turn. | Check price on Amazon |
| Hasbro Hungry Hungry Hippos game | Kids ages 4 and up who like a noisy game. | if you have a small child who may swallow marbles. | Check price on Amazon |
| Bicycle Jumbo Index playing cards | Grandparents who play cards or bridge. | if they already have a drawer of decks. | Check price on Amazon |
| Bicycle Rider Back playing cards | Card players. | n/a | Check price on Amazon |
| Let's Get Deep question card game for couples | Couples who want something to do on a night in. | if either of you dislikes sharing personal stories. | Check price on Amazon |
| Ravensburger Cozy Retreat 500-piece large format puzzle | Puzzle fans. | n/a | Check price on Amazon |
| Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza card game | Families and groups. | n/a | Check price on Amazon |
| Exploding Kittens Throw Throw Burrito | Families and friends. | n/a | Check price on Amazon |
| Perplexus Epic interactive maze game | Kids who like puzzles and patience games. | for children who give up easily on challenges. | Check price on Amazon |
The best family games are the ones that people ask to play again. They take two minutes to explain, fit on a coffee table and do not need a rulebook halfway through.
Think about who is at the table: age range, number of players and how long you want to play.
How to choose
- Age and attention. Choose the youngest player’s level, and add a second game for older players.
- Player count. Check the minimum and maximum before you buy, and have a game that works for two and one for six.
- Setup time. Quick games (UNO, Jenga) get played often; long ones (CATAN) are for a rainy afternoon.
- A quiet option. A jigsaw puzzle on a side table gives people something to do without a schedule.
Keep a spare deck of cards in the drawer; it makes a dozen games possible.
All the picks
-
Mattel UNO card game, 2-packOur pick
UNO is easy to learn, plays in minutes and brings the family around a table.
- Look for:
- A pack that includes the full card deck.
- Best for:
- Kids who can match colors and numbers.
-
Hasbro Jenga with Digital Die
The classic tower game with a die for extra rules works at family nights and sleepovers.
- Look for:
- A set with wooden blocks and the extra die.
- Best for:
- Kids ages 8 and up and their families.
-
Rummikub original rummy tile game
A tile rummy game that kids and grandparents can play together.
- Look for:
- A complete set with racks and tiles.
- Best for:
- Families who play games together.
-
CATAN board game
CATAN is a family strategy game that rewards trading and planning for older kids.
- Look for:
- The base game with a printed rulebook.
- Best for:
- Kids ages 10 and up who like strategy.
- Skip:
- for younger kids who might not wait their turn.
-
Hasbro Hungry Hungry Hippos game
A fast, loud marble-grabbing game that younger kids love and parents can play without reading rules.
- Look for:
- A set with all marbles and a place to store them.
- Best for:
- Kids ages 4 and up who like a noisy game.
- Skip:
- if you have a small child who may swallow marbles.
-
Bicycle Jumbo Index playing cards
Jumbo-index cards are easy to read, which keeps a family game night inclusive for older eyes.
- Look for:
- Large, clear indices and plastic-coated stock.
- Best for:
- Grandparents who play cards or bridge.
- Skip:
- if they already have a drawer of decks.
-
Bicycle Rider Back playing cards
A deck of cards is a game night staple.
- Best for:
- Card players.
-
Let's Get Deep question card game for couples
A question card game that leads to real talk and some laughs.
- Look for:
- A deck with a mix of light and deeper questions.
- Best for:
- Couples who want something to do on a night in.
- Skip:
- if either of you dislikes sharing personal stories.
-
Ravensburger Cozy Retreat 500-piece large format puzzle
A large-format puzzle is relaxing and suits an evening in.
- Look for:
- Large pieces and a sturdy board.
- Best for:
- Puzzle fans.
-
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza card game
A quick card game that anyone can learn in a minute.
- Best for:
- Families and groups.
-
Exploding Kittens Throw Throw Burrito
A burrito-throwing card game that gets people moving.
- Best for:
- Families and friends.
-
Perplexus Epic interactive maze game
A rolling-ball 3D maze that holds a kid's attention for a long time.
- Look for:
- A model with a clear difficulty level.
- Best for:
- Kids who like puzzles and patience games.
- Skip:
- for children who give up easily on challenges.
What to skip
- Games with many small pieces around toddlers.
- Games that need an app or a subscription.
- Complicated strategy games for a casual group.
- Large box sets that do not fit your shelf.
For children’s ages, see gifts for kids ages 4 to 7 and ages 8 to 12. For grandparents, gifts for grandparents has easy-to-see cards.
If your family would rather leave a puzzle out all week, gifts for jigsaw puzzle lovers covers puzzle sizes, mats and trays. Over-the-board chess, sized to a club king and a clock, is gifts for chess players.
Questions people ask
What are good board games for the whole family?
UNO, Jenga, Rummikub and CATAN are popular, and a deck of cards is always useful. Choose by the youngest player’s age and how long you want to play.
How do I pick a game for mixed ages?
Choose a game with simple rules where luck and skill both matter, so younger players can win. Cooperative games and quick card games work well.
What do I do if someone gets bored?
Keep games short, offer a second option and let people join mid-round. A puzzle on a side table gives restless players something to do.
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