In this review article we’ll go over the best party board games for adults – guaranteed for a good time on a night in with friends!

The perfect board game for a party should be entertaining, rather than something to just fill the time. A party is supposed to bring people together for a good time; laughs and jokes are the order of the day. If all you have to offer is Scrabble and cheap wine, then there’s no hope for you, I’m afraid. Everybody’s idea of a good time is obviously not going to be the same, but in general when friends get together, a few drinks with something fun to do is going to make for an enjoyable evening.

Nothing too mentally taxing is needed; nor is anything which will set the more competitive guests off at each other’s throats. Fun is the central theme here, and we shouldn’t forget that.

When compiling our list of best party board games, we have searched through hundreds of customer reviews to find out exactly why a game is suitable. We’ve made sure there’s something in there for all personality types.

Top Choices

So, if you’re planning on hosting a get together between friends in the near future, read on to find out what we think are the best party board games for adults.

Bad Campaign: The Presidential Party Game

For Ages 17+

Only weeks after the US election result threw up an unexpected result, you have the opportunity to take part in a half-baked campaign for the Presidency against your friends. Whether or not you supported Clinton or Trump, you could probably do with unwinding a little, as far as politics goes. This game is a great choice for getting everybody laughing together.

You will all take turns at reading out campaign slogans, political promises, and awkward statements. The rest of the players will then submit an answer card to fill in the blank. Each combination is then read out, with the reader voting for their favorite. At the end of the game, the player with the most votes is declared the winner.

Using real life quotes and situations, you will make the usual bad promises which you don’t intend to keep. But the beauty of the game is that the more ridiculous you are, the better your chance of winning.

Many hours of fun to be had with this game; the off the wall humor will have you laughing your socks off in no time.

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Loaded Questions: With Adult Version

For Ages: 12+, and 18+ for Adult Version

This is a game sure to have everybody in stiches through the evening. Just how well do you know your friends? Now you’re about to find out.

At the start of a player’s turn they roll the dice and read a question for the corresponding color of the square they landed on. The four categories are: Hypotheticals, Anything Goes, No-Brainers, and Personals.

All the other players write their answers down, which are then read out by the previous roller. The current roller will then try to match each answer with the player who wrote it.

There are also squares where the roles are reversed. The roller writes down an answer and the other players must try and guess exactly what they wrote.

With more than 1000 questions this game will keep you all entertained for many sessions. The adult version is a standalone product but can be mixed in with the original for those who like their fun a little more risqué.

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Cards Against Humanity

For Ages: 17+

This is the number one best seller in the Amazon Toys & Games department. That alone should tell you just how popular this game is.

Completely politically incorrect, this adult themed card game is a simple way to keep your guests enjoying themselves.

Each player takes a turn reading from a Black Card, and each of the remaining players answer with their funniest White Card.

An example round would be: “Life for the Native Americans was forever changed after the white man introduced them to ____________.”

Answers might include: “Smallpox Blankets”, “Drinking Alone”, “A Can of Whoop-Ass”, and “Take-Backsies”

You do need a little black humor inside you to make the best of this game, but it’s suitable for anybody looking for some laughter.

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Exploding Kittens: NSFW Edition (Explicit Content)

For Ages: 18+

This is a crazy fun and addictive choice. Another Amazon big seller, confirming its popularity.

Exploding Kittens NSFW is an adult remake of the popular card based board game which is super-popular with children. Rehashed with a delightfully crude and obnoxious theme you can expect to have a good time.

The basics of the game play is players draw cards until somebody ends up with the Exploding Kitten card. If whoever drew the bomb isn’t holding a Defuse card, then it’s curtains for the little feline! Other cards involve a variety of actions, but the aim is to be the last man standing. It doesn’t matter how well you’ve done so far, just don’t blow up or it’s game over.

The game contents are magnificently designed, with fantastic artwork of a more adult orientated theme. Expect your guests to have a lot of fun and be laughing all night long.

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The Resistance

For Ages: 13+

The Resistance is a great game to play with friends. It does come with a health warning though; by the end of your party there’s a chance that some of the guests won’t be on speaking terms any longer.

The aim of the game is for the players to deduce each other’s identities. Set in the middle of a revolution, players take the role of either a resistance member, or a government spy. This is a fairly complex game, but many of you out there I’m sure would prefer something a bit deep to get your teeth into.

5-10 players can play at any one time, and the rules are designed so there is no player elimination; everyone plays until the end. You need to be able to think on your feet while you lie to your friends, and try to work out if they are lying to you.

Don’t expect many laughs from The Resistance, but you will definitely be impressed with how enjoyable the gameplay is.

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Smart Ass

For Ages: 15+

Smart Ass is a fast-paced trivia game, which unlike Trivial Pursuit, will be over in 30 minutes or less. If you’re the sort of person who loves to shout out the answer to a question, then this will be ideal for you.

The idea is simple; be the first the answer the question. Every turn a question is read out by one player to the remaining players. Each player is allowed a single guess, but there’s a catch. With each question there are 10 clues. So, do you take a chance while you’re not 100% sure, or risk somebody else beating you to the punch by waiting for more clues?

There are 461 question cards divided up into Who, What, and Where am I? categories, which is plenty to prevent repeating too frequently.

A simple but extremely enjoyable way to spend an evening. Something which will test your trivia knowledge, but isn’t mentally taxing.

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Say Anything

For Ages: 13+

This game has party written all over it. The title means exactly what it says; you can literally say anything. There is no right and wrong here.

The player whose turn it is will ask the other players a question, such as “If you could have a “BIG” anything, what would it be?”

Then the players write down an answer each and turn it face up, so the player whose turn it is can choose his favorite. Players then bet tokens on which answer was chosen as the best.

It’s extremely light-hearted, and just as much a way to get people laughing and talking as it is a game. No deep strategy around here. It’s important to make sure the players are in the right mood to get the best out of Say Anything. Whoever wins is not important as well, for game such as this, but at only 30 minutes per game if there’s a competitive guest he’ll have plenty of chances over the whole night.

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Taboo

For Ages: 13+

Taboo is almost a variation of charades. This comical game of forbidden words will bring many laughs at your party, as the teams try to guess the secret word/phrase. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? The catch is that the most obvious words to describe the secret word are banned! If you accidentally say a forbidden word the rival team will “squeak” you, and you don’t win any points for that secret word/phrase.

The potential for fun is huge with this game in a party setting. After a few drinks can you come up with a creative clue against the clock? The game has recently been updated to include more relevant topics from pop culture and the latest hot trends, which should make it more interesting.

The best selling point about Taboo is that it is inclusive to most personality types. Anybody in a party mood will get some enjoyment and laughs out of it. In my opinion one of the best party board games for adults – I’d recommend it in if I had to put it to one game.

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Drunk, Stoned, or Stupid

For Ages: 17+

Drunk, Stoned or Stupid is a game which excels in a party environment. It is simply perfect for groups with an off the wall sense of humour. It’s also a great choice for those with a lazy inclination, because the only preparation is shuffling the deck of cards.

The gameplay is turn based with one player acting as the judge, who reads out one of the cards. The remaining players then call out in turn who out of the group should be tagged with this label.

The accusations can be based off of anything you know about this person, it really doesn’t matter. The judge will consider all of what he hears and make a final ruling on who will be tagged. After a single player has been tagged with seven cards he is declared the loser.

This is where the game ends, because there is no winner in Drunk, Stoned, or Stupid; only losers. The game is based around friends poking fun at each other rather than anything competitive. This is all about the laughs, and having a good time.

If members of your group are likely to take offense easily then this might not be the right choice, but for everyone else you can look forward to much hilarity at your party.

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Cash N Guns

For Ages: 14+

A great addition to any collection, Cash n guns is one of those games which will have non-gamers begging for more. Usually after alcohol is involved I’ll admit; it is one of those games.

Based around a group of crooks after a successful heist, Cash n Guns is all about what happens when everybody decides that they want a bigger cut of the loot. When bullets speak louder than words it all comes down to who can intimidate their partners the most. With each player issued a full-size foam replica pistol to point at their friends, this is a game that comes with a don’t take it personally warning.

Players have the option each turn to load up with a bullet or a blank card as you try to bluff your way to the biggest share of the loot. Each turn, whoever didn’t get shot or back out gets a share of the loot. This is as interactive as it gets, with that added element of silliness that a few drinks can appreciate.

Some have said that this game doesn’t have enough repetition to be a classic, but the point is that the reviews show it is universally liked by almost all who try it.

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Conclusion

It’s difficult to come up with a “best choice” out of a diverse selection of the best party board games for adults, but put on the spot I would recommend Taboo. Anybody who is out for a night of fun will be able to enjoy themselves with this game. For those with a more “extreme” sense of humour it is easy to see which of our top 10 will suit you better.

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This article will help you find the best dice sets for D&D and other types of chance and role-playing games. See further below for what to look for in D&D dice for what I took into account when rating these sets of best polyhedral dice.

Best D&D Dice Sets:

Best dice set with the highest precision and accuracy: Gamescience Precision Edge Set #ad

Best metal dice set with the highest quality: Masterwork Precision Aluminum Set with Strongbox #ad

Best multi-set value deals – under $2 per set:
Mooker 5x Sets #ad
Wiz Dice 15x sets #ad
Skull Splitter 18x sets #ad

It is generally more cost efficient to purchase a multi-set deal than to buy the cheapest singular set, but here is the best one I could find in case you’re interested.
Best cheap dice set: Bescon Set with Storage Tube #ad

Click here for more cool and unique dice sets. #ad
Click here for more of the best metal dice set choices. #ad

Dice: Love Them or Just Need Them

The dice are important tools providing the randomization of your actions and widening the tree of possibilities. If you’re serious about your dice though, your carefully collected sets embody your in-game identity and even seem to give you an edge against difficult tasks and deadly encounters. Busting out the right set at the right time can seemingly break your cold dice streak, use a set too long and the rolls become stale and disappointing.

If you’re a frequent player it’d be no surprise if you’ve already begun a collection containing a variety of colors, designs, and materials. Aside from seeking out awesome dice sets to form an expansive collection, you may eventually need to replace your dice due to wear and tear. After being rolled enough any die will start to take a more rounded form, and it won’t be quite as accurate as it once was.

Whatever your reason, this guide will highlight the important qualities of any good set and list you the most awesome and best dice sets to fit your taste and/or your budget based on mine and other dice owners’ opinions.

What Dice Do You Need for D&D

The Official Dungeons and Dragons dice set contains the following:

• D4: Four sided dice
• D6: Six sided dice
• D8: Eight sided dice
• D10: 10 sided dice
• D00: 10 percentile dice
• D12: 12 sided dice
• D20: 20 sided dice

These are the dice that are included in all of the 7 dice set reviews. More uncommon dice that some sets may include are the d3, d5, d7, d14, d16, d24, and d30.  These types of dice will be included in the other reviews below including d6 dice sets, cool and unique plastic/metal designs, and more.

How to pick a good dice set

The factors of a dice set’s value largely depend on the person. Maybe you want the most perfectly crafted set, the brightest colors, or the most unique style. When you’re choosing your RPG dice set you may want to take the following into consideration:

• Visual quality
• Accuracy
• Readability
• Rolling feel
• Budget/Price

Visual Quality

The colors & material of the die both contribute to its visual quality. Color schemes can include plain, translucent/opaque, marbled, two-tone, metallic, rainbow, and shadowy. The material used to create the die produces a different texture; the flat glossy appearance of plastic, the shiny brushed appearance of metal, or the grainy neutral look of wood.

Accuracy

Dice accuracy refers to both the symmetry of the die and the fairness of the rolls. Quite simply it’s how close to a perfect shape the die has been crafted to as well as how evenly it has been weighted. A perfect shape will have equal measurements on all angles and faces. The more accurate the die is, the more fair the rolls will be. Any of the dice listed here are the best dice sets due to the high quality and accuracy these brands produce. There are reports of most cheaper inaccurate dice rolling lower more often than higher, so this is all the more reason to ensure you have the highest quality D&D dice set you can afford.

Readability

The legibility of the print as well as its aesthetic appeal both come to mind when trying to describe the perfect style of die. Pretty self-explanatory, the best dice are going to have numbers that are easy to read and possibly catch the eye in some manner either through the dice font, the color contrast, or the way it’s been engraved.

Rolling Feel

How you feel about this might make a difference due to the sheer volume of dice throws some games require. I believe most people like a bit of weight to their dice when they roll, but just how much would be your personal preference. Plastic dice can be light but most are pretty standardly weighted. Metal dice sets are logically a fair bit heavier and feel quite solid bouncing around between your hands, and for this reason you should be selective as to which surface you roll them on.

Price/Budget

Another key factor that you will undoubtedly take into consideration when buying a set of dice is your budget. There are some dice out there that are sleek looking, high quality, and relatively affordable, and those are listed here as what I think are the best dice sets. Of course, if you have a little wiggle room in your budget you could choose from the more exquisite and unique dice sets that will be more scarce among your gaming company.

Now that we know a good dice set when we see it, let’s take a look at some other cool and unique dice brand sets that I think are very well crafted.

Cool and Unique Dice set designs

Paladin dice sets – Slate – Undine – Enchantress – Salamander – Sylph #ad
Q-Workshop Steampunk sets #ad
Q-Workshop Celtic sets #ad
Opaque Bone – CGR Gaming #ad

Best Metal dice set for mid-range budget

Paladin Roleplaying solid metal set – Silver – Antique Bronze – Black #ad

Other high quality unique metal dice sets

Battleworn Gold – Die Hard #ad
Cthulhu’s Gold – Darksilver Forge #ad
Ancient Brass – Bescon #ad
Aged Mithril – Norse Foundry #ad
Icy Doom – Skull Splitter #ad
Black Dragon – Skull Splitter #ad
Smoke and Fire – Skull Splitter #ad
Copper – Skull Splitter #ad
Brushed Silver – Dragon’s Breath #ad

If you’re looking into purchasing you first metal d&d dice set, be sure to invest in some sort of surface or tray that you can roll on so you won’t damage any wood/glass surfaces. I will be making another article soon reviewing the best dice trays and dice towers to help you choose the right one. Along with that article I will also be reviewing the best DnD dice roller. Let me know what your favorite dice sets or other dice accessories are in the comments!

Cooperative board games are a great way for gamers to get their fix. A completely different beast from what most of you will be used to, but that shouldn’t put you off. This genre has grown into one of the more popular in recent years. One of the more common reasons being that it’s a lot more difficult to fall out with your gaming buddies if the objective requires you to work together. Cooperation over competition!

Cooperative board games are ideal for families to have fun together. If you worry about argumentative siblings raising hell during what is supposed to be a relaxing evening together, this could be just what you’re looking for. That said, building teamwork skills within the family isn’t always going to be trouble free, but you can’t have it all, right?

The general idea is that the players team together and play against the game itself. Sometimes one player may be required to play the role of the antagonist, while the remaining participants make up the team. No more having to put with that annoying friend who takes it all too seriously and ends up ruining the night. Bad losers will be in their element: win together and lose together.

From an educational point of view cooperative board games are a fantastic tool for children. Personal development skills that can be learned from mastering teamwork will be essential later on in life. Okay, children also have to learn to kerb their temper with competitive gameplay, but being able to harness all the benefits of learning about teamwork without getting embroiled in arguments over winning and losing is still a good idea.

So, if you’re looking to give cooperative board games a try for the first time take a look at our list of tried and tested titles. Each selection has passed the test of crushing the review pages, and is guaranteed to be a high quality game which will give you much pleasure for years to come.

Our Picks for Best Cooperative Board Games

Pandemic

Number of Players: 2-4

For Ages: 10+

Pandemic is all about learning if you have what it takes to save the whole of humanity. Each team member takes the role of a skilled disease fighting team trying to keep four deadly diseases from wiping out the human population. You can choose either a dispatcher, medic, operations specialist, scientist, or researcher.

On each turn players move between 48 different cities taking a choice of actions; treat a single unit of infection, build a research station, or pass information to one of your fellow team members. If a player is in a city with a research station and holds five player cards of the same color then a cure for one of the disease strains is found.

The game mechanics allow for plenty of rich strategic thinking, while still being simple enough for older children to get to grips with. This game is one of the most popular board games currently available, not just in the cooperative genre. If you turn out to be a big fan after trying it out there are expansions and spin-off standalone versions to keep you going for a long time.

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Robinson Crusoe: Adventure on Cursed Island

Number of Players: 1-4

For Ages: 12+

What better way to lose yourself in an adventure than to fight for survival on a desert island. This classic board game provides seven different scenarios for players to enjoy with varying difficulty. Tons of replayability factor here.

As players take the role of castaways on an uninhabited island they must find shelter from various dangers and complete the missions for whichever scenario they chose. It all sounds so simple, and the goals are, but don’t be fooled into thinking that the gameplay isn’t interesting because it is quite complex.

Players take individual turns, sometimes undertaking a task alone or with the group, but the good of the group is the main concern for everybody.

2016 saw a re-write of the rules for a much improved version compared to the first edition. Any complaints about unclear game mechanics no longer apply.

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Arkham Horror

Number of Players: 2-8

For Ages: 12+

This horror themed title is set in the Massachusetts town of Arkham during the 1920’s, where all sorts of weird things have been happening lately. People are vanishing and there have been sightings of the most hideous creatures imaginable.

Players line-up together as a team of investigators, choosing from 16 playable characters with different special abilities. Eventually they will all square off against the 8 ancient Ones from the infamous Cthulhu Mythos universe.

Arkham Horror was originally released in 1987 and has undergone numerous refinements over the years to ultimately produce one of the best all time classics in the business. This is one game where it doesn’t really matter if you win or lose because all the fun is in the playing.

Plenty of expansions are available if you ever feel like you want to change up the story a little.

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Forbidden Island

Number of Players: 2-4

For Ages: 10+

Are you brave enough to join a team of adventurers on a quest to Forbidden Island? Your squad is on a mission to capture four sacred treasures from the ruins of the Archean Empire. This ancient civilisation was rumoured to have the ability to control the Earth’s core elements wind, earth, water, and fire by using these treasures. For years they were hidden from enemies on this island which was designed to sink if intruders came close to finding them.

Using different combinations of Adventurer, Flood, and Treasure cards on the 24 game tiles players must work together to keep the island from sinking while they seek out the treasures. Once all four treasures are in your possession the team must make their way to Fool’s Landing and escape on the helicopter. If the island sinks before this happens the team lose. Simple!

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Lord of the Rings

Number of Players: 1-5

For Ages: 10+

Lord of the Rings follows the storyline from the epic book and movie series. The objective being to destroy the infamous ring by casting it into the volcanic fires of Mount Doom. Players take the role of one of the hobbits from the Fellowship of the Ring attempting to evade the corrupting influence of the evil entity Sauron on their journey.

The group’s progress across Middle Earth is recorded on a master game board which is supported by a number of scenario boards specific to adventures in particular locations. If the hobbits are overcome by Sauron the game is lost.

This is a fantastically well crafted game which is suitable for adults just as much as children. Reviews suggest that it is at its best when a larger group is playing, but there is nothing wrong with going solo if nobody is available to play with you.

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Witch of Salem

Number of Players: 2-4

For Ages: 10+

This horror title is another game set in the early 20th century. Players team up to try and close the inter-dimensional gates preventing the Old One from entering our world, with Salem’s Master Witch Robert Craven holding the key to keeping mankind safe.

The team of scholars Craven puts together will seek out all of the hidden portals and close them with powerful magic seals.

This is one of the most challenging board games available today, so don’t be expecting to win more often than you lose. Failure to highlight teamwork in your decisions will be punished most severely.

One point which is mentioned frequently in reviews is the high standard of artwork in the game design. This is a great choice for gamers who appreciate this aspect.

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Battlestar Galactica

Number of Players: 3-6

For Ages: 10+

This is a great game based on the struggle for survival by the human race following the invasion of the Cylons. Players have a wide choice of roles from pilots to engineers, or even political leaders to military leaders. It doesn’t get much more diverse than this.

One of the players will secretly be siding with the Cylons while the rest of the team attempts to expose the traitor. The main aim of the game is for Galactica to make jumps to Kobol while the Cylons do their utmost to sabotage the effort. Political unrest along with fuel shortages and food contamination make for a tough task.

Average game time runs to around three hours, so it’s not for the faint hearted of those who struggle with their attention span. The gameplay is deep and rich in possibilities making it a decent choice for hardcore gamers who want something to really get their teeth into.

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Shadows over Camelot

Number of Players: 3-7

For Ages: 10+

In Shadows over Camelot players take the role of a knight from King Arthur’s Round Table, collaborating together in quests such as the search for the Holy Grail, Excalibur, or Sir Lancelot’s armor. As quests are completed white swords are placed on the Round Table; failed quests place a black sword instead. The knights must ensure a majority of white swords before Camelot falls.

There is a twist though. One of your fellow knights might not be a loyal as you think. They might be plotting for the destruction of Camelot and biding their time to strike.

With a maximum seven players able to play this is a great game for bigger gaming groups. Each game takes around 60-90 minutes to play.

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Defenders of the Realm

Number of Players: 1-4

For Ages: 10+

This fantasy board game is all about the King’s Champions defending the ancient Citadel of Monarch City from an impending darkness about to sweep across the land. Four creature factions are approaching the city from each side, so you and your allies must take the role as one of the champions, Cleric, Dwarf, Eagle Rider, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer or Wizard, and defend the countryside before one of the enemies enters the city.

Players make use of strategy, special abilities, cooperation, and card play in each unique adventure as they battle the likes of orcs, dragons, demons, and the undead. There is but a single road to victory but many ways to fail.

This is a highly enjoyable game which takes little time to set up and learn the rules. It’s not an easy game to win, but that just makes it all the sweeter whenever you do pull it off.

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Police Precinct

Number of Players: 1-6

For Ages: 10+

Police Precinct is a game where players take the role of police officers with different skill sets. The gameplay centers around solving a mysterious murder at the same time as controlling crime on the streets, and stopping the entire city from descending into chaos.

Just like in some of our other choices, there may be a traitor within the team. One of your number may be corrupt and taking payments from the murderer.

Players search for evidence in a pack of shuffled investigation cards, Interview Witness, Collect Crime Scene Evidence, Examine Body and Locate Murder Weapon. It’s also possible that the corrupt cop did the search and ignored any evidence he found. After so many days if the team hasn’t solved the case then the murderer will escape justice.

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Flash Point: Fire Rescue

Number of Players: 1-6

For Ages: 8+

This cooperative game of fire rescue comes with two different rule books, and three difficulty settings. Perfect for young children or adults wanting something a little lighter for their evening in.

All players are on the same side: win together, or lose together.

Whether you’re playing the basic game or the expert version, the players are attempting to rescue 7-10 victims from a burning building. As the game progresses the fire will spread to other parts of the building possibly blocking off rescue routes. If four people perish or the building collapses from too much structural damage the game is lost.

The expert version adds enough extra strategy to the game play to make this still a serious choice for the more seasoned gamer.

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Final Thoughts: Our Recommendation for Coop Fun

Every game reviewed here is well worth a purchase. They are all high quality and would stand themselves in good stead on any list of board games. Of course, we still need to made our recommendation though.

We feel that one game stands out, not just as a cooperative board game but also a game which will still be played in many years to come, and that game is Pandemic.

Pandemic has everything a game should have. The game mechanics and strategy are at a perfect level; not too complex nor too simple. The quality of the contents is also at a high level. There really isn’t anything bad to say – it’s our pick for the best cooperative board game for groups of two or more.

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In this article we’ll be covering a wide variety of the best board games for kids based on what type of game it is, strategy, fun, or educational, and for what age groups. Read on to find the perfect game to play with your children and watch them grow!

Playing board games can bring many benefits to a child’s life. Often in areas where we wouldn’t expect it. During those early years of personal development introducing something which has educational value, and which also helps to improve important life skills can only ever be a positive step. A child’s age, and how well they are developing will help us to assess what type of game will benefit their personal growth most.

What Makes the Best Board Games for Kids?

Let’s take a look at the different aspects we can hope to improve on :

• Learning to take turns

Children are notorious for being impatient. Turn based games will help to instil a willingness to wait for what they want. Concentration can also be built up this way by forcing them to pay attention while the other players take their turn.

• Learning about competition

Competitive pursuits can be a lot of fun. Children can be taught to lose gracefully while understanding that winning and losing is a normal part of life. A child’s attention span can be greatly improved by using their natural desire to win.

• Improving numeracy skills

Many games have some type of scoring system which requires a basic use of numbers. Game elements such as a number of cards which can be played over a certain number of turns remaining can help a child gain some confidence with basic arithmetic. It is obviously important that the parent does not give in to any complaints that it’s too time consuming, and then do the calculation themselves. It’s supposed to be a learning experience.

• Taking responsibility for their own actions

When children begin to play any type of competitive team game we often see many of them unwilling to accept they are at fault for a mistake. With most board games being played individually it becomes easier to teach a child that they have to face up to their own errors. Instead of concentrating on the mistake we can teach how to look back on the decisions which led to it in the first place; a great way to improve analytical thinking.

• Planning

One of the best things about being under ten years old is that you live in the here and now. There isn’t any dwelling on the past, nor looking to the future. The problem with this is that young children are terrible at planning by looking ahead. Learning even to plan a turn or two ahead will help to repeat this behavior in real life situation.

• Making tough choices

Very often, just as in real life, there may not be a perfect choice available during a tense game moment. When a decision has to be made the child will quickly learn to assess positives and negatives for each option followed by an opportunity to learn when the consequences are there for all to see.

It doesn’t have to be all about learning though. Fun is an important part of playing games with friends and family. Fostering the idea that learning can be fun with your children will also improve their attitude towards their mainstream education. With all this in mind I’ve selected a wide variety of games all of which I consider are fun to play,  with some choices educational in one way or another.

Our Picks & Reviews

Hoot Owl Hoot Review

Number of Players : 2-4

For Ages : 4+

This is a game for the younger end of the children’s market. A fully cooperative game where the players have to work together to bring four to six owls home to their nest before the sun comes up.

At the start of the game owl tokens are placed on a track made up of colored sections. Players draw three cards initially, and then play one every turn followed by drawing a replacement. Most cards have a color, but there are also cards with a sun which the player must play right away by moving a sun token one space along the sun track.

When a player plays a color card an owl token can move to the next instance of that color on the owl track. If the section is already occupied then the owl can move along to the next one. This concept gives the players a way to work together by getting them to think ahead to formulate the most effective plan to get the owls home based on what cards they are all holding.

If the sun token reaches the end of its track before the owls are home in their nest then all the players lose together.

Maybe not a game which can maintain a child’s interest for too many years, but for the recommended age group it is extremely popular.

Robot Turtles

Number of Players : 2-5

For Ages : 4+

Only released onto the market in 2013 Robot Turtles is a modern game with a twist. Invented by a software programmer who one afternoon decided if he could produce a game which teaches the fundamentals of programming but still captivates a child’s interest.

The players use “code cards” to dictate the movement of their robot turtle on the board. Forward, left, and right. Any mistakes along the way can be rectified by playing a “bug” card, and the player shouting “undo.”  The aim is to reach a jewel which means they win, although it is usual for all players to continue until they have a jewel too.

Varying levels of difficulty have been built into the rules, with ever more complicated  code cards, and obstacles available. This helps to give the game decent longevity across a wide range of suitable ages.

Scoring high on most reviews this educational gem comes highly recommended.

Forbidden Island

Number of Players : 2-4

For Ages : 10+

Another cooperative board game, but this time aimed at the older end of the children’s market.

Players each take the role of a different adventurer searching for hidden treasure on a mysterious island. As the island sinks all around them they have to work together to find the treasure and escape in the helicopter before it is totally flooded.

The island is represented by twenty four double sided tiles with one side colored blue to show that section is now flooded. During each turn players can take actions such as moving, shoring up a tile from flooded to not flooded, passing a treasure card to another player in the tile, and collecting a treasure.

There are also two free actions which can be done at any time outside of the player’s normal turn by discarding the corresponding treasure card. Helicopter lifting another player , and sandbagging a flooded tile.

Multiple levels of difficulty have been built into the game, with variation possible by switching around some of the rules. Much has also been said about the high quality of game components provided. Visually impressive, the level of attention to detail is incredible.

At an average of thirty minutes per game this multi award winning game is sure to keep your child entertained for many hours. At such a bargain price it has to be worth a try. I think this is one of the most fun / best board games for kids for the value.

Splendor

Number of Players: 2-4

For Ages : 8+

This multi award winning game absolutely crushes the reviews section anywhere you look. Only published in 2014 Splendor was nominated for the prestigious “Spiel des Jahres” award at the end of its first year on the market.

Players take the role of gem merchants during the renaissance period accumulating prestige points with the aim to collect fifteen before any of your opponents. This is achieved by buying gem mines, means of transportation, or shops.

Each turn a player can collect gems, buy and build a card, or reserve a card. All cards will increase your wealth by giving a bonus on further purchases.

The gameplay is extremely smooth,and simple, with most games completed with half an hour. At first glance you might think it is just too simple to hold interest for long, but that is not true. The best strategy depends on what your opponents are doing, with more players it then becomes much more difficult to play optimally.

A great lesson in planning and forward thinking for any child. This beautifully crafted game is a welcome addition to any collection.

The Magic Labyrinth

Number of Players : 2-4

For Ages : 6+

An easy game to understand and play, The Magic Labyrinth is suitable for the younger end of the market.

Players take the role of magician apprentices trying to recover some magic objects without their master noticing anything. Played on a six by six board which is laid on top of the maze so that the walls are in effect invisible. Players roll dice to determine how many squares they can move each turn, with the aim to move to the square containing a treasure.

Each magician apprentice has a magnetic ball attached beneath the playing piece which becomes detached if the player attempts to move through the wall. The players have to return to their corner starting square if this happens.

The longer this goes on the more accurate mental picture can be built up to locate a clear path to a treasure. A simple but effective tool for encouraging a child to improve their memory.

As each treasure is found, another one is placed with the first player to collect five declared the winner.

Pyramid (AKA Fluch der Mumie or Curse of the Mummy)

Number of Players : 2-5

For Ages : 8+

This is a game with asymmetrical goals where one player takes the role of the mummy, and all the other players are tomb raiders hunting treasure.

The board is set up vertically with a mummy piece on either side, but the tomb raider pieces are hidden from the mummy player.

All players move their piece according to the roll of dice, with the mummy trying to deduce where the tomb raiders are by the color of their treasure cards and what numbers they roll.

Once the mummy moves over a tomb raider player they are considered caught and lose life points. Once the mummy collects a certain number of life points it is the overall winner. If the treasure hunters secure a certain number of treasures then they win.

With the use of dice we have an element of luck. Memorization and even bluffing can become important too.

7 Wonders

Number of Players : 2-7

For Ages : 10+

As a leader of one of the seven great cities of the ancient world you will battle for dominance against the other players. Build up your military supremacy while gathering resources and developing commercial routes.

7 wonders is a dedicated card game with aim of earning as many victory points as possible. The game is played over three ages with a different deck used for each phase. As the age starts each player is dealt seven cards, they select one to play and pass the remainder to an adjacent player face down. This process is repeated until five of the seven cards have been played. Then each player chooses one of their remaining two cards, discarding the other.

The cards represent structures, and when you play the card you are building it. This costs either coins or resources which you have saved. It is also possible to buy resources from a direct neighbor.

With such a wide variety of cards in each deck the possibilities for inventive strategies are many. There are seven different ways to achieve a victory point.

After a great deal of quick success five official expansion packs have been released, with several fan published options available for download free of charge.

Overall this is another highly rated choice that does well in many different review sections online.

Dominion

Number of Players : 2-4

For Ages : 10+

Players take the role of a medieval monarch eager to build an ever more powerful kingdom. They strive to create a dominion!

This is another card based game, but with a difference. Dominion is a deck building game where players compete to create the most valuable deck from fourteen different card types.

Players draw cards from a deck of their own which allow them to perform actions and then buy cards from a communal deck. The aim is to earn the most victory points by the end of the game.

The game comes with five hundred cards allowing incredible variety. No two games are ever likely to be the same.

Each turn the players go through the same sequence of phases. Action phase, buy phase, and clean up phase. The game ends under two different conditions. Either the province card stack is depleted, or when three other stacks from the supply are exhausted. Different end of game conditions were introduced in the game’s expansion packs for some added variety.

At thirty to forty minutes per game it is possible to get through a decent number of games in an evening. One point often made about Dominion is how an experienced player can beat a newbie quite easily. With each game not taking up too much time experience can be built up quickly.

My First Carcassonne

Number of Players : 2-4

For Ages : 4+

This remake of the classic Carcassonne is aimed at including an even younger section of the market.

The back story for this version is that all the town’s sheep, chickens, and cows have been set free in the town of Carcassonne. The children have to capture all the animals before sunset.

Just like in the classic version players draw a landscape tile and place it. The difference is that all the tiles match and so can be placed anywhere on the board. By completing roads players will be able to place their “meeples” wherever on the path there is a picture of their character. The game’s underlying strategy is all about which paths to close off and which to leave alone.

At an average of only twenty minutes per game there shouldn’t ever be any problems with attention spans not being up to the task.

The game teaches children a variety of skills from basic arithmetic, to spatial awareness. If your child learns quickly and masters this version, then of course there is the classic version which will keep them occupied for years to come.

Chess

Number of Players : 2

For Ages : 3+

A repetition from the adults and kids list, but deservedly so. Every single educational benefit mentioned in the introductory section applies to chess. In recent years we are seeing more and more scientific evidence showing how playing the game regularly from an early age can aid brain development.

Attending school with a boosted analytical ability and decision making ability can help a child stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive world.

The mental clarity gained from regular practice can help with just about any other part of somebody’s life. There are no negatives whatsoever, providing other important aspects of a child’s personal development do not get neglected at the expense of chess study or practice. Mainstream education and learning social skills remain firmly at the front of priorities.

Creativity is another aspect of your child’s life which can be boosted through chess. Logic and critical thinking are used mostly, but so often during a game there is opportunity for original thought.

Finally, chess is a discipline which rewards hard work. With a clear numerical rating system for players, any improvement will be highlighted fast enough. A child growing up with the understanding that working hard really does pay off will see this idea pay dividends throughout their life.

Conclusion

Unlike choosing a game suitable for both adults and children, choosing for children alone allows us to be more specific in what we are targeting.

Education over fun?

Any of the games listed above will at the very least be fun. If you’re choosing a game without any input from your child then rather than me providing a recommendation, I strongly suggest you look a bit further in depth at a short list to consider what educational aspects are your priority. Overall the best board games for kids is one that’s most of all fun, and if it provides educational or strategic value past that – it’s a bonus!  If your children are considering getting into RPG games you can check out my review of the best dice sets for DnD and other similar games.