Children

Top 5 best board games for family fun

Written by Agathe Rosse

There’s nothing like a good game of board games full of laughter to have a good time with the family. Despite what one might think with the explosion of technology and video games, the board game economy is still in good shape, with new games coming out every year. But the more there are, the less you know how to choose! Especially since there are games for all tastes and styles, and it’s hard to know if you’re going to like or have fun just by looking at the box or reading the rule.

If you don’t know much about board games and don’t know which ones to choose for your family evenings, check out our top 5 best family board games.

🏆TOP 10 of the best family board games


Our favorite

 

What is a family board game?

By definition, a board game is a game designed to be played by several people. Board games cannot be played alone (unless you have fun playing different people). Contrary to what one might think, board games are not just for children. Far from it! Every year, designers create new and funnier games for children and adults alike.

Everybody knows the traditional board games such as Monopoly, Dominos, Good Pay, small horses… Even if these games are still very nice, there are nowadays much more modern games suitable for the whole family.

 

Which board games to play with the family?

Board games can take many forms. You will have a wide choice between board games like Monopoly, card games like Uno, dice games like Yam’s, strategy games, travel games, speed games, memory games…. There are an infinite number of board games, both in form and in rules.

In addition to being an excellent recreational activity to share, board games are a great way to stimulate children, and to foster their development by teaching them concentration, patience, respect for rules and players, strategy, etc. When choosing your family game, think about the benefits it can bring to your toddlers.

To play as a family, you should choose a board game that suits the age and interests of you, the parents, and your children. Strategy or speed games are more appropriate for older children and even teenagers. The brands have adapted and offer board and card games for all ages, and have even declined the great classics so that they are accessible to adults and children alike.

 

How to choose a family board game?

Buying a board game to share as a family is a great way to spend some quality time and strengthen bonds. Before you head out to the various stores looking for the game that will entertain the whole family, discover our buying guide and the criteria to take into account when choosing the ideal board game at the best value for money.

  • Age of the players

This criterion is very important in choosing a game that will suit all members of the family. Apart from understanding the rules of the game, which must be accessible, it is also important to take this criterion into account with regard to the elements of the game. If you have small children, watch out for small coins, pawns or other objects that could be dangerous. Opt for a board game where everyone can participate, understand and have fun, with a fun and educational aspect for our toddlers.

  • The number of players

Board games are often designed to be played by several people. In order to enjoy and have a good time with the whole family, make sure that the game you choose can be played by all members.

  • Difficulty of the rule and the game

The goal is for everyone to have fun and enjoy the board game. It is therefore important that all members can understand and play without worries. The game components, such as the cards for example, must also be easily understood by all players.

  • Type of game and theme

There are all types of games on the market: card games, board games, dice etc. The board games are very nice and well thought out for family games. Just make sure that the elements are not dangerous if you have small children. For a good time, opt for atmospheric games, which ensure crazy laughter and relaxation.

The theme of the game is also an element to take into account, to interest your toddlers. You will have the choice between strategy games, construction games, puzzle games, on hundreds of different themes such as knights, fantasy, wizard, medieval, pirates, pyramid, puzzles etc.. Opt for a game that will please everyone, both in terms of the rules and the theme.

  • Time of a game

Especially if you have small ends, favour board games with rather short games, or you risk disinteresting or even annoying them quite quickly. Also, the turns should not be too long if you have toddlers, at the risk that they will drop out if they don’t play for a long time.

  • Strength and durability (especially for young children)

Whether you choose games for children or for older children, the goal is to be able to use them for as long as possible! Check that the board game is of good quality, as well as the elements that make it up, to avoid the game lasting only a few games.

 

What are the best family board games? Our top 5

Asmodee – Time’s Up Party Game
Asmodée - Dobble Classic Blister DOBB02FR Mood Game - French Language
Asmodee – Dixit Board Game [French Version] - French Language
Our favorite ❤️
Hasbro – Cranium Board Game (French Version)
Jeu Catan : Le Jeu de Base - French Language
Asmodee – Time’s Up Party Game
Asmodée - Dobble Classic Blister DOBB02FR Mood Game - French Language
Asmodee – Dixit Board Game [French Version] - French Language
Hasbro – Cranium Board Game (French Version)
Jeu Catan : Le Jeu de Base - French Language
Type of game
Card game
Card game
Board game
Board game
Board game
Skills
Memory, reflection, reactivity
Observation, speed, reactivity
Imagination, creativity, reflection, observation
Imagination, reactivity
Strategy, reflection, observation
Number of players
4 to 12 players
2 to 8 players
3 to 8 players
4 to 6 players
3 to 4 players
Minimum age
7 Years old
6 years old
8 years old
5 years old
8 years old
Duration of a game
30-45 min
15 min
45 - 60 min
45 min
60-75 min
Pocket game
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-
-
Asmodee – Time’s Up Party Game
Asmodee – Time’s Up Party Game
Type of game
Card game
Skills
Memory, reflection, reactivity
Number of players
4 to 12 players
Minimum age
7 Years old
Duration of a game
30-45 min
Pocket game
-
Asmodée - Dobble Classic Blister DOBB02FR Mood Game - French Language
Asmodée - Dobble Classic Blister DOBB02FR Mood Game - French Language
Type of game
Card game
Skills
Observation, speed, reactivity
Number of players
2 to 8 players
Minimum age
6 years old
Duration of a game
15 min
Pocket game
Asmodee – Dixit Board Game [French Version] - French Language
Asmodee – Dixit Board Game [French Version] - French Language
Type of game
Board game
Skills
Imagination, creativity, reflection, observation
Number of players
3 to 8 players
Minimum age
8 years old
Duration of a game
45 - 60 min
Pocket game
-
Our favorite ❤️
Hasbro – Cranium Board Game (French Version)
Hasbro – Cranium Board Game (French Version)
Type of game
Board game
Skills
Imagination, reactivity
Number of players
4 to 6 players
Minimum age
5 years old
Duration of a game
45 min
Pocket game
-
Jeu Catan : Le Jeu de Base - French Language
Jeu Catan : Le Jeu de Base - French Language
Type of game
Board game
Skills
Strategy, reflection, observation
Number of players
3 to 4 players
Minimum age
8 years old
Duration of a game
60-75 min
Pocket game

 

  1. Time’s Up Family by Asmodeus

A simple game where you still have to be reactive and thoughtful, Time’s Up promises you lots of laughs and fun with this team game. The rule is simple, there’s a deck of cards with words written on them. The goal is to get his team to guess as many words as possible in the time allotted. In 3 rounds, you’ll have to first make people guess the word by describing it, then with a single word, and finally by miming it. It will therefore be necessary to use your memory to remember past words and make them guess!

Designed for children with everyday vocabulary words, this game is perfectly adapted when they can read, for completely crazy games. If you have toddlers, you can opt for the children’s version with pictures instead of words to make them guess. Transportable everywhere in its small bag, you can find card refills available to enrich the game when you begin to know it, to consume without moderation!

How to play Time’s Up Family?


Great family time to spend with this game. Children can play like grown-ups and this develops their way of expressing themselves, of miming, of analysing! The whole family enjoys playing! For early Times UP fans, we loved introducing our kid to this version!

Discover Time’s Up Family in pictures

 

  1. Dobble Classic by Asmodeus

The Dobble is a pocket-size ambient game ideal for developing speed and observation skills. Very fast and user-friendly, the aim is simple: drawings are shown in bulk on the round cards. All players play at the same time, and must find the same symbol between their card and the middle one. There are several variations and mini games to avoid boredom and create variations! Suitable from 4 years old and adored by adults, you can also opt for the Dobble Kids or the Dobble Junior, or Dobbles with special themes: Food or Fantasia. The game can be played from 2, and requires visual memory and speed to run your game first! The games are fast, and stimulate all the players, so you can share good times without getting bored!

How do you play Dobble?


Perfect for the whole family. My four-year-old daughter loves this game. It works on the child’s reactivity, visual concentration and speed. It even helps to discover new words, like a club, a candy apple, a macaroon, or a leprauchun.

Discover Dobble in pictures

 

  1. Dixit de Libellud

Very poetic and visual, Dixit is a board game that stimulates imagination and creativity. With the help of beautifully designed, softly dreamy cards, give a card to the storyteller, who has launched a theme that describes one of his cards. Players must try to guess the storyteller’s card to earn points. A little more strategic and reflexive, this board game is rather intended for children from 8 years old. Many extensions are possible, to add cards to the game and avoid boredom. It is advisable to play with more than 4 players for a little more challenge.

How to play Dixit?


It’s an excellent game. You just have to get your imagination going, that’s all. At first you don’t really see how to approach things, you don’t have any ideas and then you let yourself go and everyone gets caught up. We can play as a family without any problems.
Our holiday must-have. Finally a game that changes, that’s fun and appeals to all ages.

Discover Dixit in pictures

 

 

  1. Hasbro Junior Cranium

If you already know the Cranium, its Junior version to enjoy wild family games will seduce you. This board game combines mime, drawing, riddles, and clay sculpture. The rule is simple, as a team, you have to make people guess the word on the map by miming, sculpting, describing or drawing. A family game that stimulates imagination and reactivity to discover from 5 years old. If your children are teenagers, the classic version will be more suitable with more complex guessing words. There is also a family version for even more fun. An essential board game, to share with family or friends.

Very varied game: Mime, drawing, modeling… There’s something for everyone! I highly recommend! Adults can participate and have as much fun as children. Don’t take up too much space to take on vacation eventually. What more!

Discover the Cranium Junior in pictures

 

  1. Asmodee Catan

Catan is a strategy game in board version that provides stratagem and reflection. The goal is to build as many cities, roads and settlements on the island as possible before the opposing players move in. Suitable for children from 10 years old, the Catan guarantees you a very interesting moment of play, where strategy and exchanges will be the key. Extensions are available, to vary the themes of the game. The rub is that this version is limited to 4 players. We advise you to add extensions, or to opt for the Big Box version if you are often numerous. For toddlers, a junior version from 3-4 years old is available.

How to play Catan?


At last an interesting game where you can play small and big with almost equal chances.
Each party is different and each can develop a different strategy.
My 7-year-old son has figured it out and can finally play with us.

Discover the Catan in pictures

 

Where to find board games?

Board games are fairly easy to find. You can find some in supermarkets, but you will have very little choice.

The best solution is to go to the specialist shops often found in the city centre. You will discover an incredibly wide choice, with games of all kinds and for everyone. The advantage is that you will be able to get advice from experienced salespeople in the field, who will be able to find the perfect game according to your criteria. If you don’t have specialized stores, you can find most of the games in the big stores such as La Grande Récré, Joué Club, Toys’R’Us, FNAC etc.

The Internet also offers a wide choice of board games, which you can find at more attractive prices on Amazon or Cdiscount.

Best family board games: why trust us?

Thank you for reading this article! Because we know that it is not always easy to make the best choice without trying, each of our recommendations is the result of a long work of analysis of consumer opinions on flagship and little-known products on the market, of comparison of prices and technical characteristics, but also and above all of tests by a team of men and women constantly renewed in order to keep a real objectivity to help you in your purchasing process.

All the purchasing criteria are scrutinized for the realization of our comparative guides: budget, level of range, functional and practical aspects, design, pack and accessories, safety… All this in order to help you choose the products best suited to your needs, desires and constraints on a daily basis, at the best price!

4/5 - (9 votes)

About the author

Agathe Rosse

I have been a kindergarten assistant for 4 years now, I enjoy my free time for my passions. I love cooking (gourmet food is my biggest flaw!), adventure and sports. Writing is one of my hobbies, to let the pen express my thoughts. I never leave without my little notebook!