The Internet Has Spoken, and These Are the Best Board Games to Buy for Kids in 2021
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The Internet Has Spoken, and These Are the Best Board Games to Buy for Kids in 2021
Every parent dreads the words "I'm bored." Turn that bored into board games, though, and you'll never hear it again! With the Christmas holidays quickly approaching, you, like many parents, might be looking for activities to keep little ones busy before the big day or when they need a break from their new gadgets. Or maybe you're looking for something classic to put under the tree, or even a game the whole family can partake in. Good news: we've got you covered. We picked 38 of our absolute favorite board games, including generation-old classics to new favorites. Come winter, your family is going to be stocked on games to snuggle up next to the fire with and enjoy a little family time (or, try another favorite indoor activity!).
The first step for a successful family game night is to pick the games everyone will enjoy. Here, we've done some helpful research for you and found the absolute best, most popular board games for kids in 2021. Thousands of glowing Amazon reviews can't be wrong—especially when they're coupled with our own board game expertise. We've made sure to include every option for you and your family, from the classic (Candy Land, Trivial Pursuit, and more) to the newfangled (Bananagrams) and even cult-favorites like Settlers.
So when the next rainy, snowy, or just downright dreary day comes around, think of it as an opportunity to gather the whole family for a dice-rolling, "Sor-ry!", laugh-out-loud get-together. And for you full-fledged grown-ups who just can't let the kids win, you may just have the most fun. Pull out these best adult board games after the kids go to bed!
Amazon - 2/39
Sequence
Sequence
amazon.com
$11.17
Sequence offers your child a chance to learn about the importance of strategic thinking. And it's pretty easy to pick up on the rules: When you've got five chips in a row, that's a Sequence. A great pick for card-lovers, too!
Amazon - 3/39
Qwirkle Board Game
MindWare
amazon.com
$24.95
Qwirkle involves thinking ahead, planning strategically, and moving methodically—but that doesn't mean it's hard. In fact, it'll only take a few moments to explain to new players, and it's perfect for both kids and adults.
Amazon - 4/39
Eye Found It Board Game
Wonder Forge
amazon.com
$59.95
This board game is big on both size and fun! The board itself is six feet long, which makes it fun for a bigger group to tackle. It promotes cooperation, focus, memory, and matching skills.
Amazon - 5/39
Trivial Pursuit Family Edition
Hasbro Gaming
amazon.com
$11.99
One of our favorites on this list, this new version of Trivial Pursuit encourages kids to learn, read, and engage more with the world around them. It also actually gives them a chance at winning with a separate stack of "cards for kids."
Amazon - 6/39
Catan
Catan Studio
amazon.com
It's beloved for a reason. Catan (or Settlers, as it's known among fans) is the game your kids will want to play over and over again. Once they learn the rules, that is.
amazon.com - 7/39
Herd Mentality
Big Potato
amazon.com
$20.00
Herd Mentality might be one you're not familiar with now, but it'll soon be a go-to in your gaming arsenal. The premise is simple: a question is read and each person has to write an answer. If you answer with the majority of the group, you win. But, if you're the odd one out, the pink cow tramples your score.
Amazon - 8/39
Trouble
Winning Moves Games
amazon.com
$12.99
Pop the dice in the middle bubble to get your pegs the the finish line. Fair warning: You may hear the "pop" in your sleep!
Amazon - 9/39
Baseball Game
uncommongoods.com
$68.00
Get out the peanuts and Cracker Jacks—it's time to play ball! Whether on the porch or at the dining room table, you can play America's favorite pastime any time you want with this wooden tabletop version. Customize the game board with your favorite team's color and logo. Makes a great gift!
Uncommon Goods - 10/39
Hungry Hungry Hippos
Hasbro Gaming
amazon.com
14.99
Is your hippo the hungriest? See how many marbles your animal can chomp. The player who collects the most wins.
Amazon Prime - 11/39
Yahtzee
Hasbro Gaming
amazon.com
$6.82
There's no board here—all you need is a flat surface. Be warned: This game of rolling luck is addictive!
Amazon - 12/39
Tabletop Cornhole
UncommonGoods
uncommongoods.com
$50.00
When you can't get outside to play the real thing, this tabletop version of cornhole will do the trick! Tweens and older kids will especially love catapulting the tiny bean bags into the hole. The handy peg system in the middle keeps score.
Uncommon Goods - 13/39
Dog Lover's Playing Cards
Amazon - 14/39
Ridley's Drawsome People Group Party Game
Ridley's
amazon.com
$18.16
The perfect game for doodlers. This one will have all the players laughing out loud.
Amazon - 15/39
Don't Break the Ice Game
Hasbro Gaming
amazon.com
$14.99
Don't let Phillip the Penguin fall! In this fun game, players are asked to "tap out" ice blocks one by one—all without disturbing little Phillip.
Amazon - 16/39
Crocodile Dentist
Hasbro Gaming
amazon.com
$20.99
Ages 4 and up will love playing this battery-less game (a win for parents!). Carefully inspect the crocodile's teeth without getting your fingers "chomped"!
Amazon - 17/39
Battleship Game
Hasbro Gaming
amazon.com
14.88
You probably know this game from your own childhood. Now it's time to share the fun with your kids! Using small, colored pegs, they'll attempt to sink their opponent’s ships in order to win.
Amazon - 18/39
The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game
Educational Insights
amazon.com
$22.52
Guide your squirrel friends to their acorn snacks in this adorable game made specifically for toddlers. It's as easy to pick up as it is fun to play, and includes a nifty storage box.
Amazon - 19/39
Bugs in the Kitchen Game
Ravensburger
amazon.com
$28.24
Roll the die, forge a path, then trap the "bug"! This hilarious, adventurous game will keep your kids entertained for hours.
Amazon - 20/39
Monopoly Game: Disney Frozen 2 Edition
Monopoly
amazon.com
$15.81
If your kids love the Frozen franchise, they'll love playing this themed version of Monopoly, which twists and turns straight through Arendelle (and beyond)! The scenes, tokens, and board are all inspired by the popular movies.
Amazon - 21/39
Labyrinth Board Game
Ravensburger
amazon.com
$24.99
There's a reason this game boasts thousands of excellent reviews on Amazon: It's ideal for a wide range of ages (7 and up!) and features easy-to-understand instructions.
Amazon - 22/39
Greedy Granny
Goliath
amazon.com
$19.99
Try to grab cookies and other delicious treats from Granny's tray before she wakes up! If you fail, her teeth might just pop out. Ages 4 and up will enjoy this silly game.
Amazon - 23/39
Pictionary
Mattel
amazon.com
$19.95
Can you believe Pictionary's only been around since 1985? The timeless game brings back fun memories from our own childhoods, and no matter the decade, we know kids of all ages will love it. Plus, the worse you are at drawing, the better the game gets!
Amazon - 25/39
Chess
Pressman
amazon.com
$10.88
Checkmate! Chess might just be the ultimate game of outsmarting your opponent. Kids and adults alike can get in on the fun!
Amazon - 26/39
Candy Land
Hasbro
amazon.com
$8.99
Doesn't every household own Candy Land? There's no reading required to play this board game, kids of all ages can take part. The littles will especially love guiding their gingerbread man game piece through this colorful, entertaining board.
Amazon - 27/39
Guess Who?
Hasbro Gaming
amazon.com
$9.44
An easy game for anyone to pick up, Guess Who? asks players to try to figure out each other's mystery characters. With bright colors and fun, cartoonish illustrations, it's a solid choice for any youngster.
Amazon - 28/39
Connect 4
Hasbro Gaming
amazon.com
9.84
"Disc-dropping fun," indeed. Get to know your child better with this simple and easy two-player game, which involves dropping colored discs into a grid. You'll be surprised: It can get challenging, even for grown-ups.
Amazon - 29/39
The Game of Life
Hasbro Gaming
amazon.com
$19.89
For more than 40 years, The Game of Life has delighted parents and children alike. We think you'll love making this a game-night fixture for your own family.
Amazon - 30/39
Mouse Trap
Hasbro Gaming
amazon.com
$24.99
Mouse Trap invites kids to get their "mouse" around the board without getting trapped in one of the many obstacles. Adorable, miniature cheese slices add an adorable layer to the action.
Amazon - 31/39
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Clue
Hasbro
amazon.com
$9.84
It's a classic board game for a reason. And while there's a Clue Jr. available now, we think kids can take on the challenge of participating in the nostalgia-inducing, OG game. After all, deductive reasoning will get them far in life.
Amazon - 33/39
Mattel Apples to Apples Party Box The Game of Crazy Combinations
Amazon - 34/39
Operation
Hasbro
amazon.com
$17.97
Learn the art of precision while trying to operate on the poor patient in this game. The extra small pieces require a steady hand, but our bet is that the whole fam will love it!
Amazon - 35/39
Fishing Game
Haktoys
amazon.com
$19.95
Who can catch the most fish from the rotating fishpond? That's the premise of this now-retro game, which will help your child develop important hand-eye coordination skills and improve their reflexes too.
Amazon - 36/39
Blokus Strategy Game
Mattel Games
amazon.com
$21.99
A game of real (but kid-friendly) strategy, Blokus takes less than a minute to learn. Each of the pieces you put on the board has to touch another piece of the same color, but only at the corners.
Amazon - 37/39
Twister Ultimate
Hasbro Gaming
amazon.com
$19.99
The best summer party game, Twister's like a life-size board game where the players are the pieces. Best of all, it can be played outdoors or indoors. This new and improved version features a mat that's twice the size of the original, with many more dots too, making it the perfect option for large groups.
Amazon - 38/39
Monopoly
Monopoly
amazon.com
19.79
Monopoly might as well be the gateway to financial literacy. In this classic board game, players buy, sell, and trade their way to winning. (If only that paper money was the real thing!)
Amazon - 39/39
Sorry!
Hasbro Gaming
amazon.com
$9.84
Here's a fun update for you: Sorry! now boasts interactive digital content that accompanies its traditional board-based game. We can't think of a better way to bring two (or more) generations together.
Amazon
