Don't Waste Your Money is supported by our readers. When you purchase an item through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best Board Games

Last updated on July 31, 2024
Categories Toys & Games Tags
Best Board Games

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

Our Picks For The Top Board Games

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Key Takeaway
 Top Pick

Catan Studio The Catan Strategy Board Game

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Catan Studio

The Catan Strategy Board Game

Teach kids what life was like in early America with this classic board game. Each player will need to settle a piece of land, then build and begin trading to grow their colony. Players will be awarded points along the way and the player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Overall Take

Great Educational ToolSince this board game encourages social interaction, it's an ideal choice for family game night.

 Best Celebrity Game

PlayMonster Celebrity Name Game

PlayMonster

Celebrity Name Game

Based on the TV game show, this game has players guessing names of celebrities, things, places and more. One player gives clues and the others on the team try to guess. The timer plays a catchy tune to keep you entertained while you're guessing.

Overall Take

Great for FamiliesRequiring a minimum of four players, this game is ideal for families with children as young as 13.

 Runner Up

Days Of Wonder Ticket To Ride Adventure Board Game

Days Of Wonder

Ticket To Ride Adventure Board Game

Do you have a train enthusiast in your home? If so, this board game is the perfect gift. Players must build train tracks across the U.S., earning points for longer routes and completing destination tickets. The player who earns the most points wins. The game is even compatible with Alexa, so feel free to challenge Alexa to a game.

Overall Take

Adventure AwaitsIt takes just 15 minutes to learn how to play this board game, which lasts between 30 and 60 minutes each time.

 We Also Like

Jax SEQUENCE STEM Board Game

Jax

SEQUENCE STEM Board Game

If you're searching for a board game that's both easy for children and challenging for adults, this option is your best bet. Players are issued cards that match corresponding spaces on the board. When a card is played, a chip is placed on the board. It will take a bit of strategy to end up a winner, as the game allows for blocking opponents and rem...

Overall Take

Develops STEM SkillsThis board game is a great choice for family game night as it allows for up to 12 players.

Buying Guide

Before electronics were so readily available, families spent rainy days inside playing board games. There are a number of benefits associated with playing these games, which is why they are still an excellent choice for passing time.

For starters, board games allow friends and family to spend quality bonding time together. Some games are played in teams, encouraging players to learn how to work together to achieve success. Another benefit is increased brain power: Board games often require players to strategize, track certain patterns and focus on the task at hand.

Board games can also be used to teach younger children important life lessons. Kids will need to learn how to follow rules, take turns and practice humility whether winning or losing when playing board games. Fine motor skill and hand eye coordination are also improved, as little ones work on moving their pieces around the board.

When shopping for board games, you first need to consider the age group you’re targeting. There are games for toddlers as young as 18 months, as well as individuals as old as 100. You’ll also find games that cater to the entire family.

Children who haven’t yet learned how to read would do best with a board game that focuses on recognizing colors and shapes. Kids are also attracted to bright colors, which will help you capture their interest. Try starting with a simple game that only requires toddlers to move their game piece from one side of the board to the other. Make sure these games are also easy to clean up afterward. To help them get started on their lifetime of gaming advenures we rounded up the best board games for young children.

As kids begin to age, they do better with board games that present more of a challenge. Look for strategy games that improve STEM skills. These include games that require players to conquer a sequence of spaces, whether on a board or a vertical grid. Trivia games are also ideal for this age group. You’ll find both card and DVD trivia games on the market.

Don’t forget to pick up a game (or two) that is known to provoke laughter among its players. These games are great for reducing stress and just allowing everyone to let loose and have fun. The game may require getting up and acting out a scene or reading a card and having other players try to guess what you’re saying.

What to Look For

  • Many board games have small pieces. These pieces present choking hazards to small children, especially toddlers age 3 and under, so use caution when storing them in a home with babies and toddlers. You may wish to keep them on a top shelf or in a garage.
  • Make sure the game’s number of players matches your needs. Some games can only be played by two to four individuals, while others allow for as many as 12 players.
  • Another thing you’ll want to keep in mind when shopping for a board game is the length of game time. Younger children may only have enough focus for a 15 to 20 minute game. Teens and adults can handle games that last much longer.
  • Did you know there are board game cafes? Check to see if there’s one in your area. You can visit the cafe and try out a few different board games that you may be considering buying. That way, you’ll know whether you like the game or not before you spend money on it.
  • Some board games are sold in multiple languages. Make sure you’re picking up the game in the language that is used in your household.
  • Check the board game’s rating. Some are created with content that is made for older teens and adults. These wouldn’t be suitable for homes with younger children.
  • In addition to family game night, board games are a great tool to break the ice when meeting new people. They can be used by kids at a sleepover, in a classroom to encourage strategic play or on vacation as a way to unwind from work and school.
  • Consider popping a bag of popcorn, blending up some smoothies or milkshakes and putting out a bag of potato chips to enjoy with your family and friends as you sit down to enjoy some game time.
  • Board games make excellent Christmas or birthday presents. They can also be used as a reward for a great report card or for showing responsibility with household chores.
  • Kids are notorious for losing things. Don’t fret if some of your game pieces go missing. You can buy replacement pieces for most games, which means you won’t have to shell out the money for whole new game.
  • Board games range in price based on skill level, design and the number of pieces in the set. For the most part, however, board games are quite budget-friendly.

More to Explore

Board games have been around since the dawn of time, so it’s interesting to take a look at some of the oldest known games and where they originated.

Dice were used for games more than 5,000 years ago. A set of 49 painted stones was found at the Başur Höyük burial mound in southeast Turkey, and these stones matched other pieces located in present-day countries like Syria and Iran.

The game senet, which is like our current game backgammon, was played around 3,000 B.C. in Egypt.

A version of chess can be traced back to the 7th century. The game was called chaturanga and was first played in India, though different versions of the game were played in Persia and other places.

A game called the Royal Game of Ur was played over 4,500 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia. The decorative board is made up of 20 squares, with the objective of the game being the first player to successfully move his piece from one side of the board to the other.

Majong has been played in China since the Qing Dynasty. Although the game originally used 144 tiles made from bamboo and bone, we can now play this game digitally on our home computers!

From our partners