10 of the Best Family Games for Game Night or One-on-One Time
From playing cards with my grandparents to Spoons with my high school friends, games have brought fun memories, laughs, and closer relationships. Today I’m sharing some of our favorite games, the ones we’re playing and loving right now with our family of seven that includes young kids up to teens, and of course, us parents. I’ve included some of the best family games for game night and those we love to play during one-on-one time with our kids. I hope these ideas bring laughs and love to your home and family!
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The Best Family Games for Groups
Whether you’re having family game night or inviting friends over for a simple night of fun, these are some of the best family games for groups.
Poetry for Neanderthalls
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This game will have everyone in fits of giggles as you try to get your team to guess the words by talking like a Neanderthall (ie only using one syllable words). And if your crowd loves a little goofy action, you’ll appreciate the inflatable bopping stick for when people mess up.
Recommended Ages: The box recommends Poetry for Neanderthalls for ages 7+. This is about right in our experience. It’s still tricky for adults as “we not good at talk like this.”
Throw Throw Burrito
This action-packed game is a combination of spoons (where you’re trying to quickly gather matches) and dodge ball. However, instead of throwing balls, you throw squishy burritos. There’s something oddly satisfying about throwing burritos at each other.
There is a variation for two players on this and my littlest ones enjoy playing with just mom or dad, but Throw Throw Burrito is ideal for groups.
Recommended Ages: The box recommends ages 7+ for Throw Throw Burrito. We’ve adapted the rules to make it simpler (like playing open hand or only having one kind of burrito duel), so our kids started loving it at age four. Our teenagers and adults play it at a higher, little bit more intense level of competition and love it.
Qwirkle
While some of the other games mentioned are high energy games, Qwirkle is great when you feel like playing a calm game. The goal is to score the most points by placing your tiles to create chains according to color and shape. It’s a good combination of skill and luck. (Is it just me or is that combination magical for your kids too? It’s like we can use thinking skills, but we take the loss easier because luck is involved. 😂) The game recommends two to four players, but I’m sure we’ve played with five, having the youngest kids on teams.
Recommended Ages: The game manufacturer recommends ages 6+. This is about right in our family. However, some six or seven-year-olds still want help to find the highest score options.
Holiday Group Games
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The holidays are such a fun time to gather and celebrate with friends and loved ones. I’ve collected our favorite holiday-themed games into one bundle for you. From Holiday Truth and Dare to Name that Carol and even no-prep games, there’s fun for everyone. The bundle also includes creative gift tags and ideas for neighbors, printable activities for kids, experience gifts, and more…everything you need for a magical, low-stress holidays. That’s why we call it the Holiday Rescue Pack.
Recommended Ages: This bundle includes activities for family members ages toddler to teen, plus adults.
The Best Family Games for Groups or Two Players
These games can be played by two people or more.
UNO
This classic card game never gets old around here. If you’re looking to spice things up, use the regular UNO cards but play Ultimate UNO style. I’m not sure who made up the changes or when, but when playing Ultimate UNO, anyone can jump into play if they have a card that exactly matches the card played. So if a player across from you plays a blue seven and you have a blue seven, you can quickly play your matching blue seven. Play continues to the player on your right (skipping the people in between). This version has more speed and excitement. Although, around here many of us still prefer the original, simple rules.
One thing we love about card games like UNO is the ease with which they travel. We play them while waiting for flights at the airport, camping, or anywhere.
Recommended Ages: The game manufacturer recommends UNO for ages 7+. However, our kids have learned it and played independently from age four. They might need some assistance/leeway remembering to shout uno, but otherwise, it’s simply matching colors and numbers.
Otrio
This puzzle game is like Tic Tak Toe on steroids. To win Otrio, a player must place their colored rings either three in a row all the same size, in ascending order, or all three sizes concentrically. It makes sense when you see the board and pieces. With two to four players, you have to find the sweet spot between blocking the other players and setting up your own win. As the manufacturer wrote, “The rules are simple, but the game is complex.” I also appreciate the durable wooden board.
Recommended Ages: The box recommends ages 8+. If your younger child enjoys thinking games, they’d catch on. Because the rules are simple, our five-year-old plays and even beats older siblings and adults sometimes when we miss a move.
Sorry!
Another simple classic that never gets old around here. In Sorry!, players draw cards and move pieces around the board to win. The excitement comes in the different ways players can knock each other back to start. Two to four people can play. On a parenting note, I appreciate that kids practice handling set-backs in this game (without the possibility of never ending like Chutes and Ladders 😉😂).
The newer version goes a lot faster than the older version as players only have three pieces (rather than four), can leave start with any card (rather than waiting for a one or two), and other small changes. Our big kids like the older version better, but if you’ve never played, you won’t know the difference.
Recommended Ages: The box recommends ages 6+. There’s a range in four and five-year-olds in the world, and many of them will be able to play Sorry!, especially with help recognizing the numbers drawn.
Sequence for Kids
This game for two to four players involves trying to get four in a row. With fun animal pictures and no reading required, Sequence for Kids is ideal for the younger kids in the family.
Recommended Ages: The box recommends ages 3-6. In our experience, this is right on.
Cover Your Assets
In this exciting card game, players try to collect as many valuable assets as they can and stack them before someone else can steal them from the top of their pile. Cover Your Assets is easy to learn and engaging to play. While this is a popular one, we also recommend anything from Grandpa Beck’s Games, one of favorite game creators.
Recommended Ages: The box recommends ages 7+. We’ve had kids five and older play who are used to playing games and it’s worked out well. It’s still entertaining for teens and adults.
The Best Family Games for One-on-One Play
These games are created for two person play. They’re ones our kids often choose for their one-on-one time with mom or dad.
Backgammon
This classic game of strategy is perfect for one-on-one time. It’s easier than Chess, shorter than Checkers, and has a great combination of strategy and skill. Our kids love playing a round of Backgammon before bed.
Recommended Ages: Our kids have successfully learned how to play the game around six years old. It continues to be fun for the teenagers.
Connect Four
This classic strategy game is easy to understand how to play yet a great practice in thinking. One of the favorite features of Connect Four is the unique vertical board and getting to drop the playing pieces into place as you try to get four in a row. It’s funny, but dumping the pieces at the end of the game is oddly satisfying. 🙂
Recommended Ages: The box recommends ages 6+, which is about right. Younger kids will enjoy playing around and some will probably understand how to play. However, some younger kids may not be able to assemble and play without breaking the board or losing pieces. This is a game that lives on the higher shelves at our house for that reason.
What are some of the best family games you play? Share in the comments because I’m always looking for ideas to add to our family game collection too!
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