Pretend play was totally my thing growing up. I would play “house” for hours in my friend’s basement. We played every version you could think of and even played “college”! I didn’t even have a need to play board games.
This post contains affiliate links, see disclosure policy for details.
I have the best memories of setting up a fake living or dorm room. In “house”, I was usually the mom because let’s say, I was a tad bossy as a kid having two (a lot) younger siblings.
The “kids” would cry. I would be there to take care of them. Dinner would hypothetically burn. I would make something new. There was never an issue with coming up with stories.
Now that I’m a real mom, pretend and “play” is really hard for me. I can’t seem to come up with ideas. Or my kids correct me because I’m not doing it right.
It’s as if my busy day-to-day activities and “to do” lists have tampered with my imagination. Or maybe I left Neverland and grew up.
Knowing how important play is to my children’s development and even more importantly, the connections I can create with them during that time, I needed to find an alternative. Instead of playing “house”, my kids enjoy playing with superheroes, cardboard creations, fake homemade weapons, and cops and robbers.
The problem is I don’t have a “good guy fights crime” bone in my body. Although, I give it my all, which is often quite comical.
Read More: Should Kids Play With Toy Guns?
What I’ve found that I can easily do is PLAY games! I have always loved board games from playing Monopoly with my family to hours of SkipBo with my roommates in college.
Now games are something I can engage in to create connection.
The Benefits of Playing Board Games
Regardless if you have a child who is easy or hard to play with, playing strategy and board games teach many life lessons.
Side Note: For those “sore losers”, check out this article from Rachel Norman of A Mother Far From Home about why kids can be sore losers and what to do about it.
“…a child needs to feel the thrill of ‘winning’. Then, when they have that feeling, they’re okay with losing because it doesn’t threaten their identity.”
From learning how to work hard towards a goal, how to follow rules, what success and disappointment feel like, playing games has loads of benefits.
Interactions from playing games help little brains (and even big brains) develop, change and grow stronger.
This is How Board Games Benefit Developing Brains:
Improves Memory
It is believed through research that kids who have more enriching experiences have more growth in the cerebral cortex. This is the part of the brain that covers the cerebrum which is responsible for perceiving, thinking, producing, and understanding language.
Increases Immunity
Just like exercise, sleep and a healthy diet, playing a board game can also keep you healthy!
Positive thoughts, a grateful attitude, and laughter occur during gameplay. AND these things attribute to a boosted immune system because they release chemicals that fight off stress. This also extends the life of your brain cells that help fight off disease.
We have some crazy powerful biochemicals in our brains!
Creates Lifelong Memories
If you played games as a kid, I’m sure you have incredible memories. Whether those memories include laughter and fun or sadness and obstacles that you had to learn to overcome, they all shape who you are today.
Allows Kids (and You) To Disconnect
Playing old school board games is a great way to escape screens. Engaging in eye contact while playing helps kids learn social-emotional skills that are not learned while playing on a device.
Develops Executive Function
Neural pathways in the prefrontal cortex are changed when a child plays. When they don’t play, they remain the same. This is important for executive functioning such as organizing time, solving problems, having self-regulation and making good decisions (source).
Aids with MANY Different Types of Learning
This is a no-brainer.
See what I did there? Ha!
Anytime a game is played, learning is happening. Here is a list of skills board games can teach kids (depending on the type of game):
- Fine and Gross Motor Skills
- Hand-eye Coordination
- Dexterity
- The Basics – Colors, Numbers, Shapes and Letters
- Strategic Thinking
- Self Regulation, Emotional Regulation and Self-Management
- Relationship Skills
- Processing Speed
- Goal-Directed Behavior
- Decision Making
- How to Use Strengths
- Language
- Reading and Comprehension
- Analytical Skills
- Logical and Reasoning Skills
- Attention and Focusing Skills
- Problem-Solving Skills
Makes Learning Fun
There are so many board games for every age that teach skills from basic colors, numbers, and shapes to spatial and quantitative reasoning. When we play Apples to Apples, our boys are learning new words without realizing they’re being educated.
Read Next: 18 Ways To Help Your Child Calm Down
Helps With Unwanted Behavior
Another benefit of playing board games is that they can be a great remedy to unwanted behavior! Forget the time outs and isolation which can cause even more “bad” behavior, but instead, engage in a game to redirect that behavior into something positive. Win, win, WIN!
Creates Strong Connections and Family Bonds
As long as everyone is having fun, family game time is a great way to build stronger connections with each other. It can also open opportunities for further communication about what’s going on in each other’s lives without feeling forced.
In our house, our kids look forward to playing games together after our weekly Family Meeting.
Read Next: 8 Tips for Having a Family Meeting
The 30 Best Strategy and Board Games for Families
A few weeks ago, on social media, I asked for game suggestions. There were so many good ones, I thought I’d share with you as well!
Some of these games I have played but others are ones I want to try because they were recommended on Facebook or Instagram.
When buying games, pick the ones that you personally enjoy! For me, I love games that involve words because I love words. And strategy games are really fun. Now that I think about it, there really aren’t many games I don’t enjoy!
The Games We Own and Love to Play:
1. Zingo! (Up to 7 Players, Ages 4+)
This game stays in our camper because it’s perfect for in or outdoors. Similar to BINGO, each player gets a game card and must match the plastic challenge card that pops out of an easy to store holder. There are four other versions of this game that incorporate the learning of numbers, sight words, telling time and building words.
The maker of Zingo, ThinkFun has many other games on our “to buy list” for Christmas. We can’t wait to try some of their coding games.
Check this one player game out from ThinkFun. I bet my kids would love it:
2. The Game of Life Junior (2-4 Players, Ages 5+)
A story about my husband’s childhood that has been retold over and over is about playing The Game of Life and how he would buy kids from his brother. We got this game a few years ago and we love how simple it is, and how it incorporates cards that prompt you to act, sing or do something fun. My oldest is begging to get the original so we will probably be adding that to the collection soon.
The concept is that you move around the board and experience different places, do different activities to earn and lose your stars. Whoever fills up their card first, wins.
3. Sturdy Birdy (Up to 4 players | Ages 3+)
If a game gets our family moving, then I’m all for it. This game incorporates balancing poses as you stay in a position with a bean bag somewhere on your body for a certain amount of seconds. It’s very easy to learn. Even our two-year-old gets in on the balancing act.
4. Don’t Make Me Laugh (Ages 5+)
If your kids are dramatic or like to act, this IS the game for your family! We don’t play the game to win, but instead, use all the cards and rounds to have a ton of fun. It reminds me of doing improv in high school theater classes. Getting creative and silly are two things our boys do easily.
Don’t Make Me Laugh is even great for our toddler. He doesn’t really know what’s going on, but he loves pretending right along with us.
5. Pop the Pig (Ages 3+)
Pop the Pig is another camper favorite! All the pieces fit inside the pig making it extra easy to store and take on the go.
You roll the dice, flip a burger piece that is the color you rolled to see how many times you need to push the pig’s head down. Whoever makes the pig’s outfit pop open is supposed to be the loser. In our family, the person who pops the pig is the winner. It seems to be less stressful that way!
6. Sequence For Kids (Up to 4 players | Ages 3+)
We got this game as a birthday present and are happy we did. It uses a little strategy as you draw cards of animals and try to make a row of four tokens.
As I was searching for this game, I found a few other versions. The State Capitols one will be a great one when our boys start learning those in school. I’m a proponent of doing whatever we can to make learning fun!
7. Qwirkle (2-4 players | Ages 6+)
Using tactical strategy, this game gets players to put their thinking caps on. There are 36 possible combinations of symbols and colors you have to match.
It reminds me a little of scrabble but with shapes and colors making it easier for kids of all ages.
8. Richard Scarry’s Busytown Eye Found It (2-4 players | Ages 3+)
Another tip for helping kids who hate losing is finding cooperative board games like this one! There is no one winner because everyone works as a team.
We experience a lot fewer tears with this game as each player spins to see how many moves they can go to get closer to a picnic blanket.
If the player rolls on a magnifying glass, everyone works together to find as many of an item they draw from the pile of cards they can find. If the spinner lands on a pig, a piece of your food is eaten. The goal is to get to the picnic before the pigs eat all the food.
9. Clue (2-6 players | Ages 8+)
Although I still get confused about how to play this game and need to read the instructions every time, our kids love solving the mystery. Another classic that every kid should experience playing.
10. Apples to Apples Junior (4-8 Players | Ages 9+)
What a great way to learn new words while laughing a ton! We love playing this on Family Meeting nights.
A “judge” picks an adjective to show everyone. Based on the seven cards in each player’s hands, he or she chooses something that would best fit that word. Then the judge picks a winner. As the game continues, the judge changes from player to player so everyone gets a turn.
Sometimes, we don’t play with a “judge” but instead, everyone throws a card in the middle of the table so we can see all the hilarious suggestions. That way there is no winner and we don’t have to worry about it turning into a heated competition.
More Games
Here are games that were recommended to me. Good thing we have a few birthdays and Christmas coming up!
11. Monopoly Junior (2- 4 Players | Ages 5+)
Monopoly Junior is like the adult version except has kid-friendly pieces, locations, money and concepts.
12. Uno Attack (2-10 players | Ages 7+)
This game was the most recommended game. Who knew?! We have the Ninja Turtles and Minecraft versions of Uno from birthday gifts, but we haven’t tried this version yet.
It looks similar except there are a few other cards in the deck that allow you to “shoot” cards at an opponent. Sounds a little crazy, but I like crazy.
13. Left, Center Right (3+ players | Ages 5+)
This is a fast-paced dice game that looks great for traveling! Everyone rolls the dice to see what direction they should pass their chips. The object of the game is to be the player with all the chips at the end.
14. Race to the Treasure (2-4 players | Ages 5+)
I love games where everyone works as a team! Together, players strategize to beat an ogre to the treasure.
15. Silly Street (2+ Players | Ages 4+)
Our neighbors have this game and said it’s super cute and fun. There are many different types of play incorporated. Players act, communicate, are creative, interpret and work together. You can also download their free app!
16. Speak out Kids vs Parents (4-10 Players | Ages 8+)
I have seen a lot of pictures from this game on social media and watched celebrities be absolutely hilarious it on Ellen, but have never actually played it myself.
The premise looks pretty simple. Someone puts the mouthpiece in, says a phrase and the others have to guess what he or she is saying.
17. Pictionary (2 Teams | Ages 8+)
Being a fan of drawing, I loved playing Pictionary growing up. In today’s version, the game has erasable markers and boards that can be reused over and over again.
Each player has to draw a picture for everyone else to guess what it is.
There is even an app you can download with different playing options!
18. Mad Gab (2-12 Players | Ages 10+)
With this game, you read a set of words but need to figure out what phrase is actually being said. Because it’s so hard to hear for the player saying the words to hear the phrase while others figure it out, it’s sure to cause a lot of laughter.
19. Chow Crown (2+ Players | Ages 8+)
By looking at the photos, this game looks hilarious. You attach food to the ends of the crown and as it starts to spin, players need to eat all the food before the music stops. Seems simple, fun and a little quirky.
20. Carcassone (2-5 Players | Ages 12+)
This is a strategy game where players build the most powerful city. The goal is to build prestige, power, and dominance to win.
21. Catan (3-4 Players | Ages 10+)
From reading reviews and watching YouTube videos, this game looks addicting! Players gain resources through rolling a lucky dice and trading. A different board is created every time you play. The goal is to reach 10 victory points by building roads, new settlements and expand existing settlements to new cities to win the game.
The maker of the game, Catan Studios, has many other versions including a Catan Junior! The gameplay is shortened and for ages 6 and up.
22. Forbidden Island (2-4 Players | Ages 10+)
Forbidden Island is another collaborative game where you work together and win or lose as a team. Together, you go on a do-or-die mission to capture four sacred treasures.
23. Hisss (2-5 Players | Ages 4+)
Gamewright has some great games and this is another one recommended to me. It’s great for the younger crew and helps develop visual logic and color identification.
Players match snake body parts and once completed, add them to the snake pit. The person with the most snakes wins.
24. Otrio (2-4 Players | Ages 6+) and other Marbles Board Games
Classic wood games are always a favorite of mine.
Pieces of the same color and size are lined up in ascending or descending order or in the same place. This is a strategy game that also uses reasoning and critical thinking skills. Otrio is GREAT for working memory making it a perfect games with kids who have ADHD. And as with most games, this one has a travel version as well!
The friend who recommended these games said they own a few of from the creator, Marbles Brain Workshop and often give them as gifts because they love them that much.
25. Wig Out! (2-6 Players | Ages 6+)
This game came highly recommended. Players race against each other to get rid of their cards by matching hairstyles. The first person to have no cards left is the winner.
26. Friends and Neighbors: The Helping Game (1-4 Players | Ages 3+)
This game was recommended by Amazon so I looked into it. It appears to be one of those games that teach great lessons. I mean, it has the word, helping, in the title. I’m always on the lookout for games that our toddler can play with the whole family.
The characters in the game experience different emotions and the players need to help them. What a great way to help teach social-emotional awareness and self-regulation!
PIN FOR LATER: 18 Way to Help Your Child Calm Down
27. I Spy Dig In (2-4 Players | Ages 5+)
This game takes the classic “I Spy” game and turns it more into a sensory experience where you use your sight and touch!
It’s very simple! Each player gets a card with six pictures on it. The timer gets set and everyone digs into the bowl to find all the objects on their card. Offering many different ways to play, players can lett each person go by themselves, everyone can only use one hand, or everyone can all search together, etc.
28. Outfoxed! (2-4 Players | Ages 5+)
Have I mentioned how much I love collaborative games where everyone wins or loses together? These really are my favorite for where my kids are developmentally right now.
In Ouftoxed!, a pie is missing and the players must work together to solve the crime. There is a special evidence scanner everyone uses to rule out suspects. The goal is to solve the case before the fox gets away with the pie.
29. Bounce Off (2-4 Players | Ages 7+)
There’s something exciting about throwing balls with a goal to land them somewhere. I’m not sure what it is, but this game looks like it would be both challenging and very rewarding.
Two different teams work together to recreate a design on a challenge card. Each player bounces a ball into the tray until it’s completed.
30. Mole Rats in Space (2-4 Players | Ages 7+)
I had to end this list of board games for families with one more collaborative game.
Mole rats work together to get to their escape pod before they’re caught by the snake invaders. Many skills such as communication, problem solving and cooperation are used to play this game.
What is your Favorite Game to Play as a Family?
Wow! That’s a lot of games. Happy Playing!
What games do you and your family enjoy playing together? Comment below and share this post with friends who love games! Thank you!
Hello!!! I’m Adriane. I’m a mom to three loud boys, am a research-a-holic and very passionate person who writes at Raising Kids With Purpose. Parenting can feel so hard sometimes but with mindset shifts and understanding, it can be very enjoyable. My hope is to inspire parents like you to create lifelong connections with your children and enjoy the journey along the way!
