The Best Family Board Games

We’re big believers in a good old-fashioned game night (especially during the summer): snacks on the table, phones on silent (or out of reach), and everyone gathered around trying not to start drama over Uno.

This week we pulled together some of the games that have made it into our rotation, or are currently sitting in our cart waiting for the next rainy weekend. Some of these are new favorites (looking at you, Herd Mentality) and others are classics with a twist (hello, Uno Flip).

Not gonna lie, we haven’t played every single one of these yet, but we picked them based on great reviews, chaos potential, and the ability to keep both kids and grown-ups entertained without needing a rulebook and a prayer.

Whether you’re playing with family, friends, or just trying to find a game that doesn’t make you want to flip the table, these are a solid place to start.

1.Beat That! - Silly challenges + household objects = total chaos. Think “stack dice on your forehead” energy. Great for kids, grown-ups, and anyone slightly unhinged.

2.Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza - Say the words, slap the cards, don’t overthink it. Fast, frantic, and so fun it usually ends in someone yelling-laughing.

3.Codenames - Spy-themed word guessing that’s smarter than it looks. Feels grown-up, but kids 10+ can totally hold their own (and sometimes win).

4.Herd Mentality - Think like the group or get stuck with the pink cow. A hilarious way to find out how weird your family’s brain really is.

5. Uno Flip - UNO, but with a chaotic twist. Double-sided cards and surprise flips keep it spicy.

6.Hungry Hungry Hippos - Pure childhood nostalgia in a plastic frenzy. Loud, fast, and surprisingly satisfying. No strategy required, just chomp.

7.Guess The Gibberish - Try to decode nonsense phrases before time runs out. Feels like a TikTok challenge, plays like a sleepover classic.

8. Cards Against Humanity Family Edition - All the laughs, none of the inappropriateness. Best for slightly older kids (8+) who love wordplay and weird humor.

9.Harvest Hoppers - A sweet little game with big veggie energy. Great for younger kids or anyone who loves rabbits, gardens, and light strategy.

10. Exploding Kittens - Ridiculous name, solid gameplay. Like Uno + Russian roulette + cats. Fast, portable, and surprisingly strategic.

BONUS: PJ and the kids have been playing a ton of Connect 4 every day, and they’re all obsessed. I think it’s easy to forget how much fun games from our childhood really are.