The 13 Best Family Games of 2023

Best Overall

Exploding Kittens Card Game

4.9

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Exploding Kittens has all the elements of a great family game—it's easy to learn, competitive, and provides just the right amount of silly fun, proven through our testing. The objective of this card game (appropriate for ages 7 and up) is to take turns drawing a card from the pile without pulling an exploding kitten, and the process continues until one player is left and crowned the winner. 

While it's a luck-based game, each round is still super exciting. There are a few strategies involved, we discovered during testing, which can make it frustrating for young players. The game’s creators recommend ages seven and up, but we think that depends greatly on the seven-year-old. Age, really, is less relevant than temperament. But, the simple concept and minimal reading make it fun for various players, regardless of age.

Contrary to the name, the game doesn't depict or promote violence, but the themes may be inappropriate for some players. It takes a few rounds to remember what the graphic on each card represents, but overall we found that gameplay evoked laughter round after round. Once they get the hang of it, players of all ages will delight in this simple game of chance.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Type: Card | Age Range: 7 and up | Number of Players: 2-5 | Playing Time: 15 minutes}

Best Drawing

USAOPOLY Telestrations

4.2

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Highly recommended by Erik Arneson, a game expert and the author of How to Host a Game Night, and beloved during our testing, Telestrations is an endlessly fun and funny drawing game. There are a few different versions, but the 6-player Family Pack is ideal for playing among relatives of all ages. Players take turns drawing and guessing the original phrase, resulting in a hilarious display of artistry and interpretation.

A silly take on the classic games of telephone and Pictionary, it comes with over 800 words, plus all the drawing materials you need. And as Arneson notes, "No artistic skill is needed!" Young ones will love the artistic element but may need a little help with some of the phrases. It's equally fun with a group of adults on a game night or birthday party. The drawing materials may not be the highest quality, but you can always break out your own paper and markers for endless fun. We loved how each game felt completely different. This is great when you’re playing with restless kids or just trying to squeeze in a little fun before dinner is ready. We can see Telestrations being a great game for holiday gatherings because it’s so flexible.

Price at time of publish: $33

_{Type: Card | Age Range: 12 and up | Number of Players: 4-8 | Playing Time: 30-60 minutes}

Best Board Game

Days of Wonder Ticket To Ride

4.5

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According to Cardner Clark, store manager of Guardian Games in Portland, Oregon, the best family board game is Ticket to Ride. "What starts as a fun puzzle of matching colors to build train routes can get cutthroat when you block someone's path," she tells The Spruce. Recommended for ages eight and up and calling for two to five players, this competitive railroad-themed game involves strategy, wit, and a sense of adventure.

The fast-paced strategy game challenges players to build train routes across major cities in North America to distribute different resources. You can intersect and block other players to ensure yours is the strongest and longest in the game.

Price at time of publish: $55

_{Type: Board | Age Range: 8 and up | Number of Players: 2-5 | Playing Time: 30-60 minutes}

Best Card Game

Asmodee Spot It! Card Game

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Greg May, founder, and CEO of The Uncommons, a board game cafe in Manhattan, is a fan of Spot It! for families. This simple, yet incredibly fun card game involves memory, matching, visual perception, and quick thinking. Though it's easy to learn, people of all ages will get a kick out of it. "You can play even with young kids," notes May. The premise is simple; players race to find the image that appears on both cards and whoever spots it first wins that round.

Price at time of publish: $13

_{Type: Card | Age Range: 6 and up | Number of Players: 2-8 | Playing Time: 10-20 minutes}

Best Dice Game

George & Company LLC Left Center Right

4.7

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Left Center Right is a fast-paced, addictive dice game the whole family will enjoy. The travel-friendly tin houses three dice and 24 playing chips. LCR doesn't call for any decision-making, but it's undoubtedly competitive. All you do is roll the dice to see where to pass your chips, and the last person with chips wins. The simple concept makes it easy for all ages to master and enjoy again and again.

Price at time of publish: $12

_{Type: Dice | Age Range: 5 and up | Number of Players: 3 + | Playing Time: Not listed}

Best for Young Children

Think Fun Zingo!

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Super easy to learn and aimed at children, Zingo! is perfect for younger kiddos—but that doesn't mean adults won't enjoy it, too. The bingo-style game includes 24 double-sided cards and 72 tiles. Slide the Zinger to reveal images, and fill in your card when there's a match—that's all there is to it. Incorporate small prizes and rewards to increase the competition.

Price at time of publish: $22

_{Type: Card and board | Age Range: 4 and up | Number of Players: Up to 7 | Playing Time: Not listed}

Best for Older Kids

Gamewright Forbidden Island

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"My top pick for a family game is Forbidden Island," Clark tells The Spruce. "It's cooperative, so everyone works together to find treasure and escape before the island sinks."

This adventurous game encourages problem-solving and strategic skills. "Every game tends to be exciting, and it's amazing how often they come right down to the wire," adds Arneson. Players work together to go on a fearless mission through a forbidden island searching for four treasures.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Type: Card | Age Range: 10 and up | Number of Players: 2-4 | Playing Time: 30 minutes}

Best Physical

Endless Games The Floor is Lava Game

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The Floor Is Lava was inspired by the often parodied, imaginative game in which parents encourage kids to pretend the family room floor is, well, lava. Similar to Twister, it's super simple but also incredibly fun—and perhaps best of all, it encourages physical activity. We also like that it can be played with kids as young as five. It definitely requires room to run around, so be sure to clear a space in the living room to enjoy this game to the fullest.

Price at time of publish: $17

_{Type: Physical | Age Range: 5 and up | Number of Players: 2-6 | Playing Time: 10-45 minutes}

Best Outdoor

Gutter Games Beat That! The Bonkers Battle of Wacky Challenges

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Looking for something to play outside? You should definitely consider Beat That! The set comes with 160 challenges, including everything from balancing a cup and stacking dice with chopsticks to floating paper airplanes and shooting baskets with ping pong balls. This backyard game can be played with two to eight players and is suitable for kids about nine and older. While this isn't the best game to play during the winter, we believe you could finagle the rules of this game to play an indoor version as well.

Price at time of publish: $30

_{Type: Card | Age Range: 9 and up | Number of Players: 2-8 | Playing Time: 30-90 minutes}

Best Trivia

What Do You Meme? Family Edition

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When playing What Do You Meme?, you compete with your friends and family to create the funniest memes. With each round, a new teammate becomes the judge, offering entertaining and comical moments as family members get a new sense of each other's humor. We also like that you can play with larger groups. The game includes pop-culture references and phrases that young children may not understand, but it's easy to edit out those cards and continue playing for hours on end.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Type: Card | Age Range: 8 and up | Number of Players: 3-20 | Playing Time: Not listed}

Best Travel

Skillmatics Guess in 10

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This small card game from Skillmatics easily fits in purses, pockets, or car consoles for passing the time during family vacations. A take on the game 20 Questions, Guess in 10 challenges you to guess the animal, dinosaur, Marvel character, or country with just 10 questions. There are junior versions for ages 3 to 6, while some accommodate kids ages 8 and up. This means there's a version for everyone in the family to enjoy and compete in. Turn the game into a family challenge by asking who can guess the item first, or play with two players as they take turns asking and guessing.

Price at time of publish: $15

_{Type: Card | Age Range: 3 and up | Number of Players: 1-6 | Playing Time: Not listed}

Best Strategy

Catan Studio Catan Board Game

4.8

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Once your family is ready for a strategic challenge, reach for the best-selling game, Catan. Named after the fictional island where it takes place, Catan encourages players to earn points by building houses and cities, organizing armies, owning the largest piece of land, and more. Everyone builds their civilization in hopes of being the largest and the strongest. While it's suitable for ages 10 and up, we noted that her five kids ranging from 7 to 15 years old enjoyed themselves playing, some with a little bit of help. Catan is an awesome, absorbing game, and vying to build the biggest settlements is as exciting as it gets, we discovered while playing. Give yourself some grace with mastering this game and its rules, but once you've mastered the concept, you're in store for endless games of challenging fun.

Price at time of publish: $48

_{Type: Board | Age Range: 10 and up | Number of Players: 3-4 | Playing Time: 60 minutes}