Board Games Recommended by A12GTPG Parents
There are so many wonderful board games available now with new ones coming out every year. Are you looking for a new board game or card game but have no idea what to pick? Did you discover a new game that you love and want to share it with others? This is the place for you!
Below you will find board game recommendations submitted by GT parents from our community. We hope you see something you like! If you have a recommendation of your own to share, please use our Board Game Recommendation Form to let us know.
Fun for the Whole Family
DIXIT
Age Range: Grades K-8
Play Time: 30 minutes
Description: An unusual and unique game of something like visual charades. Each player has a hand of cards with surreal images, the player whose turn it is describes their choice in a way that some of the other players will be able to identify it, but not all. The other players also select one of their cards that they think matches the clue.
Why families like this game: Surreal imaginative puns that can be used make it lots of fun for imaginative kids, harder on those who are very literal.
Forbidden Island/Desert
Age Range: Grades K-8
Play Time: 30-45 minutes
Description: Cooperative games where the group of players must use their special abilities to overcome a changing board that is accelerating toward ruin.
Why families like this game: Can be a nice change with all the kids winning or losing together.
Hanabi
Age Range: Grades K-8
Play Time: 30 minutes
Description: AA game where you are trying to build a sequence of cards, but you can only see your opponents/teammates cards, not your own. On your turn, you can give other players specific clues, or act on other players' clues.
Why families like this game: A cooperative memory and deduction card game
Llama Drama
Age Range: Grades K-8
Play Time: 10 minutes
Description: Fun fast-paced card game with a bit of strategy involving your Llama's powers and chance. The goal is to be the first one out.
Why families like this game: Reliably 10 minutes of family fun!
Set
Age Range: All Ages
Play Time: 20 minutes
Description: This is a simple game of visual perception. The goal is to build sets based on color, shape, number, and shading.
Why families like this game: It's both a single & multiple player game. From the packaging: "Not only is it fast-paced fun, it also builds skills and exercises the brain! Because it has a rule of logic, and because players must apply this rule to the spatial array of patterns all at once, they must use both left brain and right brain thought processes!" My daughter started playing this game in Kindergarten and still plays it as a Freshman in High School. As a parent be prepared for your kid to kick your butt at this game!
Spy Alley
Age Range: All Ages
Play Time: 30-60 minutes
Description: Each player is assigned a secret spy identity at the beginning of the game. Your goal is to move around the board, collect your required items, and get back to your embassy square, all without letting the other players guess your identity! There are two ways to win this game: get to your embassy with all of your items OR be the last one standing after all other spies have been eliminated.
Why families like this game: This game has all the deductive reasoning of Clue but more fast-paced and direct game play. It is not too difficult for my 7-yr-old but has enough complex reasoning to keep my 12-yr-old engaged. It's one of the few games that we all enjoy! It is definitely more fun when the players are actively trying to deduce the spy identities of the other players.
Grade School
Outfoxed
Age Range: Grades K-2
Play Time: Less than 30 minutes
Description: In Outfoxed, you and your fellow detective chickens need to solve the case of the missing pot pie! You gather clues as to who the suspect might be, and try to stop the sneaky fox before they leave town!
Why families like this game: This is a great 2+ player game that involves logic and strategy for young learners. It’s a fun and silly take on the classic game Clue.
Grade School and Up
Azul
Age Range: Grade 3-Adult
Play Time: 30-45 minutes
Description: Build a mosaic through careful placement of this game's beautiful tiles. This game won the 2018 Spiel des Jahres, considered the most prestigious award in the board game industry.
Why families like this game: It's fun, competitive, and strategic!
Throw, Throw Burrito
Age Range: Grade 3-Adult
Play Time: 30-60 minutes
Description: This is a fast-paced, family-friendly party game that blends card-matching with dodgeball. Players compete to collect sets of cards while throwing soft, squishy foam burritos at opponents to steal points.
Why families like this game: It's a fun family game that gets everyone laughing. It's good for hand eye coordination and focus.
Tweens and Up
Disney Villainous Board Game
Age Range: Grade 6-Adult
Play Time: 1-2 hours
Description: In this epic contest of sinister power, take on the role of a Disney Villain and strive to achieve your own devious objective. Discover your character's unique abilities and winning strategy while dealing twists of fate to thwart your opponents' schemes. There are also expansions available!
Why families like this game: Great family game - you can help each other as you try to obtain your objective or be a true villain and help only yourself, while sabotaging your opponents!! Skills involved: math, logic, strategy.
