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  4. 10 Best Board Games for Kids in 2022 (Game Development Group, Gamewright, and More)
  • 10 Best Board Games for Kids in 2022 (Game Development Group, Gamewright, and More) 1
  • 10 Best Board Games for Kids in 2022 (Game Development Group, Gamewright, and More) 2
  • 10 Best Board Games for Kids in 2022 (Game Development Group, Gamewright, and More) 3
  • 10 Best Board Games for Kids in 2022 (Game Development Group, Gamewright, and More) 4
  • 10 Best Board Games for Kids in 2022 (Game Development Group, Gamewright, and More) 5

10 Best Board Games for Kids in 2022 (Game Development Group, Gamewright, and More)

Board games are a great way to combine critical thinking and fun for your young ones. That’s why we’ve decided to look into what makes a great board game for kids.

We came to the conclusion that the best games encourage learning, are age-appropriate, and can be enjoyed by the whole family. While some games only work for a narrow age range, others will have parents continuing to play long after the kids have gone to bed. Keeping these things in mind, we’ve compiled a list of our favorites, with Gamewright's Dragonwood taking first place.
Last updated 09/26/2023
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Table of Contents

How to Choose Board Games For Kids

Remember that a game that sounds good on paper may not work for your children. So be sure to consider the following factors when it’s time to buy.
1

Look for a Theme Your Child Loves

Look for a Theme Your Child Loves

There are a great many different board games out there, with each created based on a particular theme or purpose. Some games are based on TV shows or have been created with pieces that resemble popular cartoon characters. 


If your child has specific likes and dislikes or has a character that they love, then, to keep them engaged, it might be best to purchase a game with the character in it. If you do, your child will have an interest in playing the board game from the very start.

2

Pick a Type of Game Depending on Goals and Complexity

Sure, board games are a fun way to pass the time, but they can also be a sneaky way to help kids learn and get them using their analytical skills. For games that get brains pumping, consider strategy games, trivia games, or games that promote literacy. For a more leisurely experience, feel free to look for more luck-based games.

Look for a Board Game That Teaches Your Child

Look for a Board Game That Teaches Your Child

Board games aren't all just fun and games. They can actually teach your kids about strategy, cooperation, math, color and pattern recognition, concentration, and various other hard and soft skills. And, in general, almost all board games can teach your kids how to take turns, though.


Some games are more cooperative with others, where you work in teams to solve a problem or fight against other players. These types of games teach your children teamwork and communication. Games like First Orchard or Hoot Owl Hoot! are great for this.


Then there are games where your children can compete with others to finish an objective. Here, they may employ strategies where they try to outthink their opponents. Strategy games are more likely to keep everyone in the family engaged, as they do require more in-depth thought to complete.


The payoff in strategy games is in how it teaches your children complex thinking, like anticipating others' actions, negotiation, probability, and adaptation. They can even teach your children to accept failure and take more risks. Some games within this genre include Settlers of Catan and Battleship.


However, do note that learning games are often more complex and might not make the best party games due to longer explanation times.

Understand the Different Types of Strategy

Understand the Different Types of Strategy

If you've decided on a strategy board game, then what you need to know now is the type of strategies that can be used in a game. Some examples are resource optimization, risk and reward, and control. Note that games don't have to stick to one strategy, and many use a combination of many different kinds.


In resource optimization, you try to gain as many items as they can, in a bid to use them in the future to thwart your fellow players (or if the game's objective is to collect items). In some cases, this might mean investing in pieces to multiply your resources in the future. 


Monopoly can be considered a resource optimization game, as you're collecting and buying buildings, making an initial investment to get more money than everyone else.


In risk and reward strategies, luck is in play. You either choose to risk a big chunk of your resources in hopes of receiving a big reward or you choose to risk small bits at a time, hoping your opponents run out of luck.


In control, you actively work to try and prevent your opponents' next move. In some cases, this can involve eliminating a player, limiting their choices in actions (such as constantly attacking them and having them on the defense), intervening on their strategy, or taking control of more of the game pieces.


After understanding the different types of strategies, you can generally infer what kind of concepts your children will learn from board games and choose according to what you would like them to try out. You can read more in-depth about these strategy types here

3

Consider Age Appropriateness and Number of Players

Even if a game is objectively fun, if it’s not the right game for the players involved, it won’t work out.

Find a Game that Works for the Whole Family

Find a Game that Works for the Whole Family
Generally speaking, a game that’s appropriate for the youngest player is still pretty fun for the older players. So to make sure the whole family can play along, it might make sense to cater the game to the youngest player.


On the other hand, if your kids are growing out of an old game and want more of a challenge, look for a more difficult game aimed at slightly older players. You can look towards strategy games, as we went over in the above section.

Find Games Playable by a Wide Amount of Players

Find Games Playable by a Wide Amount of Players
Some games are definitely easier with less players while others are infinitely more fun with more players. For a game that you can whip out both at a party or on a rainy night in, look for a wider range of possible players. However, if you know you’ll only be playing with a certain number of people every time, feel free to pick one up that works well for your group.
4

Find a Length That Keeps Kids Entertained but Not Bored

Find a Length That Keeps Kids Entertained but Not Bored
When looking for a board game for kids, it’s important to strike a balance between keeping them engaged for a decent amount of time and ensuring they don’t lose interest with a game that takes too long.


While there are some outliers that are just so fun that no one wants to stop, you should be aware that younger kids tend to have shorter attention spans and may get frustrated if they’re not winning.


In that case, it’s best to look for a game with a shorter play time (up to 20 minutes) that you can play a couple of times over. For older kids, feel free to find games that push up to an hour or more.

5

Make Sure You Have Enough Space for Setup

Make Sure You Have Enough Space for Setup

Games can come in many different shapes and sizes; plus, some can take longer to play through than others! If the game has a complex setup, or if you simply don't want to have to reposition all the pieces when you resume the game next time, then you'll want to find something that suits your play preferences.


Did you know that some games take 30 minutes to setup? The complexity of setting up a game board can feel like a huge mountain you have to overcome before you can start enjoying yourself with the actual gameplay. In young children, this can be confusing or too intimidating, so the best thing to do is buy a game with an easy setup


Naturally, the number of pieces can be part of what makes a game seem complex to setup. In general, the less the number of parts, the easier setup will likely be. And if you want to know how complicated a game is, then it's always best to scroll through the reviews for more details. And don't forget that bigger, easier to handle pieces are best for younger children, as well.

Was the Buying Guide helpful?

10 Best Board Games For Kids Ranking

Here are the best Board Games For Kids, ranked according to 10 Best Board Games for Kids (as of 11-04-2022). The products are ranked independently by mybest.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Gamewright

Dragonwood: A Game of Dice & Daring

Gamewright Dragonwood: A Game of Dice & Daring 1

$14.99

Low Mid

Best Game for the Whole Family (Parents, too!)

2

Blue Orange Games

Kingdomino

Blue Orange Games Kingdomino 1

$19.99

Low Mid

Learn Strategy With This Beginner's Game

3

Magilano

Skyjo

Magilano Skyjo 1

$22.30

Mid

Math-Based and Highly Addictive Gameplay

4

Game Development Group

Wordplay For Kids

Game Development Group Wordplay For Kids 1

$30.00

High Mid

Teaches Your Child Spelling and Vocab

5

Peaceable Kingdom

Race to the Treasure!

Peaceable Kingdom Race to the Treasure! 1

$14.25

Low

Lower Elementary Students Cooperate to Get Treasure

6

Mindware

Q-bitz

Mindware Q-bitz 1

$29.95

High Mid

A Versatile, Spatial Reasoning and Pattern Building Game

7

HABA

First Orchard

HABA First Orchard 1

$29.99

High Mid

Even Toddlers Can Learn to Work With Others

8

Zobmondo!!

The Ladybug Game

Zobmondo!! The Ladybug Game 1

$19.99

Low Mid

Simple Math and Reading for Preschoolers

9

Buffalo Games

Silly Street

Buffalo Games Silly Street 1

$23.94

Mid

Raise Your Child's Confidence and Creativity

10

Kids Against Maturity

Kids Against Maturity

Kids Against Maturity Kids Against Maturity 1

$29.99

High Mid

All Ages Humor Perfect for Parties

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

GamewrightDragonwood: A Game of Dice & Daring

Dragonwood: A Game of Dice & Daring 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$14.99
Low Mid
Reference price
$14.99
Low Mid

Best Game for the Whole Family (Parents, too!)

The goal of this game is to capture dragons by playing cards, rolling dice, and making calculated risks. It teaches kids the basics of probability through simple, math-based mechanics while feeling like an “adult” board game. Play time is about 20 minutes and it can accommodate two to four players at a time.

Reviewers write that it’s tons of fun for the whole family and playable even without the kids. Although it’s rated for 8 and up, younger children should be able to play along too with a little assistance.
Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

Blue Orange GamesKingdomino

Kingdomino 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$19.99
Low Mid
Reference price
$19.99
Low Mid

Learn Strategy With This Beginner's Game

In this game, players compete to build the best kingdoms by matching piece types with available spaces. It encourages spatial thinking and just the slightest sense of competition. Note that it does have small parts, though, so it's not for younger kids.

Reviewers write that it’s easy to understand even for younger children but scales well for older kids who may be more aware of strategy tactics. It’s just as much fun with two players as it is with four.
No.3

MagilanoSkyjo

Reference price
$22.30
Mid

Math-Based and Highly Addictive Gameplay

If you’re tired of Uno or want something a little more involved, Skyjo challenges you to get the fewest points possible based on the cards you’re dealt and draw. It’s largely luck-based, but there is a good strategy component to it as well. A picture-based manual is included for easy understanding.

Reviewers write that it’s simple yet addictive and that it works well with two players or eight. Younger children can easily understand the rules but may need some help with the math.
No.4

Game Development GroupWordplay For Kids

Wordplay For Kids 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$30.00
High Mid
Reference price
$30.00
High Mid

Teaches Your Child Spelling and Vocab

In this vocabulary-testing game, everyone is given two letters and a category and must think of a word that fits into the category and includes both letters. It’s a great way to make spelling fun for kids and help build vocabulary.

Reviewers write that it’s easily scalable for players of all ages and that adults can enjoy it even without children. It’s also a great game for anyone learning English.
No.5

Peaceable KingdomRace to the Treasure!

Race to the Treasure! 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$14.25
Low
Reference price
$14.25
Low

Lower Elementary Students Cooperate to Get Treasure

If your kids tend to fight and a competitive game seems like a bad idea, why not try one that requires cooperation? In this game, kids work together to build a path to beat an ogre and find the treasure.

Reviewers write that this game is best for younger children and may be too easy for older kids (though it could also be a great way to teach older ones patience with their younger siblings). That being said, it’s pretty easily played without adult guidance.
No.6

MindwareQ-bitz

Q-bitz 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$29.95
High Mid
Reference price
$29.95
High Mid

A Versatile, Spatial Reasoning and Pattern Building Game

This game challenges you to recreate patterns using your personal set of 16 blocks. It works kids’ sense of spatial reasoning and tests their visual memory. And, with 80 patterns and three different ways to play, it can be replayed again and again.

Reviewers write that this game is fun and challenging for the whole family. It can be played for as long or as short as you decide, and it’s easy to modify the rules to accommodate younger kids.
No.7

HABAFirst Orchard

First Orchard 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$29.99
High Mid
Reference price
$29.99
High Mid

Even Toddlers Can Learn to Work With Others

This game is designed for toddlers and encourages cooperation, following rules, and color and shape recognition. Players work together to pick fruits from a tree before the raven gets to them.

Reviewers write that this is the perfect game for two-year-olds as the rules are easy to understand and the cooperative aspect means that emotions are shared when winning or losing.
No.8

Zobmondo!!The Ladybug Game

The Ladybug Game 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$19.99
Low Mid
Reference price
$19.99
Low Mid

Simple Math and Reading for Preschoolers

This game is a typical path-following board game optimized to introduce preschoolers to simple math and reading concepts. It also encourages following directions and taking turns. The goal is to lead a ladybug through a maze to avoid predators and collect food for ants. 

Reviewers write that it’s easy enough for kids to play independently and much more engaging than other kids’ games like Candyland or Chutes and Ladders. It's great as a child's first board game.
No.9

Buffalo GamesSilly Street

Silly Street 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$23.94
Mid
Reference price
$23.94
Mid

Raise Your Child's Confidence and Creativity

This game gets kids moving around and using their imaginations. Players take turns drawing cards and acting, singing, or doing something silly. It’s great at building confidence and can also be played in teams, in case you have a large group.

Some reviewers note that this may be a more challenging game for shy children as there are some intimidating actions. However, others write that parents will have just as much fun as kids and that it’s great at turning sour moods around. 
No.10

Kids Against MaturityKids Against Maturity

Kids Against Maturity 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$29.99
High Mid
Reference price
$29.99
High Mid

All Ages Humor Perfect for Parties

Based on the adult game Cards Against Humanity, this game features jokes and innuendos appropriate for all ages. Players try to create the funniest sentence based on the cards in their hands and a separate question card. The judge (changes every round) chooses the most amusing answer.

There are still some adult-focused innuendos hidden in the cards that some parents may not find appropriate, but most reviewers write that it truly is fun for people of all ages–expect a lot of toilet humor. 

More Games to Keep Them Satisfied

The world of games is a vast one, that's not even contained to just physical board games. There are ways to play on your smartphone and computer, amongst various other options. Here are some of our other suggestions to keep your little ones busy.

Top 5 Board Games For Kids

No. 1: GamewrightDragonwood: A Game of Dice & Daring

No. 2: Blue Orange GamesKingdomino

No. 3: MagilanoSkyjo

No. 4: Game Development GroupWordplay For Kids

No. 5: Peaceable KingdomRace to the Treasure!

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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