We’re all familiar with classic family board games like Monopoly and Cluedo — but what about some of the newer games out there that are brilliant for family game night? Here are 4 new family board games recommended by Board Game Guys.
#1. Dixit
Dixit is a multi-award-winning game, beautifully illustrated, where the main player is your imagination. It tests your logic, your ability to bluff and your powers of deduction, while keeping the rules to a minimum. In every round, one player becomes the storyteller and calls out a phrase or word that describes one of their cards. The other players then choose a card of their own that best matches what the storyteller said. The cards are uncovered and everyone votes secretly to try and guess which card belonged to the storyteller.
Dixit is simple, beautiful and great fun. It adapts to any age or language, and expansion packs with extra cards mean it never gets boring — ideal for family game nights or an evening with friends.
Age: 8+, Time: 30 min, Players: 3–6
#2. King of Tokyo
Transform into a mutant monster, a gigantic robot or another terrifying creature, take on your opponents, conquer the city and become the one and only King of Tokyo! Roll dice to build up energy, heal your monster or attack the competition, or use special cards you can trade for energy crystals that give your creature powerful new abilities.
To win, you must either destroy Tokyo or be the last creature standing by squashing the others during the game. King of Tokyo is a simple, fast-paced dice game of monster bashing by designer Richard Garfield. It’s a popular pick with kids who love a bit of monster mayhem, as well as experienced grown-up board gamers.
Age: 8+, Time: 30 min, Players: 2–6
#3. Villa Paletti
A long time ago in Italy, a man named Paletti tried to build the tallest castle in the world. But before he could finish, he ran out of money — so he decided to take columns from the ground floor to build the upper levels instead.
The result was an amazing masterpiece: the Villa Paletti. Can you repeat his daring feat? Players try to get their own columns onto the highest possible level of the villa. The game ends when the whole structure collapses, or when nobody can build any higher. Villa Paletti is quick, fun and genuinely challenging — a real hit with the whole family.
Age: 8+, Time: 30 min, Players: 2–4
#4. Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a clever and exciting tile-laying game for 2–5 players that develops the area around the southern French medieval city of Carcassonne. Players build roads, cities, cloisters and meadows, then deploy their followers — known as “meeples” — as farmers, knights, monks and thieves.
The rules are easy to pick up, and the game is never boring because the board is built from scratch each time, with an almost endless number of tile combinations and strategies. This is a world bestseller and major award winner, and a real must for any board game collection.
Age: 8+, Time: 45 min, Players: 2–5
About Board Game Guys
The Board Game Guys online store offers a great range of board games and card games, with a focus on friendly customer care.
Board Game Guys is a small team from County Galway, passionate about bringing customers an amazing world of games that are brain-stimulating, fun-loving tabletop entertainment for all ages and interests. These games encourage family and friends to bond, participate and compete — giving true meaning to the spirit of playing together.
Have you played any of these games? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are these board games suitable for?
Most of the games on this list, including Dixit, King of Tokyo, Villa Paletti and Carcassonne, are recommended from around age 8, making them a great fit for older children, teens and adults to play together.
Are these good games for a family game night?
Yes — each of these games is designed to be quick to learn and fun for mixed groups, so they work well for a family game night with a range of ages and experience levels.
Where can I buy these board games?
Each game listed here is linked to its product page on the Board Game Guys website, where you can check current availability and pricing.
Do I need a big group to play?
No. Most of these games work well with small groups — several can be played with just two or three people, right up to larger family gatherings.
Related Articles
If you enjoyed this list, you might also like 10 Best Family Board Games According to Mykidstime Parents for even more family game night inspiration.
Looking for more rainy day ideas?
Browse our full collection of rainy day activities and games for more ways to keep the family entertained, whatever the weather.
Don’t miss out on more great ideas
Enjoyed this? Sign up for our free newsletter for weekly activity ideas, family fun and things to do — straight to your inbox. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
