We all know the classics — Monopoly, Cluedo, Scrabble — but there’s a whole world of brilliant games beyond the usual suspects. If you’re after some new family board games recommended by Board Game Guys, here are four that are well worth adding to your collection for the next rainy afternoon or family game night.
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#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, a player becomes the storyteller, calling out a phrase or word that describes one of their cards. The other players then choose one of their own cards that best matches what the storyteller has called out. The cards are uncovered and everyone votes secretly, trying to guess which card belongs to the storyteller.
Dixit is simple, brilliant, and great fun. It adapts to any age or language, and there are expansion packs with extra cards so it never gets boring — ideal for family playing or an evening with friends.
Ages: 8+ | Playing time: 30 minutes | Players: 3–6
#2. King of Tokyo
Transform into a mutant monster, a gigantic robot, or another terrifying creature, beat your opponents, conquer the city, and become the one and only King of Tokyo! Roll a combination of dice to accumulate energy, heal your monster, or fight other creatures — or use special cards, bought with energy crystals, that give your creature special abilities to help it win.
To win, you must either destroy Tokyo or be the last creature standing by squashing your opponents during the game. King of Tokyo is a simple, fast-paced dice game of monster bashing, designed by Richard Garfield. It’s a popular game with kids and experienced grown-up board gamers alike.
Ages: 8+ | Playing time: 30 minutes | 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 and decided to take columns from the ground floor to construct higher levels above it.
The result was an amazing masterpiece: the Villa Paletti. Can you repeat his daring feat? Players attempt to get their own columns onto the highest possible level of the Villa Paletti. The game ends when the tower collapses, or when players can’t build any further. It’s quick, fun and challenging, and the whole family can enjoy it.
Ages: 8+ | Playing time: 30 minutes | Players: 2–4
#4. Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a clever and exciting tile-laying game for 2–5 players, set around the southern French medieval city of Carcassonne. Players build roads, cities, cloisters and meadows, then deploy their followers — “meeples” — as farmers, knights, monks and thieves.
The rules are easy, and the game is never boring, because the board is built from scratch each time you play, with an almost infinite number of tile combinations and strategies. This is a world bestseller and major award winner — a must for any board game collection.
Ages: 8+ | Playing time: 45 minutes | Players: 2–5
About Board Game Guys
Board Game Guys is a small team based in County Galway, passionate about bringing customers an amazing world of games that are brain-stimulating, fun-loving tabletop entertainment for a wide range of ages and interests. These games encourage family and friends to bond, participate and compete — giving true meaning to the spirit of playing together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are these board games suitable for?
All four games in this list are recommended for children aged 8 and up, making them a great fit once kids are confident readers and ready for a bit of strategy.
How long does each game take to play?
Most of these games run for 30 to 45 minutes, so they’re easy to fit into an evening or a rainy afternoon without taking over the whole day.
Are these games good for a mixed-age family group?
Yes — games like Dixit and King of Tokyo are designed to work well across a range of ages and experience levels, so they suit families with children of different ages playing together.
Where can I find these games?
All four are available through the Board Game Guys online store, along with a wider range of family and strategy games.
Related Articles
Looking for more inspiration for family game night? Check out 10 Best Family Board Games According to MyKidsTime Parents for more tried-and-tested favourites from real families.
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