We all know the classics — Monopoly, Cluedo, Scrabble — but there’s a whole world of newer family board games out there worth adding to your games cupboard. Here are four family favourites recommended by Board Game Guys, a small Galway-based team who specialise in bringing great tabletop games to Irish families.
Whether you’re after a quick rainy-day filler or something to bring out at the next family gathering, these four games each bring something a little different to the table.
#1. Dixit
Dixit is a multi-award-winning game with beautifully illustrated cards, where imagination is really the main player. It tests your logic, your ability to bluff and your powers of deduction, while keeping the rules refreshingly simple.
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 the clue. All the cards are shuffled and revealed, and everyone votes secretly to try to guess which card belonged to the storyteller.
Dixit is simple, imaginative and great fun. It adapts easily to any age group and there are expansion packs with extra cards, so it’s a game that stays fresh for a long time — 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, and use special cards — bought with energy crystals — to give your creature powerful new abilities.
To win, you need to either destroy Tokyo or be the last monster standing by seeing off the other creatures during the game. King of Tokyo is a fast-paced, simple dice game designed by Richard Garfield. It’s a big hit with kids who love a bit of monster-bashing chaos, as well as with 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 set out to build the tallest castle in the world. But before he could finish, he ran out of money — so he began taking columns from the ground floor to build the upper levels instead.
The result was an unusual masterpiece: the Villa Paletti. Can you repeat his daring feat?
Players take turns trying to get their own columns onto the highest possible level of the Villa Paletti, carefully moving supports from lower floors up to the top. The game ends when the tower finally collapses, or when no one can build any higher. It’s quick, tense and genuinely fun for the whole family — a great one for testing steady hands and nerves.
Age: 8+, Time: 30 min, Players: 2–4
#4. Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a clever and absorbing tile-laying game for 2–5 players, set around the southern French medieval city of Carcassonne. Players build roads, cities, cloisters and meadows, then place their followers — known as “meeples” — as farmers, knights, monks and thieves to score points.
The rules are easy to pick up, and the game never plays the same way twice, since the board is built from scratch each time from a shuffled set of tiles. It’s a genuine world bestseller and multiple award winner, and a real must-have for any family board game collection.
Age: 8+, Time: 45 min, Players: 2–5
About Board Game Guys
The Board Game Guys online store offers a wide range of board games and card games, with home delivery and dedicated customer care.
Board Game Guys is a small team based in County Galway, passionate about bringing families and friends a world of brain-stimulating, fun-filled tabletop games for all ages and interests. Their aim is simple: games that encourage people to bond, take part and enjoy playing together.
Have you played any of these games with your family? Tell us what you thought in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages are these board games suitable for?
Most of the games featured here are recommended for children aged 8 and up, making them a good fit for family game nights once kids are confident readers and can follow a few rounds of rules. Younger siblings can often join in with a little extra help.
How many players do you need?
It varies by game — Villa Paletti works well with 2–4 players, Dixit and Carcassonne suit small-to-medium groups, and King of Tokyo can stretch to larger family gatherings with up to 6 players.
How long does a typical game take?
Most of these games run for around 30–45 minutes per round, making them quick enough to fit into a weekend afternoon or a rainy-day session without taking over the whole day.
Where can I buy these games?
All four games are available through the Board Game Guys online store, along with a wider range of family and strategy games.
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Looking for more rainy-day ideas? Browse our full collection of family games and indoor activity inspiration on Mykidstime — there’s always something new to try when the weather keeps you indoors.
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