We all know the classics — Monopoly, Cluedo, the games that come out every Christmas without fail. But there’s a whole world of newer family board games out there too, and they’re well worth adding to your collection for the next rainy afternoon or 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 real star of the show is your imagination. It tests your logic, your ability to bluff, and your powers of deduction — and the rules couldn’t be simpler.
In every round, one player becomes the storyteller, calling out a phrase or word that describes one of their cards. The other players then choose a card from their own hand that best matches what the storyteller said. All the cards are revealed, and everyone votes secretly to guess which one belonged to the storyteller.
Dixit is simple, brilliant, and great fun. It adapts easily to any age group, and with expansion packs adding extra cards, it never gets old. 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 giant robot, or another terrifying creature, take on your opponents, conquer the city, and become the one and only King of Tokyo!
Roll dice to accumulate energy, heal your monster, or attack the competition — or spend energy crystals on special cards that give your creature unique abilities. To win, you either need to destroy Tokyo or be the last monster standing after squashing the others.
King of Tokyo is a simple, fast-paced dice game of monster bashing designed by Richard Garfield. It’s a firm favourite with kids (especially boys, if we’re honest) as well as experienced grown-up board gamers.
Age: 8+, Time: 30 min, Players: 2–6
#3. Villa Paletti
Long ago in Italy, a man named Paletti tried to build the tallest castle in the world. He ran out of money before he could finish — so he started taking columns from the ground floor to build the levels above instead.
The result was an unlikely 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 structure collapses, or when nobody can build any higher. It’s quick, fun, and just wobbly enough to keep the whole family laughing.
Age: 8+, Time: 30 min, Players: 2–4
#4. Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a clever and addictive tile-laying game for 2–5 players, set in the area around the southern French medieval city of the same name. Players build roads, cities, cloisters and meadows, then deploy their followers — known as “meeples” — as farmers, knights, monks or thieves.
The rules are easy to pick up, but the game never gets boring, because the board is built fresh every time you play. With so many tile combinations and strategies possible, no two games are ever quite the same. Carcassonne is a genuine world bestseller and a must-have for any board game collection.
Age: 8+, Time: 45 min, Players: 2–5
About Board Game Guys
Board Game Guys is a small team based in County Galway, passionate about bringing families and friends a world of brain-stimulating, fun-loving tabletop entertainment. Their online store stocks board games and card games for a wide range of ages and interests, all designed to bring people together around the table.
Have you played any of these games? Let us know your favourites in the comments below.
FAQs
Are these games suitable for younger children?
All four games recommended here are aimed at ages 8 and up, so they’re best suited to older children and teens who can grasp a bit more strategy and bluffing. Younger siblings can often join in with a bit of help from a parent or older player.
How long does each game take to play?
Most of these games run for around 30–45 minutes per round, making them easy to fit into an evening or a rainy afternoon without taking over the whole day.
How many players do I need?
It varies by game — Villa Paletti works well with 2–4 players, while Dixit, King of Tokyo and Carcassonne can flex from small groups up to five or six players, making them handy for family gatherings or playdates.
Where can I buy these games?
All four are available through Board Game Guys, an online board game retailer based in Galway.
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