We all know the classics — Monopoly, Cluedo, Scrabble — but there’s a whole world of newer family board games worth adding to your games shelf. Here are 4 new family board games recommended by Board Game Guys, an online games store based in County Galway.
#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, all 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 from their own hand that best matches what the storyteller has said. The cards are shuffled together and everyone votes secretly, trying to guess which card belonged to the storyteller.
Dixit is simple, beautiful and great fun. It adapts to any age group, and with card extensions available 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 accumulate 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 must either destroy Tokyo or be the last monster standing after squashing the competition.
King of Tokyo is a fast-paced dice game of monster bashing from designer Richard Garfield. It’s a firm favourite with kids and experienced grown-up board gamers alike.
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. Before he could finish, he ran out of money — so he started 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 try to get their own columns onto the highest possible level of the villa. The game ends when the structure collapses, or when no one can build any higher. It’s quick, tense and genuinely fun for 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 builds the countryside around the southern French medieval city of Carcassonne. Players lay tiles to create roads, cities, cloisters and meadows, then deploy their followers — “meeples” — as farmers, knights, monks and thieves.
The rules are easy to pick up, and the game never feels repetitive because the board is built from scratch every time, giving an endless number of tile combinations and strategies. It’s a world bestseller and a major award winner — a genuine must-have 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 wide range of board games and card games, with delivery and customer care.
Board Game Guys is a small team from County Galway, passionate about bringing customers a world of brain-stimulating, fun-loving tabletop entertainment for all ages and interests. Their games are designed to encourage family and friends to bond, participate and compete — giving real meaning to the idea of playing together.
Have you played any of these family board games? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages are these games suitable for?
All four games are recommended from age 8 upwards, making them a good fit for family game nights once kids are comfortable with a bit of strategy and reading.
How many players do you need?
It varies by game — Villa Paletti works from 2 players, Dixit needs at least 3, and King of Tokyo and Carcassonne can flex from 2 up to 5 or 6, so there’s an option whatever the size of your group.
Where can I buy these games?
All four are available from the Board Game Guys online store, along with plenty of other family and strategy games.
More Rainy Day Ideas
Looking for more ways to fill a wet afternoon? Check out 10 Best Family Board Games According to Mykidstime Parents for even more tried-and-tested favourites, straight from real families.
Enjoyed this? Bookmark it or share it with a friend who’s always on the hunt for a good family board game — you’ll want it next time it’s raining.
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