We all know the classic family board games — Monopoly, Cluedo, the ones that live in every cupboard. But there’s a whole world of newer games out there that are just as fun for family game nights, and often a lot quicker to play too.
Here are four family board games recommended by Board Game Guys.
#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 word or phrase that describes one of their cards. The other players then choose a card from their own hand that best matches what the storyteller said. The cards are revealed, and everyone votes secretly on which one they think was the storyteller’s.
Dixit is simple, clever and great fun. It adapts to any age or language, and with expansion packs adding extra cards, it never gets boring. A great choice 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 build up energy, heal your monster or attack the others, 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 after squashing the competition.
King of Tokyo is a simple, fast-paced dice game of monster-bashing by designer Richard Garfield. It’s a firm favourite with kids and just as popular with experienced 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. He ran out of money before he could finish — so he started taking columns from the ground floor to build the upper levels instead. The result was an unlikely masterpiece: the Villa Paletti.
Can you repeat his daring feat? In Villa Paletti, players try to get their own columns onto the highest possible level of the structure. The game ends when the Villa 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, exciting 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 — “meeples” — as farmers, knights, monks and thieves.
The rules are easy to pick up, and the game never feels repetitive, since the board is built fresh from scratch every time you play. With near-endless combinations of tiles and strategies, this world bestseller and major award-winner is a must 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 brain-stimulating, fun-loving tabletop entertainment for every age and interest. Their aim is simple: games that get people bonding, participating and competing together, in the true spirit of playing games as a family.
Frequently asked questions
What ages are these games suitable for?
All four games in this list are recommended from age 8 and up, 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. Dixit and King of Tokyo work well with larger groups (up to 6 players), while Villa Paletti and Carcassonne suit smaller family groups of 2–5.
How long does each game take to play?
Most of these games are designed for shorter play sessions — around 30 to 45 minutes — making them easy to fit into a family evening without needing to commit to a marathon session.
Where can I find out more about these games?
You can browse full details for each game, including current pricing, on the Board Game Guys website.
Related articles
If you enjoyed this, you might also like 10 Best Family Board Games According to MyKidsTime Parents — a reader-voted round-up of family favourites.
Save this for your next game night
Bookmark this page or save it to your rainy-day activity list, so you’ve always got a few new game ideas on hand for the next wet weekend or family evening in.
Have you played any of these games? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
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