We all know the classics — Monopoly, Cluedo, the games that come out every Christmas without fail. But if your family has played those to death, it might be time to add something new to the games cupboard.
Here are four family board games recommended by Board Game Guys, an Irish online games store based in County Galway. Each one is a little different, so there should be something here whatever your family’s taste in game night.
#1. Dixit
Dixit is a multi-award-winning game with gorgeous illustrations, where the real star of the show is your imagination. It tests logic, bluffing and a bit of gentle deduction, but the rules themselves are refreshingly simple.
Each round, one player becomes the storyteller and offers a phrase, word or sound that describes one of their cards. The other players then pick a card from their own hand that best matches the clue. All the cards are shuffled together and revealed, and everyone votes on which card they think was the storyteller’s original.
Dixit is easy to pick up, genuinely funny to play, and works across a wide range of ages — it’s a lovely one for family game nights or an evening with friends. Extension packs are available too, so it doesn’t get stale even after regular play.
Age: 8+ | Time: 30 minutes | Players: 3–6
#2. King of Tokyo
Fancy transforming into a mutant monster, a giant robot, or some other terrifying creature? In King of Tokyo, players roll dice to gather energy, heal their monster or attack their rivals, and use special cards — bought with energy crystals — to give their creature useful abilities.
To win, you either destroy Tokyo outright or be the last monster standing after squashing the competition. It’s a fast, dice-driven game designed by Richard Garfield, and it tends to go down especially well with kids who love a bit of monster-bashing chaos, as well as adults who enjoy a proper strategy game.
Age: 8+ | Time: 30 minutes | Players: 2–6
#3. Villa Paletti
The story goes that a man named Paletti once tried to build the tallest castle in Italy — and when he ran out of money partway through, he started taking columns from the ground floor to build the upper levels instead. The result was the wonderfully wobbly Villa Paletti.
In the game, players try to get their own columns onto the highest possible level of the tower. Play continues until the whole thing collapses, or until no one can build any higher. It’s quick to set up, genuinely tense, and works well for a whole family sitting round the table together.
Age: 8+ | Time: 30 minutes | Players: 2–4
#4. Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a clever tile-laying game for 2–5 players, set in the countryside around the southern French medieval city of the same name. Players build roads, cities, cloisters and meadows tile by tile, then deploy their “meeples” — farmers, knights, monks and thieves — to claim them.
The rules are easy to learn, but because the board is built fresh from shuffled tiles every time you play, no two games are ever quite the same. It’s a genuine world bestseller and multiple award winner, and a strong addition to any family games collection.
Age: 8+ | Time: 45 minutes | Players: 2–5
About Board Game Guys
Board Game Guys is a small, Galway-based team with a real passion for board and card games. Their online store stocks a wide range of titles for different ages and interests, with the aim of encouraging families and friends to sit down together, bond, and have a bit of proper competitive fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these games suitable for younger children?
All four games listed here are recommended from age 8 and up, so they suit older primary-school children through to teens and adults. Younger children may need help understanding the rules, especially for Dixit and Carcassonne.
Do you need a large group to play?
Not necessarily. Villa Paletti and King of Tokyo work well with just two players, while Dixit and Carcassonne are better suited to three or more so there’s enough variety in guessing and building.
How long does a typical game take?
Most of these games run 30–45 minutes per round, making them manageable for a games night without taking over the whole evening.
Where can I buy these games?
All four are available from Board Game Guys, an online games retailer based in Ireland.
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