Our Favorite Games
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Games and kids belong together! I had board games in my kindergarten classroom and now I have a collection of games at home for my own children.
I am a big believer that children learn through play. Games teach taking turns, strategy, and etiquette. It is a bonus if you find a game that reinforces educational concepts.
Games are a wonderful way to get the kids to the school table – whether it is to start their homeschool day or to work on their homework. If my kids are dragging their feet about starting our school day, I put a game on the table. They love our favorite games, so they will happily come to the table to play. After the game is over we start school. I use the same strategy to round-up the kids after lunch too. It only takes a few minutes and is more effective (and nicer) than yelling!
I always recommend ignoring the age levels on the box. I think in general, game manufacturers underestimate kids and label games harder than they should. You know your kids and are the best judge of their abilities.
Our Favorite Games
Uno – To play Uno each player wants to get rid of all their cards first. You can play a card by matching either the color or number when it is your turn. This game is incredibly simple and great for the younger crowd. If your child can differentiate colors and numbers, they are ready. My kids have been playing it since they were toddlers. Honestly, it is a little young for them now, but it is small and handy to throw in a travel bag so we keep it around.
- UNO card game provides classic play, where players match colors or numbers in a race to get rid of all their cards!
- Action Cards and Wild Cards add unexpected excitement and game-changing fun, like the Reverse Card that switches the direction of play!
- The deck includes 3 blank Wild Cards for house rules anyone can make up — erase and create new rules each game!
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Scrabble Alphabet Scoop – The object of this game is to spell one of the words on your card before your opponents. But be careful, if you accidentally get a fly in your ‘soup’ you have to pour the entire ladle of letters back into the pot. The words are all between 3 and 5 letters long.
- Fun twist on the classic word game features a pot for scooping out your letters to form words
- For 2 to 4 players
- Includes plastic pot and lid, 4 plastic scoops, 72 word cards, 104 letter tiles and rules
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Bingo – We have been playing Sight Words level 2 Bingo this past year and it has really helped Ben identify and read many sight words. There are many different versions of bingo though – alphabet, addition, subtraction, etc. It is such a basic game, but kids always seem excited to play.
- Practice reading with 60 words from common vocabulary lists
- Unique, six-way format adapts to a variety of skill levels
- Set includes: 36 playing cards, over 200 chips, caller’s mat and cards, and a sturdy storage box
Last update on 2026-09-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Blokus – This game is all about spatial reasoning skills and strategy. Each player has a collection of various game tiles that they need to fit on the board, but you can not put it right next to another straight line. You want to have the fewest number of squares left at the end of the game. We play this so often, our box is falling apart!
- ACCESSIBLE & ENGAGING – The giant game board measures 12 x 12 inches – almost 2 inches larger than the regular game, making the pieces easier to see and…
- SIMPLE, YET CHALLENGING – It’s the perfect strategy game for the whole family! It takes less than a minute to learn but can be played over and over again…
- JUST ONE RULE – Players take turns placing their 21 pieces on the board. Each piece must touch another of the same color, but only at the corners!
Last update on 2026-09-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Rush Hour – This is another spatial reasoning and strategy game. Basically, there is a traffic jam that players need to navigate to drive off the game board. We play this game cooperatively. Playing games cooperatively is a great way to practice and improve communication within a group. One of the things I like about Rush Hour is that there are 60 challenges, with 5 levels ranging from beginner to grand master.
- Rush Hour Traffic Grid with card storage
- 40 ALL NEW Challenge Cards from Beginner to Expert with Solutions
- 15 Blocking Cars and Trucks
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Q-bitz – Q-bitz is a visual dexterity game. Each player has a tray with 16 cubes. The players want to be the first to recreate the pattern displayed on a card. This game is harder than it looks, but is great for encouraging attention to detail.
- MINDWARE Q BITZ GAME (Set of 3)
Last update on 2026-09-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Chess – Kids as young as 4 or 5 can start learning the rules of chess. It really is amazing how quickly they grasp how the pieces move. Chess is a fantastic game for learning to think ahead. Kids learn to make a plan rather than act impulsively.
Forbidden Island – We always play Forbidden Island as a family. Technically, you can play with as few as two people, but it is easier with 4. I think this is one of the most challenging games we currently own. The players work together to collect all four treasures before the island sinks. This game requires a lot of strategy and communication with fellow players.
- MISSION OF ADVENTURE: Embark on a daring quest with the Gamewright Forbidden Island Board Game, perfect for cooperative strategy seekers. Capture sacred…
- Family Fun for Six: Gather siblings, friends, or family for a rousing romp with 2-6 players, ages 6 and up. Enjoy competitive camaraderie as you vie to…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Monopoly – Our Monopoly board is near and dear to our hearts because it is the same board my husband played with his grandmother. They spent many hours playing the Washington DC version of the game. Now that we live away from DC, it is fun to see the familiar street names. This game is best for older kids who have the attention span for an hour + of game strategy.
- FAST-DEALING PROPERTY TRADING GAME: It’s a Family Game Night staple! Players buy, sell, dream, and scheme their way to riches with the Monopoly board…
- BUY, SELL, AND TRADE TO WIN: Players compete to buy out neighborhoods, sell properties, charge rent, and grow an empire in the Monopoly game for adults and…
- BUILD HOUSES AND HOTELS: Love that feeling when an opponent lands on an owned property? In this be-loved family board game, the more players build, the…
Last update on 2026-09-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Ticket to Ride
- FAST-PACED STRATEGY: Race to build your train routes across iconic American cities in this award-winning board game.
- COMPETITIVE FUN: Challenge friends and family in a 2-5 player game, where every move counts.
- COLLECT TRAIN CARDS: Strategically gather train cards to claim routes and earn points.
Last update on 2026-09-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Educational Board Games: Tween and Teen Edition
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