2024 Family Board Game Gift Guide
Family games, to me, are the true sweet spot in board games and this gift guide is filled with our top family game picks for 2024!
These are games with clear, straightforward rules that players can learn quickly, and a gameplay structure that is easy enough that players from ages 8 years old all the way to 88 years old can understand and enjoy.
Don’t let that fool you though, many of these games are still filled with incredibly satisfying strategy. You can usually play them in an hour or less; they won’t outstay their welcome and you’ll likely want to play a game or two back to back!
2024 Family Board Games Gift Guide
Wandering Towers
This fantastically puzzly and whimsical game is exactly what I want from a family game. It’s surprisingly tactical while also surprising you as a tricky little memory game too!
Tower Up
Tower Up is a dang delight that has been living on my table so long I need to start charging it rent! Hitting many of the same notes as Ticket to Ride, you’ll love its quick, snappy turns, tactical game play, and perfect scaleability for whatever your player count is!
Middle Ages
I was immediately smitten with the look of this game and have continued to be pulled back in by its unique game play. It’s a perfect next step up for those who love Kingdomino but want something with a bit more meat to chew on.
Expeditions: Around the World
Build routes all around the world as you work to connect them to your specific locations and away from everyone else’s. Smooth turns and beautiful art help this game shine — plus it’s a great add for your homeschool!
Survive the Island
One of our long time favorite family games got a much overdo and perfectly executed redesign and now she’s back and ready to delight this next generation. You’ll love encouraging your kids to get their people on the boat to safety only to sick the water monsters after them and crush their dreams.
Trio
We got our hands on this little beauty last December and a year later we still love it so! This is a must have family game. Quickly play a game or five with your kids, grandparents, anyone! A holiday must!
Let’s Go to Japan
I can’t tell you why I became so invested in this game, but gosh darn it I was going to go to “The Best” ramen place on my trip to Japan or so help me the trip was a bust! Part strategy game, part storytelling game, all fun as you plan our your week in Japan. And, naturally, a must play if you are, indeed, going to Japan.
Wrath of Fire Mountain
Our kids were grinning ear to ear while playing this. Dinosaurs? Volcanoes? Say less! And count me in for that tile shifting board because nothing says fun like your plans falling into place.
Pikit
I asked my boys which game they thought should be on this list and they both said Pikit. I’m not surprised. Monsters? Dice Rolling? Exciting player interaction? Count them (and me!) in!
Nocturne
Perhaps the most unique game on our list! Nocturne features a novel implementation of an auction and set collection that you’ll want to play again and again.
Knarr
Splendor walked so Knarr could run! I love everything about this game — especially that it’s fun for a date night game or with friends!
Little Alchemists
This takes a complex deduction game for adults and perfectly distills it into a fantastic game for kids and their parents to enjoy together! The use of campaign style play to ease you into more challenging rules will always be my favorite and I love how Little Alchemists does it here!
Mycelia
I love how in Mycelia, you’re not just working to build a deck of cards that wins you the game, but you’re using that deck of cards to move your dewdrops around your board. And of course spinning the shrine of life is way more fun than it should be.
King of Monster Island
If a cooperative version of King of Tokyo sounds fun to you, then get ready! King of Monster Island feels like an event game, and it looks like one too! We love how you really need to discuss your plan and work together to implement it — the monsters are tough to beat and you can’t do it alone!
Sunrise Lane
I love this cozy city builder. It’s the kind of game you can play in the morning with your coffee, or at night when you’re all snuggled up. The apartment buildings look so fun as they slowly fill in all the spaces on the board.
Captain Flip
One of the family game of the year nominees and for good reason! This is such a fun game for families and one that even your youngest players who may not quite grasp the strategy can play too!
