This August was a whirlwind. We bid goodbye to a wonderful summer and got back into the routine of the school year. No surprises that many of us are starting to look towards fall for both our cozy hobbies and our must have supplies for school and indoor fun.
At the end of the month I love taking a look at what was the most loved things we shared with you and this month it ranged from our favorite pencils to math focused games to lots of indoor activities and organization. Nice to know we’re all going through it together!
Here’s what our Tabletop Family Friends loved most in August.
Murdoku
Dominating the top spots this year is once again Murdoku. Specifically Volume 2 which has been a smash hit not only in our house but in with our community’s too! It really is the book for everyone; tweens, teens and adults alike love it. I’m forcing myself to finish book two slowly (it’s currently on sale!) since I have to wait until October for book 3! (also currently on sale as of writing this!)
Exit: The Game Advent Calendar
Apparently we’re all very excited for the holiday season to arrive because the new Exit: the Game Advent Calendar was a huge hit! This is a 24 day escape room style game. You’ll open a new part of the story each day that gives you a riddle or puzzle to solve together. When correctly solved, it leads you to the next door to open in your calendar. This is one of our favorite Advent traditions and I’m so excited to dive into this come Advent! They tend to sell out so getting one early before everyone starts shopping Advent Calendars is a smart call.
Eliminate!
This puzzle book has been a smash hit this month. Rather than needing to think outside the box, you’re following a set of rules to eliminate impossible options so that you’re left with only one choice at the end. (You’ll want a good set of no bleed highlighters for completing the book) It’s similar to the book The Killer Isn’t Alice, but has been everyone’s top choice due to how it has natural stopping points making it easier to complete overall.
For more great puzzle books for adults, check out this post.
Bulk #2 Pencils
I’ve been buying these pencils for homeschool for years. They’re better than Ticonderoga pencils and way less expensive. These were very popular for back to school and as a teacher gift. If you haven’t tried them out yet, definitely do so. They come presharpened, great for school, art, games, and having around the house!
Puzzle Board
When fall approaches I get so excited to get out all my favorite puzzles. Nothing hits quite like putting a puzzle together as a family and listening to an audiobook or watching a holiday movie together. Puzzle boards are a great way to make puzzles more accessible without taking over your dining room table. Put them together on the board, use the drawers to sort tiles, and if you need to pause you can slide the whole thing under the couch or move to a different room. Once you use one you won’t puzzle without it!
Organization Bins
These are my favorite bins for organizing small games in our game shelf. But they’re not just used in the game room. I use them for school supplies, organizing spices, small books in the library, beauty supplies in the bathroom. they straight sides make them perfect for utilizing all the space plus they’re stackable so you can really make the most of the space you have.
LEGO 3-in-1 Sets
I shared a few of these Creator LEGO sets and they went wild. These are my favorite LEGO sets to get because they have 3 builds in one. This sale is a great time to grab some sets for indoor activities this fall, easy birthday gifting, and fun family nights.
Cosmolancer
With the start of school I’ve had lots of parents reach out looking for educational games, particularly with a math focus. Cosmolancer is one of the best for a family game with LOTS of multiplication. This isn’t a game designed as a classroom math game which makes it all the more fun. It’s a normal strategy game that just happens to be filled with lots of fantastic math practice.
JOYRIDE Candy
These are one of our family’s favorite treats to get for game nights and movie nights. If my kids have money to spend at the story, you can guarantee they’re coming home with some JoyRide. I’m not usually a candy person myself, but these are genuinely delicious and the sour watermelon wedges are my fave.
Piles
Quick game nights rule the day for summer and fall. Piles has no surprise been one of the most popular all year long. This quick set collection game is based off the classic James Bond (we teach it here) but is even better โ designed for up to 8 players to enjoy and with the most tricky laundry themed art that makes the game even more challenging. Itโs the simple kind of fun family night is craving.
Automatic Shuffler
Card season is upon us! We have had two automatic shufflers become popular this month. The budget friendly VIP Dream is a popular choice and one of our top recommendations from our Automatic Card Shuffler review. And the Lotus 2 shuffler has become a quiet favorite as pre-orders are now open for the shuffler. This will be a prime gift this holiday!
Color Stack Challenge
Both the Regular size and the Mini version of this game were popular picks for this month. This is a game that’s not only great for when you’re short on time and just want quick fun, but you can also play it solo, too. Set a kid up with the puzzle cards and let them practice up before your next head to head race.
Super Slide Puzzle
This slide puzzle game is fun for kids and adults alike. It’s a fantastic solo logic puzzle to keep your brain sharp and works well for travel. Long car line wait? Super Slide Puzzle to the rescue!
We have a full post breaking down these electronic puzzle games, learn which to buy and which to skip.
If you enjoyed this post on the Bestsellers from August, then you may also enjoy:
The best board games of 2026
Best Board Games for 7 Year Olds
Easy Games Kids Can Teach Their Friends
