Six Story Driven Board Games for Kids and Families
These six games are like diving into an exciting novel; expertly combining storytelling with engaging gameplay.
Storytelling games are a wonderful way to immerse yourself into the game. I’ve loved incorporating them into our family game nights, especially during the summer. They’ve helped some of our more reluctant readers improve their skills and ignite their imagination as they’ve played through the stories.
If you’ve been wanting to add a story driven game to your family game nights but don’t know where to start, I hope this list will help you find the right one for your family!
Six Story Driven Board Games for Kids and Families
Flashback: Lucy
Ages 8+
This game completely captivated my older two kids! They sat huddled together for 3 hours straight because they had to find out what happened next. We loved the original Flashback game, but Flashback Lucy catapulted this series to a top favorite storytelling game!
This game features extensive amounts of text and will require at least one proficient reader to be playable.
Zombie Teenz
Ages 7+
Zombie Teenz stands out still as one of the most fun cooperative storytelling games our family has played. This is the sequel to Zombie Kidz, and while the original was wonderful, the storytelling found in Zombie Teenz made the entire experience SO memorable. There was one part so shocking that I’ll never forget the kids’ reactions! (I say this all as self described Zombie theme hater. This one get’s two thumbs up from me!)
The game and comic itself require no reading, but as you play new rules and player powers are added so you will need one proficient reader to help explain these adjustments.
Stuffed Fables
Ages 8+
If you grew up with Toy Story and can’t help but think of your toys coming to life after you head to bed, Stuffed Fables is for you! You take on the role of stuffed toys protecting their little girl from the Lord of Nightmares. This game uses one of my favorite game elements: a spiral bound book of game boards! This keeps everything neat and tidy and right on theme as you flip through the story and game boards on your adventure. The components are also incredible and help bring the story to life!
This game features extensive amounts of text and will require at least one proficient reader to be playable.
Unlock! Kids
Ages 6+
For kids that are still needing a bit of help with their reading, Unlock Kids: Detective Stories is a great option! This works like an escape room with adorable settings and whimsical stories. No fear of the creepy or scary. Our kids were able to play through these adventures on their own, solving the puzzles without assistance.
Emerging readers may need assistance in the beginning to memorize a few elements, but overall the game play is text free and we recommend it for early readers ages 6 and up.
Suspects: Claire Harper
Ages 10+
The Suspects detective series featuring Claire Harper is one of my favorite detective games for kids. The storytelling is top notch with a great Agatha Christie feel to it without every straying towards the darker elements often found in this genre. This is a great bridge game for older children ready to make the jump from kid to adult games but aren’t ready for mature themes. (I still recommend parents preview the game content prior to playing as this series does deal with death and crime.)
Current Suspects Series Games
Claire Harper 1
Claire Harper 2 (my Favorite)
Adele & Neville
This series features extensive amounts of text and will require proficient readers to be playable.
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Ages 8-10+
Take on the roles of Robin Hood and his companions as you work together through this immersive and interactive game! You’ll read from the storybook (yes, an actual hardcover book!) and move across a board that changes during the adventure. There are no set paths and your choices impact what happens next and what options are available to you at any given time. It’s one of the coolest immersive experiences you’ll find and completely replayable!
This game features extensive amounts of text and will require at least one proficient reader to be playable.
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