Recommended Family Board Games

Blokus

• Blokus is a bright, amusing strategy game from Mattel that requires players to place all 21 of their game pieces on the board in creative ways to extend territories and block opponents. The game has received many awards for its addictive play that also teaches children critical thinking skills and socializing skills. Recommended for ages 5 and up, a game of Blokus lasts about 30 minutes and is suitable for the whole family. This game is intended for four players, though the rules can be modified for two or three players.

Wits & Wagers: Family Edition

• Wits & Wagers: Family Edition is a spin-off of the popular trivia board game from North Star Games that features 300 family-friendly questions and simplified rules and scoring. Each player guesses an answer to a question. Points are scored when players get closest to the correct answer or by being voted the best off-the-wall answer. Recommended for ages 8 and up, Wits & Wagers: Family Edition can provide many hours of entertainment for the whole family. This game is intended for three to 10 players.

Qwirkle

• Qwirkle is a block game from MindWare that allows players to create columns and rows based on color or shape. New players can learn the game in only a few minutes as they align the wooden blocks of six different colors and shapes into formation. The built-in strategy and scoring system creates playful, tense gameplay for hours of family entertainment and promotes critical thinking skills in younger players. Recommended for ages 6 and up, a game of Qwirkle lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. This game is intended for two to four players.

Pictureka!

• Pictureka! is a picture game from Parker Brothers that will remind players of the classic board game Where&'s Waldo? The gameplay is more involved, however, as players may search as many as 100 different picture missions across three categories. The player to find the hidden pictures and complete the mission receives a card. The player with the most cards wins the game. Recommended for ages 6 and up, a game of Pictureka! is fast-paced but delivers hours of family fun. This game is intended for two to four players.

Bananagrams

• Bananagrams is a word game that will remind players of the classic board game Scrabble. With a variety of ways to modify gameplay, Bananagrams requires players to build words with lettered tiles as quickly as possible. Once their tiles have been exhausted, the player shouts "bananas," and the game ends. This game teaches spelling and vocabulary skills. Recommended for ages 7 and up, a game of Bananagrams can be played quickly, sometimes in as little as five minutes, sparking hours of lighthearted competition for families. This game is intended for two or more players.