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Honest reviews, strategy guides, and parenting tips for board game families. From Catan to cooperative adventures.
Latest Reviews
View all arrow_forwardBest Tile Placement Board Games | 12 Family Picks
Azul is the best tile placement game for most families, with Carcassonne the classic first pick. Here are 12 tile games for 2 to 8 players, ages 6 and up.
Best Drawing Board Games | 9 Tested Family Picks
Telestrations is the best overall drawing game for a family game night. Here are 9 tested drawing and guessing games for 3 to 10 players, ages 6 and up.
Star Wars Board Games | 5 Real Picks and the Rules That Decide Them
Star Wars Rebellion is 2 to 4 players, ages 14 and up, 3 to 4 hours. Real rules, the two win conditions, and 5 games compared.
Disney Magical Moments Rules | How to Play and Win
Disney Magical Moments is a 2 to 4 player trivia game for ages 6 and up where you answer Disney movie questions to earn all six character pieces first and win.
Best Escape Room Board Games | 9 Family Picks
EXIT: The Game is the best overall escape room board game for families. Here are 9 escape room picks, from games you play once to ones you can pass on.
Harry Potter Board Games | 5 Real Picks for Family Night
Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle plays 2 to 4, ages 11 and up, about 60 minutes. Compare 5 real games with honest ages and the best first buy for families.
Learn
View all arrow_forwardBoard Game Randomness | Luck vs Skill Explained
Board game randomness runs from no luck chess to pure chance dice. Here is the luck versus skill spectrum and how to pick the right games for your family.
Lost the Rulebook? Play These
I found 10 games that work without rulebooks — Kingdomino, Azul, Sushi Go. Ages 8+, 2-4 players, 15-30 min.
Stop the Rulebook Lectures
I picked 10 games my kids play without rulebooks — Kingdomino, Azul, Sushi Go. Ages 8+, 2-4 players, 15-30 min.
7 Wonders Strategy Guide
I taught my 12-year-old 7 Wonders ancients — the one tip that clicked: build wonders early for chain bonuses. Ages 10+, 3-7 players, 30 min.
7 Wonders Duel Strategy | Military, Science, and Winning Tips
7 Wonders Duel strategy for two players: learn the military and science paths, Wonder drafting, resource timing, and the key decisions in each Age.
The Mind Card Game Rules | How to Play and Win
The Mind card game rules: 2 to 4 players, ages 8 and up, 100 cards, and 8 to 12 levels. How lives, throwing stars, and the reshuffle actually work.
Develop
View all arrow_forwardBest Vocabulary Board Games | Spelling, Word Building, and Family Picks
Best vocabulary board games compared by age, players, time, and skill: find spelling, word building, cooperative, and family games for kids, teens, and adults.
Board Games for a Grandparent With Parkinson's: What Actually Works
Board games for a grandparent with Parkinson's: 8 low dexterity picks, the medication timing that decides when to play, and 5 rule adaptations.
Board Games for Hand Tremors
I tested 10 tremor-friendly games with my 7-year-old — the one that surprised us: Jenga. Ages 6+, 2-4 players.
Inclusive Board Gaming
Inclusive Board Gaming - build skills through play - Kids Play Board Games
Games for Weak Grip Strength
Games for Weak Grip Strength - build skills through play - Kids Play Board Games
Board Games Without Fast Hands
Board Games Without Fast Hands - build skills through play - Kids Play Board Games
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View all arrow_forwardBest Sports Board Games | Strategy, Racing, Football, and Family Picks
Best sports board games compared by sport, player count, play time, and strategy: find family racing, baseball, football, tennis, and two player sports games worth buying.
Evolution of Card Games | Family Picks for Game Night
Card games grew from classic 52 card decks to modern family hits like UNO and The Mind. See each stage plus honest picks for ages 7 and up in 15 to 20 minutes.
10 Best Animal Board Games for Kids & Families
Looking for an animal board game your kids will actually enjoy? Compare 10 animal-themed board games by age, complexity, play style, and family fit.
Best Nature Board Games | Family Wild Picks
Cascadia wins for families: 1 to 4 players, ages 10 and up, 30 to 45 minutes. Photosynthesis starts at age 8, Parks hikes 1 to 5 through all 63 parks.
Best Western Board Games | Family Cowboy Picks
Colt Express wins for families: 2 to 6 players, ages 10 and up, 40 minutes. Bang! The Dice Game seats 3 to 8 in 15, and a disc flicking game starts at age 7.
Best Pirate Board Games | Family Picks by Age
Jamaica wins for families: 2 to 6 players, ages 8 and up, 30 to 60 minutes. Catan Junior starts at age 6, and Survive Escape from Atlantis seats 2 to 4.
Choose
View all arrow_forwardGames Like Pandemic | Best Co-op Games for Families
Compare 12 games like Pandemic for families, kids, couples, and solo players. Find the best co-op for quick nights, campaigns, and deeper strategy.
10 Best Games Like Ticket to Ride | Best Picks for Families
Ten games like Ticket to Ride for families, ranked by player count, age, and playtime. TransAmerica, Next Station London, and Thurn und Taxis lead the list.
Best Board Games Under $20 | Tested Picks With Replay Value
The best board games under $20 for families: 12 tested picks compared by player count, play time, age, and real replay potential.
Board Games Like Blokus | 12 Alternatives Tested by Our Family
Games like Blokus? Compare 12 family friendly alternatives by player count, conflict, shape fitting, and shared board strategy, with a clear best pick for every type of family.
Games Like Azul: Tile Matching
I compared 8 Azul-like tile games — Azul for elegance, Patchwork for two-player, Calico for cats. Ages 8+, 2-4 players, 30-45 min.
Games Like Chess | 8 Abstract Alternatives for Every Skill Level
Best games like chess: Onitama for speed, Hive for portability, Go for depth. Compare 8 abstract picks by players, play time, luck, and learning curve.
Catan Deep Dive
Guides covering settlements, trading, port strategy, and more.
Catan Aggressive Expansion Tips
I taught my 10-year-old Catan aggressive growth — the one tip that clicked: build roads to 8s and 6s first. Ages 10+, 3-4 players, 60-90 min.
How to Play Catan Junior | Setup, Rules, and Beginner Strategy
How to play Catan Junior with setup, turn order, building costs, Ghost Captain rules, and beginner strategy for 2 to 4 players ages 6 and up.
Settlers of Catan Review | Worth Buying for Families
Settlers of Catan review for families: who should buy it, player counts, age fit, rules, expansions, two player options, and whether it is worth buying.
Catan Development Card Types | Best Card to Buy and Play
Catan development cards: see all five types, exact card odds, rules timing, and the best play for early, middle, and late game board states.
Catan Strategy Guide | How to Win More Games
Catan strategy guide: 3 plans, pip count openings, when to buy development cards, when ports and cities pay, and how to close out a win for family game nights.
Catan Port Trading Strategy: 2:1 and 3:1 Ports
Catan ports: 4 generic 3:1 and 5 resource 2:1 harbors trade against a 4:1 bank rate. See which port is worth a settlement and when to take it.
Make family game night legendary
From first-time players to seasoned strategists, we've got the reviews, guides, and tips to make your family game night legendary.