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Every parent dreads the words "I'm bored." Turn that bored into board games, though, and you'll never hear it again! With the summer holidays quickly approaching, you, like many parents, might be looking for activities to keep little ones busy before they go back to school or when they need a break from their new gadgets. Or maybe you're looking for something classic to put under the tree, or even a game the whole family can partake in. Good news: we've got you covered. We picked our absolute favorite board games, from generation-old classics to new favorites.
The first step for a successful family game night is to pick the games everyone will enjoy. We've made sure to include every option for you and your family, from the classic (Candy Land, Trivial Pursuit, and more) to the newfangled (Bananagrams) and even cult-favorites like Settlers. There are games for tweens and options for younger kids. Shop our top picks, ahead:
This is a great first board game experience for little ones, no sitting still required! They'll learn about animals, color matching, and taking turns, all while having lots of fun.
Enjoy the classic game of mancala with nature-inspired graphics. The bumble bees will pollinate the flowers as the two players make their way through the game.
Although there's nothing wrong with the original Chutes & Ladders design, we love this fun update on the classic board game. Sea monster and rainbow illustrations will thrill players as they play.
Get your paws ready! In this fast-paced game players will wear cat paws and swat the dice away while calling our words that start with whatever letter the dice landed on.
This game is reminiscent of telephone. One player picks a card and draws what they see and then they pass the board to the next person. That person writes what they think the drawing is. It's unpredictable fun that older kids and even adults will love.
This board game is big on both size and fun! The board itself is six feet long, which makes it fun for a bigger group to tackle. It promotes cooperation, focus, memory, and matching skills. The game is also available in Marvel and Richard Scarry.
One of our favorites on this list, this new version of Trivial Pursuit encourages kids to learn, read, and engage more with the world around them. It also actually gives them a chance at winning with a separate stack of "cards for kids."
It's beloved for a reason. Catan (or Settlers, as it's known among fans) is the game your kids will want to play over and over again. Once they learn the rules, that is.
Get out the peanuts and Cracker Jacks—it's time to play ball! Whether on the porch or at the dining room table, you can play America's favorite pastime any time you want with this wooden tabletop version. Customize the game board with your favorite team's color and logo. Makes a great gift!
Guide your squirrel friends to their acorn snacks in this adorable game made specifically for toddlers. It's as easy to pick up as it is fun to play, and includes a nifty storage box.
If your kids love the Frozen franchise, they'll love playing this themed version of Monopoly, which twists and turns straight through Arendelle (and beyond)! The scenes, tokens, and board are all inspired by the popular movies.
Doesn't every household own Candy Land? There's no reading required to play this board game, kids of all ages can take part. The littles will especially love guiding their gingerbread man game piece through this colorful, entertaining board.
An easy game for anyone to pick up, Guess Who? asks players to try to figure out each other's mystery characters. With bright colors and fun, cartoonish illustrations, it's a solid choice for any youngster.