15 Fun Family Games to Play That Everyone Will Enjoy

Spending time together as a family builds strong bonds and creates memories that last for years. But quality family time doesn’t mean sitting around wondering what to do or defaulting to another night in front of the TV. A much better option is to bring everyone together with fun, interactive games that all ages can enjoy.

The key to choosing family games is making sure every person can participate. When the game is accessible to little ones, teens, and adults, you naturally create moments filled with laughter, teamwork, and connection.

There are countless types of games you can enjoy as a family. Some favorites include:

• Board games
• Card games
• Puzzle-based games
• Tabletop games
• Simple electronic or interactive games
• Outdoor movement games

Whatever you choose, focus on games that get everyone involved. The right selection turns an ordinary evening into a joyful tradition your family will look forward to again and again.

If you’d like to plan a family game night just for toddlers, be sure to check out Family Night Ideas with Toddlers.

Board Games

Board games are some of the most timeless and well-loved family activities. Also called tabletop games, they come in endless themes and styles. You can find games about exploring galaxies, running a shopping mall, conquering kingdoms, or simply outsmarting your opponent with clever strategy. With so many options, you can always find something your family will enjoy.

If your group can’t agree on a single favorite, rotate games each week so everyone gets a turn choosing. You may even find that certain games become more fun the more you play them.

Popular Board Games

Monopoly
Monopoly is a classic multiplayer game that works well for families. Most versions allow 2 to 6 players, though some accommodate even more. Since the gameplay is based on rolling dice and drawing cards, younger players can participate easily. Everyone gets the chance to buy and sell property, collect rent, and compete to become the wealthiest player.

Themed Monopoly Games
If your family prefers a twist on the traditional version, try themed Monopoly sets. You can play in teams for larger groups, and the themed editions often boost excitement. Star Wars Monopoly, for example, lets you choose characters like Darth Vader or bounty hunters and even buy planets like Coruscant. A themed game can make the experience feel completely new.

Checkers
Checkers is simple, strategic, and great for all ages. Two players take turns making diagonal moves across the board. Children as young as six can usually learn the rules quickly. It is easy to set up, quick to learn, and surprisingly engaging.

Chess
Chess is a deeper, more strategic two-player game. You may need to rotate players if you have a crowd, but it is always worth the time. From beginners to seasoned players, chess offers endless learning opportunities. Children gain experience in problem-solving, memory, and planning as they learn how each piece moves. A family gathering can even include a small chess tournament with a fun prize.

Scrabble
Scrabble is perfect for word-loving families. Up to four players compete to build high-scoring words on the board. It is fun, educational, and a great way to practice vocabulary while keeping things lighthearted.

Board games may not be as common today due to screens and digital entertainment, but there is something special about unplugging and gathering around a table. The simple act of sitting together, without devices, creates meaningful moments you will remember far longer than any show or app.

Card Games

Card games are incredibly versatile and come in a wide range of styles and difficulty levels. Some are simple enough for young children, while others offer strategy that keeps teens and adults fully engaged. Because many games allow variations and house rules, card games stay fresh and fun no matter how often you play them.

Fun Card Games

Spoons
Spoons is a lively game that works well for larger groups. All you need is a deck of cards and several spoons or small household items.

• Players try to collect four-of-a-kind.
• Once someone succeeds, they grab a spoon.
• Everyone else rushes to grab one too.
• The person left without a spoon loses the round.

It is fast, silly, and great for mixed ages.

Go Fish
Go Fish is ideal for kids but still fun for adults. Two to six players can participate.

• The goal is to collect sets of four cards.
• You can use a regular deck or choose themed decks for younger children.

Themes like ocean animals or cartoon characters make the game even more engaging for little ones.

Dominion
Dominion is a deck-building game for up to four players and is recommended for ages ten and up.

• It offers a variety of card types, including action, treasure, and victory cards.
• Younger kids can team up with an adult to join in.
• A big benefit is that once you buy the base set and expansions, you have the complete game. No endless collectible card chasing required.

Skip-Bo
Skip-Bo is a classic that families have enjoyed for decades.

• Players try to be the first to empty their stockpile.
• Cards are played in numerical order.
• The first to reach 500 points wins.

You can buy the official game or use standard playing cards to create a similar version.

Rummy
Rummy is a timeless favorite and works for players of many ages.

• The objective is to reach 500 points.
• Points are earned by forming sets or runs.
• Many families enjoy shouting “Rummy” when someone misses a scoring opportunity.

It is simple to learn but has enough strategy to stay interesting for years. Many people associate Rummy with warm memories of playing with grandparents or family gatherings.

Card games are easy to store, quick to set up, and perfect for family game nights. With so many options, you can always find one that fits your mood and brings everyone together.

Electronic Games

Electronic games can be a fun addition to family time when they are chosen wisely. Even though unplugged activities are valuable, certain video games offer family-friendly options that allow everyone to play together. And even if not everyone can play at the same time, kids often enjoy watching others as long as they know their turn is coming.

In our home, we only play video games if everyone can participate in some way. If a game excludes part of the family, it simply isn’t enjoyable for us.

Playing as a Family

Many video games allow for team play or group competition, such as:

• One-on-one
• Two-on-two
• Three-on-one
• Free-for-all modes

Depending on the game, you can create teams, rotate players, or take turns watching and cheering. Technology itself is neither good nor bad, and it is how you choose to use it that shapes the experience.

If your family prefers to avoid video games entirely, that is a great choice too. Every household is different. For us, gaming only happens when we do it together.

Choosing the Right Games

There are thousands of games available across various consoles. Your choices depend on your family’s interests:

• Sports games
• Action or adventure games
• Fantasy and story-driven games
• Futuristic games such as Star Wars titles
• Party games designed specifically for group play

Before buying anything, establish clear guidelines. Decide what level of content is acceptable in your home, such as limits on violence or intensity.

A Helpful Tip for Parents

Do not give children money to buy games on their own. Every game should be reviewed and approved by a parent. A quick online search, parent guide, or review page can tell you everything you need to know about the game’s content. This helps ensure the experience stays safe, family-friendly, and aligned with your values.

Electronic games can be a positive part of family time when used intentionally. They can bring everyone together, spark lots of laughter, and give you another fun way to connect.

Family Friendly Video Games:

Mario Kart 8. The game can be played by multiple players and would be considered a racing game. Who hasn’t heard of Mario Kart? This game has come a long way over the years and has only gotten better. Mario Kart is a great game for every age and has excellent replay value. Your children will love the ability to choose from a variety of vehicle and character options.

Plus, the levels in this game are beautiful and designed to keep everyone very entertained.

Super Mario 3D World. Being a game that can be played by children and adults, it qualifies as a good family game. It is compatible with Nintendo Wii U. Another game in the Mario genre, this game is sure to please. Even if you played Mario growing up as a child, you will still enjoy this game. Mario just never gets old!

Lego Marvel Super Heroes. The family can have fun by choosing from over 180 Marvel Universe superhero characters to complete various exciting missions and sidequests. This game is great because it’s multiplayer as well and encourages cooperation.

Once all of the missions and quests are completed in this game, players can freely explore the entire Lego version of the New York City map. There’s a lot of potential for replay and exploration in this game.

SuperSmash Bros. Playable by up to eight people. The game features many characters such as Peach, Mario, and Megaman. It can accommodate players of all ages and is also available on Wii U. Though this game is technically a combat game, it’s still well within the Mario genre.

One great thing about this game is that it can be quite entertaining to watch with all the little cartoon-like characters jumping in hundreds of directions. Your family will have lots of fun with this one.

Wii Sports Club: If you’ve ever played a Nintendo Wii before, it’s likely that you’ve played one of the many sports games available for it. Sports Club will give you the ability to play with friends and family while competing in any number of sports. These sports include tennis, golf, bowling, and more.

This edition can be played on Wii U as well. There are many sports games for the Wii. One of my favorite things about sports games is that everyone will actually get at least some physical activity, something that can’t often be said when playing video games.

I tried to pick games that would be suitable for almost any age and would fit within common guidelines that content-conscious parents (like our readers) would have.

Again, I still recommend always checking up on the content of each game before you buy. If you happen to accidentally purchase a game that was more violent than you thought, it’s better to throw it away rather than expose your children to things that don’t fit within your predetermined guidelines.

One more thing about video games…If you choose to play them as a family, it’s still a very good idea to rotate the kinds of games you play on a regular basis. Video games, almost more than any other kind of game, have the ability to suck lots of time out of you and your children’s lives if you don’t have boundaries in place.

Alternate periodically: card games one week, board games the next, video games the third week, and so on.

Family Game Night Is a Necessity

By now, you should have plenty of ideas to get started with family games. There are hundreds more options than the ones listed here, but the goal is simply to inspire you and make choosing a game a little easier.

If your family does not already have a regular game night, consider starting one this week. It does not need to be perfect or highly organized. What matters most is setting aside time to enjoy each other.

Your family night can look like anything:

• Playing board or card games
• Having fun conversations
• Eating pizza while watching a movie
• Playing tag outdoors
• Grilling together
• Doing puzzles or building something

The point is to give your family a predictable time to relax, laugh, and reconnect.

There is something wonderful about looking forward to a “fun day” all week long. A home should be a happy and peaceful place, and shared activities go a long way in creating that environment.

In our home, family game night has been a favorite tradition for years. When we skip a week, it feels like something important is missing. We look forward to Friday nights together, and the memories we have built are priceless.

Family Game Night: Fun Games FAQs

What are some easy family games for all ages?

Uno, Jenga, Yahtzee, Spot It, Charades, Scattergories, and Catch Phrase are simple, fun, and great for mixed-age groups.

What are good family games for kids?

Younger children enjoy games like Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Trouble, Operation, and Guess Who. Jenga is also fun for little ones, even if they do not fully understand the rules yet.

What classic board games does every family need?

Popular classics include Monopoly, Clue, Life, Risk, Battleship, Connect Four, Guess Who, Mouse Trap, and Scrabble.

What are quick and easy family games for game night?

Games like Apples to Apples and Pictionary are fast-paced, require little setup, and keep everyone entertained.

What are some educational family games?

Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Code Names, Chess, Mancala, and Quiddler are excellent for building vocabulary, strategy, memory, and problem-solving skills.

What are fun family games to play outside?

Cornhole, croquet, laser tag, ladder ball, spike ball, and badminton are great choices. If you want a high-energy option, bring out the super soakers, a sprinkler, and water balloons. Split into teams and enjoy a friendly backyard battle.