15 Kids’ Games That Are Actually Fun for the Whole Family
The Genius Square
The Genius Square
It’s won multiple awards and been called the cleverest game ever invented—yet it’s also super easy to start playing, with no convoluted rules to remember. Just roll the dice, block off some squares on a grid, then race to puzzle a series of geometric shapes into the rest of the grid before your opponent. You can use multiple sets to play with a big group at big family gatherings.
Googly Eyes
Googly Eyes
This game has all the sketch-and-guess hilarity of Pictionary, but gameplay induces even more laughs and silliness, since you have to put on vision-altering “wacky glasses” before you draw.
Sushi Go
A card-collecting game that’s pretty simple yet somehow as addictive and crowd-pleasing as actual sushi. Perfect when you’re in the mood for something cute and light—there’s strategy involved, but there’s no need to think too hard.
Sleeping Queens
Sleeping Queens
Kids and grownups will both get a kick out of this popular quick (10 minutes or so) card game that’s full of sudden ups and downs. The goal is to “wake” and collect sleeping queen cards. Kings or knights are used to wake or capture queens, while a potion can put your opponent’s queen back to sleep. Dragons and wands come into play, too—there’s plenty of fantasy to keep little ones entertained, while chance and a dash of easy math keep older players interested.
Bingo
Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Bingo Gaming Set
There’s still no better way to liven up an extended-family gathering than to bust out the bingo cage. (If you’re a fan of Target’s Magnolia line, you’ll be the first person to upgrade your family’s set.)
Apples to Apples Junior
Apples to Apples Junior
The junior version of this game of crazy comparisons might be even more fun than the original, though older folks may not get every single kid-pop-culture reference. The best part: Players are encouraged to convince the judge that their card is the best choice, resulting in lots of impassioned back-and-forth.
Qwirkle
This game is like a more-exciting version of dominoes: connect rows of tiles by matching their shape or color; six in a row is a “qwirkle". The concept is simple enough that kiddos can jump right in, but older players will have fun strategizing more complex, high-scoring schemes.
Throw Throw Burrito
Throw Throw Burrito
A game in which card battles result in a duel in which two players stand up and plush burritos are thrown. Enough said. (Hint: If your living room is home to breakables, move family time to a more flying-burrito-friendly space!)
Rummikub
It’s one of the world’s most-played strategy games in part because it’s perfect for multi-generational fun—simple to learn, fast-paced, and ever-changing, so there’s always potential to win right up until the end.
Jenga
The block-stacking classic game is worth rediscovering if your family hasn’t played it in a while. There’s still no game that gets us as stressed out in the best possible way.
Uno Emoji
The original Uno never gets old, but cute emoji graphics and a funny rule twist make it a lot of fun for younger players. The basic play is the same—match up cards to get rid of yours faster than the next person—but new action cards prompt players to mimic silly emoji faces for two turns, or risk having to grab four more cards.
