The year 2020 has given us many opportunities to spend family bonding time together over a splendid night of family games. But getting creative with what to do with yet another night together might have you pulling for straws. Check out these 40 choices of the best games for teens that will coax even your most cynical teen out of their room and into heaps of laughter, fits of giggles, or mind-crushing strategy. Some are sure to surprise you, enjoy!!
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Best Games for Teens – The Classics
Taboo Party Board Game with Buzzer – The classic game of “unspeakable fun.” Taboo is a fast-paced, fun game for large or small groups of 4 or more players, ages 13 and up. This exclusive edition of the taboo board game includes 450 game cards, including food and drink category cards for even more unspeakable fun.
Apples to Apples – is the hilarious comparison game where players are free to be totally subjective in deciding the outcome. One of our family favorites over the years still has not lost its appeal as our girls became teenagers.
Monopoly – Monopoly is a classic for a reason, and over the years there have been Monopoly games for nearly every genre from Star Wars The Child Edition from the Mandalorian, to Disney’s The Lion King, Frozen II, to Marvel’s The Avengers, to Monopoly Fortnite. Pick one that would be fun for your family’s interests to play the classic game with a fun twist.
Yatzhee – the shake, score and shout game of rolling dice. The best games for teens wanting to understand the concept of statistics. HA!
Game of Life is my daughter’s favorite because she loves to be the banker and count the money. This version is even cuter with the addition of pets to the mix and has you act out different scenarios to compete for who wins the money.
Scrabble Deluxe Game needs no explanation. This board folds up for easy transport and the spaces of the tiles are recessed so if anyone knocks into the board that tiles stay safely in place. Scrabble is a classic on the list of best games for teens because of its emphasis on creating words from a jumbled mess of letter tiles.
Best Playing Card Games for Teenagers
Card games can be quite fun for family nights together. There are so many more choices now besides the basic pack of 52 playing cards. Plus, most card games are useful as you can play on the bed, any table, on the couch, and are travel friendly. Looking for rules to your favorite card games? Check out this page from Bicycle Cards.
Uno – This classic card game is a must for all families on game night. So many variations, but the idea is still the same, try to get rid of all your cards until you get down to one. Uno!
SkipBo is my daughter’s favorite card game from the makers of UNO. It is more complicated than Uno and can take a while to finish. It’s for the patient teens and parents.
Dutch Blitz – “Developed in Pennsylvania Dutch country, Dutch Blitz is a card game that’s exciting to play and easy to learn. Perfect for family game nights, or to play with a group of good friends, you’ll enjoy spirited competition as you try to get rid of your 10-card Blitz pile before anybody else. Not as easy as it sounds, though, because players don’t take turns.
You have to be the fastest to place your cards in sequence and in the same respective colors on the center Dutch piles while using as many cards from your Blitz Pile as possible. When your Blitz Pile has been exhausted, you’ve won.
The original game includes four decks of 4 colorful playing cards and easy-to-follow instructions, while the expansion adds another four decks of different colors. Combine the packs to play with up to 8 players.” This game reminds me of SPIT if you played that as a kid.
Quiddler – Is an interesting card game with letters on each card and you are challenged to create words with the letters in your hand. I really like this game. This link is for a mini travel version, but there is a larger card version, too. You’re likely to find that one in your local retailer.
Exploding Kittens – a fun new card game you have got to try.
Best Strategy Games for Teens
NMBR 9 – A puzzling game of stacking tiles for one to four players. Challenge yourself by playing solo or compete with others to see who can score the most points. This game is so fun because although you are playing in a competition, the game changes every single time and you are competing more with yourself and your ability to arrange the “numbers” in an advantageous way to gain the most points. My husband loves this game.
Clue – Who committed the murder in the mansion? Eliminate the suspects and discover whodunit, with what, and where. This classic spans the ages and variations abound. My favorite is the Harry Potter Edition of Clue because I am such a Potterhead. But you can’t go wrong with the Classic Clue featuring Miss Scarlett and Professor Plum.
Root – Root is a game of adventure and war where 2 to 4 players battle for control of a vast wilderness. The stage is set for a contest that will decide the fate of the great woodland. It is up to the players to decide which group will ultimately take root. In Root, players drive the narrative, and the differences between each role create an unparalleled level of interaction and replayability.
There are loads of expansion packs available for Root, which make it a really interesting game. Designed for 2-4 players, ages 14+, and has a 90- 120 minute playing time. This game is quickly bumping up on the best games for teens list.
Catan The Board Game – The incredibly popular, multi-award-winning civilization-building board game of harvesting and trading resources. Players control their own civilization and look to spread across a modular hex board in a competition for victory points. For 3 to 4 players, 60 minutes, ages over 10. There are many expansion packs for Catan as well, including an expansion pack to add 1-2 more players for a total of 6. A best game for teens top 10 winner for sure.
There is even Catan for Star Trek Fans! Oh yeah!
Risk – This is a classic strategy game of strategic combat game is filled with betrayal, alliances, and surprise attacks. Kids ages 10+ and adults can enjoy playing this game of strategic conquest together.
Steve Jackson Games – Munchkin Deluxe – Munchkin is the mega-hit card game about dungeon adventure . . . with none of the embarrassing roleplaying stuff. You and your friends compete to kill monsters and grab magic items. Fast-playing and silly, Munchkin can reduce any roleplaying group to hysteria. And, while they’re laughing, you can steal their stuff. So many expansion packs and complimentary games to expand the fun of this iconic game. 3-6 players |1-2 hours|ages 10+
Ticket to Ride -This is a game that has become a favorite for its simplicity to learn and its engagement in play. Many variations and expansion packs are also available for Ticket to Ride to keep the fun going. It reminds me a bit of the Monopoly Game.
Chess – this classic game of strategy can be enjoyed from childhood through the end of your lifetime. Enjoy it and learn to master the game over time.
This particular set is large and beautifully crafted of the Sycamore and Hornbeam woods of Europe. It is only slightly different than the photo details above on the board itself. Many beautiful sets are available in all types of materials for the pieces and sizes.
If your child and you both enjoy this game it will count as a wonderful family bonding activity as well.
Connect Four – This game will absolutely challenge those kids of yours who think they are sooooo smart! 🙂 I loved challenging the teenagers I would play when I mentored my church’s youth group. I played round after round, running through that line of kids as champion of Connect 4. “Got to see the whole picture boys!” Good times!
Jenga – to win at Jenga, you have to be the last to pull out a block without crashing the stack. Play by yourself or with a group.
Battleship – A childhood favorite: remember playing the battleship game as a kid? Kids and adults can enjoy playing this entertaining game together. It’s also a great strategy game. Sink Ships and crash Planes: with this Amazon exclusive edition, fans of the battleship game can crash enemy Planes in addition to sinking Ships to win.
It’s also a portable game: the battleship game includes 2 portable battle cases so players can take it with them, and dive into an instant game on the go. FAMILY ROAD TRIP!
Dominoes
Teens will grow up to be adults and they want to know the classics. For parents, you will fall in love again with this favorite childhood game. There are several popular domino games. The classic Double 6s, the very popular Mexican Train (played with Double 12s), and Chicken Foot (played with Double 9s) to name a few. I like the Double 12s set by Yellow Mountain Imports for the quality and available accessories so you can play all the domino game variations.
Yellow Mountain Imports Double 12 Dominoes with Dots in Black Lacquer Case This set of 91 white professional sized double 12 dominoes and made of durable acrylic. Each tile is 2 x 1 x 0.4 inches. Etched and painted with traditional dots. Domino themed 10 x 5 x 2.5 inches wooden black lacquer case with a magnetic latch to hold all the tiles neatly.
Yellow Mountain Imports Premium Beechwood Domino Racks/Trays – Set of 4 – Never worry about your tiles falling over if the table gets bumped or your hands cramping from holding the tiles with these quality domino racks.
Yellow Mountain Imports Mexican Train Dominoes Accessory Set (Wooden Hub Centerpiece, Metal Train Markers, and Scorepad) – This set has everything you need to play Mexican Train and Chicken Foot.
Directions for Chicken Foot Domino Game can be found here. Directions for Mexican Train Domino Game are found here.
Best Tell-All Games for Teens
Double Ditto – SIMPLE AND HILARIOUS FUN: Pick a card, read it out loud, and then quickly write down 2 answers you think other players will also write. Laugh or cry as you discover whether you were able to match any answers with other players. Find out whose mind is in sync with yours. It may not be who you expect! Easy to learn – begin playing right away. Answers can be as creative as the player’s desire, making this game customizable for any family game night. Expansion packs are available to keep the fun going.
Abundant Harvest – This game is designed to create teachable moments for parents as scenarios in the game are presented where players need to make decisions and take actions based on loyalty, responsibility, and commitment. It’s interesting because the game supports open discussion on real-world issues to help teens and adults communicate more effectively. Almost like a “what would you do…?” conversation.
Say Anything! – You read a question, everyone else writes an answer, secretly choose your favorite answer. Then everyone else tries to guess which one you picked! A party game with no right or wrong answers – just personal opinions and creative responses. This quick game is a winner of 30 awards. Best for ages 13+, for 3 – 8 players with a play time of 30 minutes.
You’re pulling my leg – is a good games for teens and friends who want to get to know each other better. Enhance storytelling skills, promotes relationships, and develops positive self-esteem. Great game for new friends. Multiple award winner. Ages 13+|2 – 15 Players|20 minutes per game
Talk it Out – Therapy game of communication. Designed to encourage teens to open up and communicate. This game gives teens the opportunity to discuss family, friends, feelings, values, dreams, and hopes for the future. Poses thought-provoking and imaginative questions to help engage anyone
Best Physical Games for Teens
Rollick – Team Charades Game – Great for Groups and Game Nights – ages 10+.
Family Charades Card Game – This version is super travel friendly. It’s a pack of 300 cards and simple just pick up a card and start acting it out.
Pictionary The classic drawing game for ages 8+, 2 teams, and play lasts around 30+ minutes. Artistry skills not required or recommended!
Spontuneous – This is the game for me. Do you, or someone you know, have a song for everything? It happens to millions of us. But most definitely to me. Can you think of a lyric with the word “night” in it? Pitch perfect or not, just let your voice rip! The 1st player to blurt out a song rolls dice to advance on the board. Ages 8 & Up. 4-10 players/teams. No idol singing skills needed. This game is award-winner. Makes for a fun family game night for you and your teens.
Best Silly Games for Teens
Relative Insanity – This game created by Jeff Foxworthy makes fun of family life, situations, and family members in a way teens would appreciate. Its pretty funny. It reminds me a bit of Apples-to-Apples where “the chooser” picks the funniest response to them.
Phone Phever – This game actually lets kids use their phones. Advantage goes to the fastest person to find the correct information on their smartphone. Perfect gift for adults, teens, tweens, smartphone addicts, and lovers of board games. Choose from 1,200 unique questions and challenges across six different trivia categories: TV, music, movies, law and politics, history and technology, and everything else! 3+players|Ages 13+
5 Second Rule – Pick a card, read the seemingly easy topic, then start the timer! now with only 5 seconds to name 3 things that fit the topic, it doesn’t seem so easy!
Headbanz (Harry Potter Version) – Test how well you can describe and guess the characters, spells, and creatures of the Harry Potter Wizarding World.
I hope your family enjoys so many wonderful family bonding memories at your Family Game Night thanks to this list of the Best Games for Teens. Have a GREAT time, be silly, let loose, and make some memories!
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Chandra is the chocolate-chip loving mother of 2 teenage girls who started over again with a baby boy in her 40’s! She is the author of The Mom’s Playbook to Conquering Softball Season. She gives other moms the tools they need to prepare their daughters for real life. Her content is centered on helping girls grow up to be well-rounded, equipped, expressive, confident, intelligent, capable, kind and independent.
