Game night is an important part of any household. Board games especially can bring families together in laughter or create a competitive spirit that lasts until the next game night when revenge is sought. Either way, board games can be a great way to connect with your family, especially teens and tweens.
With video games, cell phones, tablets, and other screens taking up so much attention, a good board game is a fun way for teens and tweens to develop critical thinking, social, and strategic skills. It can be a challenge to find a board game that is appropriate for the whole family. With many families spending more time together at home, finding games everyone can enjoy is important.
This list contains the best board games for teens and tweens. Most can also be played with kids as young as 8 and adults as old as 108! With a little imagination, a whole lot of a skill, and a friendly dose of competition, these board games will help your family create memories every night of the week.
How to Choose a Board Game for Teens and Tweens
1. Consider the age and abilities of the players. In my family of five, we have three kids who are 11, 9, and 1. Obviously, the one-year-old isn’t playing many board games with us, but I do have to consider the 9 and 11-year-old when choosing new board games to try. There are some games that say 13+ on the box that both of my boys have been able to learn and favor over other games. Consider your players’ ages, but also abilities, when choosing board games.
2. Look at the number of players. Some games require only two people to play, while others may require a minimum of six. Other games may also be designed for only four or less players. It is important to have a variety of options in your game closet so that you are able to fit the number of players you have in your house at any given time.
3. Think about the setting of the game. If you are planning to travel with your board games or play them in a different setting such as a church, consider the setting and choose appropriately. Some games are great for ice breakers if you are playing with a new crowd. Other games are perfect for parties and other large gatherings that require multiple players.
4. Keep in mind the time required. Teen and tween games can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple hours to play. Different lengths of games are good in different situations. Think about your child’s (and his friends’) attention span when it comes to games as well as the attention span of your family when choosing games.
Now that you know what to consider, here are some of the best board games for teens and tweens!
Fun Board Games for Teens and Tweens
| Model | Features |
|---|---|
Telestrations Read Review | |
Not Parent Approved Read Review | |
Watch Ya' Mouth Ultimate Edition Read Review | |
Kids Against Maturity Read Review | |
Codenames Read Review | |
Spontuneous Read Review | |
Catan Read Review | |
Ticket to Ride Read Review | |
Pandemic Read Review | |
Splendor Read Review | |
Forbidden Island Read Review | |
Latice Hawai'i Read Review | |
Carcassonne Read Review | |
7 Wonders Read Review | |
Azul Read Review | |
Dominion Read Review | |
Spy Alley Read Review | |
Dixit Read Review | |
Exit: The Secret Lab Read Review | |
Wingspan Read Review | |
Parks Read Review | |
Unstable Unicorns Card Game Read Review | |
Exploding Kittens Card Game Read Review | |
Cover Your A$$ets Read Review | |
Sushi Go! Read Review | |
Dragonwood Read Review | |
Clue Read Review | |
Risk Read Review | |
Game of Life Read Review | |
Monopoly Cheaters Edition Read Review | |
Battleship Read Review |
Party Games for Teens and Tweens
1. Telestrations
Telestrations is a hilarious game that is perfect for parties, ice breakers, or a regular game night. Teens and Tweens will love this game, as it showcases everyone’s drawing and guessing skills.
In Telestrations, each player is provided with a dry-erase sketch book and a word that must be drawn. When the timer starts, the players attempt to draw a picture of their word. When the timer stops, the books is passed to the left, where that player must guess what the picture is.
They write their guess down in words, then pass the sketchbook to the left again. The next player has to then draw the guess in a picture, and the next person guesses what it is. This game is similar to telephone and the end-result in the big reveal is guaranteed to make everyone laugh!
While the manufacturer recommends Telestrations for 12 and older, we find it’s a great game for kids as young as 8.
Our Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Number of Players: 4-8
Playing Time: 30 minutes
2. Not Parent Approved
Not Parent Approved is one of my 11-year-old‘s favorite games in our home. The game begins with a belching contest, so you know it’s going to be a hit with tweens and teens. The premise of the game is to best complete a set of sentences by guessing which answer the “judge” thinks is the funniest. The more your card is chosen as the winning completion to a sentence, the better your chances of winning the game! Judges are rotated, so that each player gets a chance to pick their favorite (and funniest) cards.
With an appropriate amount of bathroom humor, this game is specially designed with kids’ laughter in mind. If you are uncomfortable with your kids engaging in bathroom humor, go through the cards ahead of time to make the game more appropriate for your kiddos. While the manufacturer recommends this game for ages 8 and up, we find that due to the nature of the subject matter, it’s better for 11 and up.
Our Recommended Ages: 11 and up
Number of Players: 4-10
Playing Time: 15 minutes
3. Watch Ya’ Mouth Ultimate Edition
Watch Ya’ Mouth is a popular game that is guaranteed to have your family and friends rolling with laughter.
Dental guard mouthpieces are used to keep players’ mouths open as they attempt to read a card chosen from the deck. Their team mate must guess what they are saying to win! Imagine trying to say “the floor is lava” without closing your mouth! Each of the sayings in this version of the game are family-friendly, making it perfect for teens and tweens. For a fun board game for 10-year-olds, this is perfect!
Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Number of Players: 3-10
Playing Time: 15 minutes
4. Kids Against Maturity
Kids Against Maturity is a lighthearted, card-based game that is sure to bring laughs to the tweens and teens who play it. The premise is simple and easy to start in seconds. Each player takes turns being the judge of who can best complete the sentence on their blue card. The blue card is displayed, and each player puts their choice of white card face down. The judge determines which card completes the sentence in the funniest way and whoever matched the cards wins that hand.
The player with the most hands at the end of the game wins! This set comes with 500 question and answers cards, ensuring hours of play that doesn’t repeat. You might want to go through the cards before playing to make sure they are suitable for your children.
Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Number of Players: 3-10
Playing Time: 45 minutes
5. Codenames
Rival spies. Secret agents. Undercover names. These are all elements of the Codenames game that will be a hit with any teen or tween who likes to solve puzzles! The premise of the game are two rival spymasters have the identities of 25 secret agents. The other players only know the codenames and must guess the real identities. Using clues and reasoning, each team tries to guess the correct names that goes with their assigned color. The team that guesses all the names first wins!
There are different ways to play Codenames so it will stay interesting each time. This is a great game for competitive teens and tweens! There are many different themed Codenames versions (including Disney, Harry Potter, Marvel, The Simpsons, and more) so think about which one your teen or tween might love.
Recommended Ages: 10 and up
Number of Players: 2-8+
Playing Time: 15-30 minutes
6. Spontuneous
Spontuneous is a game that is perfect for music enthusiasts, no matter the age. Teens and tweens especially enjoy music, so this board game is sure to be a hit! As words are drawn from a deck of cards, players must sing a song containing that word. The players to think of a song first and sings at least five words of the song wins the points for that round.
The player with the most points at the end of the game wins. Spontuneous is perfect for parties and large groups since taste in music can vary. If your teen likes taking pictures or videos of herself on her road to stardom, this is a great choice!
Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Number of Players: 4-10
Playing Time: 30 minutes
Strategy Games
7. Catan
Catan is a popular board game for teens and tweens that involves settling new lands by trading and building resources. Players work on a hexagonal board to collect enough resources (such as lumber, grain, wool, etc.) to build a settlement. Resources are traded among players for what they need, but watch out for thieves stealing key pieces, blocking roads, or creating a monopoly where you’re trying to build!
This is a favorite board game in our house and is great for a big group! Teens and tweens will develop strategic thinking in building out their settlements. Expansion packs are also available to keep the game going!
Recommended Ages: 10 and up
Number of Players: 3-4
Playing Time: 60-120 minutes
8. Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is without a doubt my family’s favorite board game right now. If they have a new friend over to our house, it’s the first game that is suggested to be played.
The premise of this game is to build as many train routes on the game board map as you can in order to amass the most amount of points at the end of the game. Players choose different routes from a deck of cards, and then must build the routes using color-coded spaces that correspond to cards that are collected throughout the game. It takes strategy, and a little bit of luck, to win the game. With several expansion packs available, this game never gets old!
One of the side benefits to this game is it teaches geography without kids realizing it!
Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Number of Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 30-60 minutes
9. Pandemic
Pandemic (created in 2008) is a board game rising in popularity thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. In this board game, players must work to eradicate four diseases that are threatening to wipe out humanity. Each player is part of a team with roles as a medic, quarantine specialist, researcher, dispatcher, and scientist. As each disease is cured by collecting cards, the easier it is to cure the next disease.
This game involves a race against time, so players have to work fast to defeat the pandemic and win the game. This relevant board game is fast paced and involves lots of critical thinking and strategic skills. Teens and tweens will love the premise of the game and is a fun way to spend a quarantine night in!
Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Number of Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 45 minutes
10. Splendor
Set during the Renaissance, Splendor is a game in which each player is a merchant trying to gain prestige through the accumulation of gemstones. On his or her turn, each player can either collect gems, use the gems they have to buy a card (many of which are worth prestige points), or reserve a card to buy later. The person to earn 15 prestige points first wins.
Splendor is an easy game to learn but a hard game to master, making it perfect for tweens and teens who don’t want to spend forever learning a new game but who still want an interesting challenge. The artwork for the game is also stunning, and though it’s not really important, the gems, which are very similar to poker chips, have a wonderful weightiness to them. Overall, it’s a very high-quality game.
Recommended Ages: 10+
Number of Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 30 minutes
11. Forbidden Island
Created by Matt Leacock, the game designer behind Pandemic, this cooperative game transforms players into fearless adventurers. As a team, they must embark on a daring and deadly mission to find the four lost sacred treasures of the Archean Empire—the Crystal of Fire, the Statue of the Wind, the Ocean’s Chalice, and the Earth Stone—before the tide rises and sinks the island.
Just like in Pandemic, each player takes on the role of a specific character with unique skills and strengths. They must then all work together, using a combination of Flood, Treasure, and Adventurer cards, to secure the treasures, travel to Fools’ Landing, and leave the island. If the water rises too fast, they’ll run out of time.
Luckily, the game allows you to set the “water level” to determine the difficulty of play, making it a game that can be played over and over again for a new challenge every time.
Recommended Ages: 10+
Number of Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 30 minutes
12. Latice Hawai’i
According to legend, Hawaii was created by Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and fire. For centuries, she fought with the Mo’o, shapeshifting lizard spirits, for control of the islands. In this game, the Mo’o have summoned animals and the elements to create a new challenge for control of Hawaii, and it’s your job to stop them.
The game is played by placing tiles—each of which represents both an animal and an element—to match adjacent tiles. Players can earn extra placements through various strategic moves, and the first person to play all of their tiles wins. It’s that simple!
With many ways to play, including optional rules for “kiddie mode” and the ability for tournament play, this game is great for a variety of players, including casual boardgamers. It is also great for tween and teen groups due to it being quick and easy to learn. But that doesn’t mean your teen will get bored after a few rounds! As the game’s descriptions says, “3 minutes to learn, 20 minutes to play, a lifetime to master.”
Recommended Ages: 8+
Number of Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 20-40 minutes
13. Carcassonne
Carcassonne is an expansion-type game that involves building out tile pieces to create a medieval inspired fortress. Modeled after an actual fortress in France by the same name, this game is perfect for the teen or tween who likes building puzzles while developing strategy.
Players take on many different roles, including knights, monks, farmers, and thieves, depending on which tile they are placing. Players then build followers while continuing to build the fortress. Those with the most followers on their tiles as they are completed wins the game. Carcassonne takes some imagine, as well as planning to win, which make it great for a teen or tween game night!
Recommended Ages: 7 and up
Number of Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 35 minutes
14. 7 Wonders
7 Wonders is a game in which each player becomes a leader of one of the 7 ancient cities of the world. The player then has to build the city and architectural structures that will stand the test of time and war. Cards and game pieces are used to build the cities over three ages of history. At the end of the game, the player with the most points, amassed by their cards and battle conflicts, wins!
This game is easy to learn and the skills develop further each time it is played. Teens and tweens will love the complexity and challenge of building ancient cities in this game. The history learned will help connect them with the past as well!
Recommended Ages: 10 and up
Number of Players: 2-7
Playing Time: 30 minutes
15. Azul
Azul is the beautiful tile-placement game developed for all ages. The premise of the game is that players have been tasked with designing the tile ceiling of a Spanish palace. Players are given a choice of tiles to choose to complete their designs. Throughout the game, players can choose tiles specifically to take away from other’s designs, pushing them in the lead.
Opportunities for extra points pop up throughout the game and the player with the most points in their tile designs at the end wins. This game not only challenges players to think critically and strategize, but it is also beautiful!
Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Number of Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 30-45 minutes
16. Dominion
If your tween or teen is a fan of medieval times or building kingdoms, then Dominion is a game they will want to check out! Dominion begins with each player being a monarch whose purpose is to build and spread their kingdom. Their kingdoms must be built with resources, gold, inhabitants, and other features, which are cards in this game of strategy. Each monarch is building on the same land, however, so a challenge is introduced as each tries to amass more resources.
This competitive card game is perfect for teens and tweens who love strategy games! Although the manufacturer recommends this game for kids 14 and older, we have had fun playing with kids as young as 9.
Our Recommended Ages: 9 and up
Number of Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 30 minutes
17. Spy Alley
Any game that has won 12 nationally recognized game awards is one that is worth taking a closer look! Spy Alley combines the best aspects of several popular games (dealing money, cards, and game boards) to create a competitive game in which players bluff, develop strategy, and play to win the world’s top spy title.
The game instructions are designed specifically to be quick and easy to understand, so it is a great choice for larger families. The strategy, however, can take months and years to develop. I like these kids of games the most because they never get boring. This is a game that will be brought out for family game night over and over as players vie to improve their Spy Alley skills.
Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Number of Players: 2-6
Playing Time: 30-45 minutes
18. Dixit
Does your teen or tween enjoy story telling and writing? Then Dixit would be a perfect game for your next family night! Dixit is a game that involves each player performing as a “narrator” who comes up with a story after drawing one of many beautifully illustrated cards. Other players must then finish the story using one of the cards in their hand.
The narrator chooses which ending to the story they like best after all players have submitted. The player whose card is chosen wins that round! The player who wins the most rounds, wins Dixit! The cards feature detailed illustrations and creatively funny stories that will keep teens and tweens entertained during game night.
Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Number of Players: 3-6
Playing Time: 30 minutes
19. Exit: The Secret Lab
The Exit series of games is the at-home edition of escape rooms. While these games are one-time use, it is well worth the cost for the memories and experiences it will give your tweens and teens.
In Exit: The Secret Lab, players must use the included riddles and clues to escape a lab in which they have been locked in. Everything needed to solve the challenges and escape the lab is included in the box with no cell phone apps required. This game is for up to four players, making it perfect for a slumber party or small youth group!
Recommended Ages: 12 and up
Number of Players: 1-4
Playing Time: 60-120 minutes
20. Wingspan
Wingspan is a great game for teens and adults. In this game, you are a bird lover looking for various kinds of birds. You collect birds from different habitats, feed them, and get them to lay eggs. In addition to being a fun strategy game, you’ll also enjoy the beautiful colored drawings of each different bird.
This game is for 1-5 players, but we have found it’s best with about 3 players.
Recommended Ages: 14 and up
Number of Players: 1-5
Playing Time: 40-70 minutes
21. Parks
If you want a game that is secretly educational, look no further! Parks is a me where you are traveling through different National Parks in the U.S. In this strategy game, you will complete tasks such as hiking a specific trail, filling a canteen, taking photos, and navigating your route. There are limits to how many players can be in a park at once, which is a great aspect to this game. It’s a fun game the whole family can enjoy, and it just might inspire the location of your next family vacation!
Recommended Ages: 10 and up
Number of Players: 1-5
Playing Time: 40-70 minutes
Card Games
22. Unstable Unicorns Card Game
Do not be fooled by the name of this intense card game! Voted the 2019 People’s Choice Award for Toy of the Year, this game is perfect for teens and tweens who love strategy games.
Unstable Unicorns is a game in which players must be the first to collect all seven unicorns in the deck to win. Players strategize with magic then upgrade and downgrade cards to gather more unicorns in their play area, or “stable.” Just when a player thinks they may be getting ahead, another player can thwart their best efforts with a well-played turn. Be prepared for lots of laughs and some friendly fighting with this game!
The manufacturer recommends Unstable Unicorns for ages 14 and older, but we find it’s great for kids 10 and up.
Our Recommended Ages: 10 and up
Number of Players: 2-8
Playing Time: 30-45 minutes
23. Exploding Kittens Card Game
Exploding Kittens is another great card game for teens and tweens. My family loves to play this game, as it requires a little bit of strategy and some luck.
The objective of this game is to avoid drawing an Exploding Kitten card. If this card is drawn, “diffuse” cards can be used to avoid losing. Diffuse cards, such as belly rubs and laser beams, help players stay in the game and create even more competition.
It took my family a couple of times to get the hang of this game, but after we did, it quickly became a game night favorite! And don’t worry–no actual kittens were harmed in the making or playing of this game!!
Recommended Ages: 7 and up
Number of Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 15 minutes
24. Cover Your A$$ets
Cover Your Assets is a game that is rising in popularity. Created for family game night, this card game involves matching asset cards and collecting as many as possible. Assets can be stolen or frozen, so it keeps the game interesting and competitive. The premise of the game is easy to understand and learn, and critical thinking skills will be developed along the way as the game is played. This is a great Christmas gift for the most competitive teens and tweens!
Recommended Ages: 7 and up
Number of Players: 4-6
Playing Time: 30 minutes
25. Sushi Go!
Sushi Go is a fast paced card game that requires critical thinking skills to win! Each player must choose cards to create Sushi dishes that accumulate points. As the cards pass between players, additional points are added for things like having the most Maki rolls or a full set of sashimi.
This fun theme is perfect for the sushi-lover and someone who enjoys points-based game play. As sushi is my 11-year-old’s favorite food, this game is a must-have for him!
Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Number of Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 15 minutes
26. Dragonwood
Dragonwood is a fantasy-based card game that involves collecting cards in order to capture the two dragons hidden in the decks. This is a favorite game of my son’s and their tween friends, as well as teens! This game is easy to learn and plays quick, so it is perfect for multiple rounds.
Each player collects adventure cards in order to roll dice that can stomp, shriek, or strike opponent character cards. With magical cards available along the way, each player must try their luck to collect creature cards that add up points, and ultimately slay the dragons. The player with the most points at the end wins the game!
Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Number of Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 20 minutes
Classic Games
27. Clue
There are some board games that stand the test of time, and Clue has proven to be a staying force on family game night. Teens and Tweens that may have forgotten about board games in favor of video screens will love being brought back to traditional board gaming with Clue.
In Clue, one of several cast members has been murdered and it’s up to the players to figure out who the murderer is, what they used for a weapon, and where the murder occurred. Having inspired countless other games, Clue is the perfect classic board game for teens and tweens who love to solve mysteries and puzzles!
Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Number of Players: 2-6
Playing Time: 45 minutes
28. Risk
Risk is a game of world domination, all in the comfort of your home. Using mission cards and strategy, players take over countries by building armies, moving in troops, and winning battles. This board game features updated Mission cards and in-dept map illustrations that will keep teens and tweens interested in the game.
The player who defeats all their opponents and occupies every country wins the game. Risk is a classic board game that will help develop critical thinking and strategic skills. This is a favorite game of my husband’s as well as my oldest son!
Recommended Ages: 10 and up
Number of Players: 2-6
Playing Time: 120 minutes
29. Game of Life
The Game of Life is another classic board game that may have been pushed to the side in favor of video games and other screens. It has become a favorite in my house, however, and is played all the time! The Game of Life begins with each player choosing a career path or college path. From there, players build wealth and property by buying homes, getting married, having kids, and other familiar life milestones.
There are bumps and set-backs along the way, just as in real life. The player who has the most money by the end of their life (retirement) wins! This game is based mostly on luck, and is a great choice for teens and tweens.
Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Number of Players: 2-6
Playing Time: 60 minutes
30. Monopoly Cheaters Edition
Most everyone knows the game of Monopoly, but the new Cheaters Edition has become a family favorite. While there are countless versions of Monopoly on the market, Cheaters Edition takes the game to another level and creates laughs and interest along the way.
This game follows the regular Monopoly rules, but has additional “cheats,” such as stealing another player’s property, not paying rent, breaking out of jail, and other ways to bend the traditional rules. All is fair in love and war in this game! Cheaters Edition has become one of my boy’s favorite game, and it’s perfect for tweens and teens!
Recommended Ages: 8 and up
Number of Players: 2-6
Playing Time: 60-180 minutes
31. Battleship
It’s safe to say that parents will enjoy sharing this game they played as a child with their own tween and teen aged children. And I suspected that once they are introduced to Battleship, the kids will like it so much they’ll invite their friends to play it with them. Because what’s not to love about this classic, strategic game?
As you likely remember, players setup their fleets of ships then announce a strike to their opponent, marking hits and misses with the red and white pegs as they go. This fun version of Battleship even adds planes to the fleets of ships. With portable cases and storage for all the pieces to the side of the ocean grid, this game can be taken anywhere.
Recommended Ages: 7 and up
Number of Players: 2
Playing Time: 30 minutes
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
There are many games on this list that my family currently plays, with Ticket to Ride and Dragonwood being the most popular in my house.
I hope you have found at least a few games on this list to add to your game closet. Family game night is an important part of any household. It helps foster bonding between siblings, as well as parent-child relationships. While it may seem like everyone is just having fun with a little competitive play, the memories that will stay with your tween or teen are worth every penny and hour put into playing board games together.
FAQs
What do teens like in a board game?
Teen-approved board games typically evoke competition and laughter. And while teens enjoy to be mentally challenged, they also want rules which are logical and simple to understand. Hence, teens like board games which are competitive, humorous, intuitive, and challenging. You can find games which meet all of these criteria in our list!
Why are board games good for tweens?
Since some tweens are beginning to outgrow childhood toys, board games become an excellent way for tweens to pass the time with family and friends. Not only will they have fun, they will also develop important life skills like patience, sportsmanship, and strategy as they play.
What are some good board games for a teen’s party?
Board games offer a fun, safe way for teens to socialize at parties. Through playing games, teens will get to know their friends better and make lasting memories. The best board games for a teen party are those that can be played by a large group and don’t require a lot of explanation. Telestrations, Watch Ya’ Mouth, and Codenames are all good options.
