The 30 best kids’ board games you can buy in 2022
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BOARD games are a childhood rite of passage and the best kids’ board games will tear children away from screens, make them squeal with joy, and be as fun to play the 137th time as they were the first.
So amassing a decent collection of board games is well worth the effort – after all, there's no better family activity for rainy weekends or relaxed holidays.
We’ve selected the best kids’ boards games for youngsters of all ages, from all-time classics to brand new hot-right-now games.
Our picks are based on shopper reviews, our own favourites to play with and the opinions of other parents.
Play is super-important in childhood development, and the best kids’ board games can help teach kids cooperative play as well as improving fine motor skills, memory and information processing.
Children can start to enjoy board games before they can read or write: games like Snakes & Ladders encourage early counting skills, while Orchard Toys’ vast selection of toddler and school-age kid games improve memory and get kids thinking about strategy.
As kids get older, family games get even better – and more competitive. You start to create your own rules for games you regularly play – like always getting £500 when you land on Go! In Monopoly. What, just us?
The best kids’ board games are easy to learn and involve some luck as well as some strategic thinking; pretending to lose time and time again quickly gets boring, as most parents know.
Here are the best kids’ board games to add to your toy cupboard. Time to blow on those dice.
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Enchanted Forest Family Board Game
- Enchanted Forest Family Board Game, £15.99 from Amazon -
Transport yourself to the magical enchanted forest and help the king find his hidden treasures - the first to find three treasures wins.
The game is for children over four and works with two to six players. The setup is straightforward and the beautiful illustrations on the fairytale object card increase the game's replayability.
Monopoly Classic
- Monopoly Classic, £21.49 from Amazon -
An absolute classic – yes, it takes forever to actually finish a game (we're not sure we ever have?) and occasionally it'll end in a cheating scandal, but isn't that part of Monopoly's charm?
The iconic game is a great way to bond with family and provides the perfect ice-breaker with wider relatives and friends.
We also love how much it reveals about our children's personalities: are they buyers, investors, builders or – shock – cheaters?
Themed Monopolies, from London Underground to Horrible Histories, exist in their droves, but nothing beats the classic.
Monopoly Junior
- Monopoly Junior Game, £19.20 from Amazon -
Same brilliant Monopoly, easier set-up, kid-friendly properties and less time-consuming. What's not to love?
Parents like that it captures the essence of the original but that it's quicker-paced for younger players.
Plus, the characters are super cute, and include a mini ducky, penguin, t-rex and Scottie dog.
Orchard Toys Shopping List Game
- Orchard Toys Shopping List game, £19.28 from Amazon -
You can start playing this game with your two-year-old since it touches on their basic vocabulary of food and shopping list items: milk, bread, apples, oranges, etc.
It's a straightforward memory game that involves picking up all of the items you need from your shopping list; it provides lots of fun because once you've finished one round, you can just pick up the next shopping list for a new selection of buys.
If you're really keen, there are add-on packs with clothes and fruit and veg to keep the game going as your little one gets older - two extras come with this version.
Hasbro Hungry Hungry Hippos
- Hungry Hungry Hippos, £13.99 from Smyths Toys -
This is a fun game for entertaining the three-and four-year-old crew who wildly bash their hippos to swallow their marbles with abandon.
The quicker you move, the more you get.
Orchard Toys Cheeky Monkeys
- Orchard Toys Cheeky Monkeys, £11.11 from Amazon -
This fun game where you hang monkeys from a tree helps to develop counting skills and encourage strategic thinking: you spin the wheel, try to collect the most bananas and hope no one tries to steal yours.
It encourages observational, social and number skills development and has picked up numerous awards and five-star reviews from satisfied parents.
Operation
- Operation, £20 from Argos -
Another legendary game – Operation works well as a family game or for solo play, and picking out the afflicted body parts with tweezers is great for strengthening kids' hand muscles (the ones they'll be writing with) and helping them develop fine motor skills.
Most importantly, it's a lot of fun.
Sleeping Queens
- Sleeping Queens, £14.06 from Amazon -
We suspect one of the reasons this award-winning card game where you wake sleeping queens to win is so appealing because it was created by someone who knows exactly how kids think: a six-year-old.
Each game sesh lasts about 20 minutes and it requires quick-thinking, strategy and good ol' luck.
Recommended for kids aged 8 and up.
Bananagrams
- Bananagrams word game, £14.99 from Amazon -
Perfect for travelling, Bananagrams is doing a sterling job elbowing out Scrabble as the choice word game for families; it's less restrictive and fans describe it as more fun.
Bananagrams encourages creativity and doesn't require a board. Which means it can distract kids while on a train or even waiting for burgers in a restaurant.
FReNeTiC
- FReNeTiC Board Game, £22 from Amazon -
This game combines science, spelling and maths as players race against the clock to complete words using symbols from the periodic table (you score by adding together the atomic numbers of the elements you've used).
Fun, educational and great for older kids to get that grey matter going, it's aimed at youngsters aged eight and above.
Charades For Kids
- Charades for Kids, £8.67 from Amazon -
This game of role play works well for players of all ages - there are picture cards for younger players, and word cards for proficient readers.
Also, it's great to have a board game that gets kids moving.
Guess Who?
- Guess Who?, £15 from Argos -
Youngsters love this game and after a couple of goes with mum and dad, can easily play it with their siblings or friends to while away post-school afternoon hours.
Perfect for getting them to ask questions, it will also teach younger kids all kinds of facial-related vocabulary.
Tomy Screwball Scramble
- Tomy Screwball Scramble, £21 from Argos –
Aimed at kids aged five and above, this game has been around for years and its popularity it yet to wane. Why? It's just plain fun.
Players race against the clock to guide a small metal ball through the topsy turvy course and the fastest fingers wins.
A fantastic game for honing fine motor skills and a great test of determination, the tilting walkway, swinging crane and table maze in Screwball Scramble will challenge youngsters to get to the finish line.
Another bonus is there's virtually no setup involved – just get the board out of the box and you're good to go.
Make 'N' Break
- Ravensburger Make 'N' Break, £9.49 from Amazon -
This award-winning game has opponents racing against the clock to replicate the colourful wooden structures on the card they've drawn.
Requires skill, concentration and a competitive edge.
Twister
- Hasbro Twister, £15 from Argos -
Twister is an iconic board game for a reason: it has as much appeal for little kids as older ones (and adults), and it always ends in giggles as people collapse on one another.
This is a great choice on rainy days or if you and the kids have been cooped up in the house as it requires everyone to move and stretch a bit.
The box says 6+, but younger kids will get stuck in, too.
Cluedo
- Hasbro Cluedo board game, £25 from Argos -
Cluedo is the murder-mystery game that always gets kids excited - and it's intriguing enough for parents to want to join in.
A great one for older kids, it requires some writing and problem solving to work out who the culprit is.
The general consensus? The game provides 'hours of fun' and is a 'great board game for the family'. It was a popular choice during lockdown.
The LOGO Board Game
The LOGO Board Game - Second Edition, £20 from Argos -
This head-scratcher of a board game is a favourite on family games night, especially with brand-obsessed teens as it's aimed at youngsters 12 and above.
It's easy to play, great for learning fun facts and fans like that it's just the right mix of old and new, with lots of up-to-date questions.
Horrible Histories
- Horrible Histories Board Game, £14 from Argos -
Perfect for fans of history, this board game combines multiple choice with chance cards and charades.
It's a hit with fans of the Horrible Histories TV series, and works well for kids seven and above.
Harry Potter Race to the Triwizard Cup
Harry Potter Race To The Triwizard Cup Board Game, £11.95 from Amazon -
Harry Potter fans love nothing more than showing off their extensive knowledge of the books and films - and this game is the ideal way to do it as players race to the Triwizard Cup.
Players cast spells and dodge dragons to get to the finish.
Beat the Parents
- Beat the Parents game, now £9.99 from Smyths Toys -
Board games are all the better when parents get involved.
This one sees parents answering kid-specific questions about TV shows and ice cream flavours, and is a fun general knowledge trivia game for the whole family.
Drumond Park Articulate for Kids
Drumond Park Articulate for Kids Board Game, now £16.99 from Very -
One of our favourite board games for kids, Articulate challenges players to describe as many card entries as they can in 30 seconds.
It's fun for a small number of players, but works just as well when you're gathered around the table with 10 or more.
It's a fab one for enhancing the creative thinking and vocabulary of children aged six and above.
Scrabble
- Scrabble Original Board Game, £15 from Argos -
A game they'll love that also teaches them how to spell? We're sold.
Scrabble is a real winner that the kids will enjoy the more they play and practice.
Orchard Toys Pigs in Pants
- Orchard Toys' Pigs in Pants game, £8.99 from John Lewis -
This brilliant game for little ones is a matching game they'll find hilarious as each player's pig competes to wear the most pants.
It encourages strategic thinking and helps kids with matching and colour recognition skills.
'Bought this game for a two year old, but her five year old sister loved it more. This simple matching game, with only two sturdy cards held at a time, makes it easy for small hands to hold.
'Games last approximately 10 minutes, short enough to hold the attention span of young children', writes one reviewer.
Hasbro Connect 4
Connect 4 Grid Board Game from Hasbro Gaming, £12 from Argos -
Games that don't require kids to know how to read or write are always welcome, especially in households with older and younger siblings.
Connect 4 is easy enough for a four-year-old to enjoy... yet still entertaining for their 10-year-old sibling too.
We like this game for a fun screen-free night that still gets their competitive juices flowing.
Sshh! Don't Wake Dad! Game
Sshh! Don't Wake Dad! Game, £19.99 from Very -
A board game with an electronic component, players compete to get a midnight snack from the kitchen - a gooey slice of chocolate cake.
They'll just have to get past snoozing dad - and a few other obstacles, too.
A fantastic game to get them screeching with delight.
Hasbro Frustration Game
- Hasbro Frustration Game, £13 from Argos -
This childhood favourite board game is maddening - but that's why we love it.
The latest iteration has a whacking feature that's perfect for taking out all of the kids' energy after the witching hour.
Sussed
SUSSED Card Games, £7.19 from Amazon -
Can't get the teens to talk? Then try Sussed, which challenges the family to converse - and to see how well you really know one another.
There are 55 cards in the starter deck, and lots of different versions, from Emotional Intelligence to Lifeology, for those who enjoy it.
We love that you're bound to learn something new about those you're closest to...
Smart Ass
- Smart Ass game, £20 from John Lewis -
This game is sure to delight older kids and is perfect for the family that's always screaming over each other.
You see, whoever gets the correct answer out quickest - every time - will be the winner.
The Game of Life Junior
- Hasbro The Game of Life Junior Board Game, £17.97 at Amazon -
This is a twist on the original Game of Life to make it suitable for children aged 5 and above.
Two to four people can play the game that allows kids to choose their own holiday adventure by speed board, car, balloon ride, train or plane.
Surprises are also in store for all the players when action cards are drawn, as they can lose or earn you money and fun encounters or activities. It's a great game that the whole family can enjoy.
Avengers Memory Game
Ravensburger Marvel Avengers Mini Memory Game, £7.72 at Amazon -
The Avengers work as a team and now you and your children will have to match 48 cards together in a game of snap. It's an ideal game for children aged three and above and it is suitable for two to six players.
This game features all your favourite superheroes such as Thor, Falcon and Black Widow. It is a great gift that the family can play all year round at home or on the go!
Are board games good for kids?
Not only are board games great fun for kids, but they're educational too. Some games help improve literacy and numeracy skills, whilst others can test memory and logical thinking. Kids can also develop their confidence and teamwork by partaking in group activities.
How to choose board games for kids that aren't boring
When choosing a board game that isn't boring for your kids, it's worth thinking about what they're interested in.
Playing a board game as a family can be a great way of introducing a new game and making it fun for the kids.
Depending on your child's age and ability, it might be worth changing the rules slightly. This way, the game can suit their needs and it will be more accessible and enjoyable.