The 10 Best Family Board Games for Kids (Ages 5 & 6)
- 13 hours ago
- 11 min read
Our family's most-played games after countless family game nights.
Looking for the best family board games that both kids and adults will actually enjoy? These are the games our family reaches for again and again during family game night.
If you've followed me for a while, you've probably noticed we love a good family game night. I grew up playing board games with my family and it's a tradition I hope to pass on to my kids too.
Recently I shared the antique china cabinet we picked up on Marketplace for just $10 to organize our growing board game collection (check it out here), and I was flooded with one question:
"Okay... but what games do you actually recommend?"
So I thought I'd put them all in one place.
Our girls are currently 5 and 6 years old, and these are the games we reach for again and again. The one thing I know about playing board games with kids is that they're never too young to start playing, you just might need different games.
Our boys are presently 3, 2, and less than one. Truthfully, I don't play games with them as much as I'd like, and it's mostly because I haven't invested in many games that are suitable for their age group (but it's on my to-do list so stay tuned for my recommendations for younger kids too).
Right now our board game library has:
Some that are cooperative.
Some that are strategy based games.
Some that are complete chaos (in the best way).
But every single one has earned a permanent spot in our collection for a reason.
If you're looking for games that are fun for kids and adults (because let's be honest, nobody w
ants to suffer through a boring kids' game for the hundredth time), these are my recommendations.
What Makes the Best Family Board Games?
Before we dive into the list, I want to share what matters most when I'm buying a game. Because these aren't necessarily the "best" games ever made but they are the ones our family keeps coming back to, which to me, makes the investment worthwhile.
I look for games that:
Adults genuinely enjoy too
Don't take forever to explain because kids don't like hearing a long list of "rules"
Can usually be finished before younger siblings lose interest (games that are 20 mins or less are best for my 5 year old)
Encourage strategy, teamwork, or problem solving
Making us laugh is a bonus
Are games the kids ask to play again and again
We have lots of games in our collection but I have a long list of new ones I hope to add soon so this is our current favourites list. In no particular order, here are our top 10.
If I asked Raiyah to pick one game from our collection, this would probably be it (based on how often she asks for it).
It's simple enough for kids to understand, but there's just enough strategy mixed with luck to keep adults engaged too. Sometimes the kids even win because it really is a bit luck based. If you're a fan of poker you'd probably really like this one.
One thing I really love is that kids naturally practice basic math while playing without even realizing it.
Why we love it
✔ Quick rounds so it's great for ages 5+
✔ Sneaky math practice
✔ Ideal when you only have 20 minutes
✔ Is the perfect size for travel
✔ Plays well with just a few platers or larger groups
Check out Flip 7 on Amazon. (We got ours at Wal-Mart so you could check there too).
This game surprised me in the best way possible. I'm a huge fan of deduction games (Clue was my favourite growing up), and this one works incredibly well with younger kids while still being enjoyable for adults. I can play this game over and over with the girls (which is good because Thalia loves it!) and not get bored.
The artwork is adorable and everyone stays engaged trying to figure out who done it before everyone else.
Why we love it
✔ Beautiful artwork
✔ Encourages logical thinking
✔ Great mix of kid and adult strategy
✔ Easy to store and travel with
Confession: My six-year-old beats me almost every time. I'm still recovering from the fact that she's better at this tile placement strategy game than me. 😂
Kingdomino is a great "intro to strategy" games because it feels satisfying seeing your kingdom take shape without becoming overwhelming in the rules department. The rounds are quick so you can play a few games in a short period of time to test different strategies and learn as you go.
Why we love it
✔ Excellent first strategy game for kids, or families new to gaming
✔ Quick gameplay
✔ Adults stay challenged & kids think it's fun too
Learn more about Kingdomino here. I found ours at a local game store but it is sometimes available on Amazon, check the 'See all buying options" button.
This one is definitely on the longer side compared to the others so play with caution if your kids have shorter attention spans. This is a top choice game for families who have played other board games before, but isn't a great starter game for adults or kids if you're new to gaming because of the length of the game.
There is a Ticket to Ride Junior - US map and a Ticket to Ride Junior - Europe map, which is more geared for kids, we just haven't personally tried it and honestly, Thalia did really well with this version. Raiyah was pretty good but needed help finding city names etc. to determine which route cards to go for.
Instead of relying on luck, you're planning routes, collecting cards, and thinking several turns ahead.
It also becomes a sneaky geography lesson because you're constantly looking at cities and locations. We borrowed the US version from our local library to test the game. I'm still deciding which one(s) I want to add to our collection permanently to weave in more geography conversations with the kids, maybe Europe or Rails & Seas since I can't seem to find a version for Canada specifically.
Why we love it
✔ Geography conversations
✔ Strategic planning & critical thinking
✔ Patience
✔ Multiple versions available including a kids version
Explore Ticket to Ride for your next game night.
I wish there were more cooperative games like this.
Instead of competing against each other, everyone works together to solve the mystery before the fox escapes.
It's one of the easiest games for younger children to understand since we're all playing together. This makes it a great choice if you're just starting a family game night tradition with your family.
Why we love it
✔ Everyone works as a team so you can explain strategy as you play
✔ Easy rules for younger players
✔ Encourages problem-solving and deduction
✔ No sore losers—everyone wins or loses together!
Will you get Outfoxed! on your family game night? Find it on Amazon.
Imagine a giant 3D Where's Waldo. That's basically Search Party. It brings back nostalgia for me without feeling 'old school'.
Technically, it's not really a 'board game' by my standards anyway, since it's more of a search and find. You can either search for hundreds of hidden objects and check them off in the book, or complete the 15 story-based missions that are included.
Thalia dove right into the missions when we played the first time and loved it so much she completed almost all of them in one sitting (we played for several hours during nap time that day). I was worried she wouldn't want to use the game again but she's gone back several times to go the missions again and also look for the hidden items in the guide book.
This one doesn't feel like a traditional board game at all, which makes it fun to mix into game nights or pull out if you need an activity for your older kids to seek and find solo.
Why we love it
✔ Encourages observation skills
✔ Two different ways to play
✔ Great for a wide range of ages, even Grandma joined us for this one
✔ Perfect for kids (and parents) who love I Spy or Where's Waldo
Add search party to your game collection, find it on Amazon.
Chaos. That's all I need to say. 😂
Throw Throw Burrito is full of fast rounds, flying burritos, elements of dodge ball and lots of laughing. It's probably the loudest game we own and I'm okay with that.
I picked it up on a whim at a thrift store one day and it's more than earned it's place in our game collection. I do caution you if you're playing it while pregnant, I almost peed I was laughing so bad and dodging the burritos is much harder with a baby bump but it's still very fun for all ages.
Why we love it
✔ Gets everyone up and moving
✔ Fast-paced gameplay
✔ Equal parts strategy and silliness
✔ Guaranteed laughs every time
If I could only pack one travel game... It would probably be Spot It.
It's tiny, inexpensive, incredibly replayable, and kids and adults seem equally likely to win which makes it a fan favourite for all ages.
We own both the original and the camping version. There are so many out there so there are lots of options to suit your interests and also to add variety to your Spot It! game play. I keep a copy at home and one in the car that I can throw in my purse if we're headed out to dinner etc.
Why we love it
✔ Small enough to take anywhere
✔ Quick rounds
✔ Kids and adults are evenly matched
✔ Lots of themed versions to choose from
✔ Great for small or large group game nights
One of the prettiest games in our collection. The colourful tiles immediately grab the girls' attention, but underneath the beautiful design is a surprisingly strategic game.
I love Azul so it makes me really happy when the girls like to play, and even Gray who is more picky about games likes this one (all the games in this list are Grayson approved too).
If you're buying Azul for younger children, I definitely recommend starting with the original version. We also own Azul Summer Pavilion which is fun and even more colourful, but it's much harder to learn even for adults. And if I'm being honest, the original is still our favourite, which is why it made the list.
Why we love it
✔ Beautiful game pieces
✔ Great introduction to strategy
✔ Easy to learn, but fun enough that you'll want to play again and again
✔ Plays well with 2, 3, or 4 players
I highly recommend adding Azul to your collection, you can get it on Amazon.
10. Sushi Roll
The girls absolutely love moving the sushi trays around every round.
It's another game that combines luck with strategy, which means everyone has a chance to win. Sometimes the kids make moves that completely derail my strategy...
And honestly? That usually makes the game even more fun.
I've played both the cards version and tthe dice version and for kids, the dice version is definitely the way to go. Dice are much more durable and also more fun to use than cards and the girls absolutely love moving the sushi trays with the dice around every round.
Why we love it
✔ Colourful dice kids love
✔ A fun mix of luck and strategy
✔ Keeps everyone engaged every round
✔ Different every time you play
Presently not available on Amazon, we got ours at a local game store. If you have older kids or still want to play, you can grab the cards version on Amazon.
Final Thoughts on the Best Family Board Games As A Mom of 5 Under 6
Family game night isn't really about the games at all, although they do make for for unique experiences.
It's about remembering to slow down.
Laughing together.
Making memories.
And creating little traditions your kids will hopefully remember and want to continue long after they're grown.
These ten games have become some of our favourites, and I hope they become favourites in your home too.
More Family Board Game Recommendations
Blogs coming soon:
🎲 Our Favourite Date Night Board Games
👧 Thalia's Top 10 Favourite Family Games
Add a comment below and let me know which one you'd like to see first!
If you need even more game recommendations, I love to follow Table Top Family on Instagram, she's 100% dedicated to sharing game content.
Shop Our Favourite Family Board Games
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means if you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our family and allowing me to continue creating free content like this.
You can see all the board games currently lining my $10 china cabinet in my Amazon storefront here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Board Games for Family Game Night
What are the best family board games for 5-year-olds?
Our current favorites are:
Flip 7
Kingdomino
Outfoxed
Spot It
Search Party
because they're easy to learn while still being engaging for adults. I also share 5 more options in the blog above.
How long should family game night last?
With younger kids, we've found 20–45 minutes is usually the sweet spot. Sometimes we only play one game or sometimes we squeeze in three or four shorter games like Flip 7 and Spot It!
The goal isn't always to finish every game you own—it's simply spending intentional time together. If our kids start to get antsy it's okay to end a game without finishing it to avoid a meltdown.
Is it okay to play games that have a higher age rating on the box?
Absolutely! We do it all the time. Age recommendations are a great guideline, but they aren't always a hard rule.
Sometimes the higher age rating is because of small game pieces, while other times it's because the publisher assumes children are learning the strategy independently.
As parents, we can bridge that gap by teaching strategy as we play. Our girls are often able to enjoy games recommended for older ages because we explain our thinking, answer questions, and coach them through the first few games. Some of our favourite family games have age recommendations that are older than our kids—but they've learned them surprisingly quickly with a little guidance.
How do you teach younger kids strategy games?
We don't expect our kids to master a game on the first try. Instead, we focus on making it fun.
We'll often:
Explain our thought process out loud.
Offer suggestions without telling them exactly what to do.
Celebrate good decisions instead of just winning.
Let them make "bad" moves so they can learn from them.
The goal isn't to raise board game champions—it's to help them build confidence, critical thinking skills, and a love of playing together.
What makes a good family board game?
For our family, the best games are the ones that everyone enjoys—not just the kids. I can only sit thorugh so many games of go fish and chutes and ladders before I start to get cranky.
When I'm buying a new game, I look for something that:
Is easy to learn.
Keeps adults engaged.
Can usually be played in under 30 minutes (because the box time suggestions are always wrong).
Encourages problem-solving, teamwork, or strategy.
Makes us want to play again.
If the kids ask for it on a rainy afternoon without me suggesting it, I consider that a win.
How often do you have family game night?
We don't have a strict schedule. Sometimes it's once a week. Sometimes we go a few weeks without playing because life gets busy. Other weeks we play games multiple nights in a row.
More often than not, the girls will pull out a game after dinner or on a rainy afternoon and ask if someone wants to play. Having the games visible and easy to access has drastically increased the amount of games we're playing, I love our new china cabinet game storage!
I'm loving that board games have become less of an "event" and more of a normal part of our family time together.
Why do you prioritize family game night?
People often ask how we make time for family game night when we're renovating a house, raising five kids (soon to be seven!), and running a business.
The truth is, we don't play because life is calm. We play because life is busy.
Board games give us a chance to slow down, laugh together, and spend intentional time as a family without screens or distractions. We don't play every day, and we don't always finish every game, but those small moments around the table are some of my favourite memories.
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