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Solving Fun Shares

marcy

10 Family Games to Add to Your Collection

Updated: Dec 18, 2020


Everyone knows that I love to play games, so naturally folks often ask if I have any good board game recommendations. Because there are so many to choose from, I typically ask in return, “What kinds of games does your family enjoy?”


Types of Games: -- Word -- Collaborative -- Guessing -- Drawing -- Strategy -- Others


Most people shrug in answering my question because they don’t realize there are so many options to choose from. Regardless of the type, there are some clear winners in our family that we all tend to enjoy playing more often. Now assuming that these folks already have the classic games like Scrabble, RummiKub, Mancala, etc. in their collection, I have listed below the games everyone should add to their collection. Important to note is that each of the games are not kids’ games that adults can tolerate, they are just really great games for all ages (8+). Also, each of these are made from higher quality materials, players can finish within 20-30 minutes; and they are filled with strategy, but easy to learn. I hope you enjoy them as much as my family has.


Splendor is a fantastic strategy game that involves turn taking and requires planning ahead. Game play involves collecting coins, trading for cards, trading up for other cards- and ultimately receiving point values. Players have to strategize which gems/cards to buy to add to your reserves to buy higher point cards later on. @asmodeeunitedstates


Santorini is my 10-year-old’s go-to game right now, and everyone else in the family enjoys it, too. Santorini involves tower building and blocking, which is a kid favorite. The player’s goal is to have your pawns get to the tops of the towers first. Play occurs by building, moving towers, and blocking opponents from access. In the more challenging version of the game, players can incorporate Greek Gods that have special powers. Basically - it's a really complicated (and super-fun) tic-tac-toe. @spinmastergames


Concept is a party style game that is different from any others on our list. It’s a guessing game that players clue their teammates by pointing to different symbols on the board. While there is a way to earn tokens and the person with the most tokens wins, our family hasn’t ever played it that way. We have a great time solving it as a team and celebrating the success together. @ReposProduction


Kingdomino is a game that everyone in my family loves. Players turn over different domino-style pieces. As a “lord”, players try to claim the best land for their kingdoms with the same patterns, lined up like dominoes. The players’ goal is to build a 5×5 kingdom to score the most points, and create valuable territories. This game requires players to plan ahead, and is filled with strategy and a little luck. @BlueOrangeGamesUSA


Draftasaurus is a great game for your family if you have played and enjoy Sushi Go (which I have and do). It is very easy to understand and learn the rules. The goal is to create a dinosaur park that is most likely to attract visitors (most points in the end). It’s quick and gives my family a lot of laughs. While Draftasaurus is a strategy game, there is a lot of luck involved as well. @DOFUS


Cahoots is a super entertaining cooperative card game where players work together as a group to try to get through cards with tasks on them. Each round can be played pretty fast during the beginning levels, though once your family plays one round, you will want to keep going! The cards are played by matching color or number to achieve different goals (totals, odd/even, color). Players take turns to get through as many goals as they can while also working as a team. @Gamewright


Codenames is another party-style game where players have a grid full of words and are trying to get their teammates to guess the words by giving only one-word clues. Players don't want their partners to guess opponents' words, only the words on their team. It’s fast paced and filled with lots of opportunities to mess up and laugh at your errors. Codenames supports skills like strategy, creative thinking, teamwork, vocabulary/word play, logic and reasoning. @CzechGames


Chameleon is similar to Codenames in that a player tries to guess a secret word. Chameleon is set up where one person doesn't know what the secret word is (that is the “chameleon”) and everyone else does. Players try to figure out who the chameleon is and what the secret word is. The chameleon’s goal is to not be found out. All other players’ goal is to guess who the chameleon is. @BigPotatoGames


Quixx is a great dice game that can easily be taken on family trips or outings. It is our shortest game recommendation and can be played in 10-15 minutes per round. This game can also be played by younger kids. Game set-up involves colored dice and white dice, pencils, and printed pads of paper. Players have to mark the numbers by color off in order, and players may choose to pass. The goal of Quixx is to get as many of the numbers 2-12 for each color marked off your list. While there is a lot of luck in this game, strategy plays a big part. @Gamewright


Sagrada is a beautifully designed game that requires a high level of strategy and planning ahead. The artist’s (player’s) goal is to create the most beautiful stained glass window. Artists win points by completing public and private objectives. Artists are each given a window (card) with place holders for stained glass (colored dice). Each turn, artists gather certain stained glass depending on the task on their window. Sagrada has a lot of components (90 dice!) that keeps the game engaging and fun. It is a very creative and is certainly a go-to with my family. @FloodgateGames


Have any questions about our recommendations? Do you enjoy playing any of these games? Have a favorite game that isn’t in Solving Fun’s list? Add your ideas in the comments below.


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