Plan an Epic Family Game Night

Bringing the family together for game night—what could be simpler? Families hit the game cabinet hard in 2020, fueling 20 percent growth in the board games market. To inspire new rounds of play and plenty of memories, here are some favorite parent-tested game picks complete with family-friendly food pairings. Games run from $10-$50 each and stocking a selection can quickly get expensive, so consider partnering with another family of gamers, then rotating the games so there’s always something new to enjoy.

Photo by Amber Thompson Photography

Board Games

Gnomes at Night
Ages 6+, 2-4 players
Pairs with: Bugles (AKA gnome hats)

Gnomes at Night is a cooperative maze game that allows players to work together. The game builds decision-making and communication as players team up to maneuver adorable magnetic gnomes through a maze.

Trekking The National Parks
Ages 10+, up to 5 players
Pair with: Huckleberry ice cream

This takes players across the continent to set up camp and claim Victory Points at American National Parks. A portion of the proceeds from this award-winning game support the National Parks Foundation.

The Oregon Trail Game: Journey to Willamette Valley
Ages 14+, up to 4 players
Pair with: Trail mix

Based on the iconic Oregon Trail computer game many parents played as kids, this sends players on a Westward journey as they hunt for food, manage limited wagon space, and fend off threats that range from disease to animal attacks. 

Chickapig: A Farm to Table Game
Ages 8+, 2-4 players
Pairs with: Crunchy veggies like carrots, radishes, and sugar snap peas

This classic family board game feels as fresh as farm produce with its simple design, wooden game pieces, and organic, folksy appeal. This strategy game features fantastical creatures, hay bales, and enough manure to keep kids giggling.

Wildcraft
Ages 4+, up to 4 players
Pair with: Herbal tea

This simple “Chutes and Ladders” style game teaches kids about plant safety and first aid and can be enjoyed by pre-readers and adults alike. The game board and box are made with all recycled materials and printed with vegetable-based inks on Forest Stewardship Council certified paper, and a portion of the proceeds benefit United Plant Savers.

Card Games

Sleeping Queens
Ages 8+, up to 5 players
Pair with: Milk and cookies

Sleeping Queens is a blessedly brief card game for the grade-school set that was invented by an imaginative 6-year-old. Play multiple rounds for a longer game night or keep the evening short and sweet with a single 20-minute session.

Kids Against Maturity
Ages 10+, 4-8 players
Pair with: Kid-friendly snacks, from fruit roll-ups to cheese crackers

Aimed at kids who are outgrowing the much tamer Apples to Apples game but not ready for Cards Against Humanity, this is suited for family play. Players combine words and phrases to uproarious effect, with plenty of silliness and potty-themed humor to keep kids completely entertained.

What Do You Meme? Family Edition
Ages 8+, 4-8 players
Pair with: Hot cocoa bombs or another Insta-worthy snack

Players use 300 caption cards and 65 photo cards to create the funniest memes, as decided by a rotating judge. Simple enough to play after a tiring day of work and/or remote schooling, this affordable game deserves a spot in the game cabinet.

Ecologies
Ages 12+, up to 6 players
Pairs with: Locally grown produce and a healthy dip

Players build and nurture their own food systems in biomes around the world and decide whether to disrupt their opponents’ ecosystems. But much like real-world food webs, sustainability isn’t something you achieve alone; trading with other players helps the game feel more collaborative.

Poetry for Neanderthals
Ages 7+, 2-4 players
Pairs with: Nuts (or allergy-friendly alternative), seeds, and dried berries

This competitive word-guessing game takes just a few minutes to learn. With each round taking just 15 minutes, you can play more than once, or squeeze in a quick game night before tuck-in.

Tips to take game night over the top

Don’t be daunted by age limits.
Younger players can enjoy games aimed at older players by adjusting the rules or teaming up with a parent.

Keep it fresh.
Minimize grumbles and eye-rolling from older children by establishing a fair system for choosing the night’s game. Players can roll a die (highest roll chooses the game) or simply rotate through family members to take turns picking.

Take a break from the table.
The kitchen table isn’t the only spot for family game play. Depending on the game, you can play anywhere you’d like, as long as you have a flat surface. Invest in a puzzle board, and you can move your game to the family room, rec room, or even the floor.

Ban phones.
Establish a no-phones rule during game play and collect them in a box before the game begins. If teens (or grown-ups) protest, a quick midsession break allows players to check messages before resuming game play.

Look for a video tutorial.
For new games or those with complicated rules, the quickest route to an unplugged game night may be viewing a quick video tutorial beforehand. When at least one player has a good grasp of the rules, you’ll avoid the need to stop and start gameplay, and everyone can stay engaged.

Brighten those bulbs.
Most games come with instructions printed in tiny print, so choose a spot with ample, bright lighting. Upgrading to energy-efficient LED bulbs or adding task lighting may be the easiest way to make game night more accessible and inclusive for multiple generations.

Serve easy, mess-free finger foods.
Snacks can help keep kids’ energy up and ward off blood-sugar crashes, but nobody wants their favorite game covered in greasy fingerprints, so keep napkins and hand wipes at the ready.