In an age of smartphones, talking home devices and VR gaming, it can seem like tech is invading every part of our lives. It's time to take a break from the screens and try a more traditional form of entertainment.
Of course, technology isn't a bad thing, but board games provide some opportunities that digital advances tend not to.
Finding out how to play using instructions - not a click-through tutorial - forces you to read (remember that pastime?)
Trying out something new with people you care about is fun and inclusive, while being able to watch your children excitedly engage with and react to the gameplay is heart-warming. There's also the sweet satisfaction of putting it all away at the end and returning the cardboard box to its cupboard or shelf for next time. It's all so quaint, and very welcome.
When you're picking a family board game, there are a few things to consider. How many people want to play? Some games are best suited for two people, while others can accommodate larger groups.
How young are the players? All games have a guide as to the minimum age of player, which can be helpful if you need to find something to suit specific children. Some games have expansion packs available or modifications that allow you to extend the playability of the game, which is a good thing to consider if you want a board game with longevity.
There's also the type of game itself. All board games revolve, as you'd guess, around a board or central area of play, but within this category there are strategy games, skill games, trivia games, fantasy games and many more.
We've rolled many die and turned over hundreds of cards to find some of the best family board games out there. Ready, set, play!
Guess Who?
Ages 6+ / 2 players
The ultimate identification game in which players try to work out their opponent's chosen character, Guess Who? has had a facelift to bring it into modern times. Not only have some of the fashions and names had an update, there's also the option to download extra character sheets for greater repeat-play opportunities or use alternative rules.
£9.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
Ticket To Ride
Ages 8+ / 2-5 players
This charming game of travel involves globetrotting, collecting and forward thinking. The aim is to see the most cities in seven days, which can be achieved by building train routes, connecting cities and having long trains. There's a simpler version for younger players (Ticket To Ride First Journey), but the original is best. Expansions are available, too.
£25 | Amazon | Buy it now
Pay Day
Ages 8+ / 2-4 players
From the makers of Monopoly comes another finance-based game. Players have to watch their wallets so they don't run out of cash, deciding what to spend and what to save before pay day arrives. Much like in real life, unexpected bills, loan offers and bargains pop up to throw a spanner in the works. Money management has never been so entertaining!
£15.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
Labyrinth
Ages 7+ / 2-4 players
A family classic since the 80s, Labyrinth is a wonderfully crafted mythical treasure hunt in board game form. Players try to reach treasures around a maze, but with the board constantly changing at the push of a tile, the possible routes are always moving too. A number of difficulty modifications means children can grow with game, giving years of fun.
£15.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
Dixit
Ages 8+ / 3-6 players
A firm favourite amongst regular boardgamers, Dixit is a visually beautiful game of storytelling, bluffing and guessing. At its heart, it's a simple game of guessing which illustrated card the storyteller is describing out of the cards on the table. However, scoring and sabotage make things much less straightforward! It's a whimsical game for older kids.
£24 | Amazon | Buy it now
Trivial Pursuit Family Edition
Ages 8+ / 2-6 players
With two sets of trivia cards – one for children and one for grown-ups – parents and their little ones can play the much-loved Trivial Pursuit together. Families can enjoy collecting coloured wedges in a race to answer questions in each category correctly. There's plenty of longevity; once your children become teenagers they can switch to the adult pack.
£29.99 | Argos | Buy it now
Takenoko
Ages 8+, 2-4 players
This lesser-known game is simply brilliant once you get your head around its quirkiness. China gave Japan a hungry panda, which you, the gardener, have to care for in the Japanese Emperor's bamboo garden. The challenge lies in simultaneously cultivating bamboo and keeping the panda and the garden thriving. Chaos! The Chibis expansion offers more playability and extra rules if you want them.
£27 | Amazon | Buy it now
Risk
Ages 10+ / 2-5 players
In this strategy game, players strive to take over the world by using their army to tactically expand across the map. You can take on other players to fight for land, form alliances or target specific players to ramp up the excitement. It's easy to pick up and works particularly well when playing with mini-dictators and sibling rivalries!
£24.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
Family Games Night Kit
Ages 4+, 2-4 players
If your children are feeling creative, ditch the ready-made board games and let them design their own. Family Games Night is a kit that has all you need to make a couple of fun STEAM-based games that everyone can then play together. Build a 3D alien space race or a pom-pom tower, both of which are easy to assemble and stimulating for young minds.
£25 | notonthehighstreet | Buy it now
Monopoly Junior
Ages 5+ / 2-4 players
A simpler, quicker and cuter version of the full-blown Monopoly game, this is an accessible introduction to the game of moneymaking, aimed at younger players. Instead of traditional London streets, players can purchase more familiar things such as a zoo, a bowling alley or a sweet shop. It's significantly easier than the original, but still fun for adults.
£9.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
Verdict:
Trivial Pursuit Family Edition is a classic all-rounder, with plenty of growing room thanks to the two difficulties of the question packs. Takenoko also ranks highly for family fun. It's beautifully made, sufficiently challenging for older children and wonderfully different.
