The skills it helps develop: Not everything has to be ultra-educational, but many of the best family board games involve developmental tasks and teachable moments. Will you be playing as a parent-child duo, or inviting all the cousins over for a family game night? We’ve spotlighted the best family board games (and card games, etc.) for two, four and even more players. How many people can play it: Think about your family. Look for games you can learn fast and finish fast-the latter of which really comes in clutch if your munchkin insists on another round. Plus, as parents, our patience can run pretty thin. How long it takes to play: Toddlers have very short attention spans. The second: Many of the best family board games come with small parts that might not be safe for toddlers under the age of 3.
You don’t want to frustrate your child with a game they’ll struggle to follow. The first: It gives a sense of the game’s difficulty level. The age recommendation: This is really important for two reasons.
