Family Tested Board Game Reviews & Gift Buying Guide
Updated: Apr 27
All Games on this list have been played and tested by Emma & Beth's family!
Check out our blog post for ideas for Mom Gifts!
Listen to Peaceful Homeschool Podcast Episode 24 for reviews and recommendations about the following games:
GAME LINKS
These are affiliate links:
Strategy
Stratego https://amzn.to/3ENVX3k
Dominion https://amzn.to/3GTfd25
Settlers of Catan https://amzn.to/3iq89zy
Carcassonne https://amzn.to/3AUQQNw
Ticket to Ride https://amzn.to/3VBk1gr
Splendor https://amzn.to/3EHgiqM
Splendor Marvel Version https://amzn.to/3XBeQ1U
Blokus https://amzn.to/3VC8CwV
Blokus Duo https://amzn.to/3iqHG5b
Onitama https://amzn.to/3UjyXPa
Agricola https://amzn.to/3AVCzQE
Group Games
Catch Phrase https://amzn.to/3gJSMSa
Reverse Charades https://amzn.to/3VEKIRq
Telestrations (original) https://amzn.to/3AVi9HB
Telestrations Party Pack https://amzn.to/3FajEnQ
Pictionary https://amzn.to/3VC8CwV
One Night Ultimate Werewolf https://amzn.to/3ilYdqU
Unstable Unicorns https://amzn.to/3uevuHj
Sheriff of Nottingham https://amzn.to/3UgUDf6
Giant Jenga https://amzn.to/3Vtsxya
Throw Throw Burrito https://amzn.to/3XG4lui
King to Tokyo https://amzn.to/3Vjz66K
Loaded Questions https://amzn.to/3gK9qB8
Balderdash https://amzn.to/3GRNZsC
Apples to Apples https://amzn.to/3EREneP
Codenames https://amzn.to/3FcrIo0
Codenames Duet https://amzn.to/3GWCQXh
Word Games
Scrabble https://amzn.to/3EN7oYY
Boggle https://amzn.to/3ENWv9s
Banagrams https://amzn.to/3FfCXMF
Classics
Rack-O https://amzn.to/3Vm78Y0
Yahtzee https://amzn.to/3FfDgHj
Battleship https://amzn.to/3VjJFXu
Sorry https://amzn.to/3VC1gJP
Operation https://amzn.to/3GRW28N
Phase 10 https://amzn.to/3FdORGQ
Skip-Bo https://amzn.to/3GWOhP1
Chinese Checkers https://amzn.to/3Fd0EVC
Sequence https://amzn.to/3Ud1qGF
Mexican Train https://amzn.to/3EOqPk7
Chess Teacher https://amzn.to/3AXHwsa
Card Games/Stocking Stuffers
Sushi Go https://amzn.to/3XJvfkX
Phase 10 https://amzn.to/3FdORGQ
Skip-Bo https://amzn.to/3GWOhP1
Unstable Unicorns https://amzn.to/3uevuHj
Exploding Kittens https://amzn.to/3OMX3Rm
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza https://amzn.to/3XK2uV9
Oregon Trail Card Game https://amzn.to/3OQeTDi
Card Holders for Little Hands https://amzn.to/3im9JCE
Littles
Card Holders for Little Hands https://amzn.to/3im9JCE
Yahtzee Junior https://amzn.to/3ASXhRq
Guess Who https://amzn.to/3VtgyAG
Guess Who Star Wars Edition https://amzn.to/3gGSeN6
Wooden Memory Game https://amzn.to/3FcZBF8
Charades for Kids https://amzn.to/3Uj7z3S
Chess Teacher https://amzn.to/3AXHwsa
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza https://amzn.to/3XK2uV9
Educational
Chess Teacher https://amzn.to/3AXHwsa
Rush Hour https://amzn.to/3EPj1yB
Oregon Trail Card Game https://amzn.to/3OQeTDi
Some Body Board Game https://amzn.to/3gMcFYR
Bug-Opolpy https://amzn.to/3XCPjFL
Games to Watch for at Thrift Stores
Acquire
Star Wars Duels
Shopping Spree
Revolution!
Gingerbread House Game
When you receive the gingerbread house, roll a 10 sided die (add two more options if you only have normal dice and use two) and decorate the house with the following restriction for 20 seconds. Singing Christmas Carols is not required, but it is encouraged! Stop when the 20 seconds is up and pass it on as is to the next player.
1 - eyes closed
2 - one handed (non dominant hand)
3 - Puppeteer: eyes closed, but another player guides your arms or tells you what to do
4 - chopsticks or tongs
5 - hold your breath while decorating
6 - Christmas Carol
7 - Earthquake!!!! One player shakes the tray while the other decorated
8 - Thumbs only
9 - Oven Mitts
10 - Pictionary: Another player draws a symbol or image with their finger on your back, and you try and recreate it on the gingerbread house.