Tabletop games for ages 7 through 70
September 7, 2022 2:25 AM Subscribe
What are some board/dice/card/any other analog games for a group of six to eight people including five to seven adults and a seven-year-old which are playable without frustration by the seven-year-old but still genuinely fun and engaging for the adults?
The seven-year-old can read at an average level for his age, but I don't want this to feel like a homework challenge for him.
Some of the adults are board game enthusiasts, some are just occasional Uno or yahtzee players.
Suggestions of games to buy as well as games using a regular deck of cards or set of dice, or pen and paper, all appreciated. The only thing we would probably skip over are games with an element of performance (like pictionary-type games, or games where you do a charade or sing a song or whatever), or games with a trivia or general knowledge element- these aren't super fun for our family because some of us are obsessive trivia nerds with lots of useless esoteric knowledge and some are not, and it's not really fair for the ones who are not.
The seven-year-old can read at an average level for his age, but I don't want this to feel like a homework challenge for him.
Some of the adults are board game enthusiasts, some are just occasional Uno or yahtzee players.
Suggestions of games to buy as well as games using a regular deck of cards or set of dice, or pen and paper, all appreciated. The only thing we would probably skip over are games with an element of performance (like pictionary-type games, or games where you do a charade or sing a song or whatever), or games with a trivia or general knowledge element- these aren't super fun for our family because some of us are obsessive trivia nerds with lots of useless esoteric knowledge and some are not, and it's not really fair for the ones who are not.
When our youngest was that age, we found team or cooperative games the most fun. Codenames Pictures and Mysterium are two that worked pretty well for us.
posted by ElizaMain at 4:19 AM on September 7, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by ElizaMain at 4:19 AM on September 7, 2022 [6 favorites]
Dixit is one of my favorites to play when not everyone in a group is really into boardgames. The rules are simple, and there's no reading outside of the rules. The cards are really pretty, and it's just nice to play.
posted by Akhu at 4:33 AM on September 7, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by Akhu at 4:33 AM on September 7, 2022 [7 favorites]
Can't link but Quirkle is great for all ages and group sizes. Colors tiles placed like dominoes or Scrabble.
posted by Iteki at 4:49 AM on September 7, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Iteki at 4:49 AM on September 7, 2022 [4 favorites]
It gets harder as you go past six players to find non-party games. Some listed above may not reach six. A few other thoughts: Just One, Pit, Pitchcar, Camel Up
posted by meinvt at 5:16 AM on September 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by meinvt at 5:16 AM on September 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
Take 5! is a very solid and accessible card game that takes up to 10.
No Thanks has somewhat similar vibes.
Love Letter is technically 2-6 players but I've definitely played very fun games of it with more players. It also comes in a bunch of different branded variations, like Marvel and Star Wars.
posted by BrashTech at 5:34 AM on September 7, 2022 [3 favorites]
No Thanks has somewhat similar vibes.
Love Letter is technically 2-6 players but I've definitely played very fun games of it with more players. It also comes in a bunch of different branded variations, like Marvel and Star Wars.
posted by BrashTech at 5:34 AM on September 7, 2022 [3 favorites]
I grew up playing Skipbo with my dad and grandpa from as long as I can remember, and it's still a beloved family game. It requires some skill (mostly just paying attention and playing cards smartly) but also is a lot of luck, which gives everyone an opportunity to have a good turn/chance at winning. You might have to coach the seven year old for awhile until they get the hang of how to play but it's pretty easy to pick up otherwise. I highly recommend it!
(The other game that can be fun for a larger crowd is spoons, the card game where you try to collect four of a kind and then everyone grabs spoons from the middle of the table and not be left without a spoon. Game play can get pretty fast though, so the adults might need to make sure any younger kids are paying attention and get a heads up to grab a spoon.)
posted by carlypennylane at 5:49 AM on September 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
(The other game that can be fun for a larger crowd is spoons, the card game where you try to collect four of a kind and then everyone grabs spoons from the middle of the table and not be left without a spoon. Game play can get pretty fast though, so the adults might need to make sure any younger kids are paying attention and get a heads up to grab a spoon.)
posted by carlypennylane at 5:49 AM on September 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
At that age we had fun with Machi Koro (deluxe edition), Survive! and Forbidden Island.
We also enjoyed Sushi Go, Exploding Kittens (and variants) with kids that age - while they may not be the grownups' cup of tea, games go fast and you can platoon in and out.
posted by nkknkk at 7:23 AM on September 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
We also enjoyed Sushi Go, Exploding Kittens (and variants) with kids that age - while they may not be the grownups' cup of tea, games go fast and you can platoon in and out.
posted by nkknkk at 7:23 AM on September 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
Muffin Time
Throw Throw Burrito
King of Tokyo
We have all of these, have played them with family from 8-75, and all have enjoyed.
posted by lyssabee at 7:44 AM on September 7, 2022
Throw Throw Burrito
King of Tokyo
We have all of these, have played them with family from 8-75, and all have enjoyed.
posted by lyssabee at 7:44 AM on September 7, 2022
Phase 10 is a nice rummy-like card game. It also come in a dice version that I haven't played. The card game might be a bit long with more than 4 or 5 players though.
Maybe look at playing rummy or hand&foot. These are age-old card games that anyone can play. Hand & foot will accommodate a large group nicely and you can play in teams.
Pit can be quite fun with a group - but it gets loud.
When my family gets together with that size group, we play Tripoly with a variety of our own house rules. But that's a longer game that can stretch for hours.
Apples to Apples is a clean version of Cards Against Humanity that would work for a family. The more players the better.
10,000 or Farkle (branded version) is a fun die game. It involves counting and math, so the kid might need some help, but it's not difficult. It's an easy way to pass some time. Lots of luck involves, so just about anyone can win.
posted by hydra77 at 7:46 AM on September 7, 2022
Maybe look at playing rummy or hand&foot. These are age-old card games that anyone can play. Hand & foot will accommodate a large group nicely and you can play in teams.
Pit can be quite fun with a group - but it gets loud.
When my family gets together with that size group, we play Tripoly with a variety of our own house rules. But that's a longer game that can stretch for hours.
Apples to Apples is a clean version of Cards Against Humanity that would work for a family. The more players the better.
10,000 or Farkle (branded version) is a fun die game. It involves counting and math, so the kid might need some help, but it's not difficult. It's an easy way to pass some time. Lots of luck involves, so just about anyone can win.
posted by hydra77 at 7:46 AM on September 7, 2022
If you're looking for a board game specifically, I'd look at a category of games called "Cooperative games" where the players are teaming up to defeat something within the game
Castle Panic is a long time favorite in our circles to play with a mix of adults and kids (base game only, the expansions make the game much harder), but if you search around for lists of "best co operative board games" I think you'll find some games that will suit you tastes.
posted by anastasiav at 8:59 AM on September 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
Castle Panic is a long time favorite in our circles to play with a mix of adults and kids (base game only, the expansions make the game much harder), but if you search around for lists of "best co operative board games" I think you'll find some games that will suit you tastes.
posted by anastasiav at 8:59 AM on September 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
Tenzi is good if speedily rolling dice sounds fun.
Telestrations and A Fake Artist Go To New York are fun, even if you aren't very artistic. And you can probably play them with materials you already have on hand.
Skull (or Skull and Roses) is a simple bluffing/push-your-luck game. Supposedly originated in bars with coasters/beer mats, so another you can play with materials you already have.
Seconding any variety of Codenames, Dixit, Love Letter, and all suggested by nkknkk.
posted by hankscorpio83 at 9:25 AM on September 7, 2022
Telestrations and A Fake Artist Go To New York are fun, even if you aren't very artistic. And you can probably play them with materials you already have on hand.
Skull (or Skull and Roses) is a simple bluffing/push-your-luck game. Supposedly originated in bars with coasters/beer mats, so another you can play with materials you already have.
Seconding any variety of Codenames, Dixit, Love Letter, and all suggested by nkknkk.
posted by hankscorpio83 at 9:25 AM on September 7, 2022
I would take a look at Gamewright games. The 7yo could probably play and enjoy some of the "10 and up" or "12 and up" games with help, especially the cooperative ones, and the adults would probably enjoy some of the silliness and creativity in the games for younger players.
posted by epj at 9:41 AM on September 7, 2022
posted by epj at 9:41 AM on September 7, 2022
Are you open to having people play in teams of two?
I personally find cooperative games like Forbidden Island and Pandemic a bit frustrating because the dynamic can end up being the most strategy-minded person will direct everyone else's movements.
But competitive games against a 7 year old playing by themself can be super frustrating for the 7 year old. When I used to play Ticket to Ride (via Zoom) with a 7 year old, we would be on the same team against the computer opponent, and I tried very hard to actually work as a team with them instead of imposing my decisions. Even if a game isn't designed to be played in teams, it could very easily be adapted for such!
p.s. Codenames can be great, but is often hampered by a child's more limited cultural references and synonym/related vocab.
posted by spamandkimchi at 9:58 AM on September 7, 2022
I personally find cooperative games like Forbidden Island and Pandemic a bit frustrating because the dynamic can end up being the most strategy-minded person will direct everyone else's movements.
But competitive games against a 7 year old playing by themself can be super frustrating for the 7 year old. When I used to play Ticket to Ride (via Zoom) with a 7 year old, we would be on the same team against the computer opponent, and I tried very hard to actually work as a team with them instead of imposing my decisions. Even if a game isn't designed to be played in teams, it could very easily be adapted for such!
p.s. Codenames can be great, but is often hampered by a child's more limited cultural references and synonym/related vocab.
posted by spamandkimchi at 9:58 AM on September 7, 2022
re: trivia not being fair, the Wits and Wagers series tries to alleviate it a bit by everyone answering and then bidding on which answer they think is the closest to being correct.
"Party games" in general are what you are looking for and have been suggested. I'd also suggest Werewolf/Mafia (can be played without buying a dedicated deck).
posted by hankscorpio83 at 11:13 AM on September 7, 2022
"Party games" in general are what you are looking for and have been suggested. I'd also suggest Werewolf/Mafia (can be played without buying a dedicated deck).
posted by hankscorpio83 at 11:13 AM on September 7, 2022
You'd have to buy it, but Scotland Yard works with up to 6 players and is asymmetrical - one player is on the run and everyone else is trying to find them.
Liar's Dice can be played with what you have.
If you never want to see your family again, Diplomacy can be played just by printing out maps and writing on them.
Finally one I haven't played but is popular lately, Cartographers.
posted by hankscorpio83 at 11:34 AM on September 7, 2022
Liar's Dice can be played with what you have.
If you never want to see your family again, Diplomacy can be played just by printing out maps and writing on them.
Finally one I haven't played but is popular lately, Cartographers.
posted by hankscorpio83 at 11:34 AM on September 7, 2022
Seconding Mysterium - on top of being fun and beautiful to look at, it’s a collaborative game - so there will always be people working with the youngest players to help them with their puzzles when needed.
Set and Spot It are other great games for any age, though if one person is super good at them, it can make it difficult for the other players to enjoy it as much.
posted by Mchelly at 3:02 PM on September 7, 2022
Set and Spot It are other great games for any age, though if one person is super good at them, it can make it difficult for the other players to enjoy it as much.
posted by Mchelly at 3:02 PM on September 7, 2022
Apples to Apples was a long time extended family favorite across many ages.
posted by Advanced_Waffler at 6:33 PM on September 7, 2022
posted by Advanced_Waffler at 6:33 PM on September 7, 2022
Tricky if you want them all to be able to play at once, but these all play at least 6 (the first three play 8), are easy to learn, fast-ish to play, and strike a great balance between light / fun and a bit of strategy (ie, you can get good at them), and generally represent tremendous bang for your buck:
Two boxes of Ligretto (make sure to get different colours)
Camel Up
Sushi Go Party
Love Letter
King of Tokyo
Colt Express
Medici
Deep Sea Adventure
posted by some little punk in a rocket at 5:50 AM on September 8, 2022
Two boxes of Ligretto (make sure to get different colours)
Camel Up
Sushi Go Party
Love Letter
King of Tokyo
Colt Express
Medici
Deep Sea Adventure
posted by some little punk in a rocket at 5:50 AM on September 8, 2022
Sushi Go Party is a great pick for this scenario - everyone is "thinking" at the same time, so even with 8 people play is fast enough to not get boring. You can choose the menu to suit the mix of folks - leaning towards simpler cards or more complex. Game time is fairly consistent because it's always 3 rounds of X cards, so it's easy for someone to sit out a game if they need to, then jump back in to the next one.
posted by mrgoldenbrown at 7:45 AM on September 8, 2022
posted by mrgoldenbrown at 7:45 AM on September 8, 2022
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Rummy and Gin Rummy were big hits, too.
posted by Silvery Fish at 3:10 AM on September 7, 2022 [2 favorites]