Our staff reviews games to help your family find new games to play that are worth your time and money! Please see our review policy for more information.
One of the calmest games I’ve ever played is A Gentle Rain, which I discovered in 2022, and is now back in print with a new publisher.
» Read more
I’ve never thought a mushroom was *cute*. Then I played Mycelia.
It’s a lovely game with sentient mushroom “heroes”, who will help you remove the dewdrops from your forest.
Although I did have a fraternity brother nicknamed Mackerel, I can’t say I’ve played a board game with mackerel in it before this.
» Read more
We recommend Mind Up! for families; but not for kids under 8. You’ll bid cards from your hand to acquire cards on the table… but the cards you bid become the cards you might get next turn!
» Read more
Some board gamers might thrive on the nail-biting tension caused by resource acquisition and challenging fighting in this game. We, however, often found it overly frustrating in many of our plays.
» Read more
Compile is a two-player card dueling game with just 18 cards on each side, but a huge variety of possibilities! Why do Andrew and Anitra enjoy it so much?
» Read more
Pátzcuaro drew me in with its unique theme, colorful art, and set collection mechanics. Its star mechanic, a rondel for action selection, blew me away.
» Read more
Place your marker on a graph to get other players to guess which word is yours! Mind Map is a party clueing and guessing game that’s best for nerdy families and small friend groups.
» Read more
We’ve played this game before, and others like it. But we’d never tried something quite like this with our kids.
» Read more
If you’re looking for an immersive D&D experience, you’re not going to find it here. But if you’re looking for a quick and fun game that can be enjoyed by all ages at home or on the go, Dungeon Scrawlers: Heroes of Waterdeep will do just that.
» Read more
Montmartre is an elegant card game that feels familiar and comfortable for avid board gamers but is also simple enough to introduce to new players.
» Read more
Ten word games in a small box, with an intuitive card design. Is Tapple 10 right for your family?
» Read more
Surf’s Up is all about timing – play your high-energy card right to catch the wave you want. Bid on ocean wave cards with energy and reputation, and avoid being stung by jellyfish!
» Read more
Sherlock Holmes doesn’t really work alone – he works best when Dr. Watson is beside him. Sherlock Solitaire is the same way: it can be played solo, but is more fun as a two player cooperative game.
» Read more
In Time Division players take on the role of agents at two competing time agencies that don’t see eye to eye on how to best approach that mess.
» Read more
A game that’s light on rules – but someone MUST act as a countdown timer and be “mean” to make this game fun.
» Read more
In Flashback: Lucy, Scorpion Masqué didn’t bother calming your nerves, but leaned into creepiness instead of a light-hearted adventure.
» Read more
