Top 10 Family Board Games

Ever since I was a kid I've always enjoyed playing board games with my friends and family. The games here are some of my favorites that I loved to play for hours. These games are good for adults, teens and kids over 6 years old - some of them I still play today with my 7 year old brother.

The next time you are looking for a rainy day activity or want to spend some time with your kids or friends, why not turn off that TV and try a board game? Some of these games don't actually include a board, but may be played with cards or dice instead, they are still included because I loved them!

Apples to Apples is my absolute favorite game. On the rare occasion my family gets together to play a game, this is the one we play. It's always fun, and you get unique combinations every game. I'd have to say that without this game, I would have definitely spent less time with my family.

Here is a video of people starting to play this game, that I found on Youtube.com

This is my second favorite game. (under Apples to Apples) We got this game from my sister's fiance's parents for Christmas one year. Personally I love charades, so naturally I love this game. Although I've had a few games which I felt were unfair, but then again solving the hard ones makes you feel good. I remember playing the game with my friend Corey, my sister, and one of her friends. I remember in one of our games, one of the words my sister's team got was "foot" while the very next turn I had, my team got "snowshoe", which is obviously much harder than foot. All in all, I love the game, and would play it anytime that we had enough people that were also willing to play it.

This video is of the original Guesstures game. I couldn't find a video of the electronic version, but it's basically the same game, except you are divided into teams. (which it doesn't seem like you are in the old version, but I myself haven't played the old one.)

Clue is a great game. In this game, you can be too good though. My friends often refuse to play it with me, saying that I cheat at it, usually jokingly, but still refusing to play. While at the same time, my mom can beat me just as much as i beat her at the game. The only way I could get my friends to play, was to teach them my strategy, and then still they didn't want to play it too often. But I still had plenty of fun playing it with my mom, and my sister over the years. In fact, I don't even remember getting this game, I just remember always having it.

Here is a video I found that shows how to play the game Clue

I first played this game at my friend Corey's house some years ago. Although, I'm not certain we followed the rules exactly, the game was fun. I believe we were the only two people there at the time. Anyway we spent a couple hours playing this game, which didn't actually seem like it took that long. I got the very same game for Christmas that year, and learning how to play it right, taught my family, which has played it several times since then. The only downfall, is my family isn't a patient one, so playing long games such as Risk or Monopoly doesn't happen often.

Here is a video showing how to play the Risk board game.

Cranium is a blast. The very first time I ever played this game was at my friend Corey's house. I'm somewhat on the shy side, but I also don't like to lose, so while playing this game at least, I'd say I wasn't shy at all. In fact I spent most of the game laughing, and blaming my friend's step-dad, who I had just met that day for our loss. (when it obviously wasn't all his fault, lol)

Here is Hasbro's commercial for Cranium, which shows clips of people playing the game.

I started playing this game with my grandma, back when she was still here. Every Friday that she would watch me and my younger sister, we would beg her to play this game. I'm glad we did, because if it wasn't for this, I probably wouldn't of spent as much time with her, and wouldn't remember her as well.

Here is an old commercial, for an old game. But it does show the enjoyment people are having while playing it. (although it may be over dramatized a little.)

Uno is a great game. Though I mostly played it when I was a lot younger. I still enjoyed playing it with a decent amount of players. Especially when playing it in school, on a day where we had a lot of free time. It was always easy to find a bunch of people to play, and just about everybody there knew the game, and liked it themselves.

Here is a video I found on how to play the card game Uno.

Always a popular board game!

This game was always fun as a kid, although mostly because of my sister's inability to finish long games, I hadn't been able finish one until I was somewhat older. Playing against friends was always great. I won most of my games, and my strategy was always the same. I always bought everything I could, no matter I had to do to buy it. The more properties I had, the better the chance for people to land on them. Anyhow I loved this game as a kid, and would probably still play it today, if I still had friends near me who would play it.

Here is a video (for the very few people) who do not already know how to play monopoly.

The Game of Kings

Ah Chess, how I love this game. I've even went as far as to join some tournaments back in high school, winning second place two years in a row. The only thing that would make this game more enjoyable for me, is if I knew more people that could play it well. If you are having trouble finding chess partners there are various computer versions that are great for learning or playing a quick game against a speedy computer opponent..

Here is a video for beginners explaining how to play the game of Chess.

Wait don't run, this kind of Trouble is lots of fun!

I loved this game as a kid, especially popping the die in the clear bubble! Over time I grew to appreciate more complex games although my mom, and my sisters still love Trouble. The only time I play it now is when I'm playing it with my younger brother, who loves the game. I think he enjoys being able to play the game just as well as everybody else, because you don't have to read anything, or strategize too much. This makes it a great game for younger children.

Here is a video explaining the rules of the family board game Trouble.