We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation from purchases made through these links. See more about our Privacy and Affiliate policies here.
Board games are back! They have become surprisingly popular with our screen-obsessed teens and young adults, making a great holiday or birthday gift. Playing board games is a perfect bonding activity and will give your teen a reprieve from schoolwork and a computer screen. Game playing can also teach them to compete and collaborate, but, most of all, playing games is just fun.
Popular board games for teens and college students
This game is fast-paced but fun and simple, taking only 10-15 minutes to play a round. It has become a wildly popular gift to send in a care package to your kids or use as a stocking stuffer.
Cards Against Humanity is so much fun if adult children are in the house. The designers describe it as a “party game for horrible people.” It consists of 500 cards with fill-in-the-blanks matched with a second smaller stack of cards.
The content is provocative, but as 90% of the tens of thousands of Amazon reviews on this popular game are five stars, many enjoy what has become a modern classic. The top-selling game is such great fun that there are now expansion packs, which are a great addition for people who have played through the base game too many times.
We have to hand it to the makers of this wildly popular game, “Exploding Kittens,” which wins for best name on the list. This is simple to learn and play, with silly fun baked into each card. To quote CNN, “It’s like UNO, except there are goats, magical enchiladas, and a kitten that can kill you.”
Another classic, this wildly popular game is a classic civilization-building game and will be a hit with anyone and everyone. One Amazon review called it “The ‘Candy Land’ of Strategy Games.” Anyone over ten can join the fun.
Played on a distinctive hexagonal game board, Catan combines the element of chance with skill and strategy. The game can accommodate larger groups of 5 or 6 players using the expansion packs. If the youngest players in your house need help, there is now a children’s edition.
Dominion is a deck-building game with the feel of the collectible Magic: The Gathering cards. It has a not overly complicated set of rules for four players and will be a hit with people who like Catan. Playing with multiple decks and using different cards simultaneously means the game can be played repeatedly. Many extra packs are available for those who love these kinds of games.
What happens when you cross a card game with dodgeball? We’re not sure either, but the ultra-popular Exploding Kittens makers are the masterminds behind this game. Everyone can play, but it is a proper match for college guys (still boys at heart).
The premise of Codenames is “Two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents. Their teammates know the agents only by their codenames. The teams compete to see who can contact all their agents first.” It is one of the new board games with a simple rule book and can be played by two players or an opposing team.
One Amazon reviewer said, “Codenames is genius in its simplicity. It’s a fantastic game to play with a group because it can be taught in under 5 minutes.” Codenames come in a Disney edition for young children ages 8+. This is perfect for your next game night.
Sometimes, you must have a game that allows the family’s youngest members to play with the older ones. Sequence involves playing game pieces on a board in a way that corresponds with the cards you hold. The first person to get a 5-card sequence wins.
Create your own train network to connect two cities across the United States. Players compete to connect cities before their opponents. It is a good old-fashioned board game with cards, markers, maps, and trains. Aim to build the longest continuous route and earn bonus points or Destination Tickets by connecting two distant cities.
This is a social deduction game where players are split into good and evil without the good “Loyal Servants of Arthur” knowing who is on their team. For those who loved Werewolf or Mafia growing up, this “hidden identity” game will feel familiar with different teams playing different roles. It’s a game with great social interactions for 5-10 players and is more fun and interesting with 5+ members.
This is a game with 108 wooden blocks in six different shapes and six different colors. It’s a tabletop game on any flat surface, consisting only of the game pieces, not a board. It is one of the best games for a wide age range, as it is fun for kids as young as 6.
Remember the childhood games of Telephone where everyone stood in a circle and whispered something to the next person, who whispered it to the next, and then when the final person revealed what they had heard, it bore no resemblance to the first?
As hard as you laughed like a kid playing this classic game is how hard you will laugh with this family board game. Instead of whispering to each person, this is the same simple concept, and each team of players is given a dry-erase marker and a small flip pad of places to draw or sometimes write what they thought they read and pass it on to another player for the next turn. The round ends when everyone reveals what they thought they saw in each other’s drawings.
This is the perfect game for people of all ages and has great replay value as it never plays the same. It is fun to pair up in teams for large groups. We promise that the game will only be funnier if you cannot draw.
This adult board game is not intended for young players. For those who love a good meme, this is a chance to try your hand and sense of humor to create the funniest memes. With 435 photo and caption cards, players combine them into the funniest memes they can devise.
After each round, the winner is decided by a rotating judge. The game is so popular that there are already 8 add-on packs for those who cannot get enough meme-making!
Players take turns with dice rolls to see where to pass their chips, and the person with the most chips at the end of the game wins. Well-priced, LCR comes in a blue tin and is a good game for a college care package or as a stocking stuffer.
The object of this fast game is to try to be the first player to get rid of a stack of 10 cards. The friendly competition makes this fast-paced game fun to play with any group.
For those who LOVE the stock market and the world of high finance, this is for you. Meant for players 12 or older, this is a bit like Monopoly meets The Wolf of Wall Street.
The artwork in this beautiful new game is unique, and you will quickly become motivated to lead your wolf pack around the forest to find food. You must determine whether to share food or fight when encountering rival packs. After five rounds for each player, the game ends, and the winner is the one with the most food.
Create an escape room at home — choose your challenge and set the timer! You have 60 minutes to exit the room and win the game. Teamwork, creativity, and attention to detail are key to solving these riddles and puzzles.
This board game is exciting and intense. The team begins locked in an imaginary room or trapped someplace in each EXIT game. The team has to solve riddles and puzzles to unlock doors and objects and get to new riddles. Each correct answer brings the team to another riddle and eventually to freedom.
Unsolved Case Files puts the player in the shoes of a cold case detective who has to solve a murder that happened years ago using only the original investigator’s case file. This game includes over 50 evidence photos and documents to use to investigate.
(Card game for 4 to 12 players)
This party game creates wacky situations that families and friends will love. One player reads a setup card, like ‘While walking past my sister’s bedroom, I heard her say…’ and then other players choose a punch line card to fill in the blank, hoping the reader will pick theirs as the best.
(Card game for 3 to 6 Players)
It’s simple to play: Players flip cards until the symbols on two players’ cards match. Matching players race to give an example of their opponent’s card category. Face-paced and super fun.
Anomia is a matching card game that makes you question your smarts. Get ready for fast-paced fun with your friends and family. Players flip cards until the symbols on the two players’ cards match. Players then race to give an example of their opponent’s card category. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Wild Cards and face-offs keep the tension high. And 87% of Amazon reviewers give this game 5 stars.
Chameleon is a game of social deduction where players must use hidden codes, carefully chosen words, and a bit of finger-pointing to catch the chameleon before they blend in and escape. A bonus of this party favorite: the game is easy to learn (two minutes), great for large groups, and quick to play (fifteen minutes).
The New York Times calls Monikers “the perfect party game,” and it’s easy to understand why. This quick-to-learn, modern take on charades features 440 of the most interesting cards imaginable. It’s an “Amazon Choice” with 91% 5-star reviews.
If you missed this 2019 People’s Choice Award Winner for Toy of the Year, it’s time to fix that, especially if you’ve got teens at home. Unstable Unicorns combines their favorite things: unicorns and destruction. The goal is to be the first person to collect seven unicorns in your play area (aka “The Stable”) while trying to stop your opponents from doing the same. Get ready to have a blast playing this strategic card game and destroy your friendships…but in a good way.
Get ready to bounce, flip, stack, hop, roll, balance, and catapult your way to victory in this game of challenges that will have you in stitches (the laughing kind). We love that it takes seconds to learn but entertains for hours. The game comes with 160 challenge cards, 80 betting tokens, 10 cups, 5 balls, 4 dice, chopsticks, a memo pad, a tape measure, and a sand timer.
Answer fun questions and perform silly challenges with your nearest and dearest. Suitable for all ages and easy to learn. Plus, the chance to make hilarious family memories and to get to know your family better than you already do. We’re sold.
In this fast-playing card game, you aim to grab the best combination of sushi dishes as they whiz by and become the sushi master. Score points for making the most maki rolls or collecting a full set of sashimi. Delicious fun!
It is easy to understand why Quidller, The SHORT Word Game, has won over 20 “Best Game Awards.” The goal is to arrange all the cards in a hand into one or more words. The number of cards dealt increases with each round, starting with three and ending with ten. Double letters, high-point letters, and bonuses add to the fun. In a WORD, this is a WINNER.
Who knew that a board game could be so pretty? Say hello to Azul, an award-winning tile placement game. Place tiles, create patterns, and earn points to complete a display board.
Can you predict what others are thinking? Blank Slate will put this question to the test. Players secretly write a word that completes a phrase on a cue card and score the most points for matching with only one person. So, choose _______________!
Look no further if you’re hog-wild (pun intended) for puns and pigs. Pass the Pigs is a simple game of chance built around a pig theme. Instead of dice, you roll two cute pink piglets, gaining or losing points depending on how the critters land. Cue the laughter and squeals (couldn’t resist) of delight.
(Players: 1 to 4 players Ages: 10+ Playing Time: 30 – 45 minutes)
This is a gorgeous spatial puzzle game for the whole family that takes a journey to the Pacific Northwest as players compete to create the most harmonious ecosystem in Cascadia.
(Players: 2 to 4 players Ages: 10+ Playing Time: 30 minutes)
Join this race for prestige and power as players seek to regain control of trade routes and gems in Renaissance Europe. Everyone is a winner with this game, and it’s 13K 5-star reviews on Amazon.
A classic favorite for game nights, this set combines bright, easy-to-read tiles with durable quality and endless replay value. The 91 color-coded dominoes come neatly stored in a sleek aluminum case, making it perfect for family gatherings, dorm life and travel. Simple to learn but full of strategy, it’s a fun, fast-paced game that brings everyone together.
(Board Game, 4+ Players) This is a party game for teens and college students who love friendly competition and quick thinking. Instead of needing to know all the answers, players make guesses to fun, surprising questions and bet on who they think is right — making it just as enjoyable for trivia buffs as it is for casual players.
(Card Game, 2-10 Players) Bring music, memories, and friendly competition to your teen or college student’s game nights with Hitster. Players listen to short clips of iconic songs and race to place them in the correct order on their personal music timeline, making it a fun, fast-paced challenge for any music fan.
(Board Game, 2-24 Players) Outsmarted! turns a typical board game into an interactive, tech‑savvy quiz show experience that’s perfect for dorm rooms or apartment gatherings. With thousands of multimedia questions (images, video clips, songs) and an app that automatically scales difficulty by age, it’s inclusive whether your student knows trivia or just wants to join the fun.
A fast‑paced, hilarious word‑magnet party game where players use a limited pool of random words to respond to outlandish prompts, ideal for dorm hangouts or late‑night get‑togethers. The flexible setup, creative challenge and loads of laughs make it a fun choice for young adults looking for something light‑hearted and social.
(Board Game, 2-10 Players) Turn any gathering into a lively karaoke‑style showdown with this magnetic party game. Players flip a card, spot the trigger word, then race to grab the foam mic and belt out the lyrics before someone else does, keeping the energy high and the laughs flowing. With quick rounds, no heavy setup, and a simple concept that works whether you’re in a dorm, apartment, or family living room, it’s an easy win for game night.
(Card Game, 3+ Players) Flip 7 is a fast and exciting card game perfect for teens or college students who enjoy friendly competition and quick thinking. Players flip cards to build points while deciding whether to take a risk or play it safe, because drawing a duplicate means losing their score.
Players work together to survive a shifting sandstorm, excavate ancient ruins, locate a broken flying machine and escape before time and resources run out. With clear roles, exciting mechanics and just the right amount of tension, it’s a game night hit for friends in a dorm, apartment or living room, and it builds teamwork and problem‑solving in a fun way.
This engaging pattern‑puzzle game is perfect for teens or college students who need a quick break from screens but still crave a challenge. With brightly‑colored blocks and a deck of cards featuring 100 unique puzzles across four difficulty levels, The Uzzle 3.0 allows players to race against each other (or themselves) to recreate patterns in seconds.
(Card Game, 2-8 Players) SKYJO is a fun, fast‑playing card game that works for teens or college students who want something easy to pick up and play with friends. Players try to flip, swap and collect cards in a 3 × 4 grid in front of them, aiming for the lowest total score over several rounds.
(Card Game, 2-8 Players) Piles is an energetic, no‑turns card game where 2‑8 players simultaneously race to build six matching sets from piles of cards, for high‑energy game nights in a dorm or apartment.
(Board Game, 3-10 Players) Hues and Cues brings creativity and color to their next game night. Players give one or two‑word hints to guide friends toward the exact shade on a board of 480 hues — turning everyday words like “sunset” or “old jeans” into clever clues.
We are three moms who have raised 8 young adults and have been working on product lists for over 12 years now, making us experts. When selecting products we survey the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group of nearly 300,000 parents of teens, tweens and young adults. We do opinion polls, surveys and ask open ended questions. We search for products that combine reasonable price with high quality and are recommended by our large following.
Helene Wingens has always been passionate about painting pictures with words. She graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in psychology and three years later from Boston University School of Law with a Juris Doctor. In a year long clerkship for an appellate judge Helene honed her writing skills by drafting weekly appellate memoranda. She practiced law until she practically perfected it and after taking a brief twenty year hiatus to raise her three children she began writing a personal blog Her essays have been published in: Scary Mommy, Kveller, The Forward, and Grown and Flown where she is Managing Editor. You can visit Helene's website here
We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation from purchases made through these links. See more about our Privacy and Affiliate policies here. No one ever said being a teen was easy. The often overstimulated world of teens involves a trendy song-and-dance balance of school, part-time jobs, sports, social media, and a healthy social life. When…
We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation from purchases made through these links. See more about our Privacy and Affiliate policies here. Looking for the best Christmas gifts for teen girls this year? We’ve gathered a curated list of top-rated and on-trend finds that teens can’t stop talking about. Whether she’s curating her space,…
We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation from purchases made through these links. See more about our Privacy and Affiliate policies here. Teen boys have interests that range the gamut from LEGOS to electronic gaming, from playing sports to following pro teams. Some care about trendy clothes while others are content to live in the…
We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation from purchases made through these links. See more about our Privacy and Affiliate policies here The official date of Amazon’s Black Friday sale is still the day after Thanksgiving (that’s November 28 this year) but they’re launching new early discounts almost daily. We’d like to help our readers…
We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation from purchases made through these links. See more about our Privacy and Affiliate policies here Finding the perfect Christmas gift for a young woman college or who is working can be a challenge because she needs something practical, stylish, and suited to her busy life. Whether it is…
We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation from purchases made through these links. See more about our Privacy and Affiliate policies here When you’re looking for the best Christmas gifts for 18 year olds, you might have no idea what to purchase. There’s a lot of transition at this age: graduating high school, heading off…
We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation from purchases made through these links. See more about our Privacy and Affiliate policies here. Gifts for guys can be challenging, and I often struggle to decide what to buy my sons. But here are some of our favorite Christmas gifts for college guys — sons, nephews,…
We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation from purchases made through these links. See more about our Privacy and Affiliate policies here. When your teen lumbers into the family room on Christmas morning, takes their stocking down from the mantle, and looks inside, you might glimpse their little kid self. We’ve searched far and…
We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation from purchases made through these links. See more about our Privacy and Affiliate policies here. Bring back the magic of the holidays with these fun Advent calendars for your teen or college student. They’re exciting because your teen will get a little surprise each day leading up…
