The Best Teen Board Games

Buying Guide

Board games are a great indoor activity for teens, kids and adults alike. When it’s raining outside or you’re stuck indoors, board games provide entertainment, friendly competition and camaraderie. Traditionally, board games have a pre-marked surface or “board” where players move counters and pieces based on the rules of the game. However, you can also find board games that don’t include a board at all, but have cards, chips or other ways to play.

There are many different types of board games — some are about strategy, while others are more about chance. In some board games, players compete against each other, while in others they work together as a team. The goal of most board games is to accrue the most points so you can win the activity.

When you’re searching for the perfect board game to get for your teen, consider how many players the game has. If your teen has a large group of friends or you have a large family, opt for a game that accommodates many players. Keep in mind that some games are made for two or four players, and won’t work with more people than that.

Another element to keep in mind is the playing time of the game. Strategic games typically require more time than games of chance or luck, running several hours. Other games can be completed in around thirty minutes. Consider your teen’s attention span and how long you think they want to dedicate to a board game. If you pick a game that is longer than your teen will want to play, then the game will not get used very often.

• One of the most important things to look into when selecting a teen board game is the concept. Be sure to get something that engages your family and friends and is age-appropriate for the people that will be playing it. Classic games like Monopoly and Scrabble appeal to players of all ages, and are familiar concepts that most people will be interested in. Games that use cards or numbers are another safe bet and appeal to a wide audience. Strategic games such as Risk also have a wide audience, but may appeal to older kids, teens and adults more than younger children.
• Many shoppers want board games to have an educational aspect to them as well. Games that focus on language help players to develop their spelling and vocabulary, while games that deal with patterns help build mathematics skills. Wherever money is involved in games is a great way to improve numeracy as well. For games that have a strategic aspect, players work on critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, negotiation and teamwork skills.
• If you want to take your game around to your friends and family’s houses, consider how portable it is. While most board games come in a convenient box that fits all the pieces, some can have dozens of pieces to keep track of.
• Note how complex the rules of the board game are and whether your teen will able to understand and apply them on their own. Also consider the other people who will be playing the game, and whether they will be able to follow the rules if they are highly complex. If a game has an overwhelming rules list or dozens of different components, players may be put off by the complexity and not want to play the game.