There was a time when board games were a household staple. Families would gather and play together before smartphones and video games dominated our attention. They may never be that popular again, but they are still just as valuable. We’ve put together this list of board games for teens that help them build valuable tools such as critical thinking, strategy, cooperation, and social skills.
Catan
Learn to build, trade, and settle with this acclaimed board game that teaches kids about using resources and protecting assets while managing settlements and cities.
Buy it: Catan on Amazon
Telestrations
Lighthearted and fun, you don’t need serious art skills for this drawing game. Simple stick figures will be more than enough to keep kids laughing and guessing for hours.
Buy it: Telestrations on Amazon
Not Parent Approved
Kids bored out of their minds? This wacky card game, which can be played in as little as five minutes or as long as five hours, promises to have the cure!
Buy it: Not Parent Approved on Amazon
Exploding Kittens
In this highly entertaining and suspenseful game, players draw cards. If they draw an exploding kitten, they are out of the game unless they have a game-changing diffuse card.
Buy it: Exploding Kittens on Amazon
Unstable Unicorns
The goal of Unstable Unicorns is simple: Build an army of unicorns. The first player to collect seven unicorns wins, but it’s not that easy, as you’ll have to defeat those who are working to destroy you.
Buy it: Unstable Unicorns on Amazon
Scrabble
It’s definitely one of those classic board games for teens, so some might say it’s old-fashioned, but Scrabble is timeless. It gives kids an opportunity to work on vocabulary and spelling as well as strategy.
Buy it: Scrabble on Amazon
Relative Insanity
Read a card to set up a scenario and then all players choose one of their own punchline cards to respond. The funniest reaction gets the point!
Buy it: Relative Insanity on Amazon
Bananagrams
Grab your friends and family for a fun game (it’s also educational, but don’t tell the kids) where players race against each other to build crossword grids. Truth be told, this game will drive you bananas!
Buy it: Bananagrams on Amazon
Monopoly: Cheaters Edition
This version of the timeless board game actually encourages players to cheat and see how far they can go without getting caught!
Buy it: Monopoly: Cheaters Edition on Amazon
Taboo
Players have to get teammates to correctly say the Guess word without saying any of the forbidden words. It’s harder than it sounds, and if you make a mistake, you get the squeaker!
Buy it: Taboo on Amazon
Double Ditto
For this fast-paced game, a card is read aloud and players must quickly write down two answers that they think other people will also write down. The results are hilarious!
Buy it: Double Ditto on Amazon
5 Second Rule
For this game, players pick a card and read the seemingly easy topic to the group. With the timer started, players only have five seconds to name three things that fit the topic. It’s tougher than it looks!
Buy it: 5 Second Rule on Amazon
Catch Phrase
Teams must guess words and phrases while tossing the timer between them before the time runs out. If you’re caught holding the timer, the opposing team gets a point!
Buy it: Catch Phrase on Amazon
Ticket to Ride
This cross-country train adventure game has players building tracks and connecting iconic cities throughout North America to collect points.
Buy it: Ticket to Ride on Amazon
Spontuneous
This game is a great one for music lovers! After being given just one word, players will have to think of a lyric with that word in it. Then, they’ve got to sing their answers!
Buy it: Spontuneous on Amazon
Blokus
Players must take turns placing each of their 21 pieces on the board with one rule: The pieces must be the same color and only touch at the corners!
Buy it: Blokus on Amazon
Phone Phever
We’re all on our smartphones all day every day, so why not put those skills to the test with this game that offers trivia and challenges that highlight how telephones have changed our world?
Buy it: Phone Phever on Amazon
Giant Uno BTS
Uno is one of the most popular card games of all time. BTS is one of the most popular groups of all time. Put them together, and you have a whole new obsession!
Buy it: Giant Uno BTS on Amazon
Sequence
Players place chips on spaces on the game board that correspond with a card from their hand. When they have five in a row, it’s a Sequence!
Buy it: Sequence on Amazon
Clue Harry Potter
Play as one of your favorites with this magically themed version of a classic game. Who better to solve the mystery of a disappearing student than Ron, Hermione, and Harry Potter?
Buy it: Clue Harry Potter on Amazon
Throw Throw Burrito
It’s a card game … but it’s also dodgeball? This hilarious game by the creators of Exploding Kittens will have you matching cards and dodging burritos—at the same time!
Buy it: Throw Throw Burrito on Amazon
Plus, check out our favorite board games for preschoolers.
