Are you looking for fun ways to engage your teen and teach them important life skills? As a homeschool mom, I'm always on the lookout for new & interesting board games for kids 8-12 or family board games that will keep my teens and tweens entertained while also getting educated. Check out this list of 40 incredible favorites, where these board games for kids and teens/tweens form a great way to develop self-confidence, communication skills and problem solving abilities in your teen!

40 Fun Board Games For Teens That Teach Social Skills and Strategy

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Do you have those evenings where you want to do something – and not watch TV either – but have no idea what it is you can do? Why not implement a family game night? In our house, we do family movie night once a week and also family game night once a week. It’s worked out to be a perfect way to bond other than through homeschooling. And as my kids get older, they tend to want to be on the screens more or in their rooms more. So when it’s family movie night, we pull out board games for teens since they’re getting to be about that age now! Here are some of our faves so far!

Are you looking for fun ways to engage your teen and teach them important life skills? As a homeschool mom, I'm always on the lookout for new & interesting board games for teens and kids 8-12 or family board games that will keep my teens and tweens entertained while also getting educated. Check out this list of 40 incredible favorites, where these board games for kids and teens/tweens form a great way to develop self-confidence, communication skills and problem solving abilities in your teen!

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Best Games Teenagers Love

Board games are a great way to get teenagers interacting and having fun together with all family members. Even if it weren’t for family game night, like maybe if it’s for a birthday party or a sleepover or just for some quality family time any day of the week, board games provide endless hours of entertainment for teens as well as the whole family.

But not all board games are worth bragging about and good for large groups. Chances are you’ve come into a few you didn’t really like either. That’s where this list of fun board games come in.

Classical Board Games

Believe it or not, popular board games for teenagers include classics such as Monopoly (a classic board game) and Scrabble (perfect for younger kids and older kids alike) as well as more modern, new games like Settlers of Catan (a good game!), Ticket to Ride (a popular game) and Pandemic. These games challenge them to think creatively, strategically, and encourage critical thinking.

Board Games For Teens

A few board games specifically designed for their age group are Age of War or The Resistance. These board games provide teens with an intense and engaging game play. They even have board games that challenge them to become better problem-solvers, like Pandemic Legacy or Gloomhaven.

Party Board Games

If you are looking for party game, consider these board games for teens such as Codenames, Throw Throw Burrito, Wits and Wagers, or Exploding Kittens (or Unstable Unicorns). These board games have turned any dull night or party around in no time! And they’re also great for teaching teens how to think outside the box. Or refreshen your own wits!

Are you looking for fun ways to engage your teen and teach them important life skills? As a homeschool mom, I'm always on the lookout for new & interesting board games for kids 8-12 or family board games that will keep my teens and tweens entertained while also getting educated. Check out this list of 40 incredible favorites, where these board games for kids and teens/tweens form a great way to develop self-confidence, communication skills and problem solving abilities in your teen!

List of 40 Fun Board Games For Teenagers

On with the list! The reason you came here in the first place!

These board games are sure to make your next family game night, sleepover or birthday bash a hit.

1. Monopoly: This classic game (and award-winning game) is still around for a reason with a game board of properties and hotels!

MONOPOLY Game, Family Board Game for 2 to 6 Players, Board Game for Kids Ages 8 and Up, Includes Fan Vote Community Chest Cards

2. Scrabble: A great game that encourages teens to use their problem-solving skills

Tile Lock Scrabble

3. The Resistance: A board game specifically designed for teenagers, this board game has them working together to uncover the identity of a hidden traitor.

The Resistance (The Dystopian Universe)

4. Catan: This board game encourages board game players to build settlements, roads and villages on a board filled with hexagonal tiles.

Catan Board Game Extension Allowing a Total of 5 to 6 Players for The Catan Board Game | Family Board Game | Board Game for Adults and Family | Adventure Board Game | Made by Catan Studio

5. Munchkin: This board game has teens competing against each other in an attempt to complete a dungeon before their opponents do.

Munchkin Deluxe (Base Game), Board & Card Game, Adults, Kids, & Family Game, Fantasy Roleplaying , Ages 10+, 3-6 Players, Avg Play Time 120 Min, From Steve Jackson Games

6. Ticket to Ride: Teens race against one another in this fast-paced game by collecting cards of various types of train cars that will get them from point A to point B on the board as quickly as possible.

Ticket to Ride Board Game | Family Board Game | Board Game for Adults and Family | Train Game | Ages 8+ | For 2 to 5 players | Average Playtime 30-60 minutes | Made by Days of Wonder

7. Carcassonne: Players strategically construct cities, roads, and monasteries in this board game while trying to gain possession of the most points by the end of it all!

Carcassonne Board Game (BASE GAME) | Family Board Game | Board Game for Adults and Family | Strategy Board Game | Medieval Adventure Board Game | Ages 7 and up | 2-5 Players | Made by Z-Man Games

8. Labyrinth: Players try to navigate their pieces through a board full of twists, turns, and traps in order to find the most treasures at the end.

Ravensburger 3D Labyrinth Family Board Game for Kids & Adults Age 7 & Up - So Easy to Learn & Play with Great Replay Value Amazon Exclusive (26831)

9. Pandemic: This board game pits teens against a deadly virus that they must work together to contain before it’s too late!

Pandemic Board Game (Base Game) | Family Board Game | Board Game for Adults and Family | Cooperative Board Game | Ages 8+ | 2 to 4 players | Average Playtime 45 minutes | Made by Z-Man Games

10. Splendor: In this board game, players compete by collecting gemstones and trading them in for points. The player with the most points wins!

Splendor Board Game (Base Game) | Family Board Game | Board Game for Adults and Family | Strategy Game | Ages 10+ | 2 to 4 players | Average Playtime 30 minutes | Made by Space Cowboys

11. Codenames: Teams have to use clues from their teammate in order to identify the correct words hidden on a board filled with double-sided cards.

Czech Games Codenames

12. Small World: Players battle against one another using fantasy creatures such as trolls and wizards while competing for control over the board.

Small World - Board Game, 2-5 Players

13. Forbidden Island: This board game is perfect for teenagers as they move their pieces around an island that’s slowly sinking!

Forbidden Island – The Cooperative Strategy Survival Island Board Game

14. Sushi Go!: In this cooperative game, players must strategically choose which sushi cards to keep in order to score the most points.

Sushi Go Party! - The Deluxe Pick & Pass Card Game by Gamewright, Multicolored

15. Qwirkle: Players must match tiles together by color and shape in order to gain the most points by the end of the board game.

Qwirkle Board Game

16. Passtally: This board game has teens completing a virtual obstacle course with each player having their own unique path to follow on the board.

Pandasaurus Games Passtally

17. Dixit: Players try to guess which picture was chosen by another player while competing against one another for points.

Dixit Board Game 2021 Refresh | Storytelling Game for Kids and Adults | Fun Family Party Game | Creative Kids Game | Ages 8+ | 3-8 Players | Average Playtime 30 Minutes | Made by Libellud

18. The Settlers of Catan: Teens must build and develop settlements with resources that are randomly generated on the board in order to gain victory points.

The Settlers of Catan

19. Mindware Q-Bitz Pattern Matching Fun Board Games for Family Game Night: Players must match square tiles with the same pattern in order to create the most matching squares.

Mindware Q-Bitz Pattern Matching Fun Board Games for Family Game Night | Ages 8 and up 2-4 Players

20. 7 Wonders: One of the board games for teenagers, players battle it out by collecting resources and constructing buildings in order to become the most powerful civilization!

7 Wonders Board Game (BASE GAME) - New Edition | for Adults and Family | Civilization and Strategy | 3-7 Players | Ages 10 and up | Made by Repos Production

21. Tsuro: Players place tiles on a board in an attempt to extend their pathways and stay ahead of their opponents’ moves!

Calliope Tsuro - The Game of The Path - A Family Strategy Board Game For Adults and Kids 2-8 Players Ages 8 & Up

22. Boggle: This board game has players searching through a board full of dice with letters on them in order to form words and gain points.

Boggle Classic Game

23. Exploding Kittens: This board game has teens using a deck of cards in order to try and avoid the exploding kitten card that will end the game for them!

Exploding Kittens Party - A Russian Roulette Card Game, Easy Family-Friendly Party Games - Card Games for Adults, Teens & Kids - 2-10 Players

24. Pandemic Legacy: With each board game session, players’ decisions shape the board for future games as well.

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

25. For Sale: Players strategize and bargain their way to victory by buying, selling, and trading properties on a board filled with money and houses.

for Sale Card Game

26. Agricola: This board game is perfect for teens who love farming as they must build fences, plant crops, hire workers all while competing against others for points!

Agricola (Revised Edition) Strategy Game Farming Game for Adults and Teens Advanced Board Game Ages 12+ 1-4 Players Average Playtime 90 Minutes Made by Lookout Games

27. The Guild of Merchant Explorers Board Game: This board game has players collecting gems and trading them for points in order to win the board game.

The Guild of Merchant Explorers Board Game, Explore The World, Establish New Settlements, 1-4 Players, Ages 14+, 45 Min Play Time, Solo Play, Alderac Entertainment Group (AEG)

28. Sheriff of Nottingham: Teens take turns playing as merchants and sheriffs while trying to pass goods through checkpoints based on how truthful they are in this board game!

Arcane Wonders Sheriff of Nottingham

29. Gloomhaven: This board game is perfect for teenagers who are looking for a complex board game that involves lots of problem-solving and strategy.

Cephalofair Games: Gloomhaven, Award-Winning Strategy Board Game, For 1 to 4 Players, 60 to 120 Minute Play Time, For Ages 14 and up

30. Magic Maze: Players must work together using a limited amount of time in order to maneuver their pieces through an ever-changing board before it’s too late!

Sit Down! Magic Maze: Maximum Security, Strategy Board Game, Customize Your Magic Maze Experience, For 1 to 8 Players, Ages 8 and up

31. Onitama: In this board game, teens compete against each other by strategically moving their pieces around a board filled with cards.

Onitama Board Game

32. Diamonsters: This board game requires players to battle it out by trying to collect the most diamonds on their board at the end of each round.

Diamonsters Card Game

33. Betrayal at House on the Hill: Teams must explore a haunted house in this board game while trying to survive by discovering its secrets and finding items to help them along the way.

Hasbro Gaming Avalon Hill Betrayal at The House on The Hill 3rd Edition Cooperative Board Game, Ages 12 and Up, 3-6 Players, 50 Chilling Scenarios

34. Jungle Speed: Players must sharpen their reflexes in this board game as they compete against each other to be the first one to grab a totem from an ever-changing board.

Rebel Jungle Speed Eco Card Game

35. Love Letter: Teens try to deliver messages of love by using strategy and deduction skills in order to gain points and win the board game!

Love Letter | New Bag Edition | 2-6 Players | 20 Minutes Playing Time | Super Fun Party Card Game

36. King of Tokyo: Players take on giant monsters in this board game by using dice and cards in order to score the most victory points.

IELLO: King of Tokyo, New Edition, Strategy Board Game, Space Penguin Included in the Box, For 2 to 6 Players, 30 Minute Play Time, For Ages 8 and Up

37. Taboo: For this board game, players try to get their team to guess words while they must avoid certain “taboo” words in the process.

Taboo Game, Fun Party Game for Adults and Teens Ages 13+, Family Game Night, Includes Buzzer, Game for 4 or More Players

38. Forbidden Desert: In this board game, players work together to fly a steam-powered vehicle through the desert while trying to escape from a lost city before it’s too late!

Gamewright Forbidden Desert – The Cooperative Strategy Survival Desert Board Game Multi-colored, 5

39. Hanabi: Teens must work together to construct a beautiful fireworks display in this board game by giving each other hints and clues.

R&R Games Hanabi Strategy Game

40. Wits and Wagers: Players must know the answers to a variety of questions in this fun game while placing bets on other players’ answers to gather more points and win! It’s the perfect game for strategy and analysis!

WITS & Wagers Family Edition Trivia Family Party Board Game with Tiles, Dry Erase Boards, Dry Erase Markers.& Question Cards, Gift for 6 Year Olds & Up

With so many board games available for teens, they can have fun while sharpening their skills and competing against each other with these best board games for teens.

Once you’ve settled on a board game for your teens, be sure to check out the game rules! Some are strategy games and others are just some of our favorite games. And don’t forget to make refreshments and snacks to keep everyone going throughout the evening!

Don’t just settle for one game, get a few of the board games for teenagers on this list to try out with them!

Why Are Board Games So Important?

Playing board games are the best way for teenagers to connect with family members and make lasting memories. If you’ve noticed, teens seem to be more closed off the older they get and the more clarity they gain in life. Even if you and your kids/teens are super close, like I am with mine, I bet you still wish you could connect and bond with them even more. Board games are so good for that! For laughing and cutting loose, and really seeing how they’re developing too – all while getting in some good conversation! I absolutely adore playing games with my own teens/tweens/preschooler!

With board games, teens can take risks and explore their competitive side in a safe, supervised environment. Plus, the entire family can play these games as well, all the way from the tiny babe to the oldest grandma. Most of the games on this list are a lot of fun family games and strategy board games that are perfect for a family with teens or tweens to help build that quality time together.

Board games also offer valuable lessons in sportsmanship as well as important social skills such as communication and collaboration. On top of that, board games encourage problem solving skills and abstract thinking, which are essential skills for future success. Something every teen could practice more of (and us too as parents), amiright?

Are you looking for fun ways to engage your teen and teach them important life skills? Check out this list of 40 incredible favorites, where these board games for teenagers or tweens form a great way to develop self-confidence, communication skills and problem solving abilities in your teen! Plus has tons of fun!

With this list of games, there’s something in each one that every teen will like. And board games can also serve as a perfect gift for these young adults, along with decks of cards.

Many are our favorite board games and when we played, they ended up being the best thing for my kids and for the family! Just a simple game will work for bonding time, and these board games are so much better than all that screen time. Girl. Choose board games that fit interests or skill level because this allows teens to have a great time every time and they won’t be grumbling about how babyish or boring it is.

So get ready to roll the dice and move your pieces whether it’s family game night, a much-needed bonding sesh, or pulling out the boards on a whim!

40 Fun Board Games For Teens That Teach Social Skills and Strategy

Whether you’re looking for a board game for your teen’s next gathering or the best games that are high quality just for family time, board games will bring loads of fun and entertainment for your family. With so many board games for teenagers available, you’re guaranteed to find something that your teenager will enjoy! You could even utlilize some of these board games in a homeschool lesson!

Want to read this later? Download as a PDF!

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