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Best Games and Puzzles for Families

November 23, 2016 by Sherry Boswell

I don’t have a Clue

Though it’s not a Trivial Pursuit

What is the best game?

No one game has a Monopoly

Or can claim they are numero Uno

Let’s compare Apples to Apples

You won’t have to say Sorry

Or take a big Risk

I’m not going to Say Anything Taboo

So grab a Ticket to Ride and come along

As I’m sharing the best games and puzzles

For family fun!

best games and puzzles for families

Gift givers, get ready because we are talking games and puzzles. It’s actually National Game and Puzzle Week, and with it being Thanksgiving week and the holidays upon us, pull out a game or puzzle and see how much fun multigenerations can share.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. 

My Favorite Games and Puzzles for the Whole Family

My Favorite Game I Never Knew I Needed:

Double Shutter

best games and puzzles for families

Ages: 8+

1-4 Players

I stumbled on this great game at a specialty toy store. One try and I was HOOKED. Double Shutter requires strategic choices and a good dose of luck! Roll the dice and knock down a combination of numbered tiles that equals the rolled number. Play until there are no tiles left to equal the dice. The ultimate goal is to knock down two rows of tiles. Believe me, this is trickier than it seems.

I love this game when I’m sitting on the sofa watching TV or killing time at one of my kids’ practices.

For the Harry Potter fan:

Harry Potter Clue

Anything Harry Potter is beloved at our house, so these 2 games were a perfect fit for my Potterheads.

best games and puzzles for families

Ages: 9+ 

3-5 Players

The classic mystery game becomes Potterized. If your family enjoys the Harry Potter books and movies like our family does, then the Clue: Harry Potter edition is a definite must.

Description: “A fellow student has seemingly vanished from the famous School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – and it is up to you to solve the mysterious disappearance. Playing as Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna or Neville, you must try and discover WHO did it, WHAT spell or item they used and WHERE the student was attacked. Move around Hogwarts making suggestions. But watch out! Wheels on the board will keep changing revealing secret passages, moving staircases or even the Dark Mark! Protection from the Dark Mark comes from the spells, allies and items provided by the Help Cards. When you’re sure of your facts go to Dumbledore’s office to make your accusation and win the game!”

best games and puzzles for families

Trivial Pursuit Harry Potter edition

Ages: 8+

2 or more players

If you like trivia and know your Harry Potter, then you will dominate this game! This game will test Harry Potter fans on their knowledge of the beloved Harry Potter movies. This quick-play Trivial Pursuit game can be played on-the-go easily: have cards and dice, will travel! The 600 questions range in difficulty levels, so even the expert wizards will be challenged! The six trivia categories include The Dark Arts, HOGWARTS, Magical Spells & Potions, Magical Objects, Magical People and Animals & Magical Creatures.

For Families Who Love a Challenge:

best games and puzzles for families

Quirkle

Ages: 6+

2-4 players

Qwirkle consists of 108 wooden blocks with six different shapes in six colors. Using the blocks, players attempt to score the most points by building lines that share the same shape or color. The simple setup makes this an instant winner for younger kids, while adults will enjoy strategizing to win.

As the winner of the Parent’s Choice Gold Award and a Mensa Select National Competition Winner, Qwirkle is a family game night favorite. I feel smarter just playing it! 😉

For Families Who Love to Laugh:

Hedbanz

Ages: 7+

2-6 players

best games and puzzles

Hedbanz is the quick question game of “What am I?” Ask yes or no questions to figure out if the cartoon on your head is an animal, food or man-made object. Be the first player to guess what you are and win! When my kids were younger, they begged to play this game. I think they liked wearing the headbands holding the cards to be honest!

For Math Skills:

Math Dice

best games and puzzles for familiesAges: 8+ (a Math Dice Jr. version for 6+)

2 or more players

Math Dice will help improve your kids’ math skills (and yours) and will impress their math teachers. Roll the two 12-sided target dice and multiply them to get a target number. Roll the three scoring dice and combine these numbers using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or even powers to build an equation that is closest to or equal to the target. This mentally challenging and fun dice game helps players sharpen math skills by solving problems in a fun new way.

Puzzle Lovers:

My favorite puzzles are Disney. I can’t help myself! Both these beauties were designed by Thomas Kinkade: one to celebrate Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration and the second will get fans of Beauty and the Beast even more excited about the upcoming release that will debut March 17, 2017.

Disney Parks Disneyland 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration Thomas Kinkade Puzzle 

best games and puzzles for families

Thomas Kinkade The Disney Dreams Collection: Beauty and The Beast Falling in Love Puzzle

best games and puzzles for families

For Families Who Like to Keep Moving:

Just Dance

best games and puzzles

Ages: 10+

(I say kids under 10 can do this one)

1-4 players

Move it, shake it, celebrate it…with Just Dance. The newest installment of this popular dance game is out. Bust a move and get down with the hottest songs of the year, including: “Sorry,” by Justin Bieber, “Into You,” by Ariana Grande, “Cheap Thrills,” by Sia ft. Sean Paul, “Lean On,” by Major Lazer and DJ Snake ft. MO, “Can’t Feel My Face,” by The Weeknd just to name a few. It’s quite hilarious to see the older crowd get in on the dancing, and it’s a wonderful way to sweat off all the food you’ve eaten.

For Those Who Like Old School Toys:

Simon

best games and puzzles for families

Ages: 8+

1-4 players

I remember this memory game from the 80’s. It starts off at a nice steady pace, but the more you play, the more complicated the patterns become, building suspense with each turn. Players try to hit a new high score by completing the longest sequence possible without messing up. Everyone tries to beat Simon at its own game. It’s quite addicting!  What a blast from the past to play this game.

For Kids Who Love to Build:

Jenga

best games and puzzles for families

Ages: 8+

One ore more players

Move over, Legos. Get the Jenga blocks out for a game that’s sure to add some fun to game night. It’s the classic block-stacking, stack-crashing game of Jenga. Stack the wooden blocks in a sturdy tower, then take turns pulling out blocks one by one until the whole stack crashes down. Who will be the one to pull out the last block before the tower collapses?

Did you find any you like? Or already have? What are YOUR favorites????

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. Buy something and I get a little extra caffeine money so I can do more posts like this. Thanks as always!

best games and puzzles for families

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Filed Under: Christmas, games, Gifts Tagged With: Double Shutter, games, Harry Potter Clue, Hedbanz, holidays, Just Dance 2017, Math Dice, national game and puzzle week, puzzles, Quirkle, Trivial Pursuit Harry Potter edition

Hi there! I’m Sherry Boswell, an Independent Travel Advisor

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