Best Board Games for Teens & Teenagers

Looking for a way to get your teens off of their phones and tablets? Cut down the screen time with these fun and exciting board games. We’ve made a list of a few classics as well as some newer board games. 

In a world where screen time can be isolating, board games can foster socialization and help teens come out of their shells. So, whether for a board game group at school, family fun, or an enthusiastic solo gamer, here is a list of some of the top board games for teens and teenagers.

Our Picks for Best Board Games for Teens

In a hurry? Check out our favorites below!

06/03/2023 03:00 pm GMT

Disney Villainous 

Players: 2-6
Playing Time: 50mins

Disney Villainous is a game in which sinister intentions will win you the title of most Villainous. Play as iconic Disney villains you love to hate like Captain Hook, Maleficent, Jafar, Ursula, Queen of Hearts, and Prince John… and the worst takes all.

To start, players take control of a villain. Each villain comes with its own set of action cards, fate cards, and a board of its own. For your character to win the game, they must defeat their nemesis.

What we liked

For example, Captain Hook must defeat Peter Pan, Ursula defeats Ariel, etc. Strategy is of the utmost importance in the race for your villain to finish first, making it a great choice for Disney fans, as well as strategy enthusiasts.  

What could be better

An elementary worker placement game, when playing Villainous, players may notice a tedious amount of waiting time as others plan their moves, as well as a bit of reliance on luck of the draw.

Whether you are a devoted Disney fan or just looking for a fun game to play with friends and family, Disney Villainous will have you fulfilling your vilest and most evil schemes.

Pandemic

Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 45mins

In Pandemic, players gather a team of experts together to prevent outbreaks and save the world. As a skilled member of the team, your job is to cooperate with players to gather resources and treat infections. 

What we liked

Players have to work together to save the world, from four diseases that threaten the world. Each player has a set of special skills that the team should use to their advantage. A truly cooperative board game, teenagers will have to learn to work together too. 

What could be better

Like all cooperative games, Pandemic gameplay has the potential to be railroaded by an Alpha Gamer in the group who just ends up telling everyone else what to do. But as long as everyone communicates and is involved, it can be a great collaborative experience.

For even more cooperative, world-saving fun, check out the best Pandemic expansions too!

The end is neigh… can you save the world before it collapses into pandemic mayhem?

Ticket to Ride

Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 30-60mins

Ticket to Ride is an exciting route-building game in which players can dive into the world of train travel!

What we liked

A perfect gateway game to introduce teens into the world of board games, this game is very easy to teach and learn, understandably making it a modern classic. Ticket to Ride has a high replay value in which players draw cards, collect train cars, and try to create the most (and best) routes possible.

What could be better

While a great introductory game, Ticket to Ride can get dull after multiple plays. However, with the inclusion of new maps, the game can be refreshed again and again.

With so many expansions available like Europe, Asia, The Heart Of Africa, or even Nederland, teens can see even more of the world by train.

A top card-drafting game, ‘travel’ the world one train at a time!

Sushi Go! Party

It’s party time! Sushi Go! Party is the party platter of endless edamame, super sashimi, and mega maki. Sate your appetite and find the winning combination of sushi in this party expansion pack.

Sushi! Go! Party has similar gameplay as the original but now you can choose over 20 different types of foods from the ala carte menu. This game follows the same pick-and-pass rules with each player choosing a card to keep and a card to pass to the left. The goal is to have the best combination as they whiz by. 

What we liked

This deluxe box can bring a lot of replayability and flexibility with the number of players. Sushi Go! Party is a fast-paced party game to introduce teens to the world of board games.

What could be better

The scoring is a bit tricky and requires players to spend a bit of time adding up numbers at the end of the round. But otherwise, it’s a fun introduction for teens to a fun pick-and-pass game!

Exploding Kittens

Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 15mins

Exploding Kittens has sold over 9 million copies worldwide. This extremely popular game will have you laughing in stitches. 

Described as a “highly-strategic, kitty-powered version of Russian roulette,” players take turns until someone gets the exploding-kitten card and loses. But don’t worry, no need to explode just yet, defuse cards and other distraction cards can help save you. 

What we liked

The funny card names like catnip sandwiches, kitten yoga, and laser pointers keep players laughing as they strategically play to win the ultimate kitty title! So if your teenager is into explosions, kittens, or just looking for a bit of fun, this is a perfect choice!

What could be better

The gameplay of Exploding Kittens can be pretty random and suffers from repetition once the novelty wears off. For a quick and easy card game, however, it’s a lot of fun for big groups or newbies.

Codenames

Players: 2-8
Playing Time: 15mins

A team-based spy game that’s perfect for a teenage get-together, Codenames is a highly-cooperative game that encourages teamwork between players.

Codenames involves two team leaders, known as the Spymasters, who know the identities of all 25 spies. With prompts by the Spymasters, players have to contact all of their field agents before the other team does. 

What we liked

Spymasters agonize over what clues to give while players struggle to make logic of them. Codenames is a memory and deduction game that brings a lot of hilarity to a quick 15 minutes of play.

What could be better

The gameplay isn’t for everyone and it can be hard to get a big group to focus for a long period. If you like deductive word games, however, Codenames is a great choice!

Catan

Players: 3-4
Playing Time: 60-120mins

A giant in the board game world, Catan is a fantastic addition to your board game collection. It’s a multi-award-winning game that’s been in print for two decades straight with expansions to explore even more of the world of Catan. 

What we liked

Catan has a very high replay value, meaning more bang for your bucks. In Catan, 3 to 4 players build their roads, settlements, and cities to be the dominant force on the board. 

Players trade, build and settle to compete for victory points. But beware! Robbers can give a player the chance to steal a card when a 7 is rolled. No two games are alike in Catan. This game gives teens an opportunity to learn some basic board game strategy skills.

What could be better

Catan is heavily reliant on dice, so if the dice gods are not in your favor, you may get quickly frustrated with a lack of resources.

Catan can teach players to use foresight and develop long-term strategy skills. This game is an absolute must for family game nights or an enthusiastic board game group at school.

Escape Room: The Game

Players: 3-5
Playtime: 60mins

Can you keep cool under pressure? Escape Room: The Game will throw you into a scenario filled with thrills and mystery. Included are 3 unique rooms to test your problem-solving skills!

What we liked

Escape Room is a cooperative game that’ll have players working together to escape while racing against the clock. Find clues, solve puzzles, and work together to find your way out of the room before the 60 minutes are up. 

What could be better

Some of the scenarios are pretty darn easy and some rely more on luck than problem-solving.

Included in the Escape Room are, Secret Agent, The Dentist, and Space Station. Each is uniquely designed with varying difficulty levels, making it a great game for different levels of players. Teach teens teamwork skills with this win-together/lose-together game!

Betrayal at House on the Hill

Players: 3-6 
Playing Time: 60mins

“Tile by tile, terror by terror, build your own haunted mansion – and then try to escape.”

Betrayal at House on the Hill will have even the biggest horror fans shaking in their boots. Essentially a hidden traitor game (disguised as a cooperative game, the game is quick to build suspense and excitement from the get-go.

Players discover haunted rooms tile by tile, room by room. With 50 different types of scenarios, Betrayal at House on the Hill has a high replay value and allows players to get creative with their hauntings and escapes. 

What we liked

When discovering the house, players need to work together because you don’t know what could be awaiting you in each room, that is, until the house turns one of the players against the group. 

Every single game of Betrayal is different! We have played countless times and had a new and exciting Haunt each time with hilarious (and terrifying results).

What could be better

The stat tracker components (explorer cards) in the 2nd edition were a bit flimsy and a small hit would knock the arrow off. The 3rd edition of the game seems to have solved this problem, though.

Lay down your first tile, take a deep breath… it could be your last.

Unstable Unicorns

“Build a Unicorn Army. Betray Your Friends. Unicorns are Your Friends Now.”

Intrigued? I knew I was sold on this game just by reading the description. Unstable Unicorns is a strategic card game that claims to ruin friendships…. but like, in a good way? Weed out your friendships with destruction and unicorns!

How to play this magnificent game? Well, the aim is to collect 7 unicorn cards in your play area, also known as the stable. Get it? ‘Unstable’ from the word stable? Very clever. 

What we liked

A race to the finish keeps the pace of the game fast and interesting. With over 20 different adorable unicorn cards, the game has a high replay value. Build your stable and try to avoid the well-played ‘Neigh!’ card. 

What could be better

This game is heavily reliant on luck and the “take that” mechanic that can cause the game to drag on in some instances.

Unstable Unicorns will have your teens laughing while also learning strategy skills second to none while causing Genghis Khan to roll over in his grave.

Blokus

Players: 2-4
Playing time: 20mins 

Blokus, pronounced ‘block us’ is a tile placement and area enclosure game. This game is a perfect strategy-building game for teens or the whole family. 

With Tetris-shaped color pieces, players take turns placing one of their 21 pieces, the catch is that each piece must touch the same color but only in the corner! 

What we liked

A super-easy game to learn, Blokus will have players claiming their territory all while trying to block their opponents. The player with the lowest number wins the game!

What could be better

The abstract gameplay and lack of theme may be off-putting for new players.

Receiving a Mensa Award for healthy brain activity, Blokus helps teens develop their strategy skills as well as offering a healthy amount of fun.

Evolution

Players: 2-6
Playing time: 60mins

With food being scarce and predators roaming around, adapt your species to evolve. It’s survival of the fittest and only the strong survive!

What we liked

Personality traits really come through with this versatile game: some players can cause havoc with carnivorous creatures while others choose to stay protected and keep to themselves as herbivores. The different playing styles create great synergy in the evolution of species. 

What could be better

Evolution is a pretty competitive game that can get quite cutthroat, depending on the personalities of the players.

With over 12,000 species to choose from, adapt, eat, multiply, and thrive!

7 Wonders / 7 Wonders: Duel

Build a civilization and sharpen your military skills all at the same time! In 7 Wonders, players work to develop their cities economically, scientifically, culturally, and militarily. As a great leader of the Ancient World, this game is a simple introduction to the necessary components needed for civilizational prosperity. 

What we liked

Tweens and teens will enjoy 7 Wonders as there’s little downtime. And because of the many cards and boards, it can feel new and exciting each time you play. 

What could be better

This game has so many options and strategies to pursue, it can be a bit slow in the beginning for new players unless everyone has played before.

If some one-on-one playing is more your speed, why not try 7 Wonders: Duel? It’s very similar to its parent game, but as the title says, it’s for 2 players. There are fun added mechanisms to the game like ‘tug of war’ and a sudden death ending which keeps the two players on their toes. 

Whether you are looking for a group game or one-on-one, 7 Wonders will teach teenagers the importance of strategy development in society as well as having loads of fun.

On a Scale of One to T-Rex

Players: 2-8
Playing time: 15mins

From the creators of Exploding Kittens, On a Scale of One to T-Rex is a good game for the worst charades players. 

Players are given action and intensity cards to act out. The action cards are known by all players, but ‘shhhh’ intensity cards are a secret. The goal is to find out who has the same level of intensity as you. 

In the midst of meows, dancing, and even yodeling, players will find their intensity level match.

What we liked

This family-friendly game is a great way for teens to socialize and gain confidence in a safe environment.

What could be better

This game is way more fun with more players. We wouldn’t recommend with less than 5 players.

Star Realms / Hero Realms

Throw Throw Burrito

Players: 2-6 players
Playing time: 15mins

The world’s first dodgeball card game: Throw Throw Burrito. You read that right, Exploding Kittens creators are back at it again and have created an epic card game in which you also get to throw burritos at your opponents (they are squishy toy burritos, but it’s still satisfying). 

How to play a card game of dodgeball? Burritos and cards are laid on the table. Players have to collect matching cards to earn points before the other team. Burrito cards can be played for a burrito battle to ensue and to steal your opponent’s points. 

What we liked

Declare war against your classmates, neighbors, or whoever you think would be fun to throw burritos at! Sidenote: A Burrito Duel can be called. Two players stand back to back, walk 3 steps, and fire! What could be more enticing than a Burrito Duel?

What could be better

I mean, it’s dodgeball, so be careful while playing to avoid injuries!

Azul

Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 30-45min

Azul is for the decorators and pattern-makers among us. Players take turns drafting beautifully-colored tiles and placing them on the board. Once tiles are on the board, players try to create particular patterns for extra points. The player with the most points wins. 

Super easy, right? 

What we liked

Although the game starts off pretty relaxed, once the tiles fill up and patterns need to be made, the game can start to get pretty intense. 

Azul is great for teenagers as the rules are easy to understand but it still requires strategy and thinking ahead to plan your patterns. Give Azul a try and mosaic your way to victory.

What could be better

Azul has very little player interaction and can be a bit cerebral for new or young players. It’s a great puzzle but can be dull for teens looking to chat while playing a board game.

Tsuro

Players: 2-8
Playing Time: 15-20mins 

In Tsuro, all players are dragons fiercely flying over the land and creating routes. With each play, the board changes making it a versatile and unique game. 

In its design, Tsuro is beautifully simple. Lay down a tile to move your token along a path. Although the game may be simple, it can become tricky when you have to rethink your tile placement strategies.

What we liked

Tsuro is a network-building strategy board game that seems new and different each time you play. The game is great for teenagers as it’s simple to learn and play all while being challenging depending on who you play.

What could be better

While a peaceful game to play while chatting, Tsuro is pretty simple and random at its core.

Simple, sweet, and fun — channel your inner dragon with Tsuro!

Cranium: Dark

Players: 3+
Playing time: Until 7 cards are collected by a player

Cranium styles itself as the ‘party game for people who want to act up.’ Cranium: Dark is not for the shy among us. Can you act like a zombie while trying to act out milking a cow? Could your friends possibly guess what you’re doing? 

Cranium: Dark will have you and your friends in stitches trying to figure out the Cranium and action cards. With bonus cards such as the Outrageous actions, players need to correctly guess other players’ actions and collect the card. The first player that collects 7 cards wins!

What we liked

This a great mix of a variety of party game mechanics that always ends in laughter. With so much going on, there’s definitely something for everyone here.

What could be better

Acting out cards can be awkward for shy players and may embarrass those that aren’t used to being in the spotlight.

Host an awesome game night or play Cranium: Dark at a party!

Smart Ass

Players: 2-8|
Playing time: 30mins

If your teen is anything like I was in my teenage years, this game has a fitting title. Smart Ass is a game for those players who love to shout out answers, even when it’s not their turn. 

For the ultimate trivia enthusiast, Smart Ass follows four question categories; Who am I? Where am I? What am I? and Hard Ass! Answers the questions to become the ultimate Smart Ass. 

What we liked

Smart Ass is a fast-paced game with 500 different questions. There are also clues that can help you answer questions. With cute ‘ass’ (donkey) pieces to move around the board, Smart Ass will have your teens in hysterics, all while learning some fun facts!

What could be better

It’s a pretty generic trivia game and the cards can get old when you’ve played multiple times. I played this a ton growing up, though, and definitely learned a lot!

Wrap-Up

We hope you enjoyed our picks for the best board games for teens! There’s a mass of board games out there to bring teens back to a fun (and educational) pastime. Some of the top games on the market have unique fun adventures to draw you in and make you a board game enthusiast for life.

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY (BEST GAMES BY AGE GROUP): Toddler & Preschool | Kindergarten | 2-Year-Old | 3-Year-Old | 4-Year-Old | 5-Year-Old | 5-6-Year-Old | 7-Year-Old | 8-Year-Old | 9-Year-Old | 10-Year-Old | 11-12-Year-Old | Teens & Teenagers

Whether you are looking for some serious strategy or a little silliness there’s a screen-free board game out there for teenagers to enjoy! From solving pandemics to throwing burritos, everyone can be entertained. Let us know which fun game your teens enjoyed playing! Drop a comment below.