Picking board games for my kid used to be easier when she was smaller – Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land, the The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel – they were all winners! But as she got older, it got harder and harder to find games that challenged her without frustrating her, that I didn’t mind playing, and that she didn’t deem “for babies.”
It’s taken our family a lot of trial and error over the last several years, and lots of chats with fellow parents and kids, to get it right!
What are the best board games for 8-10 year olds? I’m so glad you asked!
Choosing the Right Game
When picking a board game for 8-10 year olds, you’ll want to consider the game’s age suitability, long-term value, balancing new and classic games, and the benefits over video games. These factors help ensure the game is engaging, educational, and enjoyable.
Determining the Perfect Age Range
Make sure the game is suitable for your child’s age.
Look at the age recommendations on the box and consider both your 8- to 10-year old’s maturity level, as well as the maturity levels of any other kids or teens in your home who might like to play. Games such as King of Tokyo and Carcassonne are great for both your younger and older kids.
Criteria to consider:
- Complexity of rules
- Reading level required
- Length of gameplay
Selecting Games that Grow with Your Child
For longevity’s (and your bank account’s) sake, choose games that adapt to different skill levels. Some games are designed to be played across a large range of children, allowing young children to enjoy simpler rules while older kids can engage in more strategic play.
Games like Ticket to Ride or Kingdomino offer multiple levels of challenge, making them suitable as your child grows.
Benefits:
- Encourages long-term interest
- Suitable for different age groups
Exploring New Games vs. Classic Favorites
Classic games like Mouse Trap or Operation have stood the test of time for a reason. Meanwhile, newer games like Sushi Go! and Dixit often incorporate creative themes and modern mechanics that might be more engaging for today’s kids.
Don’t hesitate to mix it up!
Considerations:
- Familiarity vs novelty
- Replay value
Benefits of Board Games over Video Games
Board games offer benefits that video games might not.
They encourage face-to-face interaction, helping children develop social skills. Playing together also fosters quality time among family members.
Healthcare providers often recommend board games for young children as a way to improve cognitive skills and reduce screen time.
Advantages:
- Enhances social interaction
- Encourages teamwork and communication
- Reduces screen time
Top Games by Category
Finding the right board game for 8-10 year olds can be challenging. Whether you are looking for games that boost critical thinking, provide quick fun, or encourage teamwork, there’s something for everyone.
The Best Strategy Games for Critical Thinking
King of Tokyo is great for strategy and luck.
Kids roll dice and try to take control of Tokyo. The game is easy to learn and adds excitement with special powers and monster battles.
Ticket to Ride is another excellent choice.
Players collect train cards and claim routes across North America. It helps kids plan and strategize while competing to connect cities.
Kingdomino challenges kids to build a kingdom by matching tiles. It’s fun, fast-paced, and teaches spatial awareness.
Exciting Card Games for Quick Fun
Sushi Go! is a quick game where you collect sushi dishes for points. It’s simple and fast, making it perfect for younger kids.
Uno is a classic!
Easy to learn, kids match colors and numbers while trying to be the first to use all their cards. It’s fun and can be played in a short amount of time.
Exploding Kittens brings laughter with each draw.
Kids avoid the exploding kitten cards while strategizing their moves. It’s silly, fun, and engaging.
Cooperative Games for Team Building
Outfoxed! is a cooperative game where players work together to solve the mystery, perfect for preschoolers but not too simple or silly for 8-year-olds. They gather clues to find the thief, promoting teamwork and problem-solving.
For those closer to 10, Forbidden Island has players collect treasures and escape before the island sinks. The game encourages players to strategize and communicate effectively.
Just One is a word-guessing game where players give clues to help a teammate guess the word. It’s cooperative and perfect for building communication skills.
Adventure and Role-Playing Options
Dungeons & Dragons: Adventure Begins introduces kids to tabletop role-playing games.
They embark on an adventure, facing monsters and completing quests. It’s perfect for sparking creativity and teamwork.
For slightly younger kids, My First Castle Panic is a tower defense game where kids defend their castle from monsters. It’s simple yet strategic, and encourages teamwork.
Takenoko takes players on a gardening adventure.
They grow bamboo and manage a panda. It combines strategy with a cute theme.
Fantastic Games for Large Groups
Operation is a classic game that tests hand-eye coordination.
Players take turns removing parts from the patient without setting off the buzzer. It’s fun and suitable for groups.
Code Names is a social deduction game perfect for groups.
Players give one-word clues to their team to guess the right “code words.” It’s challenging and entertaining.
For those closer to 8, ThinkFun Zingo! is a bingo-style game where kids match pictures and words. It’s engaging and can be played by a large group, making it ideal for parties.
Featured Game Reviews
Here you’ll find detailed reviews of some of the top-rated board games for 8-10 year olds. These games offer a mix of cooperation, adventure, strategy, and fun, perfect for keeping young minds engaged and entertained.
Forbidden Island: A Cooperative Adventure
Forbidden Island is a popular cooperative game that encourages teamwork. Players work together to collect artifacts and escape a sinking island.
The board is modular, meaning it changes every time you play. It’s exciting because you never know what challenge awaits next.
The game teaches problem-solving and risk assessment. You will need to strategize and communicate well with your teammates to win.
The artwork and components are high quality, making it visually appealing. It’s easy to learn, yet offers plenty of depth for repeated play.
Tour the Nation with Ticket to Ride: First Journey
Ticket to Ride: First Journey offers a great introduction to the beloved Ticket to Ride series. It’s simplified for younger players but still retains the essence of the game.
You’ll collect train cards and claim routes across a map of North America. The goal is to complete six tickets before your opponents. The first player to do so wins the game.
The colorful pieces and straightforward rules make it accessible, and the game helps children with pattern recognition and planning. Plus, the race to complete routes adds an exciting and competitive edge.
Build and Trade in Settlers of Catan
Settlers of Catan is a classic strategy game where players build settlements, roads, and cities on the island of Catan. It’s known for its depth and replayability.
Players gather resources like wood, brick, and grain and use them to expand their territory. Trading with other players is a key element, which fosters negotiation skills.
The game has different paths to victory, so players must adapt their strategies. It’s slightly more complex but very rewarding, perfect for kids who enjoy a bit more strategic thinking in their play.
Fishing for Fun with Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! is a universally-appealing card-drafting game with a fun sushi theme. It’s fast-paced and easy to learn, making it ideal for younger players.
In each round, you’ll pick a sushi card and then pass your hand to the next player. The aim is to collect the best combination of sushi dishes to score the most points.
The game lasts just 15 minutes, but it’s highly replayable.
The adorable illustrations and simple mechanics make it appealing. It also helps kids with decision-making and quick thinking.
All things considered, it’s a great choice for family game night or a quick play session.
Educational Aspects of Board Gaming
While it’s tempting to think of board games as a fun way to pass the time, they offer much more than entertainment for young children. Board games help in building essential social skills and teach patience and strategy, which are crucial for their overall development.
Developing Social Skills through Play
When children play board games, they learn to interact with others.
They must take turns, share, and communicate clearly. This is important for developing good social skills.
Playing with others also helps children understand the importance of rules. They learn to follow rules and respect others’ turns.
By experiencing both winning and losing, kids understand that both are part of life. This helps them build resilience and the ability to cope with disappointment.
Learning Strategy and Patience
Strategy games are a great way to teach children essential thinking skills. King of Tokyo is an excellent example, where kids roll dice and make strategic decisions to win.
These games help kids plan ahead and think critically.
Patience is another key lesson from board games.
Games like Settlers of Catan require players to wait their turn and consider their moves carefully. Learning to be patient is a valuable skill that will benefit children in many aspects of life.
By practicing these skills, children become better at managing their time and making thoughtful decisions.
Board Games in Social Settings
Board games offer a great way to bring people together and encourage social interaction. When kids play these games, they get a chance to work on important social skills.
King of Tokyo is a fun game where players can enjoy a competitive but friendly showdown. It’s a good choice for family game nights, fostering teamwork and strategy.
Toy Story: Obstacles & Adventures is another excellent option.
It’s a cooperative game, meaning everyone works together to achieve a common goal. This teamwork can teach kids the value of collaboration.
If you have kids of different ages, Kingdomino can be a great pick. It’s easy to learn and quick to play, making it perfect for social settings where time is limited.
Here are some highlights of these games in social settings:
| Game | Key Benefits |
|---|---|
| King of Tokyo | Encourages friendly competition |
| Toy Story: Obstacles & Adventures | Promotes teamwork and cooperation |
| Kingdomino | Easy and quick to play with all ages |
Playing board games helps in building social skills. These games can be a fun way for kids to engage with each other, learn how to wait their turn, and express themselves.
No matter which of the best board games for 8-10 year olds you choose, the goal is to have fun and enjoy each other’s company. So grab a game, set up the table, and get ready for some laughs and quality time with your kids!
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