Looking for a fun and engaging way to spend quality time with family and friends? Look no further than our fantastic selection of card games and family board games! Our latest blog post is a carefully curated collection that includes reviews of classic board games and strategic card games, as well as exciting and challenging games that will put your skills to the test.
Whether you’re looking for a quick game to play on a weeknight or planning a family game night that will keep everyone entertained for hours, we’ve got you covered. Our staff have picked out the best family board games for this blog that are sure to delight players of all ages, from young kids to young adults and beyond.
In addition to our selection of board games, we also offer expansion packs and different versions of popular games alongside other gaming must-have accessories and dice, so you can keep the fun going and explore new challenges. Even the littlest players will love our selection of the top 5 family board games.
So, whether you’re a big fan of classic board games or looking for something new and exciting, our review has something for everyone. Gather your friends and family, clear off the table, and get ready to dive into a world of strategy, excitement, and camaraderie with these 5 must-try card and board games!
1. Pinch n Pass
Publisher:
Age Range:
Although recommended for ages 12 and up, younger players (around 9 years old) can also enjoy and potentially win the game.
Number of players:
3-6 Players
Gameplay Overview:
Looking for a fast-paced and engaging board game for your next family game night? Look no further than this classic game! It’s perfect for younger kids, with simple questions that challenge players under pressure. This family board game comes with everything you need to get started, including a board, spinner, ‘Head-to-Head’ tokens, counters, 150 cards, and an electronic buzzer/timer.
This strategy board game is all about racing to the winner’s space on the board, but players can also move in the opposite direction, adding an extra layer of challenge. Players spin the spinner to determine which card they must pick and how many moves it’s worth on the board. Other players can challenge the active player in a ‘Head-to-Head’ round to keep things interesting.
Pass cards require players to answer a question and pass the card along, while Pinch cards move players up the board when they answer correctly. Players can also challenge each other to ‘Head-to-Head’ rounds, adding to the excitement and urgency of the game. With a variety of cards and challenges, no two games are ever the same.
This family game is perfect for kids of all ages, with simple rules and fast gameplay. Each game takes about 30 minutes to play, making it perfect for a few rounds on a family game night. Add this great game to your board game collection and enjoy hours of fun with your family members. Don’t miss out on one of the best family board games around!
Unique Features:
Pinch ‘n’ Pass has a number of unique features that set it apart from your typical classic board game. First, there’s the Pass and Pinch mechanic, which allows for flexible board movement and different gameplay objectives. This, along with ‘Head-to-Head’ challenges and a timer-based gameplay system, adds a level of strategy that will keep the whole family engaged. But what really sets Pinch ‘n’ Pass apart is its high replay value, with 300 cards in the base game, there’s always a new challenge to tackle.
2. Exploding Kittens
Publisher:
Elan Lee (Xbox, ARGs), Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal), and Shane Small (Xbox, Marvel) – Exploding Kittens Inc.
Age Range:
7 and older.
Number of players:
2-5 Players
Gameplay Overview:
Exploding Kittens is a strategic, Russian roulette-style card game created by Matthew Inman, the artist behind the webcomic The Oatmeal. The game is designed for 2-5 players aged 7 and up and requires players to avoid drawing an Exploding Kitten card, which would eliminate them from the game. Players use various types of cards in the deck to strategically increase their opponents’ odds of drawing the game-ending card while reducing their own risk of elimination.
The game has taken the world by storm, with some players enjoying the strategic aspect and humour, while others may find it challenging.
As a quick summary, here are the key mechanics:
Drawing cards: Players take turns drawing a card from the deck. The objective is to avoid drawing an Exploding Kitten card, which eliminates the player from the game unless they have a Defuse card.
Playing cards: During their turn, before drawing a card, players can play cards from their hand to strategically manipulate the game. These cards include:
- Defuse: Counteracts an Exploding Kitten card and allows the player to put the card back into the deck.
- Attack: Ends the player’s turn and forces the next player to take two turns in a row.
- Skip: Allows the player to skip their turn without drawing a card.
- See the Future: Lets the player peek at the top three cards in the deck.
- Shuffle: Shuffles the deck.
- Favor: Forces an opponent to give the player one card of the opponent’s choice.
- Cat cards (matching pairs): Allows the player to steal a random card from an opponent.
- Nope: Counteracts any action against the player, except for the Exploding Kitten card.
Elimination and winning: Players are eliminated from the game if they draw an Exploding Kitten card and do not have a Defuse card. The game continues until there is only one player left, who is declared the winner.
Unique Features:
Exploding Kittens is known for its unique features, including the humorous artwork of Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal), which adds an entertaining and engaging element to the game. But don’t let the cute kittens fool you — this game also requires a great balance of strategy and luck, making it appealing to a wide range of players.
One of the most exciting aspects of Exploding Kittens is its interactive gameplay. The game fosters player interaction through cards that enable attacking, stealing, and counteracting opponents’ actions. This encourages players to get in touch with their inner bad guy and engage in team play for added fun. The game has easy-to-learn mechanics, making it quick to pick up and ideal for casual gaming, and with just a deck of cards and instructions, it’s compact and portable, making it perfect for taking with you anywhere.
3. Blink Card Game
Publisher:
Age Range:
For ages 7 and older.
Number of players:
Blink is designed primarily for two players, but it also includes variant rules for three and four-player games.
Gameplay Overview:
Blink is a fast-paced card game that challenges players to be the first to get rid of all their cards. There are no turns in the game; players play their cards simultaneously, trying to play them as quickly as possible. Additionally, players must manage their hands strategically; they can hold up to three cards in their hand, and they must refill their hand as they play cards onto the discard piles.
The game requires quick reflexes and keen attention to detail, so players have to be sharp and observant to win. Blink is a great game for players of all ages and is perfect for family game nights or quick rounds with friends. It’s a good game to add to your next game night, and kids and younger players will love it.
Unique Features:
Here’s what makes Blink different from other card games:
- Fastest game claim: Blink is marketed as the “world’s fastest game,” with each round taking approximately two minutes to play, making it an exciting and fast-paced experience.
- Simultaneous play: Unlike many traditional card games where players take turns, Blink is played without turns, and players race to play their cards simultaneously.
- Simple rules: The game has easy-to-understand rules that involve matching the colour, shape, or number of symbols on the cards, making it accessible to a wide range of players, including younger children.
- Quick thinking and reflexes: Blink emphasises quick decision-making and reflexes, as players must rapidly identify matching cards and play them onto the discard piles. as players must quickly find and play matching cards to win.
- Versatile player count: Although traditionally played with two players, Blink includes variants for three and four-player games, making it adaptable to different group sizes.
- Educational value: The game can serve as a teaching tool for younger children, helping them learn and reinforce concepts such as colours, shapes, and numbers.
- Customisable rules: Blink’s simple mechanics allow players to create their own house rules, tailoring the game to their preferences and adding variety to the gameplay.
Featuring three and four-player variants, the game is easy to learn and fun to play. Though there’s not much strategy involved, the fast pace and competitive nature of the game make it fun. Blink is a good filler game and a great way to teach colours, shapes, and numbers to kids. Those who like quick-play games will love it.
4. Sleeping Queens
Publisher:
Age Range:
The game box specifies an age range of 8 and up. Nevertheless, we think that kids as young as 5 will enjoy playing this game just as much.
Number of players:
The recommended number of players for Sleeping Queens is 2-5 players.
Gameplay Overview:
It’s your job to wake up the Sleeping Queens and earn points to win. The game is played with a deck of cards that includes Queens, Kings, Knights, Dragons, Sleeping Potions, and Wands.
Players take turns playing cards and can either play a single card, a pair of matching numbered cards, or three or more numbered cards that make an addition equation. Some Queens have special powers, such as allowing players to awaken another Queen or preventing certain actions from taking place.
The game also includes a Jester card that allows players to pick up cards from the draw pile and try to collect a numbered card that will allow them to awaken a Queen. The game ends when a player awakens a certain number of Queens or reaches a certain number of points.
Unique Features:
Sleeping Queens is actually the first ever card game to be created and successfully published by a six-year-old, Miranda Evarts. As she couldn’t sleep, her mind wandered and she started thinking of a game where she rescued sleeping queens, resulting in a fantastical and whimsical game.
The Sleeping Queens card deck is well designed with cute and appealing illustrations, simple rules and mechanics that are easy to learn, and the inclusion of special cards like the Rose Queen, Cat and Dog Queen, Knight, Dragon, Sleeping Potion, Wand, and Jester cards add twists to the game in a really fun way.
It also has a high replay value that younger kids love and can be played in a short amount of time, making it a great option for those with short attention spans. The gameplay is quick and easy, with opportunities for players to learn basic maths skills.
5. Throw Throw Burrito
Publisher:
Age Range:
The recommended age range for Throw Throw Burrito is 7+.
Number of players:
Throw Throw Burrito can be played with 2-6 players.
Gameplay Overview:
Throw Throw Burrito is a party game that combines a card game with dodgeball, where players try to collect sets of cards and simultaneously dodge, duck, and throw squishy burritos. The game comes with 120 cards, two foam burritos, and six cardboard burrito bruisers. Players must try to collect matching sets of cards to earn points while avoiding getting hit by soft, squishy burritos. The game has two rounds and is played in a chaotic free-for-all style and takes roughly 15 minutes to play.
Players draw cards from community draw piles and can swap out or discard cards to make a set of three. There are regular cards and battle cards, which score points and activate the burrito throwing. When a set of three battle cards is made, players engage in a burrito battle.
There are three kinds of burrito battles: Brawl, War, and Duel, with different numbers of players involved. In a Brawl, the players to your left grab a burrito and throw it at each other. In a War, all the players scramble for the burritos and engage in a dodgeball-style game. In a Duel, two players stand back to back, walk three paces, and throw burritos on the count of three.
Players earn points for matching sets of cards and lose points for getting hit by burritos. The winner of the first round gets the “Fear Me” badge.
Unique Features:
Throw Throw Burrito is a super fun game that combines elements of a strategic card game and dodgeball. The game involves collecting matching sets of cards, while also dodging and throwing squishy airborne burritos. The varied types of burrito battles: Brawl, War, and Duel, which require different strategies and skills to win adds an element of surprise making it an ideal choice for family games night.
The game is physical, so it requires a lot of space, and the soft burritos may need replacing after frequent use, despite this though, the chaotic and fast-paced nature makes family time exciting. Additionally, the game is suitable for players of all ages, big or small.
Our selection of must-try card and board games offers a fantastic opportunity to break away from digital screens and rediscover the joy of face-to-face social interaction. These games not only provide hours of fun and laughter, but also foster critical thinking, teamwork, and friendly competition.
With options suitable for both casual players and board game aficionados, there is truly something for everyone in this diverse lineup. So, don’t hesitate to explore these incredible games and create cherished memories with your loved ones. As you embark on countless tabletop adventures, you’ll soon discover that these card and board games are more than just a pastime – they’re a gateway to quality time, connection, and unforgettable experiences.
Whether you prefer to shop online or in-store, our three locations across Brisbane have got you covered. So why wait? Start exploring our catalogue today and discover the perfect game for your next family game night!