As your child gets older, the games they can play become more strategic and more fun for the adults. When your child finally reaches double digits, you’ll find a whole host of games that you can play together, offering quality family time as well as improving all sorts of skills.
With hundreds of board games on the market, it can be difficult to figure out what your child might enjoy. I’ve gathered the best board games for 10-year-olds to help you make your choice.
Why it’s great: Catan is the perfect game that the whole family will love. It’s super popular among adults but easy enough for kids to learn. It’ll teach your child to use strategy and logical thinking to trade and build. It’s also a very social game, which means your child will be improving their social skills and learning to communicate more effectively. This game usually takes about an hour to play, which is probably about the max an average 10-year-old will want to sit and play.
Keep in mind: You need at least 3 players, but up to 6, so it works best for larger families.
Good for: Kids who excel at critical thinking and strategy games.
Why it’s great: Monopoly Ultimate Banking is a new take on an old classic. In this version of the game, the rules are slightly different, but the concept is the same. Your child will have to collect properties and increase the rent on those properties to make money and win the game. This game will help develop critical thinking and strategy skills while also helping your little one understand math and financial concepts. Unlike the original version, you won’t have to spend the whole day playing this game, as this version is pared down and usually takes less than an hour to complete.
Keep in mind: It’s best to play the game inside, as the card reader doesn’t work as well in direct sunlight.
Good for: Parents who love the classics but want a shorter game than the original Monopoly.
Why it’s great: Your kids will get a lot of educational fun when playing this game. It’s easy to play and simple to learn, making it a great choice for kids. Your child will improve their memory, math, pattern, and strategy skills when playing this game. There are multiple ways to play, making it more versatile, too. You can play a one-on-one match, play tournament style, or play with up to four players. Each match takes less than ten minutes, so you can play a quick match or make it last for as long as you want. The pieces are well made and use pictures rather than words, so even younger kids can play along.
Keep in mind: It’s a little pricey for what it is, but it’s something that the whole family might enjoy playing.
Good for: Building more educational skills like math, patterns, and memory.
Why it’s great: Underdog Games have a few great games that your child will love, but Trekking The National Parks is one of my favorites. It’s recommended for kids ages ten and up, making it challenging and more fun for older kids and adults. While you’re playing this game, you’re also learning all about different national parks, making it educational, too. Whether you’re planning a trip to one of these parks or just enjoy learning outdoor and nature facts, this game is a great way to spend some quality time together as a family.
Keep in mind: This one is expensive, but the board and pieces are all high-quality and durable, so it’s built to last.
Good for: Nature lovers and those who want to learn about different national parks.
Why it’s great: If you’re looking for something that’ll have the whole family laughing, Double Ditto is the game for you. It’s a party game, which means you can play with 4-20 players! Your child will improve their cognitive, reading, and writing skills while playing this game. Double Ditto has topics, and each player gets to write down two things that match the topic. The answers can be silly or serious, but the goal is to try to match someone else’s answer to get points, so there’s a little bit of strategy involved.
Keep in mind: This is best for larger families, as you need at least four people to play.
Good for: Large families that want a game that will make them laugh.
On An Important Side Note… Asher and I (pictured) feel it’s necessary to highlight the value of life insurance for parents with young kids. After extensive research, we discovered that parents can get insured for as little as $10 per month. We use Ladder Life who offers coverage up to $3M per parent (without a medical exam, just a few health questions) and you can apply 100% online.
Get a quote in less than 30 seconds at LadderLife.com ➜
Why it’s great: Labyrinth is a fun and educational game that’s easy for kids as young as 7 to learn to play. It’s a quick game, lasting only 20-30 minutes, making it great for kids with lower attention spans. Your child will have to use strategy to plan ahead, and they’ll learn cause and effect, recognition, and patience as they wait to take their next turn. It plays 2-4 players and the board changes depending on how each player places their cards, so it doesn’t feel the same every time you play.
Keep in mind: There are a few different versions, which could make it even more interesting if you find one that really engages your child.
Good for: Kids who have lower attention spans and need a game that’s quick and easy to learn and play.
Why it’s great: Ticket to Ride is a great game for the whole family. It’s recommended for kids ages 8 and up, but it’s fairly easy to learn and play, so younger kids may be able to pick it up, too. This game is popular among adults, so you won’t have to worry about getting bored when you’re playing with your child. There are also a bunch of expansion packs, which offer some versatility and more playability. With the original version, your child will be navigating a map of the United States, which will help them start to recognize and memorize the different states and some of the bigger cities.
Keep in mind: There’s also a junior version you can start with for younger kids.
Good for: Families with kids of different ages who need a game they can all play together.
The Catan Board Game (Base Game) | Family Board Game is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..
There are tons of reasons to purchase and play board games with your kids. Each game is different, which means you’ll be able to work on pretty much any skill or concept that you wish. Board games help improve cognitive abilities, critical thinking, social skills, problem-solving, and much more. Most importantly, you’ll be able to spend some quality time together playing as a family.
All board games are educational in some way, as they all teach your child new skills and strategies. However, there are plenty of board games that teach specific educational skills, such as math or reading, and others that will improve cognitive functions and communication. Consider what you want your child to work on and read the rules for each game. You should be able to find one that will help your child with any concept or skill you want them to improve.
Chances are you’re going to have to try a few different games to find the type and style that your child loves the best. Make sure that the game you choose is suitable for their age and skill level. Does your child seem to prefer to work together towards a common goal? Or do they relish the win when you play competitive games?
Board games can certainly help improve your child’s sportsmanship, as long as you’re willing to help guide them and teach them as you play. Competitive board games can teach them how to play fair and how to lose gracefully if you’re working with them to build these skills. Cooperative board games are a great way to help your child learn to communicate and collaborate with others.
There are so many board games out there, and everyone’s taste is different, making it impossible to say which is the best. However, if you want something that the whole family will enjoy playing, make sure you find a game that’s challenging but easy enough for the youngest member to play. Take into account each individual’s preferences and do your best to find a game that has a mix of these elements.
Board games are a great way to improve your child’s cognitive skills and communication. They’re also a lot of fun and the perfect choice to get in some quality family time. If you’re looking to find something that will engage your child and keep them entertained, a board game could be just the thing. This list contains games of every type, so you should be able to find at least one (if not a few!) that your child will love.
){kind=link}