Games are such an excellent way for families to spend time together. More than that, they can help your teenagers learn to strategize and develop essential social skills that will stay with them forever. Some games help teenagers engage in physical activity, coordination skills, and so much more, but how do you get them to play?
Games that even teenagers will want to play include board games like Catan or Scrabble, card games such as Unstable Unicorns and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, and outdoor games you can play in a group like Slammo, Cornhole, or Bocce Ball. Your choice of game might depend on their age and skill level.
If you have picky teenagers but an itch to start a family game night, this article is for you. We’ll be discussing everything from fun, family-friendly board games and card games to high-energy outdoor games your teens won’t be able to resist. With varying levels of time, skill, and coordination, your teens are sure to love one of the nine games I am sharing with you today.
Board Games
Board games have provided families with a chance to spend time together for decades. They are perfect for family game nights or a relaxing night on winter evenings. Board games are great for sparking a little friendly competition, encouraging strategic thinking, or simply enjoying your time together as a family. All you need is a table with a few chairs, and you are all set for these exciting board games.
Days of Wonder Ticket To Ride
Ticket to Ride has been on the board game scene since 2004 when it was introduced by Alan Moon and his team of illustrators and publishers. It won the award for “Best Board Game of 2004” in Germany and the Diana Jones Award the following year. It quickly grew in popularity, selling millions of copies in its first ten years, and has been redesigned several times to feature different countries and cities, making it personal to players from around the globe.
This German-inspired game can be played with up to five players and takes very little time to set up. Some strategy and forethought are required, but the winner must rely on chance quite a bit as well. It is excellent for almost all ages, but especially teenagers. Games will take between one and two hours, depending on the number of players. Generally, more players will take longer.
The rules of Ticket to Ride are relatively simple and can be learned quickly. The object of the game is to get the most points by creating train routes between the cities mapped out on the board. During each turn, players collect cards which can then be exchanged for additional train pieces to extend your route. The game ends when one of the players uses all of his train pieces, and points are totaled for each player.
CATAN Board Game (Base Game)
Catan is an award-winning board game that has been around since the late 1990s. Although initially developed and published by a German designer, Catan (also known as Settlers of Catan or Settlers) has sold over 20 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 30 languages. The best thing about Catan is its ability to be set up differently for each game, ensuring no game night is ever the same.
The classic package of Catan requires two to four players, but the designers have developed many expansion packs to allow for up to six players. As the most advanced board game on this list, it requires about 15 minutes of setup time and can take some time to learn the rules. However, it is well worth it because this strategy-based game will help your children develop forethought and negotiation skills. Games will last approximately one hour.
The object of Catan is to be the first player to reach ten points. Players earn points by building cities and roads and developing settlements. At the beginning of each turn, players roll a die to determine which resources they can collect. They must acquire resources such as wheat, sheep, oar, and wood in order to build these structures. Points can also be earned by making the longest road or establishing the largest army.
Winning Moves Tile Lock Scrabble
Scrabble is a classic board game that has been around for decades. It was initially called Criss Cross, but in 1954 it was redesigned, branded as Scrabble, marketed, and sold its first games in the United Kingdom. Scrabble has maintained its popularity because of its relative simplicity and its ability to be played by people of almost any age. It is challenging and thought-provoking, making it the perfect game for your teens.
You can play Scrabble with between two and four players and could be considered an intermediate-level game. The length of the game will vary, but you can expect that it will take between 45 and 75 minutes. It is the perfect game for a challenging and competitive family game night. If this is your first time playing Scrabble, you can expect to learn the rules and strategy quickly, as they are simple and straightforward.
The goal in Scrabble is to earn as many points as possible by spelling out different words using only the letter tiles from your deck and the existing tiles on the board. There are special squares on the board indicating different point allotments such as triple word, double word, or double letter scoring. The game is over when all tiles have been drawn, and the person with the most points is the winner.
This game is ideal for students learning new vocabulary and working on their writing skills. Through Scrabble, they will learn more about their own language and can practice those important SAT words.
Card Games
Card games have been with us for centuries, but hopefully, I can introduce you to a few new and exciting options that are popular today. They are perfect for traveling because they are often compact and portable. However, they can also be played in the comfort of your own home or at a restaurant. These games require a combination of strategy, luck, and quick thinking.
TeeTurtle Unstable Unicorns Card Game
Unstable Unicorns is unlike any game you have ever played before. We can thank Ramy Badie for creating this unique and unpredictable game for your teens to enjoy. It is one of the newest games on this list, having made its appearance on shelves only four years ago in 2017.
You can play with as many as eight players, which is excellent for large families. It takes between 30 minutes and an hour to play each game, although it could be longer with more players. With over 20 magical unicorns, each with different powers, it can take some time to learn the game properly. However, it is worth your time because you will surely be addicted after your first round.
You quickly learn who to trust in this suspenseful game. The object of Unstable Unicorns is to collect either six or seven (depending on the number of players) magical unicorns. While it sounds simple enough, it is made more challenging by your opponents constantly trying to destroy your unicorns. You will experience an emotional roller coaster as you get close to winning and then are sabotaged by someone you thought you could trust.
Monopoly Deal Card Game
Do you love Monopoly but hate how long the game takes? Well, then the Monopoly Deal is just what you have been looking for. It is the perfect way to take the classic board game with you on road trips and other family vacations because it is compact and portable. Open up the pack in the airport lounge, back of the car, or on the dock by the lake.
This game mirrors the classic Monopoly game in many ways, but the creators have figured out how to get the game down to 30 minutes or less. It can be played with up to five people, and the rules are pretty simple. There is some strategy involved, but players rely on luck quite a bit to win this game. It is the perfect way to bring some of your childhood memories to your children in an abbreviated game.
While the Monopoly board game inspires the game, the rules are quite different. Players must get a total of three complete properties to win the game. However, certain cards like “Deal Breaker” and “Debt Collectors” make it challenging to keep your properties. It keeps you on your toes because the trajectory of the game can change in an instant.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
While it has the weirdest name of them all, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a relatively simple game to play. It is a fast-paced and hilarious game that is sure to engage the whole family. Consider it a funky version of slapjack. It was created only a couple of years ago but quickly became popular among all age groups, especially teens.
You can play with as few as three players and as many as eight. Two of the great things about this game is that it can be played almost anywhere and requires minimal setup. Most players catch on to the rules very quickly, as they are quite simple. The unpredictable and fast-paced nature of the game makes it perfect for teens.
The object of the game is to run out of your cards first. Players go in a circle flipping a card upwards into the middle of the table and saying either taco, cat, goat, cheese, or pizza in order. If the card you flip has the same word you are saying, it is a mad dash to slap the pile first. The last player to slap the pile must take all of the cards and add them to their hand.
Just remember that it might not be best to mix small kids in with over-excited teens who are slamming their hands on the table. It might be a better option to get a couple of packs and let the kids play in different groups.
Outdoor Games
Outdoor games are the perfect way to spice up a wedding, BBQ, or another outdoor event with your family. They can also be played in your backyard on a hot summer day while someone grills burgers. The games I am about to tell you about require a little bit of strategy, coordination, yard space, and a lot of fun. Your teens are sure to love these outdoor games.
BackYardGamesUSA Premium Wooden Cornhole Board Set
Cornhole’s history is largely a mystery, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t widely enjoyed across the United States. It first gained popularity in the midwest, but now it can be found at BBQs, weddings, and brewpubs across the country. It will help your teenagers fine-tune their coordination and aiming skills and develop critical social skills.
Cornhole can be played with two players, although most commonly, it is played with four. Games are short and tend only to take about 20 minutes. The game requires very little luck and relies on a player’s ability to land a bag in the hole consistently. You can also find cornholes played professionally on ESPN during the Cornhole World Championships.
The object of the game is to be the first team to reach 21 points. The boards are placed 27 feet apart, facing each other, and each team is assigned a set of four beanbags. Players earn points by tossing their bean bags onto the cornhole board. Landing the bag in the hole earns three points, and getting it on the board earns one point. Players from opposite teams take turns tossing their bags until they have both made four tosses.
Amazon Basics Bocce Ball Set
Bocce Ball is a yard game initially created in Italy. It has become trendy in regions all over the world, particularly in Europe and South America, and with growing interest in the United States. The game is accessible by players of all ages, making it the perfect family game. It has also become one of the most popular sports in the Special Olympics due to its accessibility. This family-friendly game is sure to improve your aim.
Bocce balls are traditionally made of wood, but they can be created out of a variety of materials such as metal, clay, or plastic. A set includes a total of nine balls – two sets of four plus one white ball called the jack. It is commonly played on a Bocce court, which is 90 feet in length and up to 13 feet wide, but it can also be played in parks or your backyard. Games can be played with as little as two players or as many as eight, but they must be divided into two teams.
The rules of the game are relatively simple. A random team member throws the jack towards the other end of the court into the predetermined zone. The object of the game is to toss or roll your balls to get as close to the jack as possible.
At the end of a round, players win points for each ball it has closest to the target. Games are played until they reach a predetermined number of points, usually between seven and 13, depending on your region.
GoSports Slammo Game Set
Slammo (very similar to Spikeball) is the perfect game to bring along with you on your next family beach vacation or camping trip. The entire game can pack up relatively small into a backpack, making it the ideal game for adventurous families. Its sister game, Spikeball, was invented in the late 1980s and became popular when mainstream retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods began to sell the game in their stores.
In many respects, it is like a cousin to volleyball. However, unlike volleyball, there are four players in a circle around the target. Slammo should be played with four players or two teams of two. You use a special target, which is kind of like a miniature trampoline for the ball, to bounce balls between players. It is a fast-paced game that is sure to get your heart rate up and keep you on your toes.
The object of the game is to be the first team to reach 21 points. However, the winners must win by two points meaning the final score cannot be 20-21. Like volleyball, only the serving team can earn points. Teams earn points when their opponents are not able to return the ball within three hits. The serving team cannot slam on the serve, but otherwise, slamming is a perfectly acceptable way to earn points.
Wrapping It Up
Chances are you had no idea there were so many games out there for teens. Whether you are looking to start a family game night or trying to entertain teens during vacation, one of these games is sure to do the trick.
If you want something requiring strategy and forethought, then Catan might be the game for you. However, if you are looking to bond over a little friendly competition, maybe you should try Monopoly Deal or Scrabble. If you want to get outside, consider Bocce or Cornhole. No matter your preferences, there is a game your teenagers will love.
