My husband and I have a shared love of board games, and most nights you’ll find us playing one after the kids are in bed. When we go on trips with friends or get together with family, we love to gather around a fun game. Specific games can be part of a family’s closely held traditions, especially around the holidays. I asked friends what their family’s game was and everyone had a different answer: Mahjong, Phase 10, Uno, Scrabble, and the list goes on.
Board games bring people together, and they also make great gifts. We often give our kids a new game as a stocking stuffer (card and dice games are the perfect size for this). This year we’re trying to shop local as much as possible. There are lots of game and toy stores across the Kansas City metro and some even let you try a game before you buy it!
This guide is broken up by category and also includes a list of local spots to shop. This list is by no means exhaustive, but I’ve included a variety of classics as well as newer games. Employees at gaming stores are a great resource when you are trying to choose a game, so ask them for their recommendations too. Also remember that recommended ages for games are just that, recommendations. My kids have been able to play games at six years old that are recommended for older kids.
Local Spots to Buy Family Board Games
Game Stores and Gaming Pubs/Cafes
Level One Game Shop in the River Market has many games to choose from but has not yet brought back game playing events.
Mindgames and Magic in Lee’s Summit has a large selection of games for sale and is also hosts gaming events.
Mission: Board Games in Mission hosts gaming events in their store where you can gather with friends to play and then shop for new games.
Pawn and Pint in Kansas City, MO is has over 1,000 games to play for a $5 cover charge and they also have a selection of games for sale.
TableTop Game and Hobby in Overland Park has a huge selection of games and is adjacent to Cardboard Corner Cafe where you can play games for free while enjoying drinks and food.
Toy Stores
Brookside Toy and Science in Kansas City, Mo.
Fat Brain Toys at Prairiefire in Overland Park, Kan.
Lakeshore Learning in Merriam, Kan.
The Learning Tree at Corinth Square in Prairie Village, Kan.
The Toy Store in Lawrence, Kan.
Toy Time inside Crown Center.
U.S. Toy in Overland Park, Kan.
Family Board Game Recommendations
Card Games
Exploding Kittens (ages 7+ for 2-5 players)
Five Crowns (ages 8+ for 1-7 players)
Phase 10 (ages 7+ for 2-6 players)
Sleeping Queens (ages 8+ for 2-5 players)
Sushi Go (ages 8+ for 2-5 players)
TACO CAT GOAT CHEESE PIZZA (ages 8+ for 3-8 players)
UNO and UNO Flip! (ages 7+ for 2-10 players)
Classic Games
Catan (ages 10+ for 3-4 players)
Hedbanz (ages 7+ for for 2-6 players)
Mexican Train Dominoes (ages 8+ for 2-8 players)
Monopoly (ages 8+ for 2-6 players)
Qwirkle (ages 6+ for 2-4 players)
Scrabble (ages 8+ for 2-4 players)
Telestrations (ages 12+ for 4-8 players)
Ticket to Ride (ages 8+ for 2-5 players) and I highly recommend the 1910 expansion.
Dice Games
Farkle (ages 8+ for 2 or more players)
Qwixx (ages 8+ for 2-5 players)
Tenzi (ages 8+ for 2-4 players)
Yahtzee (ages 8+ for 2 or more players)
Board Games for Large Groups
Cards Against Humanity: Family Edition (ages 8+ for 4 or more players)
Catch Phrase (ages 12+ for 4 or more people or form teams)
Code Names (ages 12+ for 2 or more people or form teams)
Cranium (ages 16+ for 2-4 players or form teams)
Double Ditto (ages 10+ for 4 or more players)
Herd Mentality (ages 10+ for 2-20 players)
Pictionary (ages 8+ for 2 or more players)
Scattergories (ages 12+ for 2-6 players or form teams)
Throw Throw Burrito (ages 7+ for 2-6 players)
What Do You Meme Family (ages 8+ for 3 or more players)
Wits and Wagers has a family version for ages 6+ and a Vegas version for ages 13+. This game easily adapts to large groups because you can form teams.
Board Games for Young Kids
Classics like Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, and Connect 4.
Sequence for Kids (ages 3+ for 2-4 players)
Sneaky Snacky Squirrel (ages 3+ for 2-4 players)
Spot It (ages 6+ for 2-8 players) also check out Spot it Jr. for younger kids.
Outfoxed! (ages 5+ for 2-4 players)
Zingo! (ages 4+ for 2 or more players)