5 Best Board Games for Teens

Finding games to keep teens entertained when everyone is at home can be challenging. Board games are an excellent way to get kids off the computer and engaged with others. However, knowing which ones to buy can be challenging. It can be especially challenging if you have kids of different ages. That is why we put together this guide that includes some of the more popular games that are available today. Before we get into the details of each one, let’s take a look at the main features in the following table.

Now that you have an idea of what the games are about, it is time to explore them a bit more.

Codenames – Best for Team Play

Codenames is a fun game for between 2-8 players, but it is more fun with more players. Players are divided into two teams. The play itself is simple, but the actual play can be quite complex and challenging for both teens and adults.

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The premise is that two rival spymasters know the secret codenames of 25 agents. Each team must try to make contact with all of their agents first. It is a race to see who can complete this before the other team. The spymasters give clues of one word that can point to other words on the table.

The object is to guess words of your team’s color, which avoid those of the opposing team. There is an assassin on the board that must be avoided by everyone. This is an engaging game that encourages conversation and cooperation among the players. It also involves strategy, and it is fun for adults to join in, too.

This game contains small parts that might cause a choking hazard for small children. If there are younger children in the room, they must be supervised carefully.

Monopoly Classic – Best for Mixed Age Groups

This classic board game has been a favorite for decades, and it is still going strong. It can be played by groups that range from about eight years old to adults. It is a strategy game where players buy, sell, and trade properties to see who can accumulate the most assets in the end.

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This version has new tokens, Community Chest, and Chance card designs, but it is essentially the same as the classic games that adults might remember. It is an engaging game that encourages negotiating skills and cooperation.

The rules themselves are simple, but the play can become complex, especially as the game progresses, and properties begin to have houses and hotels on them. This game is fun for everyone. It requires skill and strategy, but it still has an element of luck that can change everything. A roll of the dice can mean winning or losing a fortune.

This is a great game for mixed age groups because, with the right strategy and prowess, the younger members of the family have the same chance of beating the adults. A chance card can change the entire fortunes of players.

JAX Sequence – Best Strategy Game

This is a fun game for all family members and does not require reading. It is a quick game and usually does not take more than 15 minutes to complete gameplay. Each player begins with a number of cards and chips. Each player must play a card that has the beginning sound of a picture on the board.

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They place a chip in that space. The goal is to match five chips in a row to win.

It is an excellent game for a mixed group because it does not require reading skills. However, all players must be able to at least recognize letters and sounds.

Catan – Best for Teens

This is one of our favorite games for older teens. The theme of the game is based on building civilizations and setting up a society. It involves growing, harvesting, and trading resources. It is an educational game that is so much fun that teens will not realize that they are learning something in the process, too.

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It is perfect for 3-4 players and takes about an hour to play. The goal of the game is to control as much of the board as possible at the end of play.

It is fun for teens and adults to play together. There is an element of surprise with a robber who steals resources and often chooses to target the wealthy. This mixes it up a bit and adds an element of surprise.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf – Best Roleplaying Game

This is a fun game to encourage pretend play. It works well with a group of between 3-10 players. The more players you have, the more fun it is for everyone. Each of the players gets to play a certain type of character. There are 12 different characters, including villagers, the werewolves, a troublemaker, a seer, and other characters.

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Each of the characters has special skills and abilities. This game comes with a free iOS and Android app that enhances the gameplay. The goal of the game is to figure out which of the other players are werewolves and kill them. It only takes killing one werewolf to win. The goal of the werewolves is to avoid being killed and to turn the villagers into werewolves themselves.

This game can be combined with other games in the series to add complexity and endless variety.

Buyer’s Guide – Best Board Games for Teens

Choosing a game for your teens and family can be challenging. You want it to be fun, and you want everyone to be able to participate. You need to consider your family’s interests. Of course, if it is educational, then it is even better. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a game for your family.

Age Appropriateness

Games are required to list the recommended ages on the game, but these are only a guideline. There might be some children who are ready for a game before they reach the recommended age. In some cases, a game might not be appropriate for a teen, even if they are older than the recommended age. Only you can determine whether a is appropriate for your children and teens.

Attention Span

The game must be able to keep your teen engaged so that it will not cause them to lose interest. In general, the attention span of younger children under the age of 8 is less than 15 minutes. By the time your child is a teen, they should be able to engage for an hour or more. While most games can be completed within an hour, some of them can go much longer. For instance, a Monopoly game can turn into a Monopoly marathon that has been known to go all night. Once again, you are the best person to judge which games are age-appropriate for your family.

Engaging the Entire Family

Finding games that everyone can play is a great way to build special moments together. It is important to make certain that younger children do not feel left out. Sometimes, an adult might be able to assist a younger child in helping them feel included. However, it is also important to let your teens play without their younger siblings, too. It is important to supervise play to make sure that there is a balance between independent play among peers and times when everyone is included.

Themes

Another consideration when choosing a game is to pay attention to the theme of the game. For instance, a werewolf roleplaying game might be too scary for younger children, even if they are only watching. A game where the goal is to “kill” someone or something else also might not be the best if you have younger children in the house. Goal-oriented and strategy-based games might be the best for those who are younger, or when there are younger siblings around. It is important to know the theme of the game and what the goal is before making your choice.

Video Tutorial: Codenames – How To Play

Conclusion

Finding a board game for teens that keeps them engaged and off the computer or in front of the television for hours on end can be challenging. The games must be fun, but as a parent, you also want them to get something from them, too. There are many choices available, including classic and new ones that are always being developed. Even though your family might have a few favorites, it is always good to keep adding new ones to your collection. This list is a good place to start.

I understand that in the world where video games remain the most favorite type of entertainment for teens, talking about board games for teenagers sounds very cliche. Nevertheless, they are still hilarious, interesting and awesome for any hipster party night, where the drinks are light and friends want to compete without any gadgets involved.

If you or your friends belong to this category, I reviewed about 20 different board titles for teenagers (as recommended by manufacturers) and managed to pick 5 best games that come with many benefits.

Why choose board games for teenagers:

• Pick up the products that induce creative thinking and mental growth, for instance, Codenames;
• Board games are irreplaceable if an adolescent wants to learn how to be a team player and bond with friends, take One Night Werewolf, for instance;
• These products actually bring people together in a world where everyone actually feels lonely;

When it comes to “how to pick up a board game for teens” – just use common sense. If you or the teens for whom you are looking a gift like mathematics and economics, stick to Monopoly. If you prefer funny games with lots of laughs and emotions, pick Catan.

Concluding, I must say that board games stand for one of the best ways to have interesting and quality time with buddies or family members, at any age. I think that board titles are absolutely essential for any home. If you have your suggestions for some awesome blockbusters for kids and adolescents, please feel free to comment. Do not forget to watch the video about Codenames.