Family Games & Puzzles for Serious Family Fun

Some of my fondest memories from my childhood are of the family huddled around the dining room table playing Trivial Pursuit or working hard to finish a 1000-piece puzzle.  I always knew that when I had a family of my own, I’d continue that tradition and help my children create those same wonderful memories.  Spending that kind of quality time really strengthens family bonds, and oh yeah…games are tons of fun!  So, this is a list of games and puzzles that I discovered this year and just had to share with you guys.  Put them under the tree or just pick them up for future family game nights.

Suspicion

Ideally suited for ages 10 and up, Suspicion can be found at Target for an unbeatable price. The main premise of the game is that you’re invited to a masquerade party at the estate of an art collector by the name of Baron Whitetooth. Unbeknownst to the Baron, you’re really a world-class jewel thief who accepted the invitation in an effort to steal priceless jewels! You’re not alone in your plans though, for among the regular guests are other crooks who have the same idea about the Baron’s collection. You’ll make your way through the mansion, pocketing gems and using the power of deduction to unmask the other crooks before they catch you!

Ticket to Ride First Journey 
Ticket to Ride First Journey takes the classic version of the game and makes it more accessible for younger players, so the entire family can be included.  It’s less complex than the original, but it’s not any less fun!  Players of all ages will have a blast building routes while taking in major monuments across North America. Included is a revamped game board, 80 Trains, 72 Train Cards, and 32 Ticket Cards. The first player to complete 6 tickets is declared the winner!

Emoji Cards
Emojis are all the rage right now, and this party game takes full advantage of the silly fun!  In this game, emojis and charades collide for an insanely good time for your whole family.  Use the emoji cards to get players to guess pop culture references, and enjoy some laughs along the way.  There is a bit of PG content here, so take that into consideration when deciding if it’s appropriate for your younger ones.

Madd Capp “I Am” Puzzle Series

Puzzles are a fine solitary activity, but they’re even more fun when you complete one as part of a team. The “I Am” puzzles by Madd Capp Games are the most unique puzzles I’ve come across in a very long time. These head-shaped puzzles are die-cut and poster-sized once complete.  Visually, these are quite realistic and absolutely stunning.  You’ve got to see one in person to fully appreciate it, but trust me; they’re impressive.  Each Puzzle comes in a five-sided box that looks very cool but is still easy to store.  Inside the box, you’ll find “Fun Facts” about your chosen animal as well as an image reference to help you complete your 550-piece beast. Puzzles in the “I Am” series include I Am Lion, I Am Tiger, I Am Wolf, I am Eagle,  I am Buck, I am Bear, and I am Panda.

Bingo the Puppy Board Game

Your little animal lovers will fall in love with this game. Similar to regular Bingo, this is a great family game if you have some younger kids at home.  The little ones will especially love to watch Bingo bounce, tumble, and roll over while trying to match his spots to the ones on their Bingo boards.  The first player who gets 3 chips in a row wins the game!

Cobble Hill Family Puzzles

These gorgeous puzzles are the perfect gift any puzzle-loving person on your Christmas list. At first glance, they might appear to be your average 400-piece puzzles, but there’s a surprise here.  Each is made of a combination of small, medium, and large pieces with the intent that people of different ages can all enjoy doing the puzzle together.  The large pieces are best suited for little ones and are located on one side, while the small are located on the opposite side and the medium are in the middle. Cobble Hill Family Puzzles are fantastic for your next scheduled family evening!