Games for Teens – The best list of games!

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Finding the best games for teens won’t be hard with this list! There are so many fun games to play with teenagers, but we’re narrowing it down to our favorites ones. As a mom of teenage boys and soon a teenage girl, I know that finding games to play with the family is important. It gives them something to do together- a chance to bond, have fun together, and grow closer.

Card Games for Teens

Card games are great for teens because you can throw them in a bag to take on vacation, keep them in the car to play if you go out to eat, or just have some downtime to wait somewhere or make an evening of it by playing at home.
A deck of cards or simple games like the ones below are great when you need a group game or if you have only one person (thank you, Solitare!) Today’s games are games that you might have at home or others that you can find online – I’ll share affiliate links to the ones that I can find online, too.

Exploding Kittens– this game keeps our kids giggling throughout. There is enough silliness for them, and enough strategy for me to keep us all happy.
Phase Ten – This game works for all ages! When I was in high school, I used to play this at Mickey’s house with his family. We still play it when they come to visit us now… over 20 years later. 🙂 This game takes some strategy, but it’s easy enough for even younger players.
Pick your Poison Card Game – this is the family-friendly version of the not-so-family-friendly original Pick your Poison game. A new twist on the classic “Would you rather….”!
PicWits – This hilarious game is kind of like Apples to Apples, but with pictures instead (great for younger kids, too.)
What Do You Meme? Better for older teens, this game has thousands of positive reviews on Amazon, which lets us know that it’s a popular game… plus it’s a hit with teens!
Unstable Unicorns – this is one of our most used birthday gifts! We love sharing this game with friends and family.
Relative Insanity – an easy card game that will have everyone laughing! Perfect to play as a family.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza -This game is fast-paced, fun, and it makes everyone laugh! We just stand in a circle aroudn the table to play this one. It is perfect for everyone because it’s a card game that requires no talking or acting, etc. This is a great one to play at parties, youth groups, or if you need ice breakers because everyone will have to laugh while playing this game!

Board Games for Teens

While playing card games are so much fun, board games have a place on this list, too. Of course, we have to start by listing our favorite classic games, but we’ll show you some new favorites, too.

Monopoly – While this classic game is great on its own (although I never managed to beat my brother when we used to play), check out some of the desitnation options like HiltonHeadOpoly or LakeNormanOpoly.
Stranger-Things-Monopoly is another twist on the classic.
The Game of Life – Not much description needed here. 🙂
Clue – This was my favorite game to play when we were kids & it’s still at the top of my list.
Ticket to Ride – Our family loves this game and never tires of playing it. PS: There is also a junior version of this game for younger players.
Rummikub – This easy to learn game is full of strategy. Players take turns placing numbered tiles in runs and groups rummy style

Fun Games for Teenagers & Younger Siblings

Sequence – this has been a favorite of many and I have heard so many great reviews of this game.
Chopped: If you are looking for a unique activity for a teenager – try this! Create with your own “Chopped Kitchen”. We love to do challenges like “Chopped” and “Cake Wars” in our house! How to play: Pull random ingredients from your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Brainstorm with your teens to come up with recipe ideas using those ingredients. This is also a great way to use up leftovers (or have fun with your partially fulfilled online grocery order- hahaha!)
Do You Really Know Your Family? See who really knows the family best as you answer fun questions about each other while sparking interesting conversations, compete, and perform silly challenges together.

Scavenger Hunt Pack– we have a bunch of these that we play in the neighborhood. You can even make up harder ones for older kids.
Pie Face – it doesn’t get more fun than this one! You literally take turns seeing who gets the whip cream in their face. There isn’t a specific number of players, so it’s a great game to play when you need a laugh.
Hide & Seek – It doesn’t matter how old you are, when a person hides and you are looking for them (or the other way around), you are going to have fun. Teens & even adults still get a kick out of this game – just the anticipation of being found is enough to make anyone smile!
Blokus – this is a new one for us. Reminiscent of video games, this one could entice your children out of the screen and onto the board game.
Spot It! – this super fast-paced game of spotting the matches is actually super fun for kids and adults!
Cranium and Cadoo – While Cranium is great for older kids or adults, Cadoo is like a kids version of the hilarious classic “Cranium”. With a variety of hilarious activities, Cadoo gets kids (and adults too) thinking, creating, and giggling as they play.
Trekking the National Parks – after our visit to Arches National Park last year, I am determined to take my family to every National Park possible. While we aren’t able to travel right now, visiting the parks from this game fills the gap.
Harry Potter Clue Board Game – a fun twist on the classic board game, this is perfect for any Harry Potter fan in your life!

Ongoing Games to play with Teenagers

These games can last for hours or days, depending on how dedicated you are to finishing. These ones are perfect for vacations! Play a little bit each night.

Mexican Train Dominoes – This game is a lot of fun, it’s perfect for large groups, and our kids have played it every summer on our family vacations for several years. (perfect for ages 6 & up). It’s easy to sit in a circle to play this game because everyone needs to reach the middle.
Risk – In the Risk game, the goal is simple: players aim to conquer their enemies’ territories by building an army, moving their troops in, and engaging in battle. Depending on the roll of the dice, a player will either defeat the enemy or be defeated.
Phase Ten – While I listed this one up in the “card games,” it is also a great one that can be ongoing because to finish the entire game takes a long time. We play it each night, keeping track of how we do at the end of the night. Tip: I keep pieces of paper in a bag with this deck of cards to keep track of the ‘phases.’
Disney Villainous – Perfect for Disney fans! In this asymmetric style of game play, Each Disney Villain has their own objectives and goals.