Why these games suit families
A good family game has to be fair to a six-year-old and still interesting for a grandparent. The games here manage that in two ways. Ludo, Snakes and Ladders and Yacht dice lean on luck, so anyone can win and nobody feels outclassed. Chinese Checkers, Dots and Boxes and Hangman give older players more to think about while keeping the rules short enough to explain in a minute.
Most rounds take 10 to 30 minutes, which leaves room for a rematch or a switch to something new. Everyone shares one device and takes turns, and the optional “pass the device” screen shows the next player’s name and color so nobody loses track. The current game saves itself on the device, so bedtime doesn’t have to end it for good.
The games
- Ludo: race your four tokens around the board and home, sending rivals back to start when you land on them. Two to four players, with safe squares for a breather.
- Snakes and Ladders: roll, climb the ladders and slide down the snakes. Pure luck, so the youngest player has the same chance as everyone else.
- Yacht dice: roll five dice up to three times a turn and choose where to score. Light enough for kids, with real choices for adults. One to six players.
- Chinese Checkers: hop your marbles across the star into the opposite point. Despite the name, it grew out of the 19th-century game Halma rather than coming from China. The Chinese Checkers guide covers chain jumps.
- Hangman: one person enters a secret word behind the pass screen and the rest guess letters. Easy to adjust for any age by picking simpler or harder words.
- Dots and Boxes: take turns drawing lines and claim every box you complete. Two to four players, with a choice of board size.
- Tic-Tac-Toe: the two-player classic for a quick round while everyone else gets snacks.
Tips for playing with mixed ages
- Team up. Pair a young child with an adult on one seat. The child rolls or taps, and the adult helps choose.
- Start with luck, finish with strategy. Open with Snakes and Ladders or Ludo while everyone settles in, then move to Chinese Checkers or Dots and Boxes.
- Agree on undo first. Undo is handy for a toddler’s mis-tap. Decide up front whether it’s allowed for everyone.
- Use the bigger screen. A tablet or laptop flat on the table is easier for four people to see than a phone.
- Short one player? Give the empty seat to the computer, or play a two-player game from the 2 player games page.