The category of games that work for both children and the adults who play them with the children is smaller than the broader kids-game market suggests. Our recommendations focus on the games that adults will be willing to play with the children repeatedly.

The 4-7 age pick

For ages 4-7, the pick is Outfoxed!, the cooperative deduction game whose mechanics produce real strategic engagement for adults while being accessible to younger players.

The 8-12 age pick

For ages 8-12, the pick is Forbidden Island, the cooperative game that introduces children to the kinds of strategic decisions that the broader strategic-game category builds on. Adults find the game engaging enough to play repeatedly.

The 12+ age pick

For ages 12 and up, the pick is Ticket to Ride, the long-running route-building game that has been the gateway game for many family transitions into the broader strategy-game category.

The mixed-age pick

For households with kids of widely varying ages playing together, the pick is Concept, the visual-association game that allows young children and adults to participate at different levels of contribution while still working together.