Matthew BaileyThe Best Family Board Games We Played This Year
Each year we play a huge number of board games as a family, but this list is deliberately focused and carefully curated.
This Little Board Gamers Games of the Year 2025 list only includes board games that were actually released this year. While we have played many older games in 2025 that were new to us and absolutely brilliant, they are not eligible here if their release date was earlier.
We have also only included games we personally own and have spent proper time playing as a family. That means no previews, no prototypes, and no unreleased games, even if we have enjoyed them at conventions, clubs, or events.
We should also mention that we still absolutely love Unmatched. There have been some excellent Unmatched releases this year, particularly the Witcher sets and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sets. However, as we have not yet reviewed those and they sit within an ongoing system, they have not been included in this list.
Finally, there are one or two games we have played with adults but not yet with the kids, such as Nemesis: Retaliation. Until those have had proper family table time and a full Little Board Gamers review, they did not feel right to include.
With all that out of the way, here are our top family board games of 2025, counting down from ten to one.
10. Asterix & Co
A light, accessible family board game with a strong licence
Asterix & Co is a really pleasant surprise and a great example of how to do a licensed family board game properly. It is quick, accessible, and genuinely funny at the table, especially if you already have affection for the Asterix universe. It works well with mixed ages and never outstays its welcome, which makes it an excellent choice for family gaming.
9. Tacta
A clever abstract game that rewards repeat plays
Tacta is the game that has emotionally toyed with us the most this year. Our feelings have gone back and forth more than with almost any other game. One play leaves us thinking it is clever and elegant, the next has us bouncing off it entirely. Over time, though, it has grown on us more than it has frustrated us, and the fact that we keep returning to it says a lot.
8. Tulikko
A thoughtful family board game with depth
Tulikko blends tactical thinking with family accessibility beautifully. It feels thoughtful without being heavy and hits that sweet spot where kids can play competitively without adults feeling disengaged. It also improves as players begin to read each other’s intentions, making it very replayable for families.
7. Minecraft: Builders & Biomes Junior
One of the best junior board games of 2025
This is exactly how a junior version of a popular game should be done. It keeps the feel of Minecraft, strips away unnecessary complexity, and delivers a board game younger players can grasp quickly while still feeling like a proper gaming experience.
6. Bloomchasers
A charming family game with more depth than it first appears
Bloomchasers looks friendly and approachable, but there is more going on under the hood than you might expect. It plays smoothly with kids, encourages planning without pressure, and has become a regular suggestion when we are choosing what to play as a family.
5. Azul Duel
A fantastic two-player board game for families
Azul Duel takes something familiar and reshapes it into a more strategic and confrontational two-player experience. It is easy to teach, deeply satisfying to play, and works brilliantly both for adults and for playing one-on-one with kids.
4. Star Wars: Battle of Hoth
A big, thematic Star Wars board game that works for families
Battle of Hoth captures the drama and spectacle of the iconic Star Wars battle while still being approachable enough for family play. It feels like an event every time it hits the table and has been one of the most talked-about games in our house this year.
3. Pili Pili
A deceptively simple trick-taking game for families
Pili Pili came out of nowhere and very quickly became a favourite. Its prediction twist completely changes how you approach each hand, making it engaging for both kids and adults. It scales well, plays quickly, and is endlessly replayable.
2. Spooktacular
A standout spooky family board game
Spooktacular is inventive, funny, and perfectly pitched for family play. It delivers spooky silliness without anything genuinely scary and consistently creates memorable moments around the table. It is always a hit when it comes out.
1. Hot Streak – Game of the Year 2025
Our top family board game of the year
Hot Streak takes the top spot because it consistently delivers excitement, tension, and that irresistible “one more round” feeling. It keeps everyone engaged at the table and has seen more repeat plays than almost anything else we played this year. For us, it represents exactly what we want from a modern family board game.
Why trust Little Board Gamers?
All of the games above have been played extensively with children, not just reviewed in isolation. Family play, accessibility, replayability, and enjoyment across different ages are always our top priorities.
If you want the best family board games of 2025, this list is where we would start.
Add comment