You can't play Candyland forever. Thank goodness. Our family plays a lot of games. A lot. In order to curate this collection of the best kids for ages 10-15, I've taken note of the way different types of games strike their fancy as they get older. This in-between age of not-quite-a-teen to not-quite-an-adult has them wanting games that are quirky, not too complicated, and hilarious. They also love a game with a good narrative.
The games on this list all somehow fit into one or more of those categories. While tweens and teens will enjoy playing these board games and card games over and over with their friends, they are also very great choices for family game night!
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Games for Tweens and Teens
Bears vs. Babies
Find it: Amazon
This totally irreverent card game is a total riot! Players build chimerical beasts out of hilariously grotesque body parts in order to be prepared for a surprise war against the baby armies! Sounds totally crazy, right? Well, it is. However, it's also a great opportunity to laugh yourself silly with your tweens and teens.
Throw Throw Burrito
Find it: Amazon
Unless you enjoy being pummeled by vinyl burritos, this is a game, after you've played it a few times with your kids, you will encourage them to play with their friends instead. It's also not a good game for small spaces. BUT, it is really, really good for active kids and they will love it. The instructions are super easy and involve frenetic drawing of cards, stopping briefly to have a burrito wars and duels. Intrigued? You should be.
Settlers of Catan
Find it: Amazon
This European style board game requires a different type of strategic thinking from the other games on this list. Players act as settlers in an attempt to acquire land and buildings by hoarding resources and trading with others. Game play lasts longer than typical family games but 10-15 year olds enjoy this type of game that mixes strategy with role play, and will love playing it with their friends.
Exploding Kittens
Find it: Amazon
Older tweens and teens love games that make them laugh hysterically and maybe have a little bit of...gross-out humor...shall we say? Exploding Kittens fits the bill exactly. Honestly it is so fun. There's also a wonderful randomness to the game that keeps players on their toes, and keeps the laughs coming!
Mystic Market
Find it: Amazon
Mystic Market is a card game that encourages players to uses their logic and problem solving skills. Game play begins with the premise that players are traders at a market, buying and selling magical items such as pixie dust and mermaid tears. The goal is to be savvy enough to collect the largest fortune despite the constantly shifting value of goods.
Learn more about Mystic Market in our game of the month feature
Forbidden Island
Find it: Amazon
Players work as a team to capture the four treasures and escape the island before it sinks. Island cards are arranged in a grid and pawns move from tile to tile performing actions like shoring up the island against flooding, uncovering clues and rescuing other players. Don't miss the companion game, Forbidden Desert!
Azul
Find it: Amazon
In this stunningly beautiful and colorful game design, players become tile laying artists, tasked with embellishing the walls of the Royal Palace of Évora in Portugal. They do so by racing to be the first to create consecutive lines of tiles over several phases of game play. This game is just complex enough to keep you thinking but not so hard you have to keep looking at the instructions to figure out how to play.
Learn more about Azul in our game of the month feature.
Strike Dice
Find it: Amazon
Strike Dice is a game that takes zero time to learn, is quick to play, but engaging enough that playing it over and over at the request of your child does not send your brain into a boredom spiral. Taking turns, players roll their dice in the "cauldron," attempting to roll matching dice and avoid rolling an X. Strike Dice is also a game that younger kids can play with their older siblings.
Note: originally I reviewed this as "Impact" in our game of the month feature. However, that version is no longer available, but it essentially the same game.
Photosynthesis
Find it: Amazon
Photosynthesis from Blue Orange Games has an environmental theme. Players focus on growing trees through their life cycle from seed to maturity. Players strategize to "plant" their seeds where they will receive the most light, without being blocked in the future by other, maturing, trees. The artwork is beautiful and adds to the unique game play. We have enjoyed playing this game!
Don't see exactly what you want here? Check out our list of the best award-winning games for every age.
Sevi says
The Forbidden Sky game you have linked is a special edition that seems to no longer be available. I found it easily, but like to use your links when I can.
Erica says
Thanks so much for letting me know. I appreciate it.