Top Board Games Tweens Can’t Resist: A 2021 Guide

Introduction

As parents, caregivers, or educators, it’s essential to understand the importance of choosing the right board game for your tween. This article aims to provide you with a detailed overview of the best board games suitable for different age groups within the tween years.

• • Overview of the popularity of board games for tweens

They have gained significant popularity among tweens in recent years. According to a Wikipedia article, the global board game market is expected to reach $12 billion by 2023, with a significant portion of this growth driven by the tween demographic. Board games are not just a source of entertainment but also provide educational benefits, such as improving cognitive skills and social interaction.

• • Board game for your tween

It’s not just about picking a game that they will enjoy, but also one that is age-appropriate and can contribute positively to their development. The right board game can help enhance your tween’s critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and teamwork. It can also be a great way to spend quality family time.

In the following sections, we will delve into the best board games for 8-10 year olds, 10-12 year olds, and 12 year olds, as well as family board games suitable for tweens.

Best Board Games for 8-10 Year Olds

As children grow, their interests and abilities evolve. Board games that are suitable for 8-10 year olds not only provide fun and entertainment, but also offer a range of benefits.

• • Introduction to board games suitable for this age group

Board games for 8-10 year olds are designed to be engaging and challenging, yet not overly complex. They often incorporate elements of strategy, problem-solving, and teamwork, helping children to develop these skills in a fun and relaxed environment. Some popular board games for this age group include “Ticket to Ride”, “Catan Junior”, and “Ravensburger Labyrinth”. These games are not only entertaining, but also educational, stimulating children’s minds and encouraging them to think creatively.

• • Benefits of board games for 8-10 year olds

• • • Cognitive Development: Board games can help improve memory and cognitive skills. They encourage strategic thinking, problem-solving, and concentration.
    • Social Skills: Playing board games with family or friends promotes interaction and communication. It teaches children about taking turns, sharing, and teamwork.
    • Emotional Skills: Board games can help children learn to manage frustration and disappointment, as well as experience the joy of success.

According to a Wikipedia article, board games can also enhance a child’s ability to set goals and patiently work towards achieving them. This is a valuable life skill that can benefit children in their future endeavors.

Top 5 Board Games for 8-10 Year Olds

1. Game 1: Ticket to Ride
   Players collect cards of various types of train cars and use them to claim railway routes across the map. The longer the routes, the more points they earn. This game encourages strategic thinking and planning. Learn more about Ticket to Ride here.
2. Game 2: Catan Junior
   A modified playing style of the classic game Settlers of Catan, giving players as young as five a perfect introduction to the Catan series of games. This game helps kids develop negotiation skills and strategic thinking. Discover more about Catan Junior here.
3. Game 3: Carcassonne
   Players draw and place a tile with a piece of southern French landscape on it. The tile might feature a city, a road, a cloister, grassland or some combination thereof, and it must be placed adjacent to tiles that have already been played. This game promotes spatial awareness and strategic planning. Find out more about Carcassonne here.
4. Game 4: Forbidden Island
   A visually stunning cooperative board game. Instead of winning by competing with other players like most games, everyone must work together to win the game. This game fosters teamwork and strategic cooperation. Read more about Forbidden Island here.
5. Game 5: Blokus
   Encourages creative thinking and has received a Mensa award for promoting healthy brain activity. The goal of this game is for players to fit all of their pieces onto the board. When placing a piece it may not lie adjacent to the player’s other pieces, but must be placed touching at least one corner of their pieces already on the board. Learn more about Blokus here.

Best Board Games for 10-12 Year Olds

As children grow, their interests and abilities evolve. This is especially true for 10 to 12-year-olds who are at a crucial stage of development. Board games can serve as an excellent tool to engage them, stimulate their minds, and foster a sense of camaraderie.

• • Introduction to board games suitable for this age group

Board games for 10 to 12-year-olds are designed to be more complex and challenging than those for younger children. They often involve strategic thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork, which are all skills that children in this age group are developing. Some popular board games for this age group include Settlers of Catan, Scrabble, and Monopoly. These games not only provide entertainment but also help children learn valuable life skills in a fun and engaging way.

• • Benefits of board games for 10-12 year olds

Playing board games can have numerous benefits for children aged 10 to 12. For one, they can help improve cognitive skills such as memory and problem-solving. A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that children who regularly play board games have improved memory and cognitive function. Additionally, board games can help children develop social skills like communication and cooperation. They also provide a great opportunity for family bonding and can help children learn how to handle winning and losing gracefully.

Top 5 Board Games for 10-12 Year Olds

1. Catan Junior: A simplified version of the popular game Settlers of Catan, Catan Junior is perfect for 10-12 year olds. It’s a strategy game where players collect resources to build their own pirate lairs. The game encourages critical thinking and planning, making it both fun and educational. Learn more about Catan Junior on Wikipedia.
2. Ticket to Ride: This is a cross-country train adventure game where players collect cards of various types of train cars and use them to claim railway routes across North America. The game is easy to learn, interactive, and helps children develop strategic thinking. Learn more about Ticket to Ride on Wikipedia.
3. Forbidden Island: In this cooperative board game, players work together to capture four sacred treasures from the ruins of a sinking island. It encourages teamwork and strategic planning, making it a great choice for this age group. Learn more about Forbidden Island on Wikipedia.
4. Qwirkle: Qwirkle is a tile-based game for 2 to 4 players, designed by Susan McKinley Ross and published by MindWare. Qwirkle shares some characteristics with the games Rummikub and Scrabble. It is distributed in Canada by game and puzzle company, Outset Media. Qwirkle is considered by MindWare to be its most awarded game of all time. In 2011, Qwirkle won the Spiel des Jahres, widely considered the most prestigious award in the board and card game industry. Learn more about Qwirkle on Wikipedia.
5. King of Tokyo: This is a game for 2 to 6 players where you play as mutant monsters, rampaging robots, or even abominable aliens battling in a fun, chaotic atmosphere. Roll dice and choose your strategy: Will you attack your enemies? Heal your wounds? Improve your Monster? Stomp your path to victory! Learn more about King of Tokyo on Wikipedia.

Best Board Games for 12 Year Olds

• • Introduction to board games suitable for this age group

Designed to challenge their thinking and problem-solving skills. These games often involve strategic planning, critical thinking, and a higher level of complexity compared to games for younger children. Some popular genres include adventure, mystery, strategy, and trivia games. These games are not only entertaining but also educational, helping children to develop various skills while having fun.

• • Benefits of board games for 12 year olds

They promote cognitive skills such as problem-solving and strategic thinking. According to a study, board games can also enhance memory and concentration. They encourage social interaction, teaching children about teamwork, communication, and fair play. And board games provide a break from screen time, offering a fun and engaging way to spend time.

Top 5 Board Games for 12 Year Olds

1. Game 1: Ticket to RideA cross-country train adventure where players collect cards of various types of train cars that enable them to claim railway routes connecting cities in various countries around the world. This game are its easy-to-understand rules, strategic gameplay, and the fun of building your own train routes. It also helps children to learn about geography and planning. Learn more about Ticket to Ride here.
2. Game 2: CatanA multi-player board game where players build settlements, cities, and roads to earn points. The game encourages strategic thinking and negotiation skills. Include its variable game board, engaging theme, and the balance of luck and strategy. Learn more about Catan here.
3. Game 3: ClueA classic mystery game where players must solve a murder mystery by making accusations about who did the crime, with what weapon, and where. This game are its engaging mystery theme, logical deduction gameplay, and the excitement of solving the crime. Learn more about Clue here.
4. Game 4: ScrabbleA word game where players earn points by constructing words with letter tiles and placing them on a game board. This game are its educational value, the challenge of word formation, and the strategic aspect of using the board’s bonus squares. Learn more about Scrabble here.
5. Game 5: PandemicA cooperative board game where players work together to stop the spread of diseases and save the world. The cooperative gameplay, strategic decision-making, and the thrill of racing against time. Learn more about Pandemic here.

Family Board Games for Tweens

As children grow, their interests and abilities change. This is especially true for tweens, those kids between the ages of 8 and 12. One of the best ways to engage them is through family board games designed specifically for their age group. These games not only provide fun and entertainment but also offer a host of benefits.

• • Introduction to family board games suitable for tweens

They are about learning, developing skills, and bonding with family. These games are designed with the cognitive abilities of tweens in mind, ensuring they are challenging yet enjoyable. They range from strategy games to trivia games, each offering a unique experience and learning opportunity. Some popular examples include “Ticket to Ride”, “Catan Junior”, and “Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle”.

• • Benefits of family board games for tweens

They help improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills as players need to strategize to win. Enhance social skills as players interact and communicate with each other. And promote family bonding as everyone gathers to play. Lastly, they provide a break from screen time, promoting healthier habits.

Top 5 Family Board Games for Tweens

1. Game 1: Catan JuniorA simplified version of the classic game Settlers of Catan. It’s a strategy game where players collect resources to build their own pirate lairs. The first player to build seven pirate lairs wins. It’s a great game for teaching kids about strategy and resource management. Learn more about Catan Junior here.
2. Game 2: Ticket to Ride: First JourneyFirst Journey is a simplified version of the popular board game Ticket to Ride. Players collect train cards and claim routes on the map. The first player to complete six tickets wins. This game is perfect for teaching kids about geography and planning. Learn more about Ticket to Ride: First Journey here.
3. Game 3: Sushi Go!A fast-paced card game where players try to grab the best combination of sushi dishes as they whiz by. It’s a game of risk, reward, and appetite. This game is great for teaching kids about probability and decision making. Learn more about Sushi Go! here.
4. Game 4: Forbidden IslandA cooperative game where players work together to collect treasures and escape from an island before it sinks. It’s a game of strategy and cooperation. This game is excellent for teaching kids about teamwork and problem solving. Learn more about Forbidden Island here.
5. Game 5: QwirkleA tile-based game where players try to create lines of tiles that have the same color or shape. It’s a game of strategy and luck. This game is fantastic for teaching kids about pattern recognition and strategic thinking. Learn more about Qwirkle here.

Conclusion

• Summary of the best board games for tweens: We have explored a variety of board games suitable for tweens, from those designed for 8-10 year olds like “Ticket to Ride: First Journey” and “Catan Junior”, to games for 10-12 year olds such as “Forbidden Island” and “King of Tokyo”. We also looked at games that are perfect for 12 year olds like “Codenames” and “Ticket to Ride”, and family games that tweens can enjoy with their parents, like “Pandemic” and “Carcassonne”. These games were chosen based on their ability to engage tweens, develop their strategic thinking, and provide fun and entertainment.
• Final thoughts and recommendations: Board games are a great way to spend quality time with family and friends. They can also help tweens develop various skills such as strategic thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. We recommend choosing a game that suits your child’s interests and age. The best game is the one that brings joy and fun to your family gatherings.