15 family games + puzzles that’ll provide hours of indoor fun

Say buh-bye to boredom.

One thing that never gets old with board games and puzzles is their ability to help you unwind and reconnect with loved ones. Whether you schedule your family game nights or they happen spontaneously, it’s a great opportunity to indulge in some healthy competition and make lasting memories.

So, brush up on your gaming skills and have some good old-fashioned family fun. We love this list because you won’t find the traditional games like Monopoly, Candyland or Scattergories—instead, new(ish) games that force you to put on your thinking cap and puzzles that are downright gorgeous.

Here are the best family games + puzzles to try at home:

Plus-Plus Picture Puzzles

$26.99

With 60 pieces and seven challenge cards, little tykes will learn to solve each puzzle using the “challenge” side of the card and then discover the solution on the reverse side. It’s great for developing problem-solving skills.

Ages: 3-7

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Can't Catch Harry card game

$22.02

Fans of the popular YouTube channel The Odd 1s Out will be eager to catch Harry before he and his friends are pulled into the lull of the lamp (bug zapper). Play it smart and try to collect certain combinations of cards to get an edge in the game.

Ages: 6+

SHOP

Game of Phones card game

$24.95

All you need for a night of fun is your phone. Respond to challenges by finding things like messages or photos on your smartphone, or taking selfies with the camera. It’s also the perfect ice breaker for large crowds.

Ages: 13+

SHOP

The Office: Downsizing board game

$7.99

Missing your real life office? Try this game that allows players to role play their favorite office characters. There’s even a dundie award—may the best player win!

Ages: 16+

SHOP

Highlights That’s Silly! zoo animals puzzle

Toddlers will enjoy exploring the world of animals with nine jumbo, interchangeable puzzle pieces. Let them have fun while promoting problem solving skills and building vocabulary.

Ages: 2+

$14.99

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What’s in Ned’s Head?

This is such a fun game for the littlest members of our family. Here’s what our Editor-in-Chief shared: “My 4-year-old doesn’t have the patience to sit through a normal board game with us, but this one is so simple (and quick) that it captures his attention. You pick a card and then find the object pictured without looking. My kiddo laughed so hard when he had to find a gross worm and a loose sock. I especially loved that it came with fill-in-the-blank cards so we could put our own objects into Ned’s head and make the game last even longer.”

Ages 4+

$26.99

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Magna-Tiles Eric Carle brown bear, brown bear

World of Eric Carle and Magna-Tiles have come together for the ultimate STEAM learning experience. Watch kids learn names of animals and colors on mirrored tiles with specific learning outcomes.

Ages: 3+

$34.99

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BIC color your own puzzle

Does designing with bright gel pens, or penning letters with smooth mechanical pencils appeal to you or your little one? Children of all ages (including you, mama) can express their creativity while creating their own puzzle in geometric designs.

Ages: 3+

$25.73

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HABA floppy ears game

Ready for tons of laughs? Watch your children learn the importance of memorization as they compete to remember which floppy cards are on which ear.

Ages: 5+

$14.99

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HABA rhino hero game

Kids will enjoy helping rhino grab slime balls and balance them on their superhero capes, transporting them back to their hero headquarters.

Ages: 5+

$15.99

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Inner Piece jigsaw puzzle

Art puzzles are the new coffee table books, right? With a fresh, modern aesthetic, we’re happy to have this Inner Piece puzzle on ours. Bonus points for the reusable pouch + pin. Double bonus for Inner Piece spreading their love of mindfulness by donating one dollar from every puzzle sold to youth mindfulness programs.

Ages: 8+

$30

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Nathan + Co. puzzle

Celebrate that all men and women are created equal and deserve to be heard by putting together this puzzle that showcases the strong women who raised their voices during the suffrage movement.

Ages: 10+

$22

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Jiggy puzzle

When Kaylin discovered putting puzzles together was an outlet to de-stress, she noticed most of the designs were “outdated and well, lame,” she says. Shortly after she began crafting puzzles from the artwork of female artists and JIGGY was born. We love this puzzle that highlights the work of Diana Ejaita, an illustrator inspired by central African culture.

Ages: 13+

$40

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The Office: Downsizing board game

Missing your real life office? Try this game that allows players to role play their favorite office characters. There’s even a dundie award—may the best player win!

Ages: 16+

$7.99

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Hypothetically Fun card game

Players will have much fun imagining a possibility rather than reality with this open ended card game that covers five different topics including: silly, you, history, ponder and imagination.

Ages: 17+

$25

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Lemonade Pursuits picnic puzzle

These puzzles were specifically created to help calm your mind with a meditation-like practice as you put them together. Better yet, Lemonade Pursuits partnered with female artists for each design, so you end up with a beautiful piece of art when you complete each piece. We also love the Spring Begins and Botanical song designs which are available for pre-order now.

Ages 13+

$24.99

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