Ages 10-13

Kids who can handle deeper choices and more game mechanics.

1. Cascadia

Build habitats and arrange wildlife patterns; calm, strategic, very popular.

2. 7 Wonders

Drafting game with civilizations; plays quickly even with many players.

3. Everdell (Family Rules)

Gorgeous woodland world with card combos; can be simplified for kids.

4. The Isle of Cats (Family Mode)

Tetris-style boat-filling with cute cats.

5. Forbidden Island

Adventure coop game where the island sinks while you race to escape.

Ages 13+ / Teens & Parents Together

More complex modern games, but still approachable.

1. Wingspan

Beautiful engine-building game about birds.

2. Catan

Resource trading + building. A classic modern strategy game.

3. Terraforming Mars (Ares Expedition)

Manage resources and build projects to terraform Mars-simpler than the original.

4. Root (with simpler factions)

Asymmetric strategy with woodland animals; deep but rewarding.

5. Spirit Island

Cooperative, strategic, challenging-you work together to defend your island.