Are you looking for a birthday party present idea that kids and their parents will enjoy? Board games make fantastic gifts, especially because they are fun and engaging for the entire family, help kids improve academic and social skills without realizing it, and have great long-term playability.
The best part? There are plenty of affordable options to fit your birthday present budget!
We love introducing families to modern board games they may not be familiar with and often give them as gifts. Here are ten games I recommend giving as a birthday party present.
Outfoxed
Outfoxed by Gamewright is a cooperative deduction game recommended for kids ages 5 and up. Players work together to figure out which fox stole the pot pie. My daughter likes to be in charge of the clue decoder.
Space Escape
Space Escape, by Peaceable Kingdom, is a cooperative game recommended for kids ages 7 and up. It was designed by Matt Leacock, who is known for popular cooperative strategy games such as Pandemic and Forbidden Island. In Space Escape, players work together to help the mole rats collect their equipment and head to the escape pod while watching out for the snakes on board.
MemoArrr!
MemoArrr!, from Stronghold Games, is a memory game with a fun twist. The animals are trying to escape the island with the most treasure, but they don’t remember the way back to the pirate ship. You keep all of the cards in the same locations for seven rounds. Each player has to flip over a card that matches the animal or background of the previous player’s card. I enjoy playing this one with my kids!
Animal Upon Animal
Animal Upon Animal, by HABA, is a dexterity game that challenges players to stack all of their wooden animal pieces on the pile. There are a few different versions of this game, including an edition perfect for toddlers called “My Very First Games Animal Upon Animal.”
Rhino Hero
Also by HABA, Rhino Hero is a card stacking game for two to five players ages 5 and up. We recently gave this one as a gift and it was a hit! Players start with five roof cards, and take turns adding walls and roofs to a building. Some cards require special actions, such as placing a second roof! The first player to build all of his roof cards wins the game.
5-Minute Dungeon
5-Minute Dungeon is a cooperative card game from Spin Master. It is unique because it’s a real-time action game, which means there is no turn taking. Communication and teamwork is key! My kids have a blast playing it with us. If the birthday boy or girl loves superheroes, they may like 5-Minute Marvel.
Codenames: Disney Family Edition
Codenames: Disney Family Edition, from USAopoly, is the perfect gift for any child who loves Disney movies. This edition of the popular social word game includes cards with pictures and words. Cluemasters give one-word clues to teammates who have to figure out which characters, places, and items they are talking about.
Dragonwood
Gamewright’s Dragonwood is an excellent game to give as a birthday gift. It is recommended for ages 8 and up, but we regularly play it with our 6 year old. Players are adventurers using cards and dice to capture creatures in the forest. Who will defeat the dragons first?
Doxie Dash
Doxie Dash, by Mackerel Sky Games, is an entertaining card game. Each player has a Doxie Hero with special abilities. Throughout the game, players collect cards and create different combinations to earn points. My family has been playing this one a lot recently. It’s perfect for dog lovers!
Harvest Dice
Harvest Dice, by Grey Fox Games, is quick roll-and-write game. There are three different dice colors that represent vegetables: green for lettuce, red for tomatoes, and orange for carrots. Which dice you draft will determine which vegetables you draw in your garden and where.
I hope these suggestions help you shop for the next birthday party. All of these board games make wonderful birthday party presents. They are easy to learn, affordable, quick to play, and most of all they are fun. Find even more suggestions for family board games you can play in 20 minutes with your kids here.
