19 Best Board Games for 9 Year Olds in 2024

Forbidden Island has become one of our favorite go-tos for family game night.

We love how it gets everyone involved, working together to collect treasures before the island sinks beneath our feet.

It’s the kind of game that keeps us on our toes—every decision matters, making it a great way to sharpen problem-solving skills without feeling like work.

Our kids couldn’t get enough of the Harry Potter edition of Clue—solving mysteries across Hogwarts feels like stepping right into the books.

It’s become a game night favorite, not just because of the Harry Potter theme, but because it really challenges everyone to think through every clue carefully.

This game sparked endless giggles in our house. Watching the kids blend dragons with octopuses was hilarious, and it’s a fun way to see their creative side come alive.

It’s more than just drawing—this game sneaks in storytelling and imagination without the kids even realizing it.

Blank Slate quickly became a family hit—especially because it’s all about wordplay and a bit of mind-reading.

It’s hilarious when someone tries to guess what Dad will say and totally misses.

It’s a great way to spark quick thinking and laughter at the same time and is one of our favorite word board games for kids.

Exploding Kittens: Really Loud Librarians is a strategic card game with an emphasis on quick thinking and risk management. Designed for 2-5 players, this game is about drawing cards and avoiding the exploding kitten card while using other cards to mitigate risk, attack other players, or peek at the deck.

The rules are straightforward but require strategic play and foresight, making it a thrilling game of chance and tactics. Its unique blend of humor and strategy makes it an engaging game for families and friends.

This game is pure chaos—in the best way. Taco vs Burrito had everyone laughing as we tried to outdo each other with the most ridiculous food combinations.

It’s silly, unpredictable, and the kind of game that’s perfect for when we want something light and funny.

Monopoly: Super Mario Celebration is a themed strategic board game that combines the classic Monopoly gameplay with the iconic Super Mario universe. This game is designed for 2-6 players and promotes financial management and negotiation skills.

Players travel around the board buying properties, collecting coins, and battling bosses to earn points. The unique Super Mario elements, such as power-ups and mini-games, add a fresh twist to the traditional Monopoly formula, making it an engaging experience for Mario fans and board game enthusiasts alike.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a fast-paced, reflex-based card game that sharpens reaction time and cognitive skills. Ideal for 3-8 players, this game is about quick thinking and fast hands as players take turns placing cards while saying "Taco," "Cat," "Goat," "Cheese," "Pizza" in sequence.

When the spoken word matches the card, everyone slaps the pile, and the last one to do so takes the stack, aiming to get rid of all their cards. Its simple, addictive gameplay makes it a party favorite for all ages.

Star Wars Villainous: Power of the Dark Side is a strategy and deduction game that focuses on cunning planning and character strategy. Suitable for 2-4 players, this game allows players to assume the roles of iconic Star Wars villains, each with unique objectives and abilities. Players must navigate through challenges and use their characters' powers wisely to achieve their goals while thwarting their opponents.

The game combines strategic depth with the rich lore of the Star Wars universe, offering a compelling experience for fans and strategy gamers.

Carcassonne is a tile-placement game that encourages strategic thinking and spatial reasoning. Designed for 2-5 players, participants draw and place tiles to build medieval landscapes, claiming areas with their followers to score points.

The game is about skillful tile placement and wise follower deployment, with rules that allow for a dynamic and competitive play environment. Its simplicity, combined with strategic depth, makes Carcassonne a beloved classic in the board game community, appealing to both casual gamers and strategy enthusiasts.

My Little Scythe is a competitive, family-friendly game board that emphasizes strategy, resource management, and planning skills. Designed for 1-6 players, it is a kid-friendly adaptation of the popular game Scythe.

Players embark on a quest in the Kingdom of Pomme, aiming to be the first to earn four trophies from eight possible categories. The game encourages strategic thinking, decision-making, and social interaction, making it an excellent choice for young strategists looking to engage in a fantasy adventure.

Ravensburger Labyrinth is a classic maze game that enhances spatial awareness and problem-solving skills. Suitable for 2-4 players, participants shift the maze's paths to reach treasures and objectives.

The game is about strategic planning and anticipation as players move walls and open passages to reach their targets while blocking their opponents. It offers a dynamic play experience that changes with every game, making it a timeless puzzle adventure for families and children.

Ticket to Ride: First Journey is a simplified strategy game focusing on geography and planning skills. Designed for 2-4 players, it introduces younger audiences to the Ticket to Ride series. Players collect train cards, claim train routes on the map, and try to connect cities listed on their destination tickets.

The game's simplified rules make it accessible for children, providing a fun and educational way to learn about geography and critical thinking through play. They also might prefer the original version of this game.

Zombie Kidz Evolution is a cooperative board game that emphasizes teamwork and strategic planning. Suitable for 2-4 players, it's designed as a legacy game for kids, with the game evolving and changing as players complete missions and unlock new content.

Players work together to defend their school from zombies, promoting collaboration and problem-solving skills. Its evolving gameplay ensures that each game is unique, providing a fresh and engaging experience for young players.

Sorry! is a classic board game focused on chance and strategy, promoting social interaction and turn-taking skills. Designed for 2-4 players, participants aim to move their pawns around the board and safely back to their home base, using cards instead of dice to determine movement.

The game involves strategic planning to move around the board while also sending opponents' pawns back to the start, offering a mix of luck and strategy that's enjoyable for families.

5 Second Rule is a fast-paced, party game that sharpens quick thinking and reflexes. Suitable for 3 or more players, it challenges participants to name three items within a category in under five seconds.

The game encourages quick thinking and spontaneity, making it a lively addition to any gathering. Its simple rules and high energy play make it an excellent choice for parties, family game nights, or any occasion that calls for laughter and quick wits.

This game turned out to be a surprising favorite, especially for rainy afternoons.

Eye Found It! lets us work together and explore beloved Disney scenes, making it feel more like a magical scavenger hunt. It’s the perfect mix of teamwork and fun.

The Mattel Games Apples-to-Apples Junior is a kid-friendly card game that promotes creativity and critical thinking through hilarious and unpredictable combinations. Designed for ages 9 and up, this family-friendly game is easy to learn and ensures endless fun by encouraging players to find the best match to the judge's card. With 576 cards included, this exclusive edition guarantees hours of engaging entertainment for children and families alike.

The Settlers of Catan is a classic strategy board game that immerses players in a world of exploration, trade, and resource management. Suitable for ages 9 and up, this edition offers a streamlined setup and playtime of approximately 60 minutes, making it accessible for family game nights. With its modular board and dynamic gameplay, every session of CATAN promises a unique and replayable adventure for up to four players.