25 Best Board Games for 7 Year Olds | Fun & Parent Approved
Finding the best board games for 7 year olds can be a game-changer for family nights, bringing laughter, learning, and friendly competition to the table.
At this age, kids are ready for more strategic and interactive gameplay, whether they’re solving mysteries, racing to complete challenges, or outsmarting their opponents.
In our home, board games have always been more than just entertainment—they’ve helped build critical thinking skills, teamwork, and even a bit of patience.
After countless game nights, we’ve discovered which games truly hold a 7 year old’s attention and which ones get pushed aside after one play.
Whether you’re looking for fast-paced fun, a game that sneaks in learning, or a silly favorite the whole family can enjoy, this list has something for every young player. Here are our top picks, based on real experiences and plenty of playtesting!
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Top 5 Board Games for 7 Year Olds (Parent-Approved)
With so many great options, these are the five board games that have been the biggest hits in our home.
Each one offers a mix of fun, learning, and family connection—whether your child loves silly surprises, quick thinking, or strategy-based play.
- Taco vs Burrito. A wildly unpredictable game that had my son laughing while still requiring strategic thinking to outsmart opponents.
- 5 Second Rule Jr. The fast pace kept my son on his toes, and the challenge of blurting out answers in just five seconds led to hilarious moments.
- Catan Jr. The thrill of building his own little pirate empire made this a favorite, teaching resource management in a fun way.
- Ticket to Ride – My First Journey. The colorful maps and simple rules made geography exciting, as he planned routes and learned about cities.
- Clue Jr. A simplified mystery game that keeps young detectives engaged, making for great family bonding time.
Best Games for 7 Year Olds
Whether your child loves fast-paced action, strategy, or creative play, these board games offer fun and engaging experiences for young players.
Perfect for family game nights or independent play, here are some of the top choices for 7 year olds.
Taco vs Burrito
I was a little skeptical when we first tried this game, but my son was hooked immediately. Created by a kid, Taco vs Burrito is just the right mix of silly and strategic.
One minute, you're stacking the most ridiculous food combinations, and the next, you're blocking an opponent's big move. It gets loud, competitive, and full of laughs—especially when someone drops a "No Bueno" card at just the right moment!
This one has been played so many times, and it still hasn’t lost its charm.
Expansion packs are available to keep the experience fresh, ensuring it remains a favorite for years.
Ticket to Ride First Journey
We love the original Ticket to Ride, so introducing the junior version was a no-brainer. What surprised me was just how quickly my son got into the strategy of route-building.
At first, he just wanted to collect cards, but soon he was plotting paths across the map and learning geography without even realizing it.
He now insists on playing the full version with us, and honestly, he holds his own! If your child loves maps, travel, or trains, this game is a great pick.
Slightly younger children will also enjoy the best board games for 6 year olds
5 Second Rule Junior
If you want pure chaos and laughter, this game delivers. The challenge is simple: name three things in five seconds. But under pressure? Even the easiest prompts turn into hilarious, nonsense answers.
"Three things you dip in ketchup?"—my son blurted out pancakes, socks, and the dog before falling into a fit of laughter.
We actually enjoy this more than the regular version because the junior prompts are so unpredictable and fun for all ages.
Clue Junior
Clue Junior was an easy yes for our family because I loved the original growing up. Instead of solving a crime, kids figure out who ate the cake, what time, and what they drank with it.
My son got really into the mystery, keeping track of the clues and trying to guess before everyone else. It’s just the right level of challenge for a seven-year-old—not too hard, but still makes them think. It’s also one of those games that doesn’t get old after just a few plays, which is a big plus.
CATAN Junior
This was one of the first board games that got my son thinking strategically. He didn’t realize it at first—he was too busy building pirate hideouts and collecting resources—but he quickly started planning ahead and figuring out how to win.
It’s competitive without being frustrating, and I love that it introduces kids to basic decision-making and problem-solving in a fun way. If your child likes the idea of a pirate adventure with just the right amount of thinking involved, this one’s a great pick.
Charades for Kids
Charades is always a favorite at our house, especially when we have friends or family over. The picture cards make it easy for younger kids to join in, and even the adults end up getting involved because it’s just that much fun.
My son has no problem being silly, so watching him act out different animals or actions is always a highlight of game night. If you’re looking for a game that gets everyone laughing, this is one of the best.
Don’t Rock The Boat Skill & Action Balancing Game
This game seemed simple at first, but it ended up being one of the most intense balancing games we’ve played. The goal is to carefully place pirate penguins and other small objects onto a wobbly ship without tipping everything over.
My son has way more patience for this than I do—he takes his time, studies where to put each piece, and somehow always wins. It’s one of those games that looks easy but actually takes a steady hand and a little strategy.
Stare Junior
This one is surprisingly challenging, and I love that it pushes my son’s memory skills in a fun way. You get 30 seconds to look at a picture, then answer detailed questions about it.
He’s way better at this than I am, which means he absolutely loves playing. It’s one of those games that feels like a learning activity without being boring, and it’s perfect for kids who enjoy visual puzzles or challenges.
Connect 4 (Spider-Man Edition)
Superheroes and strategy come together in this fun twist on a classic game. The Spider-Man edition of Connect 4 makes an already competitive game even more exciting, especially for kids who love Marvel.
My son takes this one very seriously, carefully planning each move while making sure I don’t get four in a row. It’s simple enough for quick rounds but still challenging enough to keep both kids and adults engaged.
Doodle Face Game
Creativity and laughter take center stage in this drawing game. Each player contributes one facial feature to a shared drawing before passing it on, and by the end, the results are absolutely ridiculous.
The worse the drawing, the funnier it is—at least according to my son, who somehow manages to turn every face into a pirate or a monster. If you need a game that gets everyone laughing without a ton of setup, this one is a great choice.
Battleship With Planes
Classic battleship gameplay gets an upgrade with the addition of airplanes. My son already loved the original, but this version gave him even more ways to strategize. He gets completely focused when placing his ships and planes, convinced he has the perfect hiding spots.
The best part is the dramatic moment when someone finally lands a hit—it’s intense, competitive, and always fun.
Gnomes at Night
Teamwork is the key to winning this cooperative maze game. Players use magnetic gnomes to navigate through a board, but there’s a catch—you can only move in certain directions, so communication is essential.
At first, my son wanted to do everything himself, but he quickly realized we had to work together to solve the puzzle. It’s a great game for siblings or friends since it encourages problem-solving and teamwork without anyone feeling left out.
Throw Throw Burrito
A mix of dodgeball and card collecting, this game brings absolute chaos in the best way possible. The goal is to match sets of cards, but the second someone plays a burrito battle, it turns into a full-on throwing match with soft foam burritos flying across the room.
My son thinks this is the funniest thing ever, and honestly, so do we—just make sure to clear the breakables before playing!
Mouse Trap
Building a wacky contraption is half the fun in this nostalgic favorite. The first time we played, setting up the elaborate trap took longer than the game itself, but my son was completely invested.
There’s something so satisfying about watching all the pieces fall into place, even when you know exactly what’s coming. If your child loves hands-on games, this one is a must-have.
The Game of Life
Big life decisions feel a lot more fun when they involve spinning a colorful wheel. This game has become a weekend favorite in our house, especially since my son gets so excited about choosing a career, buying a house, and seeing where his path takes him.
He’s convinced the game predicts the future, so every round sparks new conversations about what he wants to be when he grows up. It’s a great mix of luck, decision-making, and just the right amount of chaos.
If you have older children, you might also enjoy our list of board games for 8 year olds.
Hedbanz
Asking yes-or-no questions has never been this entertaining. This guessing game leads to some of the funniest moments in our house, especially when my son gets close to the answer but just can’t figure it out.
He’ll go through every possible animal or character before finally shouting the answer and celebrating like he just won a championship. It’s simple, interactive, and always a hit on family game nights.
Scrabble Junior Game
Spelling and word-building become a fun challenge in this beginner-friendly version of Scrabble. My son enjoys games that let him compete while learning, and this one does exactly that.
The double-sided board offers two levels of play, so as he’s gotten more confident with spelling, we’ve been able to switch to the more advanced side. It’s a great way to sneak in some reading practice without making it feel like school.
The Genius Square
A puzzle game that’s as fun as it is brainy, this one is all about filling in a grid using dice rolls. My son loves challenges, and this game forces him to think ahead while trying to beat the puzzle. It’s also one of the few games he enjoys playing solo, which makes it a great option for quiet play. If your child enjoys logic games, this one is a solid choice.
Genius Square is one of the best educational board games.
Qwirkle
Matching colors and shapes in this tile-based game turns into a surprisingly strategic competition. The first time we played, my son thought it was just about matching tiles, but after a few rounds, he realized how much planning goes into blocking opponents and setting up big moves. It’s easy to learn but has enough depth to keep kids and adults engaged.
Related: Free printable memory games
Guess Who?
Guessing who’s behind the mystery card is always fun, but we found a way to make this game even better—custom cards. Instead of the usual characters, we printed out pictures of family members and favorite characters, which made every round extra hilarious. My son loves the original game, but playing with a version where he can guess if the mystery person is his grandpa or Spider-Man? That’s next-level fun.
Exploding Kittens
Fast-paced and full of surprises, this card game quickly became a family favorite. The rules are simple, but the game itself is unpredictable, which makes every round exciting.
My son caught on quickly, and now he loves trying to outplay us with sneaky moves. It’s one of those games that’s just as fun for adults, making it a great choice for family game night.
Disney Villains Labyrinth
A shifting maze filled with Disney villains? This was an instant hit. Each turn, the board changes, making it a race to find the right path before someone else gets there first. My son loves anything with strategy, and this one keeps him on his toes since no game plays out the same way twice. It’s a great mix of planning, luck, and fun characters.
Disney Apples to Apples Game from Mattel Games
The original game is hilarious, but the Disney edition makes it even better for younger kids. The simple mechanics of comparing cards still lead to some ridiculous and unexpected matches, and my son gets a kick out of the funny combinations.
It’s easy to set up, quick to play, and guaranteed to get some laughs.
Monopoly Junior
A kid-friendly version of the classic property-trading game, this one keeps things simple while still introducing the basics of money management. My son picked up on the rules fast and now gets very competitive about buying up properties before anyone else can. It’s a great way to introduce turn-taking and simple math in a fun, low-stress way.
Guess in 10 : Animal Planet
A great mix of logic and deduction, this game challenges kids to guess the mystery animal by asking smart questions. My son gets really into it, trying to narrow things down as quickly as possible. The best part is how creative he gets with his questions—sometimes asking things I never would have thought of. It’s quick, easy to learn, and fun every time.
This is one of the best educational toys for 7 year olds.
Last Updated on 8 March 2025 by Clare Brown