A game that the whole family can enjoy playing together
On a day off when the whole family is together but you’re not going anywhere, or when unexpected free time pops up, how do you and your family kill time?
If you’re just thinking, “I’m bored…,” then let’s play some games together as a family!
In this article, we’ll introduce games that everyone in the family can enjoy.
We’ve picked a wide range of options, from classic familiar games to popular board games and video games, as well as games you can play without any equipment.
If you find a game that catches your interest, be sure to try it out with the whole family!
Games that the whole family can enjoy together (1–10)
Apple TwistNEW!
Let’s try a colorful caterpillar-and-apple board game.
The red apple serves as the game board and is divided into five rotating sections.
The front of each section is labeled with numbers 1 to 5, and the back is labeled with letters A to E.
Choose a challenge from the game guide, then place the three caterpillars—light blue, yellow, and yellow-green—on the board by bending them into position.
There’s only one correct solution, so the sense of accomplishment when you solve it is unbeatable.
It’s fun for both kids and adults, making it perfect for family play.
Mario Party
Mario Party is a delightful game starring the globally beloved character Mario and his friends! With a board game in the style of a dice-based romp and a wealth of mini-games, it offers endless fun for the whole family.
The Mario series has been cherished since the Super Famicom era, when home consoles began gaining wider recognition.
For grandparents and parents, it’s nostalgic; for kids, it feels fresh—sure to spark conversations like, “We couldn’t pull off moves like that back in the day!”
translation
The no-katakana game you often see on TV and elsewhere.
The rule is that during everyday conversation or when discussing a given topic, you’re not allowed to use katakana words.
Hearing the explanation, many people probably think, “Oh, that sounds easy.” But in reality, we use katakana far more often than we realize, so those words just slip out naturally when we talk.
Can you smoothly convert the wasei-eigo and katakana terms you normally use into proper Japanese and put them into words?
Finger Smash
Finger Suma, a game you can start right away with no prep, is an easy, family-friendly game! First decide the order with rock-paper-scissors, then put out both hands and start.
After a cue like “Ready, set,” call out a number.
If that number matches the total count of all the thumbs everyone has raised, you clear a hand! Pull one hand back, and the next person predicts and calls a number in the same way.
The first person to pull back both hands wins! The game’s name and the cue words can vary by region.
Choose the call that feels right for everyone and enjoy a fun time with the family.
The Game of Life
When it comes to games that are sure to liven up family gatherings, many people probably think of The Game of Life.
What makes The Game of Life so fun is not just that it moves forward like a board game, but that you progress while imagining realistic life situations written on the spaces.
The target age range varies by manufacturer and series, and the content of the spaces is tailored accordingly.
By choosing a version that matches your child’s age, the whole family can understand the game well and enjoy playing together.
Picture shiritori
Pictorial Shiritori, where your drawing skills are put to the test, is a game guaranteed to have everyone in stitches! The rules are super simple: deduce what the previous person’s drawing represents, choose the next word so it continues the shiritori chain, and express it with a drawing.
But depending on your artistic ability and how people interpret the drawings, the chain can veer off in unexpected directions…
You might start it as a quick time-killer, only to get so absorbed that you lose track of time! Why not enjoy it with the whole family, bursting into laughter at the charmingly quirky drawings?
Magical Banana
An association game that starts with everyone shouting “Magical Banana!” While keeping rhythm with hand claps, players say words they associate.
The first person starts from banana: “When you say banana, you think of ___.” The next person continues: “When you say ___, you think of ___,” linking words by association from the previous one.
If someone can’t continue or repeats an answer, they’re out.
The key point is not just the associations, but saying them in rhythm.
People get flustered and blurt unrelated words or stumble off-beat, making it trickier than it seems—perfect for lots of laughs with the whole family!
Nanjamonja
Nanjamonja, a game where you name mysterious creatures, is a perfect card game for family fun with 2 to 6 players! Draw a card from the center and give a fitting name to the mysterious creature, Nanjamonja, that appears.
If the drawn card shows a new character, give it a new name; if it’s a character that has appeared before, shout the name that was previously given.
Whoever calls out the correct previously given name first gets that card! The player with the most cards at the end wins.
Your naming sense and memory are the keys to victory!
tycoon
Daifugō, a classic card game played with a standard deck of cards, is a great way for the whole family to have fun together.
Its appeal lies in the strategy of getting rid of your hand as quickly as possible, making it enjoyable for both children and adults.
It’s often played in groups of four, and you can start right away with just one deck, making it perfect for those unexpected free moments.
Since there are unique regional rules, trying ones you don’t usually use might lead to new discoveries.
You can also play online, so even families living apart can enjoy it together.
On holidays or whenever the family gathers, why not strengthen your communication by playing Daifugō?
Momotaro Dentetsu
First released in 1988, Momotaro Dentetsu is a long-running hit game that’s now also popular as a smartphone app.
With simple rules—roll the dice, aim for the destination, and grow your assets—and a realistic touch featuring actual train stations, famous tourist spots, and historical figures, it’s beloved by players of all ages.
The latest installment even supports online battles, so families living apart can enjoy playing together.
A must for railway fans, “Momotetsu” is definitely worth a try!