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!
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Games that the whole family can enjoy together (1–10)
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!
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?
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?
Games that the whole family can enjoy playing together (11–20)
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!
Othello
When it comes to classic board games that people of all ages—from adults to kids—can enjoy together, Othello, where you flip black and white discs, is a top pick! Choose your color, black or white, then take turns placing one disc at a time on the board to sandwich your opponent’s discs between your own, flipping the ones in between to your color.
In the end, the player with more discs showing their color wins! Since it’s a one-on-one game, a tournament format is great when playing with the whole family.
With simple rules and no complexity, it’s perfect for getting everyone excited!
Blox
Born in France, the territory strategy game Blokus is a game for up to four players that puts your flexible thinking to the test! Each player has 21 colorful pieces, and on their turn they place a piece on the board.
You can place pieces freely, but the rule is that your own blocks must touch corner-to-corner.
You can’t place pieces so that their edges touch, nor can you leave them completely disconnected.
The game ends when no one can place any more pieces.
Scores are calculated based on the pieces left and how they were placed, and the winner is determined.
Playing in teams and discussing strategy as you go is also highly recommended!
Jenga
Jenga, the super-famous game that almost everyone has tried at least once.
With its simple rule of removing one block at a time and stacking it back on top, Jenga is a game anyone—young or old—can enjoy together, making it perfect for killing time at family gatherings! It may look simple at first glance, but it’s actually a brainy, strategic game: you have to think about which blocks to move and how to stack them so you clear your turn safely while putting pressure on the next player.
If you prepare some funny penalties for the loser, it might get even more exciting.