10 Must-Have Board Games for Tweens: Brain-Boosting Fun for Kids Ages 9-12

As a parent of a tween, you know that finding activities that are both engaging and educational can be a challenge. Board games are a great way to spend time together as a family and help kids develop important skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and social interaction.

In this article, we'll introduce you to 10 of the best board games for tweens, ages 9-12. These games are all highly rated by both parents and kids, and they're sure to provide hours of entertainment and learning.

1. Codenames

Ages: 14+
Players: 2-8
Time: 15-30 minutes

Codenames is a cooperative word game that's perfect for tweens who love to solve puzzles. Players work together to identify secret agents hidden among a grid of words. The game is challenging but also a lot of fun, and it's a great way to improve kids' vocabulary and communication skills.

2. Ticket to Ride

Ages: 8+
Players: 2-5
Time: 30-60 minutes

Ticket to Ride is a classic train game that's perfect for tweens who love strategy and competition. Players collect cards to build train routes across North America. The player with the longest and most valuable routes wins the game. Ticket to Ride is a great way to teach kids about geography and problem-solving.

3. Catan

Ages: 10+
Players: 3-4
Time: 60-90 minutes

Catan is a strategy game that's perfect for tweens who love to negotiate and build. Players build settlements and cities on a hexagonal board and compete to collect resources and build the largest army. Catan is a complex game, but it's also a lot of fun, and it's a great way to teach kids about economics and resource management.

4. Pandemic

Ages: 8+
Players: 2-4
Time: 45-60 minutes

Pandemic is a cooperative game that's perfect for tweens who love to work together to solve problems. Players work together to stop the spread of four deadly diseases. Pandemic is a challenging game, but it's also a lot of fun, and it's a great way to teach kids about teamwork and global health.

5. Azul

Ages: 8+
Players: 2-4
Time: 30-45 minutes

Azul is an abstract strategy game that's perfect for tweens who love to think creatively. Players collect tiles to create beautiful mosaics. Azul is a simple game to learn, but it's also very challenging, and it's a great way to teach kids about spatial reasoning and pattern recognition.

6. Sushi Go!

Ages: 8+
Players: 2-5
Time: 15-20 minutes

Sushi Go! is a card drafting game that's perfect for tweens who love to collect and trade. Players collect cards representing different types of sushi. The player with the most valuable sushi collection at the end of the game wins. Sushi Go! is a fast-paced and fun game, and it's a great way to teach kids about probability and decision-making.

7. Carcassonne

Ages: 7+
Players: 2-5
Time: 30-60 minutes

Carcassonne is a tile-laying game that's perfect for tweens who love to build and create. Players take turns placing tiles to create a medieval landscape. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins. Carcassonne is a simple game to learn, but it's also very strategic, and it's a great way to teach kids about spatial reasoning and problem-solving.

8. Qwirkle

Ages: 6+
Players: 2-4
Time: 30-60 minutes

Qwirkle is a tile-matching game that's perfect for tweens who love to think strategically. Players match tiles by color or shape to create lines. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins. Qwirkle is a simple game to learn, but it's also very challenging, and it's a great way to teach kids about pattern recognition and problem-solving.

9. Forbidden Island

Ages: 10+
Players: 2-4
Time: 30-45 minutes

Forbidden Island is a cooperative game that's perfect for tweens who love to work together to solve problems. Players work together to collect four treasures from a sinking island. Forbidden Island is a challenging game, but it's also a lot of fun, and it's a great way to teach kids about teamwork and problem-solving.

10. King of Tokyo

Ages: 8+
Players: 2-6
Time: 30-60 minutes

King of Tokyo is a dice-rolling game that's perfect for tweens who love to compete and have fun. Players roll dice to attack each other and collect points. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins. King of Tokyo is a simple game to learn, but it's also very exciting, and it's a great way to teach kids about probability and decision-making.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the many great board games that are available for tweens. When choosing a game, it's important to consider your child's interests and abilities. If you're not sure which game to choose, ask your child what they're interested in and read reviews from other parents and kids.

Board games are a great way to spend time together as a family and help kids develop important skills. So next time you're looking for a fun and educational activity, reach for a board game.