Getting a 9 year old to take part in family games nights can be difficult, as they often prefer playing video games to sitting down with the family. That’s why we have created this guide to finding fun games for 9 year olds and their friends to play and enjoy. We’ve included different styles of games, so there is certain to be something to appeal to all tastes – there’s a mix of classic games with a modern twist, family games and educational games.
It’s really important for children of all ages to enjoy quality time with their friends and parents – and we believe finding the right game can help with this. We’ve included games which can be played by children and their friends without help from mom and dad, as well as games which parents will enjoy playing too.
Top Board Games for 9 Year Old Kids
Here, you will find our thorough reviews of 9 of the best board games for boys and girls aged 9 years old. There’s sure to be something the whole family will love playing here!
1. Monopoly Cheaters Edition
The Monopoly board game is a classic family favorite, which has been enjoyed by parents and children for many generations. This new version of the game involves attempting to cheat, by choosing cards which tell you what cheat to attempt. However, you have to be sneaky because if another player catches you, you’ll have to pay a fine!
Monopoly Cheaters is quicker to play than the original version, lasting around an hour. This makes it great for kids who tend to get a little restless when games last for hours. The rules are similar to the original, except there are no houses, only hotels. Also, there is a plastic handcuff to keep cheating players in jail! The game ends when all the properties have been sold, and players then race to pass Go.
2. Life The Game
Game of Life board game is a great family favorite, which parents will love playing with their children. The game can be set up quickly and easily, and involves using a spinner to move around the board, choosing a career and having a family on the way. The aim of the game is to end up with the most money at the end, after all the debts have been paid off.
The Game of Life classic edition is sure to be a welcome addition to a family games night. Everyone has an equal chance of winning, as the game is mainly based on luck rather than relying on strategy. The game is different every time you play, so it won’t get boring.
3. Rubik’s Race
Rubiks Race is a great two player game which involves racing to be the first player to match the colors to those shown on the scrambler. By shaking the scrambler, a different pattern is displayed each time, so the game won’t get boring and can be played endlessly! The winner is the first player to match the pattern in the center of their board, then close their frame down to reveal the pattern.
Rubik Race is a fun game for 9 year olds to play with their friends, and it’s equally fun for spending one on one time with mom or dad. The game is great for travel – it is compact and lightweight and there are no small parts which can get lost. It’s fun even for those who can’t solve a traditional Rubik’s cube, it’s a little easier and the competitive element makes it more interesting.
4. NFL Board Game
Football board games are great for boys who love playing sports. This one is a fun strategy game which is perfect for the whole family to enjoy together. The rules are simple to learn, although it is useful if players have some basic knowledge of the rules of football. The game is suitable for 2 – 4 players, and gameplay lasts up to an hour on average.
The NFL Game Day board game is officially licensed by the NFL, so you can be sure it is great quality. It is the perfect gift for a young football fanatic. The game is great for when kids want to play football but have to stay indoors – it is just as much fun as the real thing! Playing the football game is a great way for dads and sons to spend quality time together.
5. Family Charades
The Charades game is a classic family favorite, which is fun for children of all ages as well as parents. Lots of laughs are sure to be had when playing this game! It comes with four different card categories, so there are easier ones for children, as well as more difficult ones to keep adults amused too. Kids charades are suggested for age 7+, Family charades for 8+, Movie charades for over 12s and finally 80s and 90s charades for teenagers over the age of 14 years old. Therefore, the game will continue to be enjoyed for many years, and there are 600 different charades to act out, so it has high replay value.
Charades for kids is a classic party game which has been loved for many years, and is likely to remain popular for many more. The whole family will love playing this classic game – it is perfect for keeping everyone amused. Charades is a great game for birthday parties and family events, as it can be played with any number of players and on teams.
6. Blurt Game
The Blurt board game is ideal for helping kids improve their reading and vocabulary skills, as well as helping them learn to listen to others. Players take turns to listen the definition of a word being read out, then attempt to be the first to ‘blurt’ out what the word is. If you guess correctly, you get to move around the board, and the first to reach the finish line is the winner.
The game comes with 200 cards, offering 1200 clues so the game can be played over and over again without getting boring or easy. It’s ideal for 3 – 12 players, and can be played on teams for even more fun. It’s a great party game, and it comes in a sports edition and a travel edition too, so there is sure to be something to appeal to everyone.
7. Wit’s End Junior
Wits End board game is a fun general knowledge game, aimed at children between the ages of 8 – 12 years old. There are over 1200 questions, so it can be played over and over again without everyone remembering all the answers! There are four different categories including odd one out, riddles and sequences. The game is similar to Trivial Pursuit, as it involves moving around the board in a race to the finish. Wit’s End is ideal for children to play with their friends, or as part of a family games night.
8. Gravity Maze
ThinkFun Gravity Maze is a great logic game and STEM toy for boys and girls aged 9 years old. It involves choosing a card and setting up the board as shown, then adding the required pieces to complete the run. There are 60 different challenge cards, with difficulties ranging from beginner to expert. This means it is a great game for growing with your child as they master the different levels.
Marble board games are great for teaching children a variety of important skills, such as spatial reasoning and planning skills. Gravity Maze is a great tool for part of a home-schooling curriculum, as it is educational as well as lots of fun! Kids can play alone, or take turns to complete the challenges.
9. Trivial Pursuit Family Edition
Trivial Pursuit is a classic trivia game which has been enjoyed by children of all ages as well as adults for many years. This Family Edition comes with two sets of cards – one for kids and one for adults. There are 1200 questions to be answered, so it can be replayed over and over again without getting too easy or boring. It can be played individually or on teams, for any number of players.
Trivial Pursuit Junior has six different question categories, so there is something to suit everyone’s area of expertise. You have to answer one question from each category to collect the corresponding colored segment for your pie token, so younger players might be better teamed up with an adult to help. However, the different levels of difficulty means that everyone has an equal chance of winning.
Our Top Pick: Best Game for 9 Year Olds
We have looked at loads of great games for 9 year olds, and depending on what you are looking for, it’s difficult to choose one overall best game. For family fun, we recommend Charades – a classic game which is as entertaining for kids as it is for grown ups. Kids can learn a lot from playing this game too, and it’s ideal for boosting their self-confidence. It will never get boring, and can be played with just two players, or with a whole group during a party for even more fun and laughter!
Other Games to Consider by Age/Type
