All this extra time at home has paved the way for plenty of family bonding. The past few months have been perfect for home-cooked dinners and movie nights, but truth be told, there’s nothing that brings families together like some friendly competition. Board games and video games have always served as exciting ways to pass the time, and now that we’re all looking for different hobbies to keep ourselves entertained, gaming is more important than ever.
With that in mind, we’ve come up with a list of our top five family-friendly video games and board games, along with a giveaway competition for all the gamers in our TopCashback family.
Top 5 Video Games
5. LEGO Star Wars
Two beloved franchises team up to give players the chance to travel the universe and take part in thrilling intergalactic adventures. Plus, with multiplayer mode, you can play as a team while building different objects and gadgets in typical LEGO fashion.
There are five installments of the “LEGO Star Wars” video game series, all of which are action-packed and fun for the whole family. Check out GameStop.com ( cashback), choose your favorite story from the saga, and embark on a virtual quest through the Star Wars galaxy!
4. Wii Sports Resort
When it comes to family-friendly video games, few consoles have better options than the Wii. Case in point: “Wii Sports Resort”. In this game, players can face off in beach basketball, golf, and even air sports. It’s a super inclusive game that will have the whole family on their feet and moving.
3. Splatoon
Games like “Call of Duty” or “Battlefield” aren’t exactly “family-friendly.” Luckily, there’s “Splatoon,” which brings all the action and adrenaline of a shooter game without the graphic violence. Instead, players battle against one another using an arsenal of paint weapons. This colorful, exciting multiplayer game allows up to 8 players to compete at once, and it’s available at G2A.com ( cashback).
2. Super Mario Party
“Mario Party” brings the spirit of a typical board game to life on your TV screen. Players take turns moving around the board and collecting Gold Stars, while also competing in minigames with their fellow gamers. You don’t have to be ultra-coordinated to play, either. Everyone has a chance to win, regardless of age or skill.
1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
“Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” is the latest installment in the “Mario Kart” franchise, and it’s undoubtedly the best video game to enjoy with the family. With “Mario Kart,” you can all compete in high-speed racing circuits through vibrant and exciting courses. It’s a timeless classic that will make even the most mild-mannered competitor feel like a NASCAR driver, and it’s earned our vote for number one family video game.
Top 5 Board Games
5. Battleship
Battleship puts players in a head-to-head showcase of strategy. While it’s a two-player game, you can certainly organize a family tournament so nobody feels left out. Face off one-on-one to sink each other's ships and find out who’s the true naval commander of the house.
4. Monopoly
If you’re looking for a fun way to kill a few hours, then Monopoly is the game for you. Players take turns buying up as much “property” as they can in an attempt to drive their opponents into bankruptcy. The last man standing wins! Winning Monopoly requires the perfect combination of strategy and luck. Sure, it’s a tedious game, but it’s also one of the most popular board games of all-time, which is why it’s earned a spot in our top five.
3. UNO
Few games can create a spirit of competition like UNO. The goal is simple: get rid of all your cards faster than your opponents. It might seem easy enough, but once you get hit with a few ‘Draw Four’ cards, you’ll realize that it’s every player for themselves. UNO has become a staple of game nights across America, and you can find it easily at online game outlets like Calendars.com ( cashback).
2. Scattergories
Put on your thinking caps for this one! Scattergories gives players a chance to show off their vocabulary skills. You’ll need to be able to think and write quickly if you want to come out on top. It’s a thought-provoking, fast-paced game that the whole family can play, and for those reasons, we’ve dubbed it number two on our top five list. Scattergories is available at Boscovs.com ( cashback), so be sure to check out their site and earn cash back when you shop!
1. Clue
This whodunnit challenge puts players against each other in a race to unveil the culprit of a murder mystery. There’s not a lot of room for random strokes of luck, so you’ll have to channel your inner detective and use some critical thinking if you want to beat your opponents. Clue requires skill, thought, and the ability to read other players, making it TopCashback’s favorite family board game.
If you’re looking to spice up your Clue gameplay, Calendars.com offers plenty of themed Clue games, including this special “Game of Thrones”edition.
TopCashback is also running a giveaway competition with a special prize! The giveaway runs until Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST. Take our quiz and be on the lookout for an email from winners@topcashback.com letting you know you’ve won. TopCashback giveaways are open to members only, so if you’re not already a member, take a moment to sign up. See the full giveaway terms and conditions for more information.
There’s a lot of uncertainty in the world right now, but you can be sure that gaming is the perfect way to take your mind off all the bad news and connect with your loved ones. So for now, just keep calm and game on!