Are you looking for a new way to level up your children’s play without resorting to mobile phones?
Why not try board games or card games for a change?
In this article, we share with you nine cooperative board games for kids that they will surely find entertaining and enjoyable. We carefully selected these games by evaluating customer reviews and reviewing other related articles.
Instead of spending all day looking at their phones, watching videos, or playing mobile games, have your kids play these board games with their friends, siblings, and cousins. They will learn a lot, develop their cooperative skills, and have fun.
Let’s go check them out!
1. Outfoxed
Outfoxed is a kids’ game from Gamewright Store. It has a high rating on Amazon and other online selling platforms. Most parents praise it for being a good introduction for kids who are ready to take on bigger and more complicated board games.
The goal of the game and the corresponding instructions are rather simple. Your ultimate objective is to find the guilty fox by discovering clues and eliminating suspects.
Since it is a cooperative game, you have to strategize and work with your co-players before the culprit escapes and wins. There can only be one winning party—either you and your teammates or the guilty fox.
We recommend Outfoxed for kids five years old and above. It can accommodate a minimum of two and a maximum of four players. The gameplay lasts around 20 to 30 minutes and the strategy can change every round, making it highly replayable.
Pros
- Good introductory game for kids who want to try deductive, logic games.
- Builds the trust and confidence in co-players.
- The game is fast-paced and highly replayable.
Cons
- Only for five-year-old kids or older; younger kids may not enjoy it.
2. Castle Panic
If you are looking for a game that is not just for kids, but for the whole family as well, then you are in for a treat with Castle Panic. The rules aren’t complicated, so it is good for both elders and young people.
In this game, the goal is to save the castles by defeating all the invading monsters. You don’t have to keep all the castles standing until the end of the game—you only need one surviving castle to win. You may, however, try everything you can to save all the castles if you want.
Castle Panic is also a good introductory game. It is easy to understand, and you might just find your kids asking for more games of this type after a few rounds. It is also highly replayable because of its many possible endings.
Pros
- A user-friendly game that is good for kids, elders, and beginners.
- Has both solo mode and cooperative mode.
- Rules and mechanics are easy to learn and understand.
Cons
- Expert gamers might find it boring and a bit too easy.
- Gamers who like competing might not find it enjoyable.
3. Hanabi
Hanabi is a deduction and memory retention game, so you need a great deal of concentration in order to win. But it is also a cooperative game, so you can rely on your team if you lose focus and miss something.
The game is rather simple. All the players have to do is launch a magnificent fireworks performance by creating a card pattern. No player can see his or her own cards. Only the other players are able to see your cards, so you need their support and cooperation.
We recommend this game not just for kids, but for adults and elders as well. In addition to developing your sense of focus and concentration, it also helps build interpersonal bonds and communication.
Pros
- Promotes cooperation among players.
- Develops social interaction skills.
- Highly recommended for those who dislike competitive games.
Cons
- Winning largely depends on the ability of each player to share clues.
- Might not be exciting for those who like complex games.
4. Disney Eye Found It!
Disney has been a big part of many of our lives. Regardless of gender, this entertainment company has had a significant impact on us, molding our morals and values generation after generation. So it’s not surprising that it has a board game edition!
Ravensburger’s Disney Eye Found It is a game for kids who are four years old and above. It has around 15 minutes of playtime and can accommodate up to six players. It can either be played solo or with a team, but the goal remains the same—to help Cinderella get home before the clock strikes midnight.
According to the manufacturer, this game aims to help children develop their critical thinking and motor skills. It also improves children’s focus, memory retention, and object identification skills. It also aims to develop their sense of cooperation and teamwork.
Pros
- Claims to improve observation and identification skills.
- Can be played solo or with a team, but more fun in cooperative mode.
- Comes with an instruction manual that is easy to read and understand.
Cons
- Be careful with your seller, as some cards may be misprinted.
- Be mindful of the game components, as some are easy to lose.
5. Hoot Owl Hoot
Similar to Disney’s Eye Found It, your goal is to help the owls get back to their home before the sun sets.
What makes this game delightful is that it is customizable. The difficulty level can be adjusted depending on who is playing. Thus, it can be suitable for older kids, teens, and even adults who wish to play a simple game.
We recommend this game to families who have both younger and older kids at home. This way, the older siblings can play with the younger ones while teaching them how to use their critical thinking skills. This game can also help kids strengthen their relationships.
Pros
- The game’s adjustable difficulty level is a huge plus.
- Improves children’s ability to communicate and cooperate with others.
- Fun and challenging enough for adults who wish to play with kids and teens.
Cons
- Be careful with your seller, as some deliver in poor condition.
- The board game’s components are quite delicate and easy to destroy.
6. Cahoots
Cahoots is another wonderful game from Gamewright that is suitable for children 10 years old and above. It has around 20 to 30 minutes of playtime and can accommodate a minimum of two and a maximum of four players. The whole set includes 50 goal cards and 56 number cards.
The game is inherently cooperative since the players have to help each other in order to win. Their objective is to accomplish a series of goals without telling the other players what cards they have in their hands.
Time is of the essence in this game because the players need to complete their goal before the timer stops.
Cahoots literally mean “working together” or “making plans together in secret.” If your kids want to win this game, they need to play in cahoots. Who knows? The game might just help them make lifelong friends!
Pros
- You can change the difficulty level by adding or subtracting goal cards.
- Has high replayability because each game has a different deck.
- Very easy for kids and beginners who are not used to playing board games.
Cons
- Not recommended for kids who like long, comprehensive board games.
- Somewhat lacking in theme and other elements.
7. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle
J.K. Rowling is a living legend. Her Harry Potter was a pop culture phenomenon for an entire generation of readers. And as if that’s not enough, the franchise continues to grow with films, games, and all sorts of other features.
We highly recommend this game for Harry Potter fanatics and board game collectors. It includes the seven parts of the series and, just like in the book and movie, things become more difficult as the story progresses.
Pros
- Harry Potter fans are in for a treat with this board game.
- Very thematic, and the board game’s concept and design is conceptual.
- Even non-Harry Potter fans agree that it is a great cooperative game.
Cons
- There are some imitations on the market, so be careful with your seller.
- Might not be fun if you don’t have the whole board game series.
8. 5-Minute Dungeon
If your kids easily get bored during playtime, then this is a great board game that is well-suited for them. The game only lasts five minutes and the rules aren’t complicated, so they will surely enjoy a night full of fun and entertainment with their friends.
5-Minute Dungeon requires the players to use their skills and tactics to escape the dungeon. There are obstacles that need to be overcome and missions that need to be completed.
As this is a cooperative game, it is essential that all members participate when making decisions and devising strategies. There is a time limit (the game has to be complete in five minutes), so you need to be mindful of your moves and how they are implemented.
This game can accommodate two to five players and is also good for adults and elders. In addition to being a cooperative game for kids, it is also suitable for small families.
Pros
- Beginner- and kid-friendly, as there are no complicated rules or mechanics.
- Highly replayable due to its fast pace and various possible endings.
- Helps kids practice working under pressure while cooperating with their teammates.
Cons
- Not recommended for kids who like longer, more challenging games.
- Can be played solo, but doing so is difficult.
9. Forbidden Island
Here is another family favorite—Forbidden Island. This game is most appropriate for older kids who like board games with adventure and treasure themes.
It comes in different versions; there is also Forbidden Desert, Forbidden Sky, and more. We think Forbidden Island is the most suitable for kids and families.
In this game, the players work together to find all the treasures before the island completely vanishes. There are missions that need to be completed and challenges that need to be overcome, so a careful strategy is essential. There is also a time limit, so you have to be careful when choosing your moves.
Note that there is no need for all the players to survive until the end. Since it is a cooperative game, one single survivor is enough to win.
Forbidden Island is for kids who like solving problems and creating strategies. It has long gameplay and extreme challenges, so it is probably best for older kids and teens.
Pros
- Develops cooperation and teamwork.
- Improves children’s strategic skills and critical-thinking abilities.
- A good way to teach children to make wise decisions and set defined goals.
Cons
- Game instructions are rather complex for very young children.
- Be careful with your seller, as some deliver in poor condition.
Final Thoughts on Cooperative Board Games for Kids
We hope that we were able to help you find the best cooperative board games for kids.
Playing these board games with the kids in your life will help promote their teamwork and communication skills as well as develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. You’ll also find that a lot of these games encourage empathy and help increase children’s emotional intelligence.
If you are looking for more board games for kids and have a certain age in mind, you can check out our other lists:
- 9 Best Board Games for 10-Year-Old Kids
- 10 Best Board Games for Toddlers and Preschoolers
- 9 Best Board Games for 5- to 6-Year-Olds
- 9 Best Board Games for Teens
- 11 Best Board Games for Tweens
Finally, if you want to level up your parenting skills, then check out this resource that will show you how to get your kids to listen WITHOUT yelling, nagging, or losing control.
