This is part of our series on Board Games by Age. Check out the main post for more recommendations.
Board Games for 13 year olds vary as much as the child does. Finally a teenager, this age comes with its own set of challenges, as their experiences grow, and their hormones change unexpectedly. Games at this age should be a mixture – encouraging communication, offering stability, and a safe area to engage with friends and family. Classic games like Monopoly, Clue, and Trivial Pursuit can provide this balance. It should also be, as it is for adults, a comfortable bridge for them to be able to teach their friends the games as well, offering a social opportunity with some added structure at a time when it’s common to feel awkward. Board games that stimulate critical thinking skills are particularly beneficial, as they engage teenagers’ minds and require strategic thinking, logic, and decision-making. We’ve got some of the very best board games for 13 year olds.
We’ve also got recommendations for all ages, so as your child grows, check out the right age for them over in our Ultimate Guide to Board Games by Age.
Herd Mentality
By: Big Potato
Players: 2-20
Time: 20-30 minutes
A fun board game for 13-year-olds that’ll show just how different everyone is no matter how hard you try!
Herd Mentality is a great way to get people talking, while also practicing their social skills and empathy. More importantly, it’s on this list because it’s guaranteed to make players laugh. It’s perfect for family game night, bringing everyone together for a fun and engaging time.
Herd Mentality sees players presented with a question, and every player must write down their answer in secret, for all to be revealed at the same time. The question might be something like “the worst fruit to juggle?”, only instead of writing down the answer you think is right, you need to write down the answer you think the most people at the table think is right. For example, you may have immediately thought “pineapple”, for its spiky exterior, but a Watermelon has got to be too heavy to juggle, and you had watermelon at home a few days ago… so perhaps everyone has gone with that. Answers are revealed, and points are awarded for the majority answer by those who gave it. If you’ve been the outlier this round, you get handed the pink cow – a squishy stress toy-esque cow – which you pass on as the play continues.
It’s a great way to start trying to think about how other people are thinking, but also to discuss disagreements in the answer. As the questions are silly, this post-round moment is almost the most fun part of the game and is what will keep people reaching for it again and again. Lastly, as there isn’t a right answer to any question, no one has a head start, leaving the playing field even for adults and children alike. This funny game is filled with hilarious situations that will have everyone laughing.
Herd Mentality is sometimes grouped in with Party Games, a style of game that is characterized by being simple to learn and sociable by nature. If you like this style, we recommend more in our list of the best party games!
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Akropolis
By: Gigamic
Players: 1-4
Time: 20-30
What will you build with Akropolis?
There’s something immensely satisfying about completing a puzzle just right, and that’s what tile-laying games are perfect at invoking. The genre just means that these are games where you put down a piece in the hope it will give you the highest score at the end of the round or game. There are plenty of these – Patchwork is a fantastic alternative – but if you’re looking for something a little more strategic, to stretch your teenager’s thinking a little without losing the fun of a game, Akropolis is perfect for this.
Essentially, you’re building a city using tiles of odd shapes. Each tile is basically three hexagons stuck together, but they have different colors on them to represent different types of structures. This means they all fit together, even if not in the way you wanted. Combinations of colors get you different things, so you might be able to gain more currency to buy better tiles, or you might get more points for a certain layout if there are specific combinations of tiles. The best part though, is that you’re not just building around the surface, but you can also choose to build higher, by placing the tiles on top of the existing ones. Of course, this gives you more options, but it also obscures tiles you’ve already laid, which can be a good or bad thing!
The game plays quickly, which means it’s easy enough to get a few games in and for a strategy to begin to emerge. Players might one time focus on building upwards for points collecting multipliers, or something different entirely. Whilst there’s not tons of direct interaction, the game isn’t too taxing, allowing for conversation to carry on over the top of it. Combine that with some great strategy opportunities, and a big dose of satisfaction from a job well done at the very end, and you’ve got every reason to play it. Akropolis is a strategy game that offers so much fun for players of all ages.
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Call to Adventure
By: Brotherwise Games
Players: 1-4
Time: 30-60
Tell a story with a board game in Call to Adventure
As 13-year-olds begin to explore new experiences, so too do their exploration of stories. Roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons are common at this age, as pretend play has long ceased (imaginary friends for example), and its replacement is formalized. A fantastic alternative to embracing RPGs and as a great board game for 13-year-olds is Call to Adventure.
The game uses board game elements, like cards and tokens, to provide a structure and a narrative led by points and resources that results in the creation of your own story. Call to Adventure is a deck-building game where you collect cards to gain traits and face challenges, racing to build a better deck and earn merit badges along the way. Take the character you have from their humble origins, all the way to becoming the hero – if you play your cards right (literally) that is. Each turn, you can gain a trait or a challenge, the former by just meeting the requirements of the card, and the latter by throwing runes (which are the equivalent of dice in this game, depending on the face upside depending on whether you’re successful). The logic is that your character’s daring deeds are where you grow into heroes, so are more of a risk of failure, but comes with a higher reward. Every card you take offers you something to use in the future until you’ve headed through each act of the story and have a collection of cards you perhaps assembled with points in mind, but with an incredible narrative outcome awaiting you. It can be crudely summarized as gamified story building, but what a story it can build!
The game also has a solo mode, which is perfect if your teenager enjoys crafting stories, as they can carry on the adventure themselves should they wish to. There are also different versions – including a Stormlight Archive version for those teens obsessed with Brandon Sanderson’s fantasy novels! Call to Adventure is also popular among young adults.
Looking for something closer to an RPG after all? Check out our list of the best RPG board games.
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Throw Throw Burrito Board Game
By: Exploding Kittens
Players: 2-6
Time: 15 minutes
Need to use some energy? Throw Throw Burrito is a card game that meets dodgeball!
Exploding Kittens made their name in card games, long before their Netflix series notoriety, and the games that followed this astonishingly popular initial game added in a few real-life, off-the-table elements. In the case of Throw Throw Burrito, it became a combination of a card game and dodgeball, where you’ll need to successfully fling and dodge burrito-shaped pieces. It’s the kind of game that’s funny for all ages, especially if you take off to avoid the incoming burrito! Throw Throw Burrito is perfect for playing around the dining room table.
The game itself begins innocently as a card game. You earn points for collecting three cards of the same kind but uncover burrito cards, and you can play these to enter into a burrito throw. The loser is the first person hit by a burrito. To give it more detail, if you lay down Brawl, the people on either side of you must battle, if you use War, everyone but you are immediately against each other, and if you use Duel, it’s two players of your choice (including you, if you want) who count to three and begin flinging. Perfect to get everyone up and moving, as well as thinking and plotting, making it ideal for game nights.
Of course, the burritos shouldn’t cause any damage to those on the receiving end, as they’re just fun shapes of foam, but if you have any concerns (about people or the house itself), you could always pick up Throw Throw Burrito Extreme, which is played with huge inflatable burritos instead – we recommend that one for good weather, as it’s best played outside!
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Everdell Strategy Game
By: Starling Games
Players: 1-4
Time: 40-80
Everdell is a great opportunity for 13-year-olds to delve into more strategic and long-term thinking
You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, nor should you judge a board game by its box art but… if you did? You’d not go wrong with Everdell. Everdell is a gorgeously illustrated game, with anthropomorphized forest creatures who are building a new settlement beneath the Evertree. You’ll need to build the best possible space to earn the most points to win the game.
The game itself is a simple worker placement game. Each round you’ll need to choose your best move, perhaps placing your worker in a certain area to gain resources you might need. Those resources are then used to purchase cards, which begin to build your settlement but come with their own bonuses. There are tons of cards included, so you can never rely on getting the same combination of cards twice, making it easily replayable, and indeed, you might be seeking the same resources as your fellow players – who will win? At the end of the season, you get your workers back and new workers to join you, and go again, all the way up to final scoring. If that wasn’t enough, the board itself features a 3D tree (wooden if upgraded, cardboard if not) to hold items you’ll need later, which is a great way to make the game feel more vibrant than games that sit flat on the table.
The board game Everdell is perfect for 13-year-olds, relying on the element of whimsy not entirely left behind in childhood by even adults, but with enough consideration about what actions you’re taking and the best course of action that it pushes them to think about what choices they’re making, enhancing their critical thinking skills. It’s a game loved by adults and kids alike, and there are then plenty of subsequent expansions to offer some extra flavor if you find yourself playing it with them all the time! Everdell is a strategy game that challenges players to think ahead and plan their moves carefully.
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Disney Villainous
By: Ravensburger
Players: 2-6
Time:45-120 minutes
The first of the Disney Villainous games, though there are plenty more now!
It’s good to be bad right? The bad guys certainly get some of the more interesting storylines. Villainous is a delve into the Villains of Disney franchises, letting them try to rewrite their storylines so that they might win. The difficulty? Not just the heroes, who stick around to cause trouble, but the race against other Villains to victory.
Disney Villainous is one of the popular board games that feature asymmetric play, which basically means that everyone has their own, differing objectives to complete. It might be that King John is trying to earn a number of Power Coins to increase his riches enough, or in another, Hades must get three titans to Mount Olympus. You do this by moving your character across your board and taking the actions it offers you. There are plenty of things this allows, but one exceedingly important factor is being able to use the fate deck, where you draw two from your opponent’s fate deck, choose one, and hand it to them. These are the heroes of the story, and can thwart the actions they’re trying to take, leaving you to storm to victory – if you’ve played your own cards right.
It’s perfect for 13-year-olds for a number of reasons. Firstly, there’s an easy familiarity with the concept – everyone has a favorite Disney film, after all! – and you can mix and match between expansions too, to find your favorite Disney villain. There’s been some fantastic obscure villains too, making it great for any Disney fan. However, if Disney Animated movies don’t appeal, there is also a Marvel and a Star Wars variation of the game, meaning you’re bound to find a favorite somewhere. Secondly, ensuring everyone has different objectives means that people aren’t fighting to do the same thing, there’s no scarcity of components for example, which minimizes any potential conflict between players. And lastly, it’s a very quick game to learn, yet it hides a depth of strategy behind its Disney facade. It’s an easy one to draw the kids into, whilst challenging them every time. Most games in the Villainous series are suitable for teens.
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Harmonies
By: Libellud
Players: 1-4
Time: 30-45
13-year-olds will adore Harmonies
A new game from the publishers of the family favorites Mysterium and Dixit, Harmonies is a beautiful animal-themed game, where you’ll be trying to build the perfect habitat in order to score the most points. Not only is it pleasing to perfectly utilize the game board with lovely wooden tokens stacked just so, but it’s also a gentle nudge to players to think about animal environments. All whilst offering so much fun!
Harmonies is perfect for family game night.
You’ll pick cards from the center to denote which animal habitats you’ll get points for building, and you can pick one of these per turn up to four – or none if you don’t need or want to. From there, you might now know that actually, you need two rocks and a water token for your animal. When you’ve completed the habitat, having picked the pieces from a randomly drawn selection of tokens, you’ll place an animal token on top of it. You can do as many of these as the card allows. Of course, as you’d expect, the more complex the habitat, the more points are up for grabs, but it can sometimes be a great quick win to pick a small and easy one and build up multiples. Those kinds of decisions influence how the game runs for you, and undoubtedly, you’ll be reaching to play again with a new strategy in no time.
It’s a really gentle, cozy kind of game with tons of replayability and tons of gorgeous art pieces, and appeals to almost anyone, making it the right game for your 13-year-old to play with you and with friends.
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Chronicles of Crime: 1400
By: Lucky Duck Games
Players: 1-4
Time: 60-90
Solve the mystery within the history
Teenagers can often struggle with the balance of screentime and non-screentime, making pulling them away from them a little tricker. Chronicles of Crime instead embraces this, asking you to solve mysteries, pick up clues, and make decisions (and even look at things in VR) through a phone app, linked by QR codes to physical components within the game. It may not take your teen away from their phone, but it may let them do something fun while they’re on it!
Players download the relevant app and begin their journey. In Chronicles of Crime 1400, you are a Knight who receives strange prophetic dreams at times and is charged with finding and removing evil from the city, mostly by solving crimes and puzzles. You’ll choose where to investigate, interview people at those locations for clues, and uncover evidence, all prompted by QR codes or app interaction. This game requires critical thinking skills as you piece together clues and make strategic decisions. There is even the benefit of being able to send your trusty dog to scout out more, and if in doubt, you can always ask the family for extra help. It’s challenging, but never too much that younger members feel excluded. Chronicles of Crime: 1400 is also popular among young adults.
It’s part of a series of games that are all independent of each other, but follow the same setup, so if you’re not feeling the 1400s, there’s both a 1900 and a 2100 year to try, with even more challenges included.
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Conclusion
The best board games for 13-year-olds are ones they’ll play, so it’s worth thinking about which from this list would best suit your younger player among other games available. Would it be something familiar, like the Villainous range? Are they exploring screens, in which case a hybrid board game like Chronicles of Crime would suit best? Or perhaps they’re more full of energy and could use a play of Throw Throw Burrito. However they play, you’ll find their new favorite from our list.
It’s important to choose only games where the teenager has a chance to win, to create positive and warm interactions, especially when connecting with grandparents.
If you’ve got other children, it’s worth checking out our guide to the best board games by age, so you’ve plenty to pick from come game night!
Board Games for Teens ->
FAQ
Q: What is the ideal number of players for the games listed?
A: The ideal number of players varies by game. Villainous works well with 2-6 players, making it versatile for both small and larger groups. Harmonies are best for 1-4 players, offering a pleasant experience whether playing solo or with friends. Chronicles of Crime: 1400 is also suited for 1-4 players, allowing for both independent play and collaborative solving of mysteries.
Q: Are these games suitable for younger or older children?
A: These games are specifically recommended for 13-year-olds, though the complexity and themes may appeal to a wider age range. Younger children might find simpler games more entertaining, while older teens and even adults can enjoy the strategic depth and engaging narratives presented.
Q: Do these games require any special equipment or apps?
A: Most of the games do not require special equipment beyond the typical components provided in the box. However, Chronicles of Crime: 1400 requires a smartphone with the associated app to play, as the game integrates QR codes and virtual reality elements.
Q: Can these games be played multiple times without getting repetitive?
A: Absolutely! Each game offers significant replay value. Villainous provides diverse characters and objectives. Harmonies present different environmental setups in each game, fostering unique strategies. Chronicles of Crime: 1400 includes multiple scenarios and the ability to investigate different paths, ensuring a fresh experience with each playthrough.
Q: Where can I purchase these board games?
A: These board games can be found at most major retailers, both online and in stores. For specific titles, you can visit the publishers’ websites or your local game store to find out more about availability. Additionally, links provided in the document can direct you to specific games for purchase.
Q: Are there any good dice games for teenagers?
A: Yes, Machi Koro 2 is a great dice game that can keep teenagers engaged for longer periods. Another excellent option is Dragonwood, a card and dice game where players recruit adventurers, go on quests, and battle magical creatures. These games cater to teens who enjoy strategic and fantasy genres.
Q: What are some recommended word games for teens?
A: Quiddler is a highly recommended word game for teens. It involves creating words from letters on cards to score points. While some may not enjoy word games, others find them highly engaging and educational.