Board Games for Teens

• 🕵   Best Overall: Codenames
• 🤪   Best Icebreaker: Relative Insanity
• 🎨   Best Classic: Telestrations
• 🧙   Best Mystery: Clue: Harry Potter Edition
• 🧛‍♂️   Most Unique: Disney Villainous
• 👉   How we picked and tested

Just because you’re a teen doesn’t mean you have to outgrow the fun of playing board games! In this digital age, board games can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family or just a fun way to pass the time. And they don’t even have to be boring either!

If you’re looking for a new board game that’s sure to win over your friends and family, our top pick is Codenames. This classic game has teams competing to figure out which cards belong to their team, and the straightforward yet fun gameplay is guaranteed to give any teen plenty of laughs and entertainment.

We created a list of five awesome board games to hook the teens in your life. From classics to newer options, these games will keep the young ones entertained for hours. If you want to know more about how we curated this list, read the process behind our selections here.

1. Best Overall: Codenames

Available on

• Player count: 2-8 players (teams allowed)
• Duration: 15 minutes average playing time
• Ages: 14+

This social word game tops our list because its accessible and cooperative style makes it an ideal game for all teens. In Codenames, you play against an opponent in a race to figure out agents’ identities on a board using only one-word clues.

Why we love it

The best thing about Codenames is that it encourages cooperation and communication while also being great fun. It’s one of the few board games that both teens and adults enjoy, as it’s easy to learn yet offers plenty of challenges. The setup is also simple, allowing for quick games that don’t require hours of preparation.

This game also has excellent replay value as the word combinations are near infinite. So there’s no chance you’ll ever get bored of it! Mix it up with different teams and strategies, and you’ll always have a good time.

A great way to facilitate quick thinking and logical deduction, this game only takes a couple of minutes to set up and about 15 minutes to play, making it perfect for those short but sweet gaming sessions. So don’t be surprised if you end up playing it for hours!

However, while the game advertises itself as suitable for two to eight players, we disagree and think it’s best suited for four players or more. But don’t let that stop you! This game is so much fun that it’ll have everyone wanting to play again and again.

Overall, Codenames is a must-have for the teen in your life. It offers plenty of fun and great replay value, so you’ll never get bored of it. The best thing about this game is that it encourages cooperation and communication, so you can bond with your friends and family while playing.

How to play

To begin the game, split into two teams and have one person from each team be the “spymaster”. Each spymaster needs to look at a card with a bunch of words on it and then give one-word clues that relate as many of the words to their team’s color.

Setting up the game: Both spymasters sit on the same side of the table. The other players sit across from their spymasters, and are called field operatives. Choose 25 codenames at random and place them on the table in a 5-by-5 grid.

When you’re shuffling the codename cards every now and then, be sure to flip over half the deck. Then, without letting the field operatives see it, the spymasters should choose the key card randomly and slide it into the stand between them.

Playing the game: The spymasters take turns giving one-word clues that relate as many of their team’s cards to their team’s color as possible (red or blue). The field operatives then use the spymaster’s clue to identify which cards belong to their team.

As the field operatives guess the cards, they should reveal them and place their team’s color disc on them. If a field operative touches a card belonging to their team, the spymaster covers the word with an agent card in that color. The investigators can guess again, but the spymaster can’t give any more clues.

Their turn ends when a field operative touches an innocent bystander or a card from the other team. If they touch the assassin, the game is over, and the other team wins. While all of this is going on, the spymaster should keep a straight face so as not to give any hints.

The first team to identify all of their cards wins the game! It’s also possible to win even if it’s not your turn if the other team makes a mistake and guesses your last word. The game can also end quickly if any team guesses the assassin card.

2. Best Icebreaker: Relative Insanity

Available on

• Player count: 4-12 players
• Duration: Can vary
• Ages: 14+

Relative Insanity is a hilarious game that teens will love, offering a great way to bond over funny lines and combinations. If you and your family want a lighthearted board game that’s sure to get everyone laughing, this is a perfect choice.

Why we love it

What makes this game so much fun is the endless possibilities. Each card has a setup phrase and a punchline, and you combine them to create outrageous statements. The funniest combinations win the game, making it a great way to get to know each other and have some laughs!

The accessibility of the game also makes it a great choice. Its low learning curve and easy-to-understand rules make it suitable for quick gaming sessions when you don’t have much time but still want to have some fun.

In addition, this game has excellent levels of player interaction, as it encourages people to get creative with their combinations and come up with the funniest ones. It’s an excellent way for teens to get to know one another and start conversations.

Our only gripe is that you need to have a certain type of humor to find this game appealing, as most combinations can appear inappropriate or sarcastic. But if you and your family are fans of outrageous, goofy humor, Relative Insanity will be one of the best board games for teens. So gather around the table and get ready for some serious laughter. You won’t regret it!

How to play

Setting up Relative Insanity is very simple. There are two types of cards. The red cards are the setup cards that players aim to win. The yellow punchline cards come next. Shuffle these punchline cards and deal each player seven cards.

The remaining cards become the draw pile, which is placed in the center of the table. The game’s goal is to combine the setup and punchline cards in the funniest way possible.

The player who goes first, the judge, takes the top setup card and reads it out loud to the group. Afterward, every other person playing picks the card from their hand that they believe would create the funniest joke and puts it face down on the table. After all the players have submitted their cards, the judge collects and shuffles them. Then, he re-reads the setup card along with the choices.

The judge then chooses the funniest combination, and the player who won gets to keep both cards. The player to the judge’s left becomes the next judge and starts the round again.

The first player who collects five of the winning red setup cards is the winner of Relative Insanity!

3. Best Classic: Telestrations

Available on

• Player count: 4-6 players
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Ages: 6+

Remember that childhood game telephone where you would whisper a phrase into someone’s ear, and they had to guess what you said? Telestrations takes this game to the next level and adds a fun drawing challenge that ramps up the nostalgia whether you’re playing with friends or family.

Why we love it

Beyond being an absolute blast to play, Telestrations is perfect for casual and strategy gamers because teamwork is the key to success. As a result, it’s an excellent option for bringing families together and bonding over laughter. Everybody, regardless of age, can join in and have a great time.

Moreover, this is an excellent game for teens because it’s a great way to get their creative juices flowing and provides an outlet for their artistic talents. It’s also a great way to build drawing skills since mistakes can be humorous.

The game offers immense flexibility because you can play it as long as you’d like. Plus, you can change the rules to add more of a competitive element if desired.

A huge downside to Telestrations is that the pens easily run out of ink, so make sure you have plenty of spares on hand! We recommend investing in a good quality set of markers to make sure your game night is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Telestrations is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a classic game night filled with laughter and creativity. So, grab those pens and get ready for some fun!

How to play

The object of Telestrations is to guess what the image you drew looks like or to draw a picture based on someone else’s description. To begin, each player grabs a notepad and pen or marker. Then, decide between the “This Side” or “That Side” cards you’ll be playing with as a group.

The first player will roll the dice; whichever number comes up will determine the word they have to draw. The list of words will be on the “This Side” or “That Side” card. The player then has a minute to draw the word that was rolled on their notepad.

Once done, they pass the pad to the next player, who will attempt to guess the drawing. They have 60 seconds to write down their guess. The pad then moves on, and the next player has to draw what the previous person guessed. The gameplay continues until the pad returns to the starting player, who then gets to see what everyone else thought their original drawing was and what their drawing turned out to be.

There’s no official way to score, but the group can agree to give points based on how close everyone got. After three rounds, the player with the most points wins!

👉 We love the classics! If you want to get to know more classic board games, check out our collection for your next game night!

4. Best Mystery: Clue: Harry Potter Edition

Available on

• Player count: 3-5 players
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Ages: 8+

Heads up, Potterheads! This mystery game is a must-have for any Harry Potter fan. Clue: Harry Potter Edition takes you on an adventure through the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where you must solve the mystery of who vanished, what spell was used, and where it happened.

Why we love it

We love this game because it’s a great way to encourage teens, especially Harry Potter fans, to use their wit and logic skills as they navigate the castle. The immersive atmosphere created by the game board and pieces stimulate a truly magical gaming experience.

This is an excellent game for teaching younger players social deduction, communication, and decision-making as they work together to solve the mystery. It’s also an excellent way for teens to build their confidence as they try their luck at deducing clues and understanding the different strategies of their opponents.

This fast-paced game also offers hours of replayability as it’s an old concept with new twists and extra features that any Potterhead will be delighted to discover. In this edition, the board shifts like the Hogwarts castle, and you get a special die that can help you figure out the mystery faster, so no two games will be the same!

A possible drawback of this game is that the setup can be quite complicated, so it’s best to ensure everyone is familiar with the rules before you start playing. We suggest watching a few video tutorials or reading the instructions thoroughly.

Nevertheless, Clue: Harry Potter Edition is a great game for any teen who loves a good mystery and a bit of magic. So grab your wands and get ready to start solving!

How to play

Playing as one of the six characters from the Harry Potter series, each player must try to solve the mystery of the disappearing student. Your goal is to determine which student was targeted, the spell used, and where it happened.

To set up the game: Lay out the board and turn the wheels, so the word START is showing on all of them. Separate the Dark Deck and Help cards. Shuffle each pile and place them face down, and give each player a sheet from the notepad, a pencil, one Help card, an identity card, and pinches of Floo powder (FP).

Then, get one suspect, item, and location card from the Mystery deck and hide them beneath the Clue cards. Everyone takes turns rolling the die and moving their pieces around Hogwarts in search of clues, trying to deduce who has vanished, the spell used, and where it happened.

On your turn, you can make a Suggestion on who, what, and where the mystery might be. If you’re ready to make an accusation, get to The Burrow, and name your suspect, item, and room. If you’re wrong, you are eliminated from the game.

The first player to correctly guess all three pieces of the mystery wins!

👉 You can’t get enough from the wizarding world? Then check out our collection of the best Harry Potter board games!

5. Most Unique: Disney Villainous

Available on

• Player count: 2-6 players
• Duration: 50 minutes average playing time
• Ages: 10+

Are you in the mood for some treachery? Then you’ll love Disney Villainous! In this game, you take on the role of an iconic Disney villain and make strategic decisions – using your evil genius to take over the world before anyone else does!

Why we love it

There’s something quite thrilling about playing as a villain for once that we adore. Not only do you get to use your strategic skills, but it’s also entertaining to be the bad guy for once. It’s a great way to let out your inner troublemaker while also learning how to work with different strategies and adapt to your opponents.

This game is perfect for teaching players a valuable lesson about paying attention and strategy. You’ll need to be mindful of how other players take their turn and think a few steps ahead. It makes for an exciting game with friends or family as you battle it out to be the winner!

This game also has an exceptional level of thematic detail, making it stand out from other board games for teens. The game pieces are made of great quality, and the card art is lush and richly printed, so fans of classic Disney films will be delighted to get their hands on this game!

Disney Villainous is a unique and fun board game that’s perfect for teens looking to do something a bit different. It’s a great way to get a group of friends together and enjoy quality time with everyone’s favorite villains!

How to play

Players take turns selecting a Villain, taking their corresponding Board, Villain Mover, Villain deck, Fate Deck, Villain Guide, and reference card. The goal is to complete your unique victory conditions by strategically playing these cards. Special powers on each character’s Villainy and Item cards can help you along the way. Beware of other players who may be trying to thwart your plans!

To set up the game, place your board in front of you. There are four locations on each board. Always start your Villain Mover in the left-most location. If you see a lock symbol in the right corner of any space, put a Lock Token there.

All players should put the Power Tokens in the cauldron and place it within reach. Then, decide who goes first. The player that goes first doesn’t automatically get any Powers. The second player gets one Power from the cauldron, while the third and fourth players each gain two Powers. Lastly, the fifth and sixth players receive three Powers each.

On your turn, you can move your Villain, perform particular actions, and draw cards if you have fewer than four cards in your hand. The goal is to be the first player to complete your unique victory conditions first!

👉 If you’re a real Disney lover, head over to our article filled with fun Disney-themed board games!

How we picked and tested

PsyCat Games is built by people who know how to have fun! We’ve been researching parties and games since 2018 and have published 400+ articles on our website. That’s why we’re confident that we know what we’re talking about!

We want you to have the best time possible and not waste your money on a subpar product. That’s why we spend over three months testing over 20 different games with groups of teens. We’ve ranked the games by the fun factor, player experience, and replayability!

Our ranking is subjective, but we’ve tried our best to be as impartial as possible. However, if you stumble upon a board game for teens that you think deserves a spot on our list, please reach out to us! We would love to hear from you.

PsyCat Games is supported by readers clicking on our affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, we might earn a commission if you buy something through our links.

FAQ about Board Game for Teens

1. What is the most popular game among teenager?

Disney Villainous is one of the most popular games among teens. It combines strategic gameplay with iconic Disney villains and richly detailed card art, making it a great game for those who grew up with classic Disney films. You’ll need to be mindful of other players and think ahead to win, making it an excellent game for teaching strategy.

2. Which game is best for a 16 year old?

There are many great options for 16-year-olds, depending on your interests. We think that Codenames is an excellent choice for 16-year-olds, as it combines both strategy and wordplay. This game is great for sparking conversation among friends, as players need to guess the right codewords to win!

For those looking for a classic game, we recommend Telestrations. This game is about communicating your ideas through sketches and guessing what the other players are trying to draw. It’s great for friends who want to have some creative fun!

3. What games should a 15-year-old play?

There are plenty of games for 15-year-olds to choose from. For those who enjoy lighthearted games, Relative Insanity is a great option. This game has players trying to find the funniest answers to some awkward scenarios, making it great for a family game night.

4. What do teenagers spend most on?

Most teenagers spend the majority of their money on clothes, food, entertainment, and technology. Clothes are a major expenditure for teens as they try to keep up with the latest trends. Food is also a significant expenditure, as many teens eat out with friends or order takeout regularly.

Entertainment is another popular expense, with many teens shelling out for movies, concerts, and video games. Finally, technology is a key spending area for teens, as they often upgrade their phones or buy new gadgets.

5. How do you keep a teenager entertained?

One way to keep a teen entertained is to find activities everyone can enjoy. Board games and puzzles are great for groups, as they encourage cooperation and friendly competition. They also help teenagers reduce their device usage and bond with family and friends.

These board games can even help teens develop strategy and problem-solving skills. Video games are another way to keep teenagers entertained, but it’s important to ensure they are age-appropriate. Sports and outdoor activities can also help teens stay active and have fun while exploring the outdoors.