Looking for board games your teens will actually ask to play?
Finding the best board games for teens can sometimes be a challenge, especially if you’re looking for something engaging, challenging, and enjoyable for everyone in the family. So if you’re planning a family game night or need a way to entertain your teen during the weekend, these best board games for teens—Risk, Kids Against Maturity, Smart Ass, Bamboozled, Scream, and Spy Alley—are sure to keep your teenager (and the whole family) hooked for hours.
Looking for board games your teens will actually ask to play? You’ve come to the right place. Teens are all about connection, strategy, and screen-free excitement—whether it’s a tense bluff, hilarious challenge, or epic competition. Even better Game in Lab has proven the many benefits of board games on cognitive abilities. Want to understand more? Head over to Game In Lab website or scroll to the bottom to read a brief overview of the benefits of board games for teens.
Here are our very best board games for teens 13 that deliver all that.
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Why These Games Work for Families
- Simple to Learn, Hard to Put Down: Teens appreciate games that get rolling fast—no rulebooks required.
- Perfect for Every Mood: From cozy nights to teen party vibes.
- Family-Friendly & Screen-Free: Designed to spark conversations and memorable laughs.
Smart Ass: The Fast-Paced Trivia Board Game for Teens
- 12+
- 2-8 Players
- 30 mins
What is Smart Ass?
Smart Ass is a fast-paced trivia party game where players race to shout out the correct answer to a clue. There is no turn taking. With funny questions and wild guesses, it’s perfect for teens and adults who love being loud and quick on their feet.
How to play Smart Ass
Smart Ass is a trivia game with a twist—there are no turns. It’s a fast-paced, interactive game where everyone shouts out their answers whenever they’re ready, making it a chaotic but fun and engaging experience for teens who enjoy a bit of friendly competition.
Smart Ass game features a series of trivia questions across various categories such as movies, history, and pop culture. Your goal is to be the first player to answer correctly and move along the board. It’s perfect for teens who want to test their knowledge and speed, while also challenging their friends and family.
Why it’s on my list for best board game for teens
Engaging and fast-paced: With no waiting around for turns, Smart Ass keeps the energy high, making it ideal for teenagers who want quick action and lots of laughs.
Encourages family fun: The game is designed for 2-6 players, so it’s great for both small and large families. It sparks conversation and bonding over trivia.
Boosts general knowledge: Teens will love testing their knowledge across a wide range of topics, making it one of the best board games for teenagers.
FAQ’s
Q: Is Smart Ass a good board game for teens?
A: Yes, it’s one of the most popular board games for teens thanks to its fast pace, hilarious clues, and shout-it-out style, making it perfect for groups that like to be loud and laugh.
Q: Do you have to take turns in Smart Ass?
A: Thats the fun part, you dont take turns – everyone answers at the same time. If you think you know it, shout it out before anyone else does.
Q: Can younger kids play Smart Ass?
A: While the rules are simple, the trivia questions may be too difficult for kids under 12. However, tweens and teens usually love it.
Risk
- 10+
- 2-6 Players
- 1-8 hrs
What is Risk Board Game
Risk is a classic strategy board game where players compete for world domination by building armies, attacking opponents, and capturing territories. Known for its mix of diplomacy, dice battles, and global conquest, it’s perfect for fans of tactical, long-form gameplay.
Strategic Board Games for Teens: Why I Finally Included Risk
I don’t usually include long-form games—our family tends to prefer quick 30–60 minute play sessions—but after countless recommendations and a little board game history digging, I felt I had to make an exception. According to Wikipedia, Risk has been around since 1957, and it still consistently shows up in lists of the best strategy board games for teens. So here it is—Risk has earned its place on the list.
If your teenager has a close-knit group of friends who love board games that involve strategy, negotiation, and world domination, this one’s worth considering. But if you’re looking for light-hearted family board games to play in under an hour, you might want to skip ahead to some of our faster picks.
What’s the Goal of Risk?
In Risk, the goal is as epic as it sounds: conquer the world. The game board displays a stylized map of the globe divided into 42 territories across 6 continents. Your mission? Dominate every last one of them.
To do this, players must:
Build and place armies
Launch calculated attacks
Strategically defend territories
It’s the kind of game where one decision can ripple across the entire board—perfect for teens who love tactical thinking and long-term planning.
Setting Up Risk
Here’s a quick breakdown of how to get started:
Lay out the classic Risk game board.
Shuffle and place the territory cards (remove mission/dragon cards).
Each player picks a color and gets a set of plastic army figures.
Take turns placing armies onto the map’s territories.
Once the board is set, the real tension begins.
How to Play Risk (A Teen’s Tactical Playground)
On each turn, players take the following steps:
Reinforce Your Territories
Count your occupied territories and divide by 3 to get your reinforcement total (e.g., 13 territories = 4 troops). Control of an entire continent gives bonus reinforcements.Attack
You can choose to battle neighboring territories. Roll up to 3 red attack dice. The defender rolls up to 2 blue dice. Compare the highest dice on each side—whoever rolls lower loses a unit.Fortify
Shift troops between connected territories to strengthen your defense or prepare for your next move.
Why Risk Works for Teen Strategy Lovers
Playing Risk isn’t just about the dice—it’s about bluffing, predicting moves, and forming temporary alliances. It’s no wonder teens gravitate toward this game. It helps develop:
Critical thinking
Patience and emotional control
Diplomatic skills
Risk can be played for hours—engaged, negotiating, and laughing all the while. It’s a great bonding activity for teen board game nights, especially with pizza and no time limit.
Want to See How It Works?
Curious to learn more before committing?
Watch this video for a full tutorial on how to play Risk (YouTube)
Click here to check availability or buy Risk online
(not an affiliate link, just a board game lover sharing the fun)
Risk FAQ’s
Q: What age is the Risk game for?
A: Rated for ages 10 years and above.
Q: Is Risk a hard board game?
A: While it is an easy-to-learn board game, the game does require you to think ahead and plan strategically to win.
Q: Is Risk board game skill or luck?
A: It involves luck with rolling the dice but a lot of strategic gameplay in thinking ahead and moving armies to combat any attacks from opponents.
Q: How long does Risk take to play?
A: It can take anywhere between 1 and 8 hours of game time.
Bamboozled: A Game of Wacky Challenges and Fun
- 8+
- 2-8 Players
- 10-15 mins
The objective of Bamboozled is to be the first player to score the most points by successfully bluffing and calling out opponents’ bluffs.
What is Bamboozled?
Bamboozled is fast, unpredictable, and full of laugh-out-loud moments—making it perfect as one of the best games for teens and also a party game for tweens. It blends quick thinking, bluffing, and bold decisions, all of which appeal to a teen audience who love games with energy and a little chaos.
This game will keep players on their toes, with strategic risk-taking while staying lighthearted and fun. The rules are easy to learn, and the gameplay moves quickly; teens can jump straight in without a long setup or rulebook. Teens love the social challenge and banter of the bluffing and calling out their friends. Keeping the game engaging for groups or parties, sleepovers, or family game nights.
How to play Bamboozled
Drawing a Card: On their turn, a player draws a card from the deck and then rolls all five dice.
Reading the Card: The player silently reads the card. It will outline a challenge or instruction based on the dice roll, such as needing a specific combination (e.g., all dice showing even numbers) or fulfilling other conditions.
Announcing the Roll: You must announce what you claim to have rolled to meet the challenge, or you may choose to lie.
Rolling the Dice: After rolling the dice the player can either truthfully announce the results or bluff about them.
Calling a Bluff:
If the next player believes a bluff is happening, they can challenge it by shouting, “Bamboozled!”
If the bluff is challenged, the dice are revealed:
- If the player was bluffing, they lose points or suffer a penalty as described on the card.
- However, if the player was truthful, the challenger must accept the penalty.
Accepting the Roll:
Finally, if no one calls the bluff, the player either successfully completes the card’s challenge and scores points or discards the card if they fail to meet the requirements.
Scream
- 13+
- 3-8 Players
- 30 mins
What is Scream about?
Scream: The Game is a fast-paced, real-time party game inspired by the Scream movie franchise. Players must work together to survive as the killer (Ghostface) strikes. With bluffing, deduction, and suspense, it’s perfect for teens and horror fans looking for a thrilling, quick-play experience.
How to Win Scream
Scream: The Game throws players into a fast-paced, real-time race for survival. As Ghost Face closes in, you’ll need to stay sharp in this high-action, cooperative experience where every second counts.
Work together, move quickly, and draw or trade the cards you need to complete scenes before time runs out. If your team finishes all the scenes and no one gets taken down, you win. But beware because the Ghost Face app targets players randomly. If you’re caught without the right cards to escape, you’re dead… and the whole group loses.
Blending high energy with suspense and deduction, Scream keeps players fully engaged from start to finish. As the tension builds, players must unravel mysterious events, using clever reasoning and teamwork to stay ahead. With shifting scenarios, surprise twists, and just the right amount of chaos, this game keeps teens guessing—and shouting.
Andrea said “ I brought for my 15 yr old son and its been an absolute hit. The gameplay is fast paced and requires teamwork to win. It does require an app to download but its super easy and adds a nice element”.
How to play Scream
On your turn, complete ONE of the following actions:
- Draw one card.
- Trade one card
- Complete your scene.
Then, pass the knife to the player on your left. A player can’t start their turn until they have the Knife, so make sure to pass it quickly as you are against time.
Tip: You can communicate with each other throughout the game. Share which cards you have and what you still need. Work together to complete scenes and stay alive.
Drawing One Card
Quickly draw a card from the top Scream card. If the deck is empty, simply flip over the discard pile to create a new deck. Each Scream card represents one of five items: Keys, Phone, DVD, Blood Drop, or Popcorn. Some cards feature the Ghost Face in two corners, which aren’t ideal to hold onto.
Trade one card
If you choose to trade, you give one Scream card from your hand to any player. However, before receiving your card, they must give you one of their own Scream cards. Players cannot refuse to trade. You cannot give a card without receiving one in return, so you cannot trade with a player who has no cards in their hand.
Complete your Scene
During the setup phase, each player is given a Scene Card. And you try to match the items on the Scene card in front of you with cards from your hand.
Once you’ve completed the scene, place the Scene card in the discard pile and immediately draw a new one from the deck, placing it face up in front of you.
If the deck is empty, keep playing and help the other players complete their scenes. When all the scenes are complete, everyone wins.
What is Ghost Face?
During the game, the app (Ghost Face) will call through at random intervals to taunt, threaten, or stalk players. At this time, everyone must STOP PLAYING immediately.
After hearing Ghost Face’s instructions, make sure everyone is prepared, and then resume taking turns starting with the player holding the knife.
Taunt
Taunting is when Ghost Face challenges players who hold too many Ghost Face cards. They will announce a number, and if you have that number of Ghost Face cards or more you must discard your entire hand. (Do not draw replacement cards.)
Tip: It’s ideal not to hold more than two Ghost Face cards in your hand.
Threaten
Ghost Face threatens players at his location. He will announce his location, and you must place the Ghost Face figure on that spot. If your Scene card shows that location, you’re in danger. When Ghost Face calls again, he will specify an item. If your Scene card matches his location, you must discard that item from your hand. If you don’t have that item, discard your entire hand. (Do not draw replacement cards.)
Tip: Players with a Scene card showing Ghost Face’s location should work to collect one of each item or complete their scene before Ghost Face calls again.
Stalk
During the game, a player is suddenly targeted. The app calls out their name and lists the specific items they’ll need to survive. Immediately place the Ghost Face figure in front of that player, they’re now in danger and must act fast to escape.
Continue taking turns while working to get that player the necessary items. When Ghost Face calls again, that player must discard those items from their hand. If they don’t have all the required items, they are killed, and the game ends in defeat for all players.
Tip: If the stalked player has fewer cards than needed, take turns as quickly as possible to allow them to draw more cards. Then, trade cards swiftly to provide them with the items they need.
Why I Think It’s One of the Best Board Games For Teens
- Suspenseful and thrilling: The mysterious atmosphere of Scream keeps teens on the edge of their seats as they try to piece together the clues.
- Great for problem-solvers: It encourages teens to think critically and use their deduction skills, making it one of the best board games for 15-year-olds.
- Teamwork and family fun: Playing in teams or with family members allows for family engagement, as everyone works together to solve the puzzle.
Spy Alley - A Detective Game for Teens
- 8+
- 2-6 Players
- 30-45 mins
What is the objective of Spy Alley
Be the first person to collect all these items: password, disguise, code book, and the key for the country, which is listed on your spy identification card. Once you have collected these items, you land on your embassy space without the other players knowing your identity. Alternatively, you can win by being the last player remaining in the game.
How to play Spy Alley
Once you have set up the board, money, cards, pegs, and free gifts in the middle and given everyone a spy identification card and scorecard, you are just about ready to go.
First you need money, and how much money do you start with in Spy Alley? $10 per player, e.g 4 players = $40, 2 players = $20.
You simply start by rolling the dice and moving that corresponding number, hoping to land on the items listed above.
Once you land on the corresponding tiles, you can purchase these items. Once you purchase and collect these items, you mark these items on your scorecard by placing a black peg on the appropriate spot.
To confuse or put your opponents off, who will also need to collect unnecessary items.
You collect $15 by passing start or landing on collect $20 and collect $10 spaces.
When can you guess in Spy Alley?
If you choose to guess someone’s identity, you do so on your turn; however, you don’t complete your normal turn of rolling the dice. The guess is your turn. Make sure you are very confident with your guess because if you guess wrong, you are out of the game. And if you guess correctly, that person is out of the game.
Whoever is left in the game collects the other players cards, money, items collected on the scorecard, and the spy identification card. At this point, you need to choose one identification card; either keep your own or choose the one just taken. (Do not show anyone else).
Spy Eliminator Space
This allows you a free guess of all players in the Spy Alley (this is the nine spaces with collect $20 and ending with Russian Embassy). And there is no penalty for a wrong guess.
Buying Options—Board Spaces
Black Market—You may buy any one item of your choice. Price is indicated on your scorecard.
Border Crossing—You will need to pay the bank $5. Failure to do so, you will enter Spy Alley.
Code Books—You may buy as many code books as you can afford at $15 each.
Disguises—Again, if you land on this space, you can buy as many as you can afford at $5 each.
Embassy Spaces—If you are lucky enough to have collected all the items required, you win; otherwise, you are just visiting.
Free Gift—After landing on this space, you draw a free gift card and may take that item shown, if not already on your scorecard. The card is then placed on the bottom of that pile, unless it’s a wild card. The wild card is kept face up beside your scorecard and can be used for any item. You do not need to declare what that item is until the end of the game. There are four wild cards in total.
Keys—Keys cost $30, and you may buy as many as you can afford.
Move Card—This move card must be placed face up beside your scorecard. The move card allows you to use this instead of rolling the dice on your turn. Once you have used this card, place it on the bottom of the pile.
Passwords—Passwords spaces cost $1, and you may only buy the country of the space you land on.
Spy Alley Entrance: You have the choice to either go around Spy Alley or enter Spy Alley. However, if you land on the entrance to Spy Alley, you must enter Spy Alley.
Spy Eliminator—Again, this gives you a free guess of all players in Spy Alley and no penalty is incurred for a wrong guess.
Spy Alley is a classic game of strategy and stealth, where players take on the role of spies, attempting to collect clues and identify their opponents’ secret identities without giving away their own. It’s a game of bluffing, strategy, and observation, where every move counts. Teens and adults alike love the challenge of staying undercover while trying to guess the identities of others.
Spy Alley: A Smart Pick for Board Games for Teens
Looking for board games for teens that mix strategy, suspense, and a bit of friendly deception? Spy Alley checks all the boxes.
This game is perfect for teens who love outsmarting their opponents. It challenges players to think strategically, keep their identities hidden, and uncover their rivals—all while pretending to be someone else. It’s a thrilling experience that rewards planning and sharp thinking.
Best of all, Spy Alley encourages critical thinking and decision-making—making it not only fun but a great brain workout for teens. It’s one of those board games for teens that keeps players engaged while they learn to balance strategy with subtle deception.
Would rather watch a video?
Check out this official link from Spy Alley Partners for the video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Spy Ally – Board Games for Teens
Q. How many people can play Spy Alley?
A. Is 2-6 players.
Q. How many people can play Spy Alley?
A. Designed for 2-6 players. Making it ideal for small groups, and family game night.
Q. How much money do you start with in Spy Alley?
A. Each player starts the game with $10 times the number of players in the game. Eg 4 players, $40 each.
Kids Against Maturity — A Laugh out Loud Board Game for Teens
- 10+
- 4+ Players
- 45 mins
What is Kids Against Maturity?
Kids Against Maturity is a wildly funny card game where kids and adults play fill-in-the-blank humor cards to create the silliest combinations. Think Cards Against Humanity — but cleaner, sillier, and family-approved. One of the best board games for teens who love toilet humor and clever wordplay.
What are the components of Kids Against Maturity?
A family-friendly version of Cards Against Humanity, containing 500-600 Question and Answer cards depending on the version. There are over 40,000 combinations of questions and answers, so this will never get boring.
How to play Kids Against Maturity
To start, each player is dealt 10 answer cards.
Next find the person with the hairiest knuckles. WHAT? If you do, you are lucky enough to start the game (seriously, that is the rule).
The hairest knuckle player then reads a blue question card (fill-in-the-blank style).
Others choose a white answer card that they think will be the funniest.
The reader picks the funniest (or most ridiculous) response and gives them the card.
That player wins the round. First to a set number of points (or when you’re done laughing) wins.
Why Teens Love It
Ridiculous humor teens love
Super quick to learn—no setup
Great for sleepovers, birthdays, and family road trips
Bridges the gap between kid games and adult humor
This is a side-splitting game for the family. Please tell me why this isnt one of the best board games for teens, because what teenager or adult doesn’t enjoy goofing around and coming up with hilarious responses to get everyone laughing about. As we all know, laughter is such a great stress reliever and brings a sense of connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kids Against Maturity – Laugh out Loud Board Games for Teens
Q: Is Kids Against Maturity appropriate for teenagers?
A: It was designed for ages 10+, so it’s perfect for preteens and teenagers, thanks to silly humor and social play.
Q: Can adults play too?
A: Yes, I think it brings experiences from multi-generational play where everyone joins the silliness.
Q: How is Kids Against Maturity different from Cards Against Humanity?
A: It’s PG-rated so no adult content, but still cheeky and goofy. Safe for families and school settings.
Conclusion: Best Board Games for Teens
If you’re looking for the best board games for 15-year-olds that will engage and entertain, these four games—Risk, Kids Aginst Humanities, Smart Ass, Bamboozled, Scream, and Spy Alley—are perfect choices. They offer a mix of trivia, strategy, deduction, and wacky challenges, making them ideal for keeping teenagers entertained and promoting family engagement.
Whether you’re playing with friends, siblings, or parents, these games are sure to provide hours of fun and create lasting memories. So, gather your family for an exciting game night, and enjoy the thrill of playing the best board games for teens.
Keep the Fun Going
Contact Us, Share the love – let me know your favourite baord game for teens.
Want more ideas?
Check out our full list of fun board games for teenagers to keep the good times rolling.
Explore board games by age group to find the perfect picks for different ages and skill levels.
Or head over to our 10+ age group page for even more board games for teens that are exciting, engaging, and totally teen-approved.
- My teens are enjoying Just One – An Easy and Fun Cooperative Board Game (Discussed in Camping Board Games) And
- Flip 7 – A hit or stay card game, aiming to Flip 7 unique cards and get to 200 points first.
Game in Lab: Advancing the Science of Board Games for Families and Teens
Game in Lab is a pioneering international initiative dedicated to supporting and promoting scientific research on board games. Through three core pillars—funding multidisciplinary projects, sharing engaging research publications, and hosting interactive events—it brings academic knowledge into the hands of players, educators, and families alike.
Their work includes examining how playing board games can boost cognitive abilities, delay cognitive decline, and improve well-being across ages. For example, one project explores how a board game session can enhance visual-spatial attention, inhibitory control, and logical thinking in teens and young adults. Other initiatives focus on the role of board games in education, cultural heritage, social inclusion, and even environmental awareness—highlighting how versatile and meaningful these games can be.
When families search for the benefits of board games for teens—whether they’re looking to sharpen critical thinking, build social skills, or simply enjoy screen-free quality time—Game in Lab offers trusted, research-based insights for game lovers of all ages.
