Finding great board games for your 9 year old can be tricky since there are so many wonderful available online.
So in order to help we’ve put together this list of the best board games for 9-year-olds whether you’re looking to buy for your 9-year-olds birthday, Christmas or any other occasion!
Just have a read about the games in our list and choose the game that you think your 9-year-old will love the most. There’s also a buyer guide section available at the end to ensure that you have all the information you need to make the best possible choice.
Our List of the Top Games for 9 Year Old
Stare! Junior
Summary
The Stare! Junior Board game is fantastic for 9 year olds because of how it requires them to use their concentration if they want to be in with a shot of winning. As a result, you can expect this game to improve your child’s ability to focus for longer.
Furthermore, we also liked how this game encourages children to use their creative thinking skills. This is great for their imaginative thinking side.
The game comes with a range of 960 questions and 160 image cards, therefore, you can be sure that it has a ton of replay value. In addition to this, there’s a game board, playing pieces, and a sand timer. The sand timer is an excellent feature as it ensures that the game has a faster and more exciting pace to it.
Pros
- Develops concentration
- Encourages creative thinking
- Lots of replay value
Cons
- Some kids get a little bored over time
What makes this game stand out?
This is an awesome game for encouraging kids to use their creative thinking skills while also being able to improve their ability to focus for longer.
Mattel Games Apples to Apples Junior
Summary
The Apples to Apples Junior Game by Mattel comes with a range of 576 cards. Therefore, you can be sure that 9-year-old will have a blast playing this game for a while to come. We liked how this game is a super fun party game.
This is because it can be played be a lot of people and the aim of the game is sure to get everyone laughing in no time. Players pick cards and see if they’re able to draw comparisons with each other. This can lead to some pretty hilarious comparisons.
Since this is a group game that involves people interacting a lot with each other, your child’s social skills will be able to improve well.
Pros
- Improves social skills
- Lots of cards available
- Fun party game
Cons
- Can be difficult to know what all of the cards are
What makes this game stand out?
This is an excellent game if you were looking for something that your kids can play in groups with friends and family. It get’s everyone laughing and having a great time, which is good for your child’s social skills.
Spin Master Games Santorini
Summary
This Spin Master Games Santorini is a fun game that involves a lot of strategy. Therefore, a 9-year-old is able to put their strategic thinking skills to good use in order to try and win. We liked how you can play this game with everyone facing each other, or you can split the group up into teams.
As a result, this could prove to be an effective way to develop your child’s ability to work well in teams. It’s also fantastic for improving their social skills.
Each player is handed a God Card which they need to think about how they want to use it wisely. This card can be used to get you further ahead in the game, or get you out of trouble! The aim is to try and race your way up to the top of the blocks, which is exciting.
Pros
- Improves social skills
- Helps with teamwork abilities
- Develops strategic thinking
Cons
- Some were expecting the game to be more difficult
What makes this game stand out?
This game is highly effective at developing your child’s ability to think more strategically. It’s also great for improving their social skills and teamwork abilities.
Googly Eyes
Summary
The Googly Eyes Game is a fun option to play with the kids on family game nights. It involves splitting the group up into teams with one player wearing the goggles and drawing something. The twist is that these goggles alter your sight, which makes it harder to draw. Your teammates then have to try and guess what you’re drawing before the timer ends.
Therefore, you can be sure that this game will have everyone laughing while trying to guess the drawings. We also liked how the game is effective at helping kids to improve their social skills, as well as their ability to work in teams. The rules are also simple to ensure that you can start playing right away.
Pros
- Develops teamwork abilities
- Improves social skills
- Fun family game!
Cons
- The glasses aren’t as durable as some were hoping
What makes this game stand out?
9 year olds have a blast playing this game due to the unique googly eye glasses. It’s also excellent for improving their ability to work well in teams.
USAopoly Clue Harry Potter
Summary
Most 9-year-olds love Harr Potter and this Clue Harry Potter Board Game enables children to play as their favorite characters from the movies and books. As a result, they’re more excited to play it and it’s great for kids who are fans of Harry Potter.
We liked how this version of Clue has a fantastic Harry Potter board design. However, we were impressed with how they’ve included wheels on the board which can be used to move rooms around and reveal hidden places.
This adds a new element of discovery for kids while they’re playing. Moreover, since this is a group game, your child’s social skills are given the chance to improve too.
Pros
- Improves social skills
- Fun board design
- Great for Harry Potter fans
Cons
- Not as colorful as some were expecting
What makes this game stand out?
Kids who love Harry Potter will have a ton of fun playing this board game. The wheel feature and ability to reveal hidden rooms is unique and makes the game super fun!
World of Disney Eye Found It
Summary
The World of Disney Eye Found It Board Game comes with a range of 30 search cards, a spinner, 10 Mouse-Ear tokens, a sand timer, 4 playing pieces, and a set of instructions. Therefore, everything you need to start playing right away is included.
We were impressed with how this game requires all the players to work together in order to try and complete it. It can be played by 2-6 people, which provides kids with a fantastic opportunity to improve their social skills, as well as their ability to work in teams.
Furthermore, this game encourages your 9-year-old to use their matching skills and object identification abilities. Therefore, it can develop their visual learning skills.
Pros
- Improves teamwork abilities
- Develops matching skills
- Helps with social skills
Cons
- Can be difficult to play on smaller tables
What makes this game stand out?
Children have a blast playing this game in groups together and improving their ability to work well in teams. Their matching skills are also put to the test.
Spy Alley
Summary
This game will help your 9 year old boy or girl sharpen their deductive reasoning, logic, body language and reading skills. The object of the game is for the player to find the other spies before they themselves are discovered.
The game comes with game cards, score cards, ID cards, game markers, move cards, die, pegs and free gift cards.
Pros
- Game is fun even for 2 people
- Different levels of strategies
Cons
- Too easy for some families
What makes this stand out?
This game is a great addition to game players who enjoy clues. In this case, you are trying to identify which spy is a spy and they are eliminated from the game.
Sorry Family Fun Game
Summary
This Sorry Board Game involves players trying to get their pieces back home as quickly as possilbe. We liked how there’s a lot of unpredictable elements available with this game as it causes children to be on their toes. There are times where you can send another players piece all the way back to the start – and they can also do the same to you!
Since there are so many unpredictable elements, children are given the opportunity to use their strategic thinking skills in order to try and win.
We found this to be an incredibly fun family game that enables you to spend some quality time with your kids. Moreover, it’s a great way for them to improve their social skills.
Pros
- Develops strategic thinking
- Improves social skills
- Fun family game!
Cons
- Pieces aren’t as durable as some were hoping
What makes this game stand out?
This is a fast paced game that keeps kids on their toes and causes them to use their strategic thinking skills if they want to win.
Simon Memory Game
Summary
Simon is a musical memory game that is fun and will help your 9-year-0ld son or daughter to improve their concentration. Players follow the lights and sounds and then play them back. The object is to see how long you can keep the sequence going without missing a note. Kids can play alone or play competitively.
Pros
- This is a nostalgic game that both 9 year olds and parents can love
- Simple rules makes playing more fun
Cons
- Some of the units quit working after only a few games.
What makes this stand out?
Simon is the type of game that can easily be taken and played anywhere including in a car when traveling. It’s a great game to help kids improve their memory.
Hasbro Trivial Pursuit Family Edition
Summary
This Trivial Pursuit Family Edition Game by Hasbro has been made with high-quality pieces which are also safe for kids. It comes with an incredible total of 1,200 questions which ensures you can replay this game over and over.
In addition to this, there are 100 blue cards for the adults, and 100 yellow cards for children, a game board, scoring tokens, 36 scoring wedges, die, and a set of instructions. So, everything you need to start playing without any hassle is available.
You can choose to play the game in a couple different ways. One of them involves people playing against each other, and the other involves splitting everyone up into teams. If you choose to use teams, it would be a great way for children to develop their ability to work in teams. Either way, their social skills are able to improve greatly with this game.
Pros
- Improves social skills
- Develops teamwork abilities
- Lots of question cards available!
Cons
- Some of the questions are a little too easy
What makes this game stand out?
We were impressed with the number of question cards available as it ensures that you’re able to get a lot of replay value. Moreover, children are given the chance to improve their social skills and teamwork abilities.
Winning Moves Games Parcheesi Royal Edition
Summary
This Winning Moves Game Parcheesi Royal Edition can be played by 2-4 people. Therefore, 9 year olds are able to have fun playing this game while also improving their social skills.
The game comes with 16 playing pieces, a game board, dice cups, 8 dice, and a set of instructions which are easy to follow. Therefore, all of the parts you need to begin playing without any delays are included.
It’s a classic game of each player trying to race, chase, and capture parts on the board. Kids are able to improve their counting skills since they have to use the dice in order to move their pieces.
Pros
- Improves social skills
- Helps with basic counting
- Easy-to-follow instructions
Cons
- The cups are smaller than some would prefer
What makes this game stand out?
This is a classic game which children have been loving. They love rolling the dice by using the cups and trying to beat their opponents.
Ravensburger Labyrinth
Summary
This Ravensburger Labyrinth Board Game comes with a set of instructions and rules which are easy for most 9-year-olds to follow, as well as playing pieces, treasure cards, maze cards, and a playing board. So, everything you need to start playing without any delays is included.
We liked how each game lasts for around 20-30 minutes as it’s a good amount of time to ensure that kids don’t get bored. They’re able to concentrate better and remain engaged with games of this length. Moreover, since it can be played by 2-4 people, you can expect your child’s social skills to improve.
In addition to this, the game teaches children how to recognize certain images and learn more about the concept of how cause and effect works.
Pros
- Teaches kids about cause & effect
- Improves social skills
- Helps with recognition abilities
Cons
- Can be complicated to set up
What makes this game stand out?
Kids have a blast playing this game and being able to learn more about cause and effect, while also developing their social skills.
Blue Orange Games Kingdomino Family Strategy Game
Summary
The Blue Orange Games Kingdomino Family Board Game is one that involves a lot of strategy. Therefore, children are able to use their strategic thinking skills in order to be in with a shot of winning. This is also effective for improving their ability to concentrate for longer.
It can be played by by 2-4 players, which enables children to improve their social skills. We also liked how each game lasts for around 15 minutes. This ensures that the game keeps a fast pace which is more exciting. It also means that children are able to remain more focused and engaged, since the games don’t last for too long.
This game comes with 8 wooden king parts, 48 dominoes, and 4 castles which have a fantastic 3-D design.
Pros
- Develops strategic thinking
- Improves focus
- Fantastic 3-D castle design
Cons
- Some of the stickers are prone to wearing off over time
What makes this game stand out?
We liked how this game features awesome 3-D structures as they make the game play more fun. Kids are also able to use their strategic thinking skills in order to try and win.
Hasbro Scrabble Crossword Puzzle Game
Summary
Hasbro’s Scrabble Crossword Game is not only a lot of fun for most 9-year-olds but it also strengthens their knowledge on the alphabet and different words. As a result, it’s a highly educational game which benefits kids.
It comes with 100 wooden letter tiles, a game board, 4 tile racks, instructions, and a drawstring bag to make storing all the pieces away easier. So, you have everything you need to start playing right away.
This game is a lot of fun to play in small groups with friends and family. Therefore, it can be an effective way to improve your child’s social skills.
Pros
- Improves social skills
- Develops knowledge on letters & words
- Easy to clean up
Cons
- The letter pieces are lightweight and can be accidentally moved around too easily
What makes this game stand out?
This is an excellent game for helping your children to improve their social skills, while also ensuring that they have a ton of fun doing so.
Buying Guide to the Best Games for 9 Year Olds
So, those were some of the most popular board games for 9 year olds. If you are still not feeling completely confident on which game would be best for your child, you’ll want to take a look at this buying guide section.
We’ve included a lot of useful information which you can use to help pick out a board game that your child will absolutely love!
Top 9-Year-Olds Games for Boys & Girls
When it comes to finding a board game for children, you’ll want to consider their gender which sometimes makes a difference in what game you should be. While 9 year old boys and girls will have a lot of fun playing many of these games together, there are certain ones which are sometimes preferable to either boys or girls
Take a look below to help you figure out what kind of games are best for boys and girls.
It’s important to remember that in general all board games are good for both genders and you need not box your child into games that are thought of as being traditionally for one gender or the other!
Boys
One of the best gifts for boys age 9 in this guide is the Ravensburger Labyrinth game. Boys love mazes and treasures making this a favorite among them!
Girls
The World of Disney Eye Found It is a top gift idea for 9 year old girls in this board games list because of the awesome Disney characters that are included. There are all kinds of princess and prince characters available which girls have a blast playing with.
Popular Types of Games
After reading through our review of the best fun games for 9 year old, you will have noticed that there are quite a few different kinds available. If you were a little confused as to what the differences between them were, this is the section for you.
Family
A lot of the games in this review are a great way to bring the family together. One of the best ones, however, is the Googly Eyes game. This is because it’s very straightforward to play and has everyone in stitches.
Strategic
There are a number of games that require children to use their strategic thinking skills in order to try and win. These games involve kids to think more carefully and come up with ways on how they can win. Therefore, they’re excellent for improving your child’s concentration.
Party Games
If you were looking for kids games 9 and up that they can play in larger groups for parties, the Apples to Apples game would be a great choice. This is because it involves everyone playing together interacting and having a good time!
Teamwork
We’ve made sure to include a variety of games in this review that require players to work together in teams in order to complete it. These types of games are fantastic for improving your child’s social skills, as well as their ability to work effectively in teams.
Educational
While most of the games in this review have some kind of educational feature, there are some that focus on in them more than others. For example, the Scrabble game provides children with a fun way to improve their letter and word recognition, as well as their ability to spell.
Final Thoughts on the Top Games for 9 Year Olds
All of the details that you need to go ahead and pick out a game that your 9-year-old will love playing can be found, right here. Be sure to read through all of the main features, pros, cons, and what makes each game stand out before making a final decision.
