Here is a list of the top family board games from the 1970's and 1980's. These games were big back then and they continue to provide loads of entertainment for families now. -This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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Top Family Board Games of the 1970's and 1980's
Top Games for young kids from the 1970’s and 1980’s that you can still buy.
Top Family Board Games of the 1970's and 1980's
Monopoly - the game of buying, selling and trading properties. A family fun game that has been around for generations.
Hasbro Monopoly Board Game
The Game of Life -different colored pegs as your family and different colored cars take you around the board as you pick your path and make the choices to get there.
The Game of Life Game, Family Board Game, For Ages 8+, Pegs Come In 6 Colors
Sorry! the board game. Move space by space, skip a few spaces or slide down the board all the while knocking your opponents out and back to their home base to start over. A game favorite for all.
Classic Sorry! Board Game
Operation -the board game where you become the doctor trying to remove all sorts of ailment pieces with tweezers. Can you remove them without getting zapped and buzzed? My kids loved playing this game growing up.
Operation Electronic Board Game with Doctor Cards and Funny Ailments, Kids Games, Ages 6+
RISK - the game of conquest. Build your army and take over the world to win. A true game of strategy.
Risk Board Game, Strategy Games, War Board Games for Adults and Family, 2-5 Players, Ages 10+
Connect 4 - get four of your colored pieces in a row across, diagonal or up and down all the while blocking your opponent. Not as easy as it sounds.
Connect 4 Board Game
Trivial Pursuit - the trivia game that started it all. Fill your pie up with the different colored pieces as you answer questions from the categories of: Science and Nature, History, Geography, Entertainment, Arts and Literature, and Sports and Leisure.
Trivial Pursuit Classic Edition Board Game for Adults and Teens Ages 16 and Up
CLUE - the murder mystery game where you have to figure out who the killer is, where it happened and what the murder weapon was.
Clue Board Game, Mystery Games for 2-6 Players, Family Games for Kids Ages 8 and Up
Battleship - the game of naval combat where you try to guess the coordinates of your opponents ships and sink them.
Battleship Classic Board Game, Fun Strategy Game For 2 Players, Teacher School Supplies
Scrabble - the classic word game where you put letters together, build words and score points.
Scrabble Board Game, Fun Family Game for 2-4 Players
Perfection - where you try to beat the clock matching all the shapes before the clock runs out and all the pieces pop out.
Super Impulse Perfection Game
Pictionary - where you take turns drawing and your team tries to guess what it is. A quick game full of laughs.
Pictionary Board Game, Drawing Game for Kids, Adults & Game Night with Dry Erase Markers & Boards
Twister - the classic game that ties you up in knots - place your hands and feet in the colors that are spun. Watch as everyone gets tangled up and tries not to fall down.
Twister Game, Party Game, Classic Board Game for 2 or More Players, Indoor and Outdoor Game for Kids 6 and Up
Ker Plunk - remove the sticks without the marbles falling. The player with the least amount of marbles at the end wins.
Ker Plunk Game
Trouble - it's a race to get all your game pieces around the board and into the finish zone. First person to get all four pieces in wins.
Trouble Game
This is such a fun game to play with family and friends.
Classic Taboo Game, Word Guessing Game for Adults and Teens 13 and up, Board Game for 4+ Players
Top Games for young kids from the 1970’s and 1980’s that you can still buy.
Candy Land is a classic beginner board game that introduces little ones to gameplay with colorful cards, sweet destinations, and fun illustrations kids love.
Candy Land Board Game (2025), 2 Ways to Play, Reimagined Gameboard & Tokens, Kids Game, Holiday Gifts for Kids, 3 and Up
Chutes and Ladders is a simple, no-reading-needed classic that helps kids practice counting while learning about rewards and consequences through playful pictures.
Winning Moves Games Classic Chutes and Ladders
Hungry Hungry Hippos is a fast, laugh-out-loud kids’ game where players race to chomp the most marbles to win.
Hungry Hungry Hippos Refresh Board Game
Mouse Trap is a classic, laugh-filled family game where players collect cheese and build a wild chain-reaction contraption—then try to trap the other mice! Be the last mouse left to win.
Classic Mouse Trap Board Game
Hi Ho! Cherry-O is a classic preschool game where kids spin, pick fruit, and fill their basket first to win—while practicing counting and early math. Watch out for the bird, dog, and spilled bucket that can send fruit back! Great for ages 3+ (2–3 pla...
Hasbro Gaming Hi Ho! Cherry-O Board Game, Counting and Numbers Game for Preschoolers, 3+
Cootie is a giggle-filled preschool game where kids spin to collect parts and build their own silly bug—no reading required. The first player to complete a Cootie bug wins, with colorful mix-and-match pieces for creative fun (ages 3+).
Cootie Game
This classic kids card game set includes 6 favorites in one pack—Memory, Go Fish, Crazy Eights, War, Old Maid, and Slap Jack—made with quality cards for hours of family fun and perfect for introducing little ones to game night (ages 3+).
Great Time Games Kids Classic Card Game Set: 6 Decks Total Featuring Go Fish, Old Maid, Crazy 8's, Memory, Slap Jack, and War - Walmart Exclusive
Guess Who? is the classic 2-player guessing game where you ask yes/no questions to figure out your opponent’s mystery character. (ages 6+).
Guess Who 2.0 Game
Don’t Break the Ice is a suspenseful preschool game where players carefully tap out ice blocks—but if Phillip the Penguin falls through, you’re out! Reset and keep playing until one player is left standing (ages 3+).
Classic Don't Break the Ice Family Game, for Kids Ages 3 and up, 2-4 Players
Barrel of Monkeys. A classic game for learning numbers and counting along with honing fine motor skills. A game we played not only at home but in the classroom as well.
Winning Moves Games Classic Barrel of Monkeys
UNO Card Game. The number one card game for family game night. Teaching kids colors, numbers and matching. Love this game.
UNO Card Game
Simon - the iconic game of music and lights that you must match as the patterns come quicker and quicker.