Are you searching for ways to unwind and connect with your 10-year-old? If yes, then getting board games is a fantastic choice!

Why? Because they provide a mix of fun, strategy, and quality time. However, there are over a gazillion board games out there to choose from. So, to make the process easier for you, we have put together a list of 11 of the best board games for 10-year-olds that are perfect for keeping them entertained. So, get ready for plenty of laughter, friendly competition, and unforgettable moments with family and friends!

Fun Fact: Did you know that the oldest known board game is called Senet, and it dates back to 3100 BC? 

Best Board Games for 10-Year-Olds Comparison Table

1. Rescuing Robin Hood - The Best Board Game for Ten Year Olds

Our Rating: 5/5 Stars

In Rescuing Robin Hood, players take on the roles of Robin Hood’s allies, each leading a band of villagers to save their leader after he is captured by the Sheriff of Nottingham. The aim of the game is to gather villagers and build your strength within four rounds, each round consisting of a single in-game day. On the fifth day, players attempt a daring rescue.

Why We Like It

We love this game because it combines strategy, a familiar theme, and teamwork. Its cooperative gameplay and escalating tension keeps players of all ages engaged. Each decision feels meaningful, whether you’re playing solo or with a group. The game offers replayability and variety, thanks to its unique mix of characters and randomized events.

2. Zen Garden - Best Thoughtful Board Game

Our Rating: 5/5 Stars

Next on our board game recommendations is a calm and soothing game: Zen Garden. In this game, the players compete to create the most beautiful garden. Even though it seems peaceful, there are many strategies involved that can be quite fun for 10-year-olds! Kids will have a blast building their garden while also practicing their planning and reasoning skills.

The game is easy for younger players, but scoring points requires careful thinking about where to place your tiles.

Why We Like It

We think Zen Garden is one of the top board games for 10-year-olds because it combines simple rules with thoughtful strategy in a calm, engaging setting. Creating a beautiful garden is deeply satisfying, and the game's serene gameplay captures that feeling perfectly. While it's easy to learn, players will quickly discover the challenge of placing tiles strategically and predicting the Emperor’s changing preferences. It also encourages the development of reasoning, planning, and problem-solving skills. With the Emperor’s preferences shifting each game, Zen Garden stays fresh and replayable every time you play.

3. Flea Marketeers - Best Fast-Paced Board Game

Our Rating: 5/5 Stars

If you want your little ones to learn buying, selling, and negotiation skills, Flea Marketeers is the perfect board game. It's a lively and fun game perfect for kids aged 8 and up, especially 10-year-olds eager to learn how to buy everyday items! Players buy and trade various items in the game to make the biggest profit. 

Flea Marketeers has easy rules and fun gameplay that perfectly balances strategy and luck. Kids will love finding hidden treasures and trying to outsmart their friends. The game also promotes quick thinking and decision-making, so it's a fantastic way to keep young minds sharp.

Why We Like It

Flea Marketeers is one of the best board games for 8 to 10-year-olds for several great reasons. It's fun, fast-paced, and surprisingly addictive, keeping players engaged from beginning to end. Beyond entertainment, it also teaches valuable life skills like negotiation, budgeting, and smart risk-taking. The game encourages friendly competition and social interaction, making it a perfect pick for family game nights or playdates with friends.

4. Magical Athlete - Best Racing Board Game

Our Rating: 5/5 Stars

Kids between 8 and 12 are drawn toward games with animals and mythical creatures, so here’s a board game perfect for them: Magical Athlete!

It's an entertaining board game in which mythical creatures compete in exciting athletic events. This game is specifically designed for kids around 10 years old and is a mix of strategy, luck, and fantasy. You pick your magical team and then race them against other players. The characters and setting are really vibrant and colorful, perfect for kids who love fantasy, fun, adventure, and strategy.

Why We Like It

Magical Athlete is one of the best board games for 9 to 10-year-olds because it strikes a great balance between simplicity and strategy. It’s easy to learn, yet offers enough challenges to keep players engaged throughout the game. The fantasy theme, filled with mythical creatures and imaginative settings, is especially appealing to kids who love magical adventures. The game also encourages friendly competition and teamwork, as players cheer for their chosen athletes and plan their moves. With quick gameplay and high replayability, Magical Athlete stays fresh and fun every time it's played.

5. Dokmus - Best Adventure Board Game

Our Rating: 5/5 Stars

Next up on our list of the best board games is Dokmus. Dokmus is quite a fun game for kids, with its mix of area control, card drafting, and grid movement. It's like a thrilling adventure! Plus, the game is just the right size for shorter play sessions, so it's perfect for kids with busy schedules. 

The island theme and the need to strategically place tribesmen make it exciting for young adventurers. This board game is great for helping kids develop critical thinking, planning, and adaptability, all while having tons of fun! Plus, it's a great way for kids to learn about resource management and decision-making. In short, it's an educational and exciting game all in one!

Why We Like It

Dokmus is considered one of the best board games for 10-year-olds because it strikes a perfect balance between excitement and challenge. While the rules are simple to grasp, the game’s strategic depth allows players to grow and improve with each playthrough. It’s enjoyable for both casual and competitive players, promoting friendly competition and a rewarding sense of accomplishment. Its compact and portable design makes it ideal for travel or game nights at a friend’s house. Overall, Dokmus is a well-rounded game that keeps 10-year-olds engaged while subtly encouraging critical thinking and planning skills.

6. Heroes of Fairy Tail - Best Anime Board Game

Our Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

If you’re looking for thrilling games for 10-year-old anime lovers, we suggest Heroes of Fairy Tail. It's an awesome card drafting game inspired by the popular anime series, Fairy Tail.

In this game, you become a guild master, gathering a squad of mighty heroes to take on missions and gain recognition. The game is all about picking the right heroes, creating teams, and fighting against tough opponents. The players need a mix of strategic skills and luck to outdo their friends and establish the most legendary guild in the kingdom of Fiore!

Why We Like It

Heroes of Fairy Tail is one of the best board games for 10-year-olds, especially for fans of anime and the Fairy Tail series. The game brilliantly captures the spirit of the show, featuring iconic characters and exciting adventures that bring the world of Fairy Tail to life. Its card drafting mechanic adds endless replayability, as each game introduces new challenges and strategies. Players get to build their own dream team of heroes, which adds a satisfying layer of customization and accomplishment. With its engaging gameplay and strategic depth, Heroes of Fairy Tail keeps players entertained from start to finish.

7. Skull - Best Bluffing Board Game

Our Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Let’s talk about another awesome board game: Skull! It's fun and perfect for 10-year-olds. The game is all about bluffing in order to outsmart your friends. Each player gets a set of cards, some with roses and one with a skull. The goal is to bet on how many roses you can reveal without drawing a skull.

Skull is quick-paced and easy to learn, so it's great for younger players. The game revolves around using your mind and taking calculated risks. Plus, the bluffing part adds a thrilling twist to every round, making it super unpredictable and full of surprises!

Why We Like It

Skull is considered one of the best board games for 10-year-olds because it combines simplicity with strategy in a fun and engaging way. The game encourages critical thinking as players learn to read their opponents and make smart, calculated decisions. It also promotes communication, negotiation, and even elements of teamwork, making it a great social experience. With fast-paced gameplay and surprising twists, Skull keeps players on their toes and entertained throughout. Its easy-to-learn rules make it accessible not just for 10-year-olds, but also for slightly younger players.

8. Demon Worker - Best Strategy Board Game

Our Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Enter the exciting world of Demon Worker, a thrilling board game where players battle it out to become the next Demon King! As a demon lord, you'll gather minions, collect resources, and utilize your clever skills to outsmart your opponents. This game combines worker placement, resource management, and set collection, offering a unique and engaging experience for both kids and adults.

The game aims to send your demons to different locations, each with its special features. Whether it's gathering human sacrifices, creating powerful weapons, or delving into magical research, strategic planning is the key to success. As the game progresses, the competition becomes tense as players aim to earn points and claim the prestigious title of Demon King!

Why We Like It

Demon Worker earns its spot among the top board games for 10-year-olds thanks to its simplified gameplay paired with an engaging, otherworldly theme. It’s a great pick for both casual and experienced gamers, offering strategic depth without overwhelming complexity. The game encourages player interaction and competition, leading to exciting, high-stakes moments throughout. With multiple paths to victory, each game feels fresh and unique, keeping players coming back for more. Plus, the high-quality components and detailed artwork deliver strong “demonic vibes” that enhance the overall experience.

9. Helios Expanse - Best Space Board Game

Our Rating: 4/5 Stars

Helios Expanse is an awesome space-themed board game where players work to inhabit planets, incorporate advanced technology, and create a thriving empire. The game involves players planning their moves secretly before revealing them all at once. This adds an exciting element of strategy and anticipation. With its planets, ships, and technology, the space theme can be super engaging for young players!

However, Helios Expanse does involve some tricky resource management, detailed rules, and a fair amount of planning. These aspects may be overwhelming for kids under 10, but with a little guidance, they can easily grasp the rules and get playing! The best part about Helios Expanse is that it is quite competitive. This makes the gaming session very intense and engaging for the players.

Why We Like It

We recommend Helios Expanse as one of the best board games for 10-year-olds because it offers a captivating mix of strategy, planning, and immersive gameplay. Its elegant design, quick rounds, and variety of strategic options help it stand out among other games. Each group in the game has unique powers, adding replayability and encouraging players to explore different tactics. Winning requires both quick thinking and thoughtful planning, making it a great tool for developing problem-solving skills in kids. With a well-executed space theme and a rich, engaging experience, Helios Expanse is ideal for young players who enjoy strategy games and can handle slightly more complex rules.

10. Ablaze - Best Cooperative Board Game

Our Rating: 4/5 Stars

One thing little kids admire the most is firefighters. Therefore, if there’s a firefighter-themed board game, 10-year-olds are definitely going to go crazy for it! We’re talking about the amazing Ablaze!

It's a cooperative game in which you and your friends play as firefighters fighting a big wildfire. It's really fun and exciting because you have to work together, think fast, and devise smart strategies. This game is not just fun, but it's also a great way to learn about firefighting and wildfires. You have to work as a team to put out the fire, save people, and stop the fire from spreading. 

Why We Like It

We like Ablaze because it offers both an educational and engaging experience for kids. The game promotes important skills like teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving in a fun, interactive way. Its focus on firefighting not only adds excitement but also raises awareness about wildfire prevention and the real-life challenges firefighters face. It’s a thoughtful game that combines entertainment with meaningful lessons.

11. Traders of the Air - Best Fantasy Board Game

Our Rating: 4/5 Stars

Traders of the Air is a fun board game set in a steampunk world. Players lead trading guilds and try to build influence in cities, acquire goods, and trade for profit. The game has a steampunk style and involves outrunning opponents. It's one of the best board games for 6 to 10-year-olds, as the rules are easy to understand. However, the game also offers challenges for experienced players.

Why We Like It

We like this game because it encourages players to think ahead and plan their moves, which helps enhance critical thinking skills. With different starting scenarios, each playthrough offers a fresh and unique experience, keeping the game exciting every time. Additionally, the game introduces concepts of economics and resource management, providing a fun way to learn valuable life skills while playing.

Buying Guide for the Best Board Game for 10-Year-Olds

If you have kids around 10, choosing the perfect board game for them can be quite an exciting task. However, we must be very specific about the age range when deciding which one to buy. 

Therefore, here are some key factors to consider when buying a board game:

• Age Appropriateness: It's always a good idea to double-check the recommended age range when looking at games. Sometimes, a game intended for 10-year-olds might be either too easy or too tricky.
• Attention Span: Always consider the child's attention span. Avoid games with long turns or complex rules.
• Interests: Is your child into strategy, luck, or maybe a bit of both? Pick a game that matches their interests!
• Player Count: How many people will be playing the game? Some games are more fun with a big group, while others work great with just a few players.
• Theme: Popular themes for 10-year-olds include adventure, fantasy, animals, or popular characters. So, choose accordingly.
• Replayability: Look for games with different levels of difficulty to keep things interesting.
• Educational Value: While fun games are important, there are also games with some educational value that can help develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and math skills. 
• Reading Level: Most importantly, the game's instructions should be easy for a 10-year-old to understand.

Final Thoughts on Best Board Games for 10-Year-Olds

If you’re looking for the best board games for 10-year-olds, this guide has the best picks. From fun games to strategy-based and space-themed games, we have put together a list that caters to kids with different likes and preferences.

While most of these board games are for kids 10 years and older, some light-themed games can also be equally enjoyed by younger kids between the ages of 6 and 8. So, if you have kids in this age range, these board games are ideal for keeping them busy! For more games and toys, feel free to browse our impressive board game collection and choose something for your kids, young or old!