While it’s nice to have the option to play as a duo, we found that this version eliminates the competitive component. Codenames is an appealing game that offers a variety of ways to play. I love that it combines a spy theme with the more academic pursuit of deciphering which word clues match up with the right spy. Vocabulary never felt so cool.

Make way for some enjoyable moments with our collection of family games. Our assortment includes a variety of both classic and themed board games, puzzles, and more, catering to players of all ages. Players learn and grow their communication skills without even thinking about it. Age Range: Double digits My kids and I found that setting up and playing this game is much easier than it sounds, and there are online videos that some may find more useful than written instructions.My kids love anything spy-themed and are avid readers, so I thought they would gravitate toward this game and the word association premise. To my surprise, they were less than enthusiastic at first; they found the combination of spy intrigue with wordplay off-putting and didn’t see how the two components would work together. Codenames was crowned the 2016 game of the year at the prestigious Spiel des Jahres awards in Germany. It is also rated the number 1 party game on Board Game Geek.

My 9-year-old enjoyed this game quite a bit when we played on a team together or one-on-one. I’ve found that the play of this game gets sillier and, oddly, slightly faster-paced with larger groups, so adding a few younger siblings ends up making it more fun. Want something that goes on for a little longer? Uncover the intricate joys of puzzle-solving with our jigsaws, available for all age groups. Our collection features 3D jigsaws based on beloved franchises including Harry Potter and Star Wars, promises not just entertainment but also a mind-sharpening experience for enthusiasts of all ages. Or if you're something that encourages hours of enjoyment and learning, then dive into a knowledge-enriched playtime with trivia games. Engage with a wide array of questions from subjects like history, science and more to ensure everyone has something to look forward to in every round whilst enjoying a friendly competition. Using the key card as a guide, the spymasters take turns giving associated one-word, one-number clues to help their teammates guess which codeword stands in for their team’s agent. (Of course, there are rules regarding what spymasters can and cannot say—and there can’t be any hints or reactions to conversation or guesses.) Game night is one of my family’s most treasured traditions, but with five kids and endless distractions, it’s not always easy to set aside the time. This makes it especially important to choose a board game that’s entertaining enough to keep everyone engaged. Enter Codenames, a spy-themed word game. Read on to see if the family-friendly activity was able to successfully infiltrate our game night rotation. Editor's Note (September 2023): This product review was originally written and published in 2019. To make sure we are still recommending the best products for your needs, we recently reviewed this story to make sure it is still accurate and that we stand by what we wrote. In addition to this original hands-on review, we also had the opportunity to test this product in The Lab. Thanks to its at-home and lab performance, it is still a top choice in The Best Party Games for Adults despite newer models and options being available on the market. You can also find it as a featured product in The Best Cooperative Games, The Best Board Games for College Kids, The Best Board Games, The Best Party Board Games, and The Best Two-Player Board Games.

For some classic family fun, discover our collection of Monopoly board games. From the timeless original edition as well as junior variants for younger players, we’ve got lots to choose from. If Disney is a favourite in your household, Frozen Monopoly might be a good option for your next game night. For Harry Potter enthusiasts, we have a range of Harry Potter board games that allow players to engage with the magical world depicted in the series. From wizard chess sets that replicate famous scenes from films and virtual quiz games that test knowledge of the series, our selection is sure to make for a fun family gathering for all the Potterheads. This game is designed for ages 10 and up. My 12- and 14-year-old boys had fun playing Codenames together with me as well as with their buddies. My 15-year-old daughter, who loves reading, also enjoys playing this game with her friends. Details: Codenames is a fun yet challenging word game that works well in groups of up to 8 or more players. On the face of it, it is a simple game yet it offers challenging gameplay and lots of entertainment.