As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
When the evenings turn cool in DeSoto County, the best room in the house is the one with the table, the snacks, and a game everybody can play. DeSoto County families know game night is the cheapest night out there is — no tickets, no drive to Memphis, just everybody at the table. DeSoto County parents also know the trick: pick games the kids can learn in five minutes but the adults actually enjoy too. These five well-reviewed board games hit that sweet spot, from a 15-minute card game to a full evening of trading and building.
Why DeSoto County Families Love Game Night
Game night works because it is screen-free without being a lecture about screens. Kids learn to count, plan, negotiate, and lose gracefully, and parents get an actual conversation with their teenagers. The games below all play in about an hour or less, so they fit a school night as well as a Saturday.
1. CATAN Board Game (6th Edition)
The classic strategy game, and the one that turns casual players into game-night regulars. Trade sheep for wood, build roads and settlements, and watch a quiet family turn competitive in the best way.
Ages 10+; 3-4 players; 60-90 min playtime
Trade, build, and settle on a variable island board — no two games play alike
The 6th Edition refresh of the best-selling strategy game
The easiest game on this list to teach, and one of the most loved. Claim train routes across the country, connect your cities, and try not to let your brother block your route to New Orleans.
Ages 8+; 2-5 players; 30-60 min playtime
225 trains, 110 cards, 33 destination tickets
2025 refreshed edition of the cross-country train adventure
The beautiful one. Players draft colorful tiles and build a mosaic wall, and the game is as pretty on the table as it is fun to play. Simple to learn, surprisingly thinky, and a hit with grandparents too.
Ages 8+; 2-4 players; 30-45 min playtime
Award-winning tile-placement strategy with beautiful mosaic art
Easy to teach, hard to master — great for mixed-age tables
The party game for bigger groups. Two teams, one spymaster each, and a grid of secret words — one clever clue can win the game, and one bad clue can lose it spectacularly. Best with six or more around the table.
Ages 10+; 4-8+ players; about 15 min playtime
200 cards with 400 codenames, 40 key cards
Top-secret word association party game; 2nd Edition
The 15-minute card game that kids beg to play again. It is Russian roulette with kittens — dodge the Exploding Kitten, defuse it if you cannot, and be the last player standing.
Match the game to the group size: Small family of four? CATAN, Ticket to Ride, and Azul all shine. Big group or cousins visiting? Codenames needs a crowd and Exploding Kittens plays fast enough for rematches.
Check the age on the box, then ignore it slightly: A sharp 7-year-old can handle Ticket to Ride and Azul, and a 10-year-old can run a CATAN table. Start easy, then work up.
Watch the clock: On a school night, reach for Exploding Kittens or Codenames at 15 minutes. Save CATAN’s 60-90 minutes for Friday or Saturday.
One game is a gift, two is a collection: These five pair well together — a strategy game, a train game, a tile game, a party game, and a card game cover just about any game night.
Final Word
For most DeSoto County families, Ticket to Ride at ~$29.99 is the safest first pick — everyone learns it in minutes. Add Exploding Kittens at ~$19.82 for quick rounds with younger kids, and CATAN at ~$29.99 when the family is ready for a real strategy night.
Prices as of 2026-10-26 and subject to change. Check the listing for the current price.
