Games intended particularly for younger players (typically ages 12 and under) and players new to modern board games. Game duration usually runs 15 – 45 minutes.
2022
Winner – Happy City
Build the perfect city that prioritizes citizens’ happiness by making a bright, colorful tableau in this simple and compelling introduction to the genre.
Recommended
Crash Octopus
Try to collect scattered treasures while dodging a beautiful (and angry) mollusk in this vibrant dexterity game.
Kabuto Sumo
Throw down for bug supremacy in this ever-pushy dexterity game reminiscent of classic arcade games.
Nominated
Block Ness
Hammer Time
2021
Winner – Abandon All Artichokes
Vacate some vegetables in this delightful and colorful deckbuilder that streamlines gameplay and makes for a great introduction to the deckbuilding genre.
Recommended
Hues and Cues
Choose your words carefully to describe a color in this colorful party game.
Dragomino
Search for dragon eggs in this family entry in the Kingdomino series.
Nominated
Dungeon Drop
Zombie Teenz Evolution
2020
Winner – Draftosaurus
As dinosaur theme park proprietors, players take turns choosing from colorful dinosaur meeples in order to build up a variety of delightful dino destinations.
Recommended
Snowman Dice
Only one finger’s allowed in this dice-rolling race to the North Pole.
My First Castle Panic
Protect your castle from rampaging monsters in this cooperative family game.
Nominated
The Aquicorn Cove Board Game
L.L.A.M.A
2019
Winner – Catch the Moon
Tasked with climbing to the moon, players are given a bunch of ladders and a single die, rolling it to guide them to which ladders they can place and how many they must touch.
Recommended
Drop It
Place shapes, but don’t let the same color or shape touch!
Megaland
Jump until you fall in a light coin-collecting game for the whole family.
Nominated
Snail Sprint
The Mind
The American Tabletop Awards 