Regardless of whether you’re 5 or 50, everyone loves playing a board game. While traditional board games can get very competitive, cooperative board games get everyone working together instead of against one another. Some of the best cooperative board games even allow you to control the difficulty depending on who’s playing. We especially love that many of these games offer a totally different experience each time you play based on which decisions you make as a team.
Cooperative Board Games for Young Kids
1. First Orchard
Since Haba has a great reputation, you know that this game is one of the best cooperative board games for little ones. Kids as young as 2 years old work together to roll the dice and then pick the matching fruit from the orchard before the raven has a chance to steal it!
Buy it: First Orchard at Amazon
2. Gnomes at Night
Kids will improve their communication and quick-thinking skills while moving their magnetic gnomes around the maze as quickly as possible. This game will hold even young kids’ attention since it can be played relatively quickly.
Buy it: Gnomes at Night at Amazon
3. Stone Soup
The best cooperative board games for kids feature fun concepts that get everyone working together toward a win. Kids work on their matching and memory skills while “cooking” up some delicious soup with this board game.
Buy it: Stone Soup at Amazon
4. Feelings Adventure
Kids work on their social and emotional skills while helping Bigfoot, Unicorn, Yak, and Fox find and gather the feelings at the Feelings Tree in Slumberkins Land.
Buy it: Feelings Adventure on Amazon
5. Space Escape
Kids will work on their communication and shared decision-making as they race to collect the Mole Rats’ equipment while dodging the snakes. Once they reach the escape pod, the game is over and the fun starts again!
Buy it: Space Escape at Amazon
6. Ghost in the Attic
The best cooperative board games have something that sets them apart from similar games. We can’t think of anything cooler than the glow-in-the-dark game board Ghost in the Attic features. Players work together (in the dark) to stop the ghost from escaping the manor and then haunting the whole neighborhood!
Buy it: Ghost in the Attic at Amazon
7. Mermaid Island
This game is oh-so adorable and is sure to capture the attention of the preschool-age crowd as they race to get their mermaids to Mermaid Island. They need to be quick, though, and get there before the sea witch comes! Fans of The Little Mermaid will love this game.
Buy it: Mermaid Island at Amazon
8. Magical Encounters
Kids work together to defeat the dragon while also collecting all of the crystals in this fun, action-packed game for up to four players. Parents and teachers will appreciate the nostalgia of putting one’s fate into the hands of the magic eight ball!
Buy it: Magical Encounters at Amazon
9. Zombie Kidz
Regardless of whether you are 7 or 70, everyone will have fun defeating zombies in this cooperative board game. We especially love that you can mark your progress with stickers and even unlock extra content.
Buy it: Zombie Kidz at Amazon
10. My First Treasure Hunt
The preschool-age crowd and up will have fun finding the buried treasure while beating the big storm that will wash the treasure away. They’ll also learn valuable skills like taking turns and following directions.
Buy it: My First Treasure Hunt at Amazon
11. Concept Kids Animals
This version of Concept has been reinvented so kids can get in on the fun too! Players try to get others to guess their animal. With 110 animals to choose from, kids will be learning a lot of new things about the animal world.
Buy it: Concept Kids Animals at Amazon
12. Dinosaur Escape Game
Kids and their friends will need to work together using memory and logic while they guide their dinosaurs away from a volcano that is about to blow.
Buy it: Dinosaur Escape Game at Amazon
13. Lemonade Shake Up!
Kids love earning money with lemonade stands so they will definitely enjoy this adorable cooperative game. They need to work together to get the right ingredients and earn 12 quarters before serving 4 sour lemons.
Buy it: Lemonade Shake Up! at Amazon
Cooperative Board Games for Older Kids
14. Paleo
This is the perfect cooperative board game for older kids or even adults since it requires strategy and quick thinking. Players travel together through the Stone Age as they try to complete their cave painting and secure a lasting legacy.
Buy it: Paleo at Amazon
15. Trekking the World
This is one of the best cooperative board games on the market for people who love to travel or just have wanderlust in their hearts. Players work together while they travel the globe collecting souvenirs and memories and taking tours of important landmarks.
Buy it: Trekking the World at Amazon
16. Castle Panic
This game is ideal for slightly older kids since it is a bit longer than some of the other games on this list. Work together with friends to defend your castle from a hoard of monsters. Kids also have the option of working together or fighting alone if all of their friends are busy.
Buy it: Castle Panic at Amazon
17. Ravine
We think you can trust that this is among the best cooperative board games since it has nearly 2,000 4½-star reviews on Amazon. One of the biggest selling points of this game is that it is easy to learn the rules and therefore get to the fun quicker.
Buy it: Ravine at Amazon
18. The Lord of the Rings: Adventure to Mount Doom
Fans of the Lord of the Rings books and movies will love playing this cooperative board game. Players work together to help Frodo find his way across Middle-earth while he seeks to destroy the one ring.
Buy it: The Lord of the Rings: Adventure to Mount Doom at Amazon
19. Horrified
This game has such a unique theme. What could be cooler than working with your friends to defeat Greek monsters? Try it at your next family game night or with friends.
Buy it: Horrified at Amazon
20. Mysterium
Who wouldn’t want to work with friends while acting as psychics to unravel a haunting mystery? This is the perfect game to play with friends, especially during spooky season.
Buy it: Mysterium at Amazon
21. Diplomacy
In this game of international intrigue, players work together as one of the great European powers before World War I. Friends will have fun negotiating and creating alliances to expand their power throughout Europe!
Buy it: Diplomacy at Amazon
22. Fun Facts
This game would work well with old friends. It tests how well you know your besties through interesting and personal questions. Kids could also find out more about their classmates with this board game.
Buy it: Fun Facts at Amazon
23. Totem
The best cooperative board games create a sense of camaraderie and this one certainly does that! At the center of this game is showing your appreciation for the people closest to you through cards you can play that feature a variety of strengths. This is the ultimate game for a school counselor or pediatric therapist.
Buy it: Totem at Amazon
24. Venn
This fun and cooperative game works by having players communicate clues by placing abstract images into overlapping circles. While it is great as a cooperative game, it can also be played in a competitive mode.
Buy it: Venn at Amazon
25. The 7th Continent
The best part of this cooperative board game is that players have a new adventure each time they play thanks to dozens of events and alternative maps. This game is best suited to teens and adults and can even be played solo.
Buy it: The 7th Continent at Amazon
What are your best cooperative board games for kids? Come and share in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Plus, check out the best board games for preschoolers.
