21 Card and Board Games That Reviewers Say Are Truly Simple to Teach

1. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a game that eliminates boredom with its easy-to-learn rules, suitable for all age groups, and filled with excitement. Once you try this fast-paced, slap-happy party game, your friends will want to play it again at every game night.

2. Azul inspires creativity as you create stunning, point-earning tile mosaics inspired by Moorish artwork.

3. Wavelength leverages that telepathic, friendship-based connection. Plus, this game deserves extra credit for being genuinely enjoyable during video calls (I can personally vouch for that).

4. Codenames gives you and your team the thrill of being secret agents, devising and deciphering covert clues while evading enemy operatives. 

5. Dutch Blitz offers a rapid-fire, less solitary variation of solitaire. An interesting tidbit — this game was invented around 1937 by Werner Ernst George Muller, a German immigrant who made his home in Pennsylvania. It remains a favorite among the Amish and Dutch communities in Pennsylvania to this day! 

6. Ticket to Ride competes with Catan for the crown of 'Best Intro Board Game,' thanks to its adaptable player range, family-friendly appeal, and impressive replay value. 

7. Sushi Go! showcases the cutest artwork and has a playtime under 15 minutes, making it a perfect choice for evenings when you want a quick yet strategic game without the commitment of something more intricate. 

8. Carcassonne captivates history fans, board game aficionados, and beginners alike with its easy-to-learn strategy mechanics, all inspired by the real fortified French city of the same name. 

9. Exploding Kittens delivers all the absurd, cat-filled chaos you'd expect from a Kickstarter sensation. Plus, if your friend hesitates at the idea of playing a board game, you can reassure them this one is learnable in under two minutes!

10. Splendor proves to your friends who haven't picked up a board game since the Candy Land and Sorry! days that modern board games can offer an exciting and engaging experience.

11. One Night Ultimate Werewolf cuts straight to the action, letting players dive right into the game. In this social deduction experience, a free app guides everyone through each round while setting the scene for all your deceptions, complete with eerie background music.  

12. Pandemic challenges players to collaborate in order to stop the spread of a virus, making it an ideal choice for those who dislike the intense competition of typical board games. 

13. Red Flags turns dating into a competitive game! Present your perfect date to the "Single" while strategically sabotaging your rivals with red flag cards that break the deal. 

14. King of Tokyo mixes traditional Yahtzee-style dice rolls with vibrant monsters and special power cards for an easy-to-learn, but exciting game experience. 

15. The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine offers players 50 unique space missions in a trick-taking format (similar to Spades) that increases in complexity, keeping your friends engaged while helping you create the ultimate weekly game night. 

16. Railroad Ink challenges players with intricate transit planning strategies. Despite this, players can easily multitask, enjoying snacks, drinks, and conversation without disrupting the game’s flow.

17. Hanabi challenges players to collaborate in creating a stunning fireworks display that earns the best possible score. For those who can’t stand losing, not reaching the top spot on your personalized leaderboard is the real defeat.

18. The Chameleon is a social game revolving around sneaking your way through each round, trying not to expose the Chameleon or arouse suspicion from others.

19. Anomia Party Edition takes all the random facts swirling around in your mind and puts them to the test. Under pressure, you’ll discover it’s trickier than you thought to name an everyday soup brand, but even more enjoyable than you expected!

20. Telestrations mixes two classic childhood games — Telephone and Pictionary — into one hilarious party game sure to get everyone at the table laughing.

21. Point Salad promises fun and simplicity, whether you’re playing with just one friend or with a larger group of up to six players. Every game brings something new, so it remains enjoyable no matter how often you play.

Your friend’s reaction when they surprise themselves by mastering their first tabletop game: