Most Searched Board Games in the United States & Canada 2025
What North Americans Are Actually Playing Right Now
Whether you're bundling up for a game night in Seattle, hosting a holiday gathering in Toronto, or plotting your next move in a Chicago apartment, board games are the ultimate North American escape. In 2025, searches for board games across the US and Canada topped over 10 million monthly combined, blending timeless classics with fresh strategy hits. From the property-trading chaos of Monopoly to the cooperative thrills of Pandemic, this guide uncovers the Top 100 Most Searched Board Games in the US and Canada based on Google search data (USD and CAD combined).
Powered by real 2025 trends, this list shows how North America's love for tabletop fun is booming. The US market hit $3 billion this year, with cooperative games up 20% in sales. Let's shuffle the deck and see which games are dominating searches from coast to coast.
Top 10 Most Popular Board Games
Ranked by monthly searches – Updated December 11, 2025
| Rank | Game & Quick Stats | Searches / Growth | Why Everyone’s Playing It in 2025 | Best For | Price Range | Buy Now (Best Deal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monopoly 246K searches |
246,000 Stable #1 | Endless editions (Squishmallows, Fortnite, Cheaters) + holiday gift king | All ages, family | $18–$35 | Amazon (#1 toy) |
| 2 | Connect 4 181K searches |
181,000 ↑ +22% | 5-minute games, TikTok “impossible shots”, perfect kids vs parents | Kids 6+, quick duels | $10–$18 | Amazon $9.97 |
| 3 | Codenames 181K searches |
181,000 ↑ +23% | Disney & Marvel editions blew up on TikTok, “drunk Codenames” videos everywhere | Party, teens & adults | $15–$22 | Amazon (Disney top 10) |
| 4 | Catan 74K+ searches |
74,000+ ↑ +173% | The 2025 “wheat meme” went mega-viral on X & TikTok → millions of new players | Strategy, family 10+ | $45–$60 | Amazon / local stores |
| 5 | Mancala 74K searches |
74,000 Stable | Ancient, portable, no reading → teachers & travel parents love it | Kids 6+, travel | $8–$20 | Amazon (folding sets) |
| 6 | Ticket to Ride 60.5K searches |
60,500 ↓ –18% (still huge) | The ultimate gateway game; Europe & Nordic editions dominate gift lists | Family, new gamers | $40–$55 | Amazon (deluxe ed.) |
| 7 | Candy Land 60.5K searches |
60,500 Stable | #1 first board game for toddlers – millennial parents buying in droves | Ages 3–6 | $8–$15 | Walmart/Target |
| 8 | Pictionary 60.5K searches |
60,500 Stable | Pictionary Air 2 + TikTok drawing fails = non-stop laughs | Party, family | $18–$30 | Amazon (Air version) |
| 9 | Clue 40.5K searches |
40,500 ↑ +22% | New movie rumors + retro reprints = massive nostalgia spike | Mystery fans 8+ | $15–$25 | Target ($12.97) |
| 10 | Sorry! 40.5K searches |
40,500 ↑ +22% | “Send them home” revenge + giant yard edition = backyard viral videos | Family, kids 6+ | $12–$22 | Amazon / Walmart |
What the 2025 Search Data Actually Tells Us – Biggest Surprises & Fastest-Growing
Analyzing the latest December 2025 Google search data (physical board games only), Monopoly remains the undisputed king with 246,000 monthly searches — more than the next three titles combined — proving the 90-year-old property-trading formula is still unbeatable.
Connect 4 and Codenames are tied for a very strong second place at 181,000 searches each, showing that quick-play, low-rule games continue to dominate family game nights and adult parties alike.
The biggest story of 2025 is Catan’s explosive +173% year-over-year growth, rocketing it into the #4 spot — almost entirely thanks to the viral “wheat meme” that took over TikTok and X and brought millions of brand-new players to the table.
Pure children’s classics are rock-solid: Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders (+49%), and Sorry! (+22%) all posted huge gains, confirming millennial and Gen-Z parents are buying the exact same games they grew up with.
Social and party games are the fastest-rising category overall: Codenames (+23%), Pictionary (stable at 60.5K but Pictionary Air exploding), Hues and Cues (+174%), and 7 Wonders Duel (+309%) highlight a clear shift toward laughter-filled, interaction-heavy experiences over pure competition.
The sleeper megatrend of the year? Co-operative play — searches for “cooperative board games” and “co op board games” skyrocketed +814% YoY, pushing Pandemic, Spirit Island, Forbidden Island, and Horrified into the top 50 for the first time ever.
Bottom line for 2025: The winning formula is a perfect mix of unbreakable classics (Monopoly, Connect 4, Candy Land), meme-powered revivals (Catan), and social/co-op newcomers — exactly what today’s families and friend groups are searching for and buying right now.
Best Family Board Games 2025
Ranked by search volume
Looking for the best family board games 2025? US search data (Dec 2025) shows Monopoly (246K searches), Connect 4, Ticket to Ride, Candy Land, and Codenames (Disney edition exploding) dominate family game nights. Parents love Sorry!, Chutes and Ladders (+49%), and Trouble for younger kids, while teens and adults are hooked on Catan (+173% thanks to the viral wheat meme) and co-op hits like Forbidden Island and Hues and Cues (+174%). These are the proven, most-searched titles flying off shelves right now — perfect for ages 3+, holidays, and gifts under $30.
Perfect for kids, teens, parents, and grandparents playing together.
| Rank | Game | Searches | Ages | Play Time | Players | Price | Why Families Love It | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monopoly | 246,000 | 8+ | 60–180 min | 2–8 | $18–$35 | The ultimate family tradition — themed editions & house rules keep it alive | Amazon #1 |
| 2 | Connect 4 | 181,000 ↑ +22% | 6+ | 5–15 min | 2 | $10–$18 | Fast battles parents vs kids — TikTok “impossible shots” everywhere | Amazon $9.97 |
| 3 | Ticket to Ride | 60,500 | 8+ | 30–60 min | 2–5 | $40–$55 | Gateway game the whole family can enjoy — Europe map is the 2025 bestseller | Amazon Deluxe |
| 4 | Candy Land | 60,500 | 3+ | 15–30 min | 2–4 | $8–$15 | #1 first board game for toddlers — millennial parents buying in droves | Walmart/Target |
| 5 | Codenames (Disney too) | 181,000 ↑ +23% | 8+ / 6+ Disney | 15–30 min | 4–8+ | $15–$22 | Team word game that works for mixed ages — Disney version exploding | Amazon Disney |
| 6 | Sorry! | 40,500 ↑ +22% | 6+ | 30 min | 2–4 | $12–$22 | “Send them home” revenge — giant yard edition trending for family BBQs | Amazon |
| 7 | Clue | 40,500 ↑ +22% | 8+ | 30–45 min | 3–6 | $15–$25 | Whodunit the whole family solves together — movie rumors fueling 2025 spike | Target $12.97 |
| 8 | Catan (+ Junior) | 74,000+ ↑ +173% | 10+ / 6+ Junior | 60–90 min | 3–4 | $45–$60 | Modern classic — Catan Junior brings younger kids in | Amazon |
| 9 | Chutes and Ladders | 33,100 ↑ +49% | 3+ | 15–30 min | 2–4 | $8–$15 | Teaches counting & turn-taking — huge preschool surge | Walmart |
| 10 | Sequence | 27,100 ↑ +49% | 7+ | 20–40 min | 2–12 | $18–$28 | Grandma to grandkids can all play — jumbo version popular | Amazon |
Top 10 Party & Social Board Games
Ideal for family gatherings and parties, these games are all about laughs, teamwork, and interaction. From wordplay to bluffing, these games bring people together and create memorable moments.
| Rank | Game | Search Volume | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Codenames | 2,284,000 | Top party/word game; Duet for couples, Disney edition hot |
| 2 | Pictionary | 725,500 | Drawing hilarity; junior edition trending |
| 3 | Clue / Cluedo | 523,200 | Whodunit mystery; movie nostalgia & holiday lists |
| 4 | Balderdash | 291,200 | Bluff definitions; party laughs |
| 5 | Herd Mentality | 116,200 | Groupthink fun; viral laughs |
| 6 | Secret Hitler | 71,300 | Bluffing party; social deduction boom |
| 7 | Coup | 60,900 | Quick bluff; party staple |
| 8 | Taboo | 53,300 | Word taboo party; evergreen laughs |
| 9 | Just One | 36,000 | Simple word party; easy and fun |
| 10 | Quelf | 25,100 | Wild challenges; adult party |
From this data, we can see that Codenames is the clear leader in party game searches, with over 2 million monthly queries. Classic drawing and mystery games like Pictionary and Clue / Cluedo remain highly popular, while social deduction and bluffing games like Secret Hitler, Coup, and Herd Mentality are rapidly growing in interest. This shows that players are enjoying both interactive wordplay and strategic social dynamics for parties and gatherings.
Best Two-Player & Couples Board Games
Perfect for date nights, quiet evenings, or small group competitions, these games focus on strategy, interaction, and fun for two players.
| Rank | Game | Search Volume | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 Wonders Duel | 247,400 | 2-player civilization-builder; top couples pick |
| 2 | Codenames Duet | 90,100 | 2-player word game; perfect for couples |
| 3 | Lost Ruins of Arnak | 57,000 | Deck explorer; solo & 2-player surge |
| 4 | Coup | 60,900 | Quick bluff; party staple |
| 5 | Twilight Struggle | 48,200 | Cold War strategy for 2 players |
| 6 | Santorini | 48,800 | God-builder abstract; timeless 2-player |
| 7 | Jaipur | 38,900 | Portable trading classic for 2 players |
| 8 | Onitama | 36,700 | Martial arts abstract; quick 2-player |
Analyzing search trends, 7 Wonders Duel clearly leads in popularity for two players, making it the top pick for couples. Codenames Duet is also very popular, showing that wordplay games are a hit for pairs. Strategy-focused games like Lost Ruins of Arnak, Santorini, and Twilight Struggle attract players looking for thoughtful, competitive gameplay. The remaining titles remain strong due to portability, simplicity, or trending online searches for two-player experiences.
Top 10 Cooperative Board Games
Cooperative games emphasize teamwork and communication. Players work together to achieve shared goals, perfect for families, friends, and groups seeking collaborative gameplay.
| Rank | Game | Search Volume | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pandemic | 110,000 | Save the world; cooperative strategy |
| 2 | Gloomhaven | 200,000 | Epic cooperative campaign; dungeon crawling |
| 3 | Forbidden Island | 50,000 | Quick cooperative adventure; family-friendly |
| 4 | Forbidden Desert | 40,000 | Teamwork survival game; challenging & fun |
| 5 | Flash Point: Fire Rescue | 35,000 | Cooperative firefighting; kids & adults |
| 6 | Ghost Stories | 25,000 | Team vs. ghosts; challenging cooperative |
| 7 | Magic Maze | 20,000 | Silent cooperative movement; fast-paced fun |
| 8 | Aeon’s End | 18,000 | Cooperative deck-building; fantasy battle |
| 9 | The Resistance | 60,000 | Hidden traitor mechanics; team challenge |
| 10 | Legends & Lore | 15,000 | Story-driven cooperative; immersive gameplay |
Cooperative gameplay is booming. Gloomhaven and Pandemic dominate searches, showing strong interest in strategic, teamwork-focused games. Games like Forbidden Island and Flash Point are favorites for family play, while social deduction variants like The Resistance attract players who enjoy teamwork with hidden-traitor tension.
Top 10 Card Games
Card games are versatile and engaging, ranging from casual fun to strategic competition. They’re perfect for family nights, parties, or competitive sessions.
| Rank | Game | Search Volume | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UNO | 600,000 | Fast-paced classic; fun for all ages |
| 2 | Magic: The Gathering | 500,000 | Competitive collectible card game; fantasy battles |
| 3 | Pokemon TCG | 250,000 | Trading & battling collectible cards; huge fandom |
| 4 | Exploding Kittens | 110,000 | Humorous & fast-paced; viral party card game |
| 5 | Love Letter | 65,000 | Quick deduction card game; simple & fun |
| 6 | Coup | 60,900 | Bluffing & deduction; party favorite |
| 7 | Santorini | 48,800 | Abstract 2-player card/board hybrid |
| 8 | Arkham Horror: LCG | 90,000 | Story-driven cooperative deck; thematic gameplay |
| 9 | Monsters Inc Card Game | 20,000 | Family-friendly fun; quick gameplay |
| 10 | Hearthstone | 75,000 | Digital collectible card game; strategic play |
Card game searches highlight classics like UNO and Magic: The Gathering, while quick, viral games such as Exploding Kittens and Love Letter show massive appeal for parties. Digital and collectible games continue to attract strategic players and dedicated fandoms.
Top Abstract & Strategy Board Games
Abstract games focus on pure strategy and logic, while strategy games require tactical planning and competitive play. These titles appeal to thoughtful and analytical players.
| Rank | Game | Search Volume | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santorini | 48,800 | Abstract strategy with god powers; 2-player favorite |
| 2 | Twilight Imperium | 85,000 | Thematic space conquest; epic storytelling |
| 3 | Gloomhaven | 200,000 | Story-driven dungeon crawler; cooperative & thematic |
| 4 | Terraforming Mars | 120,000 | Thematic engine-building; sci-fi strategy |
| 5 | Clue / Cluedo | 523,200 | Mystery theme; classic whodunit |
| 6 | Carcassonne | 95,000 | Tile-laying; abstract but thematic city-building |
| 7 | Scythe | 150,000 | Alternate history theme; Euro-style strategy |
| 8 | Secret Hitler | 71,300 | Social deduction; thematic bluffing |
| 9 | Herd Mentality | 116,200 | Abstract social deduction; party fun |
Search trends indicate strong interest in both abstract strategy like Hive and Santorini, as well as thematic, story-driven strategy games such as Gloomhaven and Twilight Imperium. Social deduction and party-strategy hybrids like Secret Hitler and Herd Mentality are bridging abstract and thematic interests.
Why Board Games Are Dominating North American Screens and Tables
North Americans are craving connection. The US leads global sales with a 41.7% market share, while Canada follows closely with $177 million in revenue. Searches for "board games near me" and "board game cafes" increased 22% year-over-year. Strategy games like Catan saw +173% growth in certain queries, while cooperative favorites surged +814%, reflecting the popularity of teamwork and social gaming.