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Best game gifts for teenage boys: the trick with teens is finding a game that beats their phone. The ones that work are fast, a little competitive and best played with friends, whether that means bluffing, monsters smashing a city or yelling one-syllable clues. These seven picks are all easy to teach and play in under an hour, and most cost less than a new video game.
Our top pick for teenage boys: Coup
A 15-minute bluffing game where everyone holds two secret character cards and anyone can lie about what they have. It plays 2 to 6 players, fits in a pocket and gets loud fast. It costs about $17.
Price band: $10–$20 (about $17) · Check today’s price on Amazon
What makes a good game gift for a teenage boy
- Built for friends: teens play games most at sleepovers, parties and lunch tables, so group games get used most.
- Quick to learn: if the rules take longer than five minutes, the phones come back out.
- A bit of conflict: bluffing, stealing and knocking each other out keeps it lively.
- Easy to carry: small boxes go to friends' houses. Big boxes stay on the shelf.
1. Coup — the best bluffing game for a friend group
Players: 2 to 6, about 15 minutes · Price band: $10–$20 (about $17) · Pick for: The best bluffing game for a friend group · See Coup on Amazon
Each player has two face-down influence cards from five characters, like the Duke, Assassin and Captain. On your turn you take an action, and many actions say you hold a certain character. Anyone can call your bluff. If you were lying you lose a card, and if you were telling the truth the challenger loses one. Lose both cards and you are out.
Rounds are short, so knocked-out players are back in quickly.
Skip it if: your group hates lying to each other, even in a game.
2. The Resistance — a hidden-role game for big groups
Players: 5 to 10 players · Price band: $10–$20 (about $19) · Pick for: A hidden-role game for big groups · See The Resistance on Amazon
Most players are resistance fighters, but a few are secret spies who know each other. Teams go on missions, and spies can quietly sabotage them. Everyone argues about who to trust and votes on each team. It is a classic for youth groups and big sleepovers because it needs no board and handles up to ten players.
New to it? Our guide on how to play The Resistance walks through the rules.
Skip it if: you usually have fewer than five players.
3. The Chameleon — a quick word game about blending in
Players: 3 to 8 players · Price band: $20–$30 (about $25) · Pick for: A quick word game about blending in · See The Chameleon on Amazon
Everyone sees a secret word on a grid except one player, the Chameleon. Each player says one word related to the secret word, then the group votes on who the Chameleon is. Say something too obvious and the Chameleon learns the word. Say something too vague and everyone suspects you. Rounds take a few minutes.
Skip it if: your group is only two people.
4. King of Tokyo — a dice game with giant monsters
Players: 2 to 6 players, about 30 minutes · Price band: $30+ (about $45) · Pick for: A dice game with giant monsters · See King of Tokyo on Amazon
Players are giant monsters rolling six dice, keeping some and rerolling the rest. Dice give points, energy, healing or claws to attack. The monster in Tokyo hits everyone else, and everyone else hits that monster. Power cards add wild abilities. It is the board game that feels most like a video game boss fight.
Skip it if: he dislikes games where players attack each other.
5. Exploding Kittens — a funny card game everyone already knows
Players: 2 to 5 players, about 15 minutes · Price band: $10–$20 (about $20) · Pick for: A funny card game everyone already knows · See Exploding Kittens on Amazon
Players draw cards until someone pulls an Exploding Kitten and is out, unless they hold a Defuse card. Action cards let you skip, peek at the deck or make someone else draw. Quick, silly and easy to play while talking.
Skip it if: he wants a game with deep strategy.
6. Poetry for Neanderthals — a party word game that gets loud
Players: 2 or more players · Price band: $10–$20 (about $20) · Pick for: A party word game that gets loud · See Poetry for Neanderthals on Amazon
Players try to get their team to guess a word using only one-syllable words. Slip up with a longer word and the other team gets to bonk you with an inflatable club. It is chaotic, funny and works well with a big group of friends or the whole family.
Skip it if: your group does not like shouting games.
7. Flip 7 — a cheap push-your-luck card game
Players: 3 or more players · Price band: Under $10 (about $8) · Pick for: A cheap push-your-luck card game · See Flip 7 on Amazon
Players flip cards one at a time, adding up numbers, and stop whenever they want to bank points. Flip a duplicate number and the round is worth nothing. It takes a minute to learn and is a good stocking stuffer or add-on gift.
Skip it if: you only have two players.
Game gifts for teenage boys compared
| Game | Players | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coup | 2 to 6 | Bluffing | about $17 |
| The Resistance | 5 to 10 | Hidden roles | about $19 |
| The Chameleon | 3 to 8 | Word and deduction | about $25 |
| King of Tokyo | 2 to 6 | Dice and monsters | about $45 |
| Exploding Kittens | 2 to 5 | Funny card game | about $20 |
| Poetry for Neanderthals | 2+ | Party word game | about $20 |
| Flip 7 | 3+ | Push your luck | about $8 |
Which game fits which teen
- For a big friend group: The Resistance or The Chameleon.
- For a competitive kid: Coup or King of Tokyo.
- For laughs: Poetry for Neanderthals or Exploding Kittens.
- For a stocking: Flip 7 or Coup. Both fit in a pocket.
- For the whole family: King of Tokyo and Poetry for Neanderthals work with parents too.
For more ideas, see our best teen party games to gift, our best game gifts for tweens and our game gifts for a brother.
Game gifts for teenage boys FAQ
What board games do teenage boys like?
Fast, competitive group games tend to work best. Coup, King of Tokyo and The Resistance are popular because they are quick to learn and great with friends.
What is a good game for a teen sleepover?
The Resistance and The Chameleon both handle big groups and play in short rounds.
What is a good cheap game gift for a teenager?
Flip 7 and Coup are usually among the cheapest picks here. Check the price column, since prices change.
Is Exploding Kittens good for teens?
Yes. The original edition is rated 7 and up and is a hit with teens. Avoid the NSFW edition if you are shopping for a younger teen.
