The Best Cooperative Games for ALL Ages

Games are supposed to be fun, right? But if your homeschool game nights have ever ended in tears, tantrums, or full-blown meltdowns (especially over losing), you’re not alone. Games can bring families together—but sometimes, they bring out the worst in our little competitors.

Been there? Same here. Thankfully, there’s a solution that saved our sanity and turned our “game-night battles” into joyful, connected learning moments.

I have a solution for you – Cooperative games.

Do you have sore losers? Kids who need practice working together? Cooperative games are a great way to work together on a common goal.

What Are Cooperative Games?

Cooperative games are a game-changer—literally. Instead of playing against each other, players work together to beat the game itself.

That means:

  • You all win together… or
  • You all lose together.

And honestly? That simple shift from me vs. you to us vs. the game makes a world of difference—especially for kids struggling with competition, perfectionism, or being a sore loser.

Why We Love Cooperative Games in Our Homeschool

As a homeschool mom (and especially as a mom of an only child), cooperative games have become one of my favorite tools—not just for fun, but for character building too.

Here’s why cooperative games are such a win:

  • Builds teamwork and collaboration skills
  • Promotes empathy and communication
  • Teaches turn-taking and patience
  • Reduces sibling rivalry and competitive stress
  • Provides low-pressure learning through play
  • Helps soothe sore loser tendencies in a supportive way

Whenever I notice a little extra selfishness or a “me first” attitude creeping in, I’ll often pull out a cooperative game. It’s a gentle and effective way to reframe the focus on us instead of me.

Best Cooperative Games for Younger Kids

These are some of our go-to cooperative board games for early learners. They’re colorful, age-appropriate, and full of teamwork opportunities without being overly complicated. These are ideal for ages 3–8, and many include story-driven elements that keep kids engaged from start to finish. Peaceable Kingdom Hoot Owl Hoot – Peaceable Kingdom Dinosaur Escape Award Winning Peaceable Kingdom Race to the Treasure! Peaceable Kingdom Friends and Neighbors: The Peaceable Kingdom Cauldron Quest Cooperative Potions Gamewright Outfoxed! A Cooperative Whodunit Board Peaceable Kingdom Mermaid Island Cooperative Board Peaceable Kingdom Sky Magic – A GHOST FIGHTIN’ TREASURE HUNTERS Family Board Game – Wildcraft! an Peaceable Kingdom Count Your Chickens Award Peaceable Kingdom Space Escape Cooperative Strategy

Best Cooperative Games for Older Kids (and Adults Too!)

Got tweens, teens, or even adults who want to get in on the fun? These cooperative games offer more complexity, deeper strategy, and epic storytelling. These games are perfect for family game nights with older kids or mixed-age groups that want a challenge—and they still focus on collaboration over competition.

 Pandemic Forbidden Island – The Cooperative Strategy Forbidden Desert – The Cooperative Strategy Gamewright Forbidden Sky – The Cooperative Betrayal At House On The Hill Mysterium Shadows Over Camelot: Card Game Mansions of Madness Board Game, 2nd

You can browse and shop even more of our favorite cooperative games right here.

Yes, These Count as Homeschool Too!

Don’t forget—cooperative games can absolutely count toward your homeschool learning.

You’re covering:

  • Social-emotional learning
  • Communication and reasoning
  • Strategy and logic
  • Reading and vocabulary (especially with rulebooks and clues)
  • Even geography, math, and science depending on the game!

Cooperative games can totally transform the vibe at your table—from stress and competition to connection and support. Whether you’re playing with an only child, trying to teach kindness, or just want fewer game-night tears, these games are a must-have.

What’s your favorite cooperative game for your homeschool? Drop a comment and share it with the rest of us!