We Picked the 6 Best Games from the Happy Kid Awards—and You Can Shop Them All at Walmart

Name: Rubik’s Squish Cube
Brand: Walmart
Price: 15 USD

By PureWow Editors

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Published Nov 12, 2024

Dasha Burobina/ Walmart

In a world centered around social media, it’s no secret that stimulating your child’s brain and engaging them in thoughtful play is crucial for development—and that’s why introducing your kids to good old-fashioned board games is so important. The reality, though, is that there are hundreds of games to choose from (it’s not just Candyland and Twister anymore), so how do you know which ones are worth a purchase?

After months of rigorous research (aka talking to parents, playing games and researching what kids and teens love most), PureWow editors selected the six best kids’ games for the annual Happy Kid Awards. And bonus: You can shop all of them right at Walmart. From funny family team games to games about poop (stick with us on this one), here are six games that will leave your kids asking if they can play again.

Dasha Burobina/ Walmart

1. Do You Really Know Your Family?

Why We Like It

Helps parents form more personal bonds with kids
Super easy to learn
Great for family game night

The Logistics

Difficulty level: easy
Age: 8+
Amount of players: 3-8

Walmart

If you want to share a good laugh with your kid while learning more about them, this is the game for you. You’ll take turns drawing trivia cards with questions like “What’s my least favorite chore?” and other fun quips. Oh btw, be prepared to do an impression of a family member—this one particularly tickled our PureWow editors.

BUY IT ($15)

Dasha Burobina/ Walmart

2. Monopoly GO!

Why We Like It

Stays true to the original board game
Travel-sized
Fast-paced

The Logistics

Difficulty level: medium
Age: 8+
Amount of players: up to 4

Walmart

If there are a few folks in your family that shrug every time you break out Monopoly at the function, consider offering Monopoly GO! next time—a more condensed, 15-minute version. With collapsible, smaller boards you can take on the go, this portable option is less time-consuming but still holds true to the spirit of the OG game.

BUY IT ($17)

Dasha Burobina/ Walmart

3. You Little Stinker

Why We Like It

Inspires fast thinking
Great for the whole family
Helps kids identify patterns

The Logistics

Difficulty level: easy
Age: 4+
Amount of players: 2-5

Walmart

This fast-paced, dice matching game had PureWow editors’ little ones asking for “one more round”—an incredible feat for a crowd with attention spans that last no more than five minutes. In other words, You Little Stinker isn’t as gross as the name might denote, and your kid will love the silly yet brain-stimulating picture-matching game.

BUY IT ($25)

4. UNO Teams

Why We Like It

Fast-paced
Encourages teamwork
True to the original game

The Logistics

Difficulty level: medium
Age: 7+
Amount of players: 2-8

Walmart

Everyone loves UNO, so prepare to fall in love with UNO Teams too. It follows the same rules as its predecessor (matching colors, numbers and symbols), but you’ll be working on teams of two instead of by yourself. Warning: Your kids will ask to break this one out frequently—it’s just as addictive as the classic.

BUY IT ($7)

Dasha Burobina/ Walmart

5. Poop Wars

Why We Like It

Quick play time
Cheeky humor
Appropriate for the younger kiddos

The Logistics

Difficulty level: easy
Age: 6+
Amount of players: 2-4

Walmart

Ever wonder what it’s like to be the last poop to survive a flush? No? Yeah, us neither. But this game is sure to get a laugh out of your kids, and also keep them occupied by asking them to strategize their moves. With character names like “Runny Rob” and “Gooey Gus,” this hybrid card/board game is sure to be a hit with your little ones (and maybe even the adults).

BUY IT ($20)

Dasha Burobina/ Walmart

6. Rubik’s Squish Cube

Why We Like It

Appeals to older kids
Tactile
Boosts problem-solving skills

The Logistics

Difficulty level: medium
Age: 8+
Amount of players: 1

Walmart

It’s no secret that teens and tweens have a penchant for nostalgia, so we’re not surprised that Rubik’s Cubes are making a comeback. This squishy version, in true modern nature, is half fidget toy, half individual puzzle—a surefire way to keep your brain occupied for a while (and off devices).

BUY IT ($15)

PureWow Editors

Editorial Team

Our editorial team works with a variety of writers and experts across all fields to produce thoroughly researched stories that resonate with you. Our mission is to be that well-informed best friend who's always got your back, whether you need advice on dealing with toddler tantrums or the best no-chafe workout shorts to buy.

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