The Magic of Cooperative Board Games: A Fun Way to Beat Sibling Rivalry
Feb 05, 2025
Okay! Picture this: It’s game night. You’re all gathered around the table, yummy snacks waiting to be devoured, excitement in the air. Your kids are ready for their turn… and then it happens.
“NOOO! You took my spot! I was gonna win! That's NOT fair! You cheated!!” Cue the meltdown. Game night just went from fun to full-blown sibling battle. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many traditional board games foster competition—while this can be valuable in many ways, it can also amplify sibling rivalry. It's okay for our kids to lose and even important for them to learn how to lose. It's also important for them to learn to tolerate frustration and the frustration that comes with playing a game. However, if sibling rivalry is at an all-time high in your home, pitting your kids against each other may not be the best idea in this season of their lives.
What if instead of competing against each other, your kids worked together in a way that built connection between them? What if that connection and positive experience with each other made a positive difference in their relationship? And, that's where cooperative games come into play!!!!
What Are Cooperative Games?
I love cooperative games and incorporate them into play with my own children. As mom to three kiddos all with very competitive temperaments, cooperative games have been a game changer in my own home-which is why I'm such a fan of them. Cooperative board games ditch the “winner vs. loser” dynamic and replace it with teamwork, communication, and a shared win. Instead of trying to beat each other, your kids work together to solve a problem, defeat a challenge, or reach a goal before time runs out. Kids vs. game means fewer sibling fights which also means so much more fun for everyone on game night!
Why Cooperative Games Are a Game-Changer for Sibling Relationships
Siblings don’t always naturally want to cooperate (shocking, right?). But cooperative games give them a fun, low-pressure way to practice problem-solving, decision-making, and listening to each other. They teach our kids HOW to work together
Instead of “I win, you lose,” they learn:
How can we solve this together?
What’s the best move for our team?
How can we encourage each other?
This shifts the sibling dynamic from rivalry to teamwork. Cooperative games also reduce conflict and encourage empathy. When our kids play competitive games, emotions can run high. The frustration of losing can lead to outbursts, arguments, and “That’s not fair!” meltdowns.
But cooperative games reframe the experience:
Instead of frustration at each other → They share the challenge.
Instead of blaming → They strategize together.
Instead of gloating → They celebrate as a team.
This teaches our kids emotional regulation and models a “we’re in this together” mindset—a lesson that carries far beyond the game board. Cooperative games also build problem-solving and communication skills. They require kids to talk things through, listen to different perspectives, and make decisions as a team.
This leads to them naturally practicing:
Negotiation (“Should we move here or there?”)
Taking turns speaking (“Let’s hear everyone’s ideas!”)
Encouraging each other (“Great idea! Let’s try it!”)
These are the same skills they’ll need in real-life sibling interactions, friendships, and teamwork. Cooperative games also make family time more fun and less stressful!!! I mean, let's be honest, sometimes game night feels like a full blown game of battleship in real life!!!! It can be miserable for us as parents and for our kids when all we wanted was some fun family time!!!!! When kids get too competitive, someone always ends up in tears or storming off. With cooperative games, the whole family wins together—which means less stress, fewer fights, and way more laughter. It turns game night into what you as a parent want it to be: a fun, bonding experience between your kids and with you!
So, let's look at some Awesome Cooperative Board Games for Kids Of All Ages
Many of these are cooperative games that I have in my own home! My kids love them, and I am forever indebted to the game makers who have made game night feel like a win every time!!! Simply click the links to each game for more details and to purchase.
Outfoxed! (Ages 5+)
ONE OF MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES!!! (It's actually fun to play as a parent!) A clue-finding mystery game where players work together to find out which sneaky fox stole the pie! Encourages logic, collaboration, and teamwork.
Mermaid Island (Ages 5+)
A simple, magical game where players help the mermaids escape the Sea Witch before she reaches them. Great for teaching turn-taking, patience, and working together.
Hoot Owl Hoot! (Ages 4+)
Players help the owls fly back to their nest before sunrise by strategizing moves together. Builds early cooperation and problem-solving skills.
Race to the Treasure (Ages 5+)
Kids work as a team to build a path and reach the treasure before the ogre does! Encourages team-based decision-making and planning.
Castle Panic (Ages 7+)
A fast-paced tower defense game where players defend their castle from invading monsters. Helps older kids develop strategic thinking and collaboration. There's also a younger version of Castle Panic for ages 4+ called My First Castle Panic. 
Forbidden Island (Ages 8+)
A cooperative adventure game where players work together to escape a sinking island. A fantastic choice for building critical thinking and teamwork. This game is part of a series to also include Forbidden Jungle and Forbidden Desert
The Crew: Mission Deep Sea (Ages 10+)
A family-friendly cooperative card game where players work together to complete underwater missions without speaking. Builds silent teamwork and strategy!
A few additional cooperative Game Links to consider include (click on any to purchase): 
- Dinosaur Escape
- Feed the Woozle
- Snug as a Bug in a Rug
- Stories of the Three Coins
- The Fairy Game
- Cauldron Quest
- Count your Chickens
- Gnomes at Night
- Space Escape
Cooperative games build lifelong skills in teamwork, communication, and empathy. They turn competition into connection… and make game nights WAY more fun for everyone. So next time your kids start bickering over a game, swap out the competition for cooperation. What’s your favorite game to play as a family? Have you tried cooperative games before? Let me know in the comments!
Parenting Alongside You,
Dr. Emma and the Aparently Parenting Team
(Yes, we are an amazon affiliate so we do make a few pennies on any purchase you make. However, this allows us to keep creating free content like this you! And, all of our opinions are our own. We only link items we have used ourselves or have heard amazing things about!)
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