Image: MomJunction Design Team
Pirates and their adventures on the seas have long captured people’s imagination. An exciting life full of adventure and action would lure many into a fantasy world. The best pirate board games are a source of entertainment, bringing the complete family together from the comfort of your home. In addition, they offer several positive effects on children’s mental, emotional, and physical development. Here, we list some of the best consumer-tested pirate board games and a buying guide for you to choose a suitable one.
Top Picks
11 Best Pirate Board Games
1. Best Strategy:Hasbro Gaming Risk Junior Strategy Board Game
Hasbro Gaming’s Risk Junior is one of the best strategy games designed to help children improve psychologically, emotionally, and physically. Players can put a die on their pirate ships, press a lever, and launch them to claim islands and treasures. This pirate board game allows players to sneak pirates into islands, defend their territories, and control the treasure they’ve accumulated. Your victory is defined by the amount of treasure and island acquired, making it a competitive and entertaining pirate-themed board game. Here’s a product testing video to help you learn more about this classic game.
Pros
- Involves up to four players
- Easy to set up and play
- Bold and colorful artwork
- Helps improve critical thinking
- Less than 30-minute playtime
Cons
- Cardboard tokens may be thin
"My kids love this game�s unique dice-rolling mechanism. They even picked its rules quickly, and its quick gameplay works well for their short attention spans. Plus, all the counting and moving of the pirate ship has improved their numerical skills."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 2,401 reviews on Amazon, it's clear that many people love this product.
2. Best To Improve Social Skills:Catan Studios Catan Explorers and Pirates Board Game
Embark on a thrilling pirate adventure with this Catan Explorers and Pirates board game, which is suitable for children aged 12 years and older. With five novel scenarios, players use their ships to navigate the seas and build homes on the discovered islands. Its variable board allows replayability, so you don’t get bored of playing this pirate-themed game multiple times. It is easy to learn and offers a 90-minute average playtime.Watch this video, where a reviewer tests this adventure game and takes you through all the details you want to know about the product.
Pros
- Helps improve social skills
- Allows three to four players
- Multiple components
- Lightweight
Cons
- Needs CATAN base game
"Catan has always been my favorite pirate-themed game, so I quickly got this new version. While it took me some time to figure out its intricacies, the added layer of strategies has only made the game more fun. However, I'd recommend marking instead of punching the pieces to ensure longevity."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 2,349 satisfied customers on Amazon have said good things about the product.
3. Best Double-Sided:Lost Boy Entertainment Plunder A Pirate’s Life
Plunder A Pirate’s Life’s double-sided board tiles allow you to create different map configurations for a thrilling pirate adventure. You are the pirate king, and there won’t be any problem if you sink your rivals to the depths of the sea. Since players can construct ships, fight wars, find treasures, and conquer islands, you’ll find this plundering board game challenging and exciting. If you have gold, you can spend it on nearly anything. However, wood earns you additional ships, iron gets you more cannons, and rum can keep the crew’s spirit high. For a more detailed review of this fun game, check out a tester’s experience in this video.
Pros
- Easy to learn
- Suitable for two to six players
- Ideal for both beginners and experienced players
- Includes player interaction
- Team play option
Cons
- May have a choking hazard
"This game's blend of strategy and fun keeps everyone in my family hooked. Its board seems durable, and the interchangeable tiles keep things interesting regardless of how often this game is replayed."
Did you know?Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The tried-and-true product has earned over 1,531 good reviews on Amazon.
4. Best Sturdy:Facade Games Tortuga 1667 Board Game Of Strategy, Deceit, Cards, And Luck
The Tortuga 1667 is designed from wood and rubber material, safe for your children as they do not contain toxic elements. Accumulate your treasure by strategizing, using cards, deceiving your friends, or through luck. This entertaining pirate-themed board game is suitable for children aged 12 years and above. It can accommodate up to nine pirates and offers a playtime of 20 to 40 minutes. This card game set includes 75 cards, one wood explosion token, eight wood treasure tokens, nine wood pawns, and one cloth bag.
Pros
- Attractive faux book box
- Includes a rubber playing mat
- Sturdy
- Includes a rulebook
Cons
- May be difficult to board ships
"The best thing about this game is that it allows my family of five to play together and awakens our competitive spirit. Besides, the game folding like a book is pretty neat. Overall, it has been an exciting addition to our existing collection."
5. Best With Quick Playtime:Brybelly Liar’s Dice Game Set
Liar’s Dice, one of the best pirate board games from Brybelly, features a 12.25×8.75-inch neoprene treasure map with pirate decorations. Its 30 custom bullseye dice are suitable for chucking craps. The reusable storage box with a sleek design keeps your items safe, and it’s designed like a treasure chest. This pirate game is designed for pirates, monster hunters, bandits, gamblers, or cowboys and allows two to six players to play simultaneously. The players can track their bids on the functional bidding track.
Pros
- Includes six leather dice cups
- Easy to play
- Includes instructions
- Quick playtime
Cons
- May be too simple
6. Best Treasure Chest:Plaid Hat Games Forgotten Waters Pirate Board Game
The Forgotten Waters pirate board game lets you assume the role of a pirate and sail with other pirates on the same ship. Pirates may be forced to steal or fight to stay alive and desperate struggles lie ahead. This cooperative board game’s world is magical, and the encouraging stories keep the pirates together as they laugh and explore. According to the reviewers, its five unique scenarios enable replays, and the massive location book offers an adventure that can last a lifetime. Plunder A Pirate’s Life’s double-sided board tiles allow you to create different map configurations for a thrilling pirate adventure. You are the pirate king, and there won’t be any problem if you sink your rivals to the depth of the sea. Since players can construct ships, fight wars, find treasures, and conquer islands, you’ll find this plundering board game challenging and exciting.
Pros
- Longer playtime
- Highly variable
- Immersive story-driven game
- Includes a free app
Cons
- Set up may be complicated
"My favorite feature of this game is its seamless app integration; it truly brings the pirate adventure to life. What adds to the allure is the captivating storytelling. The setup may seem a little complicated, but its overall entertainment value makes the effort worthwhile."
Trivia7. Best With Attractive Components:Z-Man Games Merchants & Marauders
Players can get treasures through the plundering trade hunting expeditions. This trading board game features a thematic combat system and unique trading system that offer intense excitement and critical thinking. This pirate-themed game gives room for ship modification and allows you to purchase impressive vessels, load deadly special ammunition, and hire crew members with special skills.
Pros
- Three-hour playtime
- Allows two to four players
- Attractive components
- Easy to learn
Cons
- May have a choking hazard
"This game�s map-themed board and golden coins bring a pirate-like feel to our game sessions. However, its rules felt complicated, and the turns became lengthy during some complex parts. Still, it only gets more interesting the more we play it."
8. Best Entertaining:Forbidden Games Extraordinary Adventures: Pirates!
The Extraordinary Adventures: Pirates board game includes plunder merchant ships that grab the cargo and add new crew cards to build your deck. Whenever you play cards, you’ll move your ship three tracks, and soon, you’ll be the richest pirate in the Caribbean. This entertaining deck-building board game is easy to follow and appropriate for children of eight years and above.
Pros
- Easy to learn
- Educative and entertaining
- 60-minute playtime
- Sturdy and durable game tiles
- Suitable for two to six players
Cons
- May be rushed
"I am amazed at how historically a curate this game board is. It's also easy to understand and has remained entertaining over multiple play sessions as it has a variety of setups. It even has a touch of humor; hence, I reach for it when I want a fun and lighthearted evening."
9. Best Cooperative: Peaceable Kingdom Yarrr Har Hunt
The Peaceable Kingdom Yarrr Har Hunt is built as a cooperative board game for children. Players must help Captain Casey and her crew discover clues to find Shell Island treasures before getting to the island. This fun game also enhances children’s communication, cooperation, decision-making, and strategy skills as they collaborate to find clues to the hidden treasures. The rules for playing this adventure game are straightforward to understand. This award-winning game is known for enabling teamwork, self-esteem, emotional development, a sense of community, and creative problem-solving ability.
Pros
- Suitable for four years and above
- Accommodates two to four players
- Offers 20-minute playtime
- Straightforward instruction
- High-quality, durable materials
Cons
- May pose choking hazards
"I pulled out this game during a playdate, and all the little kiddos had a blast. They were motivated by the need to find the treasures and continued until the end. Thankfully, it has a team spirit approach instead of a competitive one, so there weren't any tears or whining."
10. Best Family-Friendly:Gamelyn Games Tiny Epic Pirate Board Game
Gamelyn Games’ Tiny Epic Pirate board game features a black market when you can make a fortune or risk losing your savings. Sail the ship for a fun adventure, but you can also use the Action Wheel to find more ways to conquer the sea. It allows plundering so you can amass wealth without spending the cash you’ve earned. You can recruit up to four players in your quest to take over rival ships and collect treasures. It’s a family-friendly adventure board game with premium materials that won’t wear or tear easily.
Pros
- Long playing time
- Easy to play
- Easy storage
- Easy setup
- High replayability
Cons
- May have too many components
"Although tiny, the intricate details of this game have made the game nights challenging yet fun. The quality of the board and patterned dice has also been impressive. Moreover, the changing map and different moves have kept it from becoming boring even when replayed."
Caution11. Best With Durable Metal:FoxMind Bermuda Pirates Board Game
FoxMind’s Bermuda Pirates board game is a captivating family game that tests your observation skills, memory, and dexterity. It’s a treacherous treasure hunt that can make your hunt sink and lose all your hard-earned treasures. You’ll push your boat with one finger to rich the treasure island within the center of the board and make away with some valuables. 256 secret board configurations make this treasure hunting board game adventurous, and you’ll never repeat the same game every time.
Pros
- Durable metal material
- 20-minute playing time
- Suits two to four players
- Easy to play
Cons
- May not have instructions
"My kids love this magnetic board game because it entertains them with a strategic touch. However, they have to be cautious with those little puzzle pieces as they seem fragile. Still, the fanciful pirate ships and treasure-chasing motif have made it their preferable option."
How To Choose the Right Pirate Board Games?
Consider these points when choosing the right pirate-themed board games.
- Design: Ensure the design is easy to understand while not sacrificing the entertaining aspect. Some pirate board games are played with cards or dice, while the boards are creatively painted with a unique pirate theme to help your child navigate the high seas. You may also factor in the duration of the game when choosing one.
- Material: Ensure the material is high-quality to make them durable and reliable. It should not contain materials with toxic chemicals that can harm your child. The pieces shouldn’t be too small to cause choking hazards.
- Storage: Ensure the board game is easy to store to keep the components safe for long.
- Players: Consider the number of players when choosing a game. If you have a large family or the child has many friends, go for one that accommodates two or more players.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose has a keen eye for detail and a passion for in-depth research. She loves to write about things that can make children’s lives better and brighter, be it in the form of convenient essentials, fun toys, or creative gifts. Pirates have always been a point of fascination for young minds. Priti has listed the best pirate board games that will keep kids engaged in a fantasy world and help them nurture their imagination and creativity. She has gone through several trusted websites for customer reviews to ensure quality.
With so many pirate-themed movies that have captured people’s interest, pirate board games have managed to become a refreshing change from traditional board games. A pirate game, or any game, should be both challenging and entertaining. However, it should come with easy-to-understand instructions. If you’re buying a pirate board game for your next game night, consider the number of invited people and invest in a game for as many players so that everybody has fun.
Infographic: How To Make Pirate Board Games More Exciting?
Pirate board games are exciting tabletop adventures that immerse players in the thrilling world of pirates, treasure hunts, and swashbuckling adventures and exploits. Enhance your board gaming experience by following simple tips and tricks to make your pirate board game sessions truly memorable. Check out the infographic below to learn how to make the most of your pirate board game journey.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- A Treasury of Pirate Facts
https://www.southwestern.edu/live/news/14973-a-treasury-of-pirate-facts
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