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Best Games for Father's Day: For Every Kind of Dad
- 18 hours ago
- 4 min read
This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, but we only recommend games we genuinely love.
Skip the Tie. Get Him Something He'll Actually Use.
The best gift for a dad who loves games is a game he will play over and over again. I picked these with specific kinds of dads in mind because not every dad wants the same thing, and the best gift is one that actually fits.
For the Golf Dad
Play Nine (Play Nine) 2-6 players | Ages 8+ | 30-60 min
If your dad checks the weather forecast three days out just to plan his tee time, Play Nine is going to speak to his soul.
It is a card game inspired by golf where players work through nine rounds trying to get the lowest score possible. There's plenty of strategy mixed with a little luck-of-the-draw.
Fast, portable, and genuinely fun for the whole family even if not everyone plays golf. A natural conversation starter for the dad who never stops thinking about the back nine.
🛒 Shop on Amazon →
For the Dad Who Pretends Not to Know What He's Doing
Or is that just my dad?
Carcassonne (Asmodee) 2-5 players | Ages 7+ | 30-45 min
Every time I play Carcassonne with my dad he acts like he is not quite sure what is happening. He seems to play his tiles willy nilly. But then he always wins by a landslide while the rest of us stare at the board trying to figure out what just happened.
Carcassonne is a tile-placement game where players build a medieval countryside together, claiming cities, roads, and farms with their meeples. Simple to learn, strategic once you know what you are doing, and endlessly replayable because the map is different every single game. For the dad who knows exactly what he is doing and would prefer you did not know that.
🛒 Shop on Amazon →
For the Sleuthing Dad
Clue (Hasbro) 2-6 players | Ages 8+ | 45-75 min
I recently saw a TikTok from a Game store owner saying that Clue isn't a good game. I wholeheartedly disagree!
Clue is a murder mystery deduction game where players move through a mansion gathering clues to determine who killed Mr. Boddy, with what weapon, and in which room. The first to correctly accuse the murderer wins.
For the dad who loves a good mystery novel, a crime podcast, or just the satisfaction of figuring something out before everyone else at the table. A classic that holds despite what the naysayers claim!
🛒 Shop on Amaon →
For the Beer Loving Dad
Dank & Draft (Rainbow Rabbits Games) 2-4 players | Ages 21+ | 30-45 min
No one asked me to put our own game on this list but here we are, because it absolutely belongs here.
Dank & Draft is a card drafting game featuring real Washington breweries where players are all taproom owners competing to build the best lineup of local brews. It is strategic, fast, and designed for people who take their beer seriously but do not take themselves too seriously.
For the dad who loves a good brewery visit, a well-curated tap list, or just an excuse to talk about beer for 45 minutes. Pairs well with an actual cold one.
For the Dad Who Makes Everything a Tournament
Ticket to Ride (Days of Wonder) 2-5 players | Ages 8+ | 30-60 min
During the pandemic our family ran a very competitive Ticket to Ride tournament online as a way to stay connected across the continent. What started as a casual weekly game turned into a full standings board and some very spirited trash talk.
Ticket to Ride is a route-building game where players collect colored train cards and claim railway routes across the map. Easy to learn in one sitting, strategic enough to reward repeat plays.
For the dad who loves trains, competition, or both.
🛒 Shop on Amazon →
Quick Reference: Mother's Day Games
Game | Best For | Players | Time |
The Golf Dad | 2-6 | 30-60min | |
The Sleuthing Dad | 2-6 | 45-75min | |
The Dad Who Pretends Not to Know | 2-5 | 30-45min | |
The Beer Loving Dad | 2-4 | 20min | |
The Tournament Dad | 2-5 | 30-60min |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good Father's Day gift for a dad who loves games?
Any of the games on this list make a genuinely thoughtful gift. Carcassonne and Ticket to Ride are the most universally loved — both are easy to learn and endlessly replayable. Dank & Draft is the pick for a dad with a craft beer obsession.
What is a good game for a dad who loves golf?
Play Nine was basically designed for golf dads. The scoring mirrors golf, the tension mirrors golf, and the trash talk is very golf.
Are any of these games good for kids and adults together?
Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, Clue, and Play Nine all work beautifully for mixed ages from about 8 and up
Where can I buy Dank & Draft?
Dank & Draft is available directly from our shop at rainbowrabbits.com. Buying direct supports a small indie publisher and ships free within the US on orders over $20.
Have a game your dad swears by? Drop it in the comments.
— Becky & the Bunnies
