Joseph works as an editor in one of the magazines dedicated to video games. Here, at RecRoomPick, he’s given the opportunity to enjoy the reverse of the medal – the no less engaging world of offline games.
Ryan knows everything when it comes to gaming, both online and offline. Since his early years he’s been in love with arcades, air hockey, and foosball. Finally, he’s given the opportunity to share his knowledge and opinion on the hobby of his life (and even get paid for it!).
Last updated: December 26, 2024
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Do you feel that educational games cannot be fun? Are you tired of regular board games?
Introduce dexterity games into your life and find yourself in a completely new world. We scoured the market for the best dexterity board games so that you can choose the perfect one for your friends and family members. There are dexterity games for people of all age groups, and you just need to find the right one for your requirements.
We reviewed the games one at a time so that you know what each game brings to the table. The type of dexterity employed in the game is an important factor to consider. Do not forget to note the number of players and the recommended age for the game, or else you might not enjoy the game the way you intended to. If you have particular requirements about the duration, you should also note that.
"A more complex Crokinole board game for youngsters and adults with a beautiful maple design.Suitable for ages 13+.15–30-minute gameplay time.Handcrafted in the USA."
"An ideal racing game for two to eight people with an option of building your own tracks.Suitable for kids and adults.30-minute gameplay time.Beautiful construction."
"A nice little game with an adorable design which is safe for kids and still engaging for adults.Unique tumbling game.For one to four players.Natural wood."
"A game intended to level up your reaction and speed, or get zapped if you come last.For ages 14 and up.Two to four people can play.Different shocking levels and modes."
Once you find the perfect party game, you will never look back. Rated as the top party game in multiple countries, Klask will make you work hard as you try to score those nifty goals. You will be able to use the striker and the magnetic handle to defend your side. Focus on avoiding the holes and the magnets that are designed to slow you down. One of the best dexterity board games for adults, Klask is like a combination of foosball and air hockey, and you will be addicted within minutes. This game is highly portable, and you can carry it with you just about anywhere. You will find that it comes fully assembled and all you have to do is lay it out on the table.
What are our favorite features?
The design of Klask is flawless as it is sturdy and elegant. It will test your skill, aim, reflexes, and speed, all in one round.
What could be better?
If you are playing with the same group over and over again, the gameplay might get repetitive.
Are you tired of Jenga? Then you should check out HABA Animal Upon Animal as your next family stacking game. Each round requires 2-4 players who will have to pile animals upon one another. This game fits into an adult game night just as easily as it fits into a children’s birthday party. The goal is to be the first to place all the wooden animals in a pile. You will have to rely on your hand-eye coordination and your motor skills to be a winner. The die is rolled to determine the number of animals to be placed by the players. The game comes with 28 wood-crafted animals that you can stack limitlessly.
What do we love it for?
Since every animal has a unique shape, it presents a challenge for the players to stack them properly. The die roll keeps the excitement alive until the end.
What were we disappointed with?
The pieces are slippery and hence difficult to stack. There is a learning curve to the game, which youngsters might not enjoy.
Quite possibly one of the oldest dexterity games to ever be invented, Crokinole is a classic. The players take their seats around a wooden board and try to flick discs towards the middle from the edge. There are different scoring sections according to which the players can calculate their scores. It is one of the best flicking games available.
This Crokinole board has a beautifully smooth waxed surface, and it will be a pleasure to play shots on it. It is surrounded by sturdy rails that allow your game to continue without interruptions. The board is of tournament size at 26 inches and is constructed with maple and walnut hardwoods. The Crokinole board is accompanied by a dozen black and a dozen white game discs.
Why are we impressed?
While this game might be old, it is never too late to come up with new strategies. You will have to be sharp and precise if you want to win among your friends.
What negatives must you be aware of?
The board might feel a little slick in the beginning. There are more affordable options in the market.
Racing never gets old. This game requires 2-8 players, and each round will span around thirty minutes. The players will have to select a car and then create a track to begin the race. The key is to use a flicker technique and propel the car. The player who reaches the finish line first is the winner. Master the art of propelling your car so that it can beat out the competition.
One of the best flicking games, the game is crafted skillfully with wood and offers 16 different portions of the track. You will be able to create a variety of different tracks. Stay on the wheels no matter what because falling out of the track will disqualify you.
What are our favorite features?
Being able to play a racing board game with your kids will always be a gratifying experience. Setting this game up does not take much effort, and the instructions are easy to follow.
What could be better?
Since this game is a little expensive, it might be worth adding a few more gameplay items.
Dexterity games make for the best family games, and this is a perfect example. The Melissa & Doug Suspend Family Game is an activity game that can be set up within minutes. Players have to bank on their hand-eye coordination to become the victor. The games with all the necessary playing pieces. This award-winning balancing game requires 1-4 players and will engage everyone equally. Kids, in particular, will develop their cognitive abilities, self-confidence, and social skills through the game. We all need to brush up on our problem-solving skills sometimes, irrespective of our age. The best part is that the game never ceases to be fun despite being educational.
Why did it make our list?
There are many variations of the game that you can try, and you will never be bored. The game strikes the perfect balance between being exciting and educational.
What is not ideal about it?
This game does require some practice. Older children might tire of this game quickly if they do not appreciate dexterity games.
A dexterity game that inspires creativity is the best combination possible. With sixty colorful components made with wood or plastic, this game will let you make impressive junk art. There are multiple game modes available so that you never get bored. If you want to jog your imagination even more, you can make your own rules. The game begins with the distribution of cards with pictures of the parts. You will have to follow the sequence of the game and create enviable art pieces. As you improve your skills through practice, you will discover new ways of putting together the components and creating masterpieces.
Why are we impressed?
The game has a high replay value because the game will change every round depending on the rounds. Creating junk art is an excellent way to improve your imagination skills.
What negatives must you be aware of?
While 60 components are more than enough, the game would be even more enjoyable if a few more exciting components are added. This game is best played in a bigger group.
One of the best flicking games, Blue Orange Fastrack NHL Board Game is a fast-paced treat that will keep your group entertained for hours. Flex your motor skills and try to push the discs to the opposite side of the track through the slot in the middle. The goal is to clear your side as soon as possible. The player who manages to fire all the discs first is the one who wins. The wooden board has been crafted with careful attention to detail, and it is very smooth. Resembling hockey, this dexterity game will demand ultimate precision and lightning reflexes from you. Since the game is branded by the NHL, it will be an elegant addition to your game room.
What makes it stand out?
This game is exhilarating because you will need to rely on speed to do the job for you. Perfect your hand-eye coordination to clear your side of the rink as soon as possible.
Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
Since this game accommodates two players at a time, this game is unsuitable for large groups. The gameplay could become repetitive after a while.
What could be better than a Cat-tastrophe when you are playing a dexterity game? This challenge is designed to hone motor skills and improve one’s ability to think critically. It is an ideal family game that requires 2-4 players. Since all the components are made with natural wood and colored with safe paint, there is no threat to your children. The goal is to save the cat stuck at the top of the tree. You will have to pluck out the leaves carefully from the tree, lowering the kitten in the process. In case the kitty falls from the tree, you will lose immediately.
What are our favorite features?
Made with wood and painted with safe colors, this game is ideal for kids. The game has educational benefits, but it never stops being fun. It is easy to set up, and guarantees enjoyment every single time.
If you happen to love both food and dexterity games, then the Blue Orange Maki Stack Family Party Game is the one you should choose. Perfect as a board game, it will entertain your group to no end. All you have to do is to stack your sushi as precisely as possible. If the sushi stack falls, you lose. You will have to use your fingers as chopsticks and stack the wooden sushi pieces flawlessly. Be experimental and try some stacking combinations that you may have never thought of before. The game comes with sushi pieces, soy sauce bottles, and plates. Improve your motor skills and establish the perfect balance.
What are its best features?
Not only does this game hone your balancing skills, but it also satisfies your sushi craving. The high-quality construction of the game makes it durable.
What could be improved?
The game is designed not to be overly complicated. While that is an advantage in most cases, some people might find it monotonous after a few rounds.
One of the best dexterity board games for adults, Lightning Reaction Reloaded is the one to save for your next party. This game is shockingly exciting, quite literally. The person who loses receives an electric shock as their punishment. There are certain safety precautions for the game that are worth noting.
All the players need to take a handle to start the game. You have to press the button in the center so that the red light starts blinking. You will hear scary music as you wait for the red light to turn green. As soon as you see the green light, press the trigger button. The one with the slowest reaction will get zapped. Lightning Reaction Reloaded offers three shock control options and two different modes.
What makes it stand out?
This game truly makes your party more exciting within a few minutes. Hone your motor skills or prepare to be zapped.
Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
The game appeals to a limited audience. There could be some additions made to make it more universally appealing.
Things to Consider
If you are planning to buy a dexterity game that will test your skills and present a true challenge, then this buying guide will help you choose the right game for yourself.
Dexterity board games: Benefits and drawbacks
Dexterity games allow players to display their dexterity through pulling, flicking, pushing, twister, and other motions. They are crucial to the gameplay because they help in progressing the game further. Most dexterity games have interesting themes that will captivate you. These games are especially great for children because they help in developing motor and cognitive skills. Dexterity games often prove to be a learning experience for children without robbing them of the fun that comes with board games.
If you have been looking for an amazing family game, you cannot go wrong with a dexterity game. The only disadvantage is that some dexterity games which are designed for children might get monotonous for adults after a while.
Features to consider when choosing a dexterity board game
When you are trying to choose a dexterity game, you should take certain features into account so that you do not regret your purchase. The following parameters hold the most importance.
Recommended age
The recommended age is a very important factor that you should not ignore. You need to consider your group and their preferences before you finalize on a game. For example, if you are going to play with children, then you should pick a game whose recommended age matches the youngest kid. For example, the recommended age for HABA Animal Upon Animal is 4-plus, which makes it an excellent family game. On the other hand, the recommended age for Melissa & Doug Suspend Family Game is 8-plus, while Crokinole requires 13-plus players. If you want a game that mostly targets adults, then you should take a look at Lightning Reaction Reloaded – Shocking Game.
Number of players
The number of players required to play the board game will determine how flexible it is. If you want a game for a large group, you should try Junk Art since it requires 2 to 6 players. On the other hand, if you are sure that you want a game that only two players can play at a time, then you have many options like KLASK Magnetic Battle and Crokinole. In case you want to keep your options open, it is better to buy a game like Melissa & Doug Suspend Family Game that can be played by one player, two players and even more.
Gameplay time
The gameplay time is an important consideration. If you are going to play with children, you should opt for games with shorter rounds because they might need frequent breaks. On the other hand, if you want a dexterity game for a group of adults, you can either go for longer games or games with more daring themes. Junk Art and Crokinole require half an hour for each round. A round of KLASK Magnetic Battle requires about ten minutes. If you want a board game that has an even shorter duration, then Blue Orange Fastrack NHL might be your best bet.
What’s included
Dexterity games usually come with various components that you have to stack, flick, or pull. Most of the games we mentioned in our list come with various well-crafted components. The Melissa & Doug Suspend Family Game has 24 game rods and 4 frame rods, among other components. The Blue Orange Maki Stack Family Party Game has well-made food components that look delicious and can be stacked easily.
Dexterity games are usually fast-paced. No round exceeds an hour since you have to express your dexterity in some form or the other constantly. If you want a longer game, you can introduce your own rule variations.
If you are looking for a dexterity game that is on the longer side, you can opt for Junk Art Plastic Board Games or Crokinole. Both of them can last around half an hour, but can be further extended to an hour.
Dexterity games do not necessarily require extras or extensions. You can have a great time with just the original game mechanism. Some games release extra content separately, but they are not crucial to the game.
Our Verdict
All the games on our list are worthy of your attention, but we have our favorites.
The KLASK Magnetic Battle is an amazing mix of foosball and air hockey that will enliven the party every single time. Score flawless goals and earn your victory. The board is sturdy, durable, and portable. The magnetic mechanism is unique and will make your game exciting.
The HABA Animal Upon Animal comes with 29 adorable wooden animals that can be stacked on top of each other. Reminiscent of Jenga, this game improves hand-eye coordination. The game is crafted to perfection, and you can switch up the gameplay by introducing different rules.
The Real Hardwood Tournament Size Crokinole Board lets you play one of the best classic dexterity games to exist. The smooth wooden board is of tournament size and comes with 24 maple game discs. The game has evolved over the years, and you can play your version as you want once you have this board.
Now that you know the best dexterity board games on the market, what would be your pick?