The Harry Potter novels and film franchise might be finished now, but you can still immerse yourself in the world of magic and muggles through games. So whether you’re a fan of Harry and the infamous trio of Hogwarts heroes or you prefer the slyness of Slytherin, there’s a game out there for everyone.
This guide is dedicated to all the Harry Potter board games available today.
If you’re interested in finding out about different types of family games beyond Harry Potter, I’d recommend this article which covers all the best family board games.
The Bottom Line Upfront
There are over twenty different Harry Potter board games available, many of which offer hours of fun for the whole family. Some require thoughtful strategy, while others are more fast-paced. In my opinion, these are the six best Harry Potter board games to try:
- Clue: Harry Potter Wizarding World
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle
- Harry Potter: Catch the Golden Snitch
- Harry Potter: Trivial Pursuit
- Harry Potter Triwizard Maze Game
The Harry Potter Franchise: an Overview
Before we take a closer look at the five best Harry Potter games, let’s recap everything you need to know about the fictional wizarding world.
There are seven Harry Potter novels in total, all written by J.K. Rowling. They follow Harry, the eponymous hero of the series, and his two closest friends, Ron and Hermione, as they begin their magical education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
However, the wizarding world is threatened by dark forces, which culminate in the menacing figure of Lord Voldemort.
As Harry and his friends get older, Voldemort grows stronger. His presence becomes ever more threatening until he is defeated in the seventh novel at the Battle of Hogwarts.
In addition to the novels, there is an immensely popular film series starring Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter. The first film came out in 2001, and the final film came out in 2011.
More recently, Harry Potter fans were thrilled in 2022 following the release of Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, a short reunion film celebrating the series and its profound global impact.
Harry Potter Board Games
Now, let’s dive into the Harry Potter board games available today.
Clue: Harry Potter Wizarding World
Clue, the classic “whodunit” board game, has been given an exciting magical twist in this Harry Potter edition that’s packed with mystery and suspense.
In it, you choose a character (Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, or Neville) to represent you as you move around the board, attempting to work out who has gone missing, what spell was used, and where the crime happened.
With a beautiful board reminiscent of the Marauders’ Map – not to mention secret passageways and moving staircases that can be revealed by players turning the wheels at each corner of the board – this is the perfect game for Potterheads.
The Aim of the Game
The winner of the game is the first person to work out who is missing, how they vanished, and what spell was used.
Who is Clue: Harry Potter Wizarding World for?
It is recommended for children of eight years and over. However, Clue is an excellent family game and appeals to people of all different ages, so it isn’t just a game for kids.
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle is a cooperative deck-building game that allows Potterheads to rekindle their love for the fictional wizarding world by immersing themselves once more in its magic.
As with many Harry Potter games, players choose a character (in this case, Harry, Ron, Hermione, or Neville) to protect Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the dark forces encroaching upon it.
Each character comes with its own deck of cards that can be used to acquire resources in different ways.
A detailed guide to the game can be found here.
The Aim of the Game
To win, players must collaborate to defeat the villains and take control of all the locations.
Who is Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle for?
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle is recommended for children eleven years and older. Like Clue, however, the game’s appeal is not limited to children; adult fans and families can also enjoy the game.
Harry Potter: Catch the Golden Snitch
Designed to emulate the fictional sport of Quidditch which is a popular pastime in the wizarding universe, Harry Potter: Catch the Golden Snitch is a fast-paced strategy game that’s fun for the whole family.
Everyone plays at the same time, and nobody knows when the Snitch is going to launch, which is part of what makes this game so exciting. Like in the series of films and books, the game comes with a Quidditch Chest containing a Quaffle, two Bludgers, and the Snitch.
Catch the Golden Snitch is a card game at heart – laying down certain cards releases magical items into the game. When the Snitch finally launches, you have to grab it as quickly as you can to secure extra points.
The Aim of the Game
As in Quidditch, the aim of the game is to have the most points when the Snitch is finally caught.
Use your cards to build sets and score points, but don’t forget to keep an eye out for the all-important Snitch when it’s finally released!
Who is Harry Potter: Catch the Golden Snitch for?
This game is designed for 2-4 players aged 8 and above. If you’re looking for a family game that’s exciting enough to keep both adults and children engaged, Catch the Golden Snitch is perfect.
It doesn’t require any demanding strategy, nor does it rely on existing knowledge of the Harry Potter universe. Anyone can pick it up quickly, so it’s great for times when the whole family is together.
Harry Potter: Trivial Pursuit
With 600 trivia questions to test your knowledge of the wizarding world, Harry Potter: Trivial Pursuit is the ultimate game for hardcore Potterheads.
The questions are based on moments from the seven films, with topics including the Dark Arts, Hogwarts, Spells and Potions, magical objects, and magical people.
Unlike most of the other games in this guide, Trivial Pursuit doesn’t require a board, so you can take it with you wherever you go and play it while you’re traveling.
The Aim of the Game
The aim is to out-smart your competitors by answering trivia questions about the Harry Potter film series. To win, you need to collect six cards in total, which are earned by answering questions correctly.
Who is Harry Potter: Trivial Pursuit for?
This is a family game suitable for children of eight years and over. It is best suited to people who have seen the Harry Potter films a number of times and consider themselves fans – otherwise, the game could prove very challenging.
It’s excellent for people with an active lifestyle, particularly families who travel a lot and need to keep the kids entertained without too much mess or hassle.
The game requires at least two players, but the more, the merrier!
Harry Potter Triwizard Maze
The fourth Harry Potter film installment – The Goblet of Fire – on which this game is based is undoubtedly one of the most loved by fans worldwide. In a fun and interactive game, Harry Potter Triwizard Maze brings the Triwizard Tournament to life.
Players must battle their way through the maze to secure the Triwizard Cup, but there are plenty of obstacles to overcome on the way!
The cards that you select at random can either help or harm your chances of success, so the tension is high as you compete against your friends and relive the magical momentum that was captured in the movie.
The Aim of the Game
Players pop the die and race against one another to find their way out of the maze first. The aim is to get each playing piece home before your opponents.
Who is Harry Potter Triwizard Maze for?
This fun-filled game is suitable for ages five and up. It can be played by between two to four people.
Unlike Harry Potter: Trivial Pursuit, this particular game doesn’t require any existing wizarding world knowledge. Instead, it is based on the classic board game known as Trouble and follows the same structure.
Harry Potter House Cup Competition
This worker placement strategy board game by USAOpoly allows players to immerse themselves in the world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, gaining new knowledge just as Harry does in the books and films.
In Harry Potter House Cup Competition, players select a House to represent – Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff – and compete against their opponents to see who can claim the glory of winning the highly desired House Cup.
The Aim of the Game
There are seven rounds to this game, representing the seven years that young witches and wizards spend at Hogwarts.
The aim is to collect the most house points by learning new skills and gaining knowledge.
Who is Harry Potter House Cup Competition for?
The game is recommended for children of eleven years and over, thanks to the strategy that is involved in it. This means it also makes a great family game because it is complex enough to be enjoyed by parents as well as children.
Talisman: Harry Potter
In Talisman: Harry Potter, the wizarding world is under serious threat from Voldemort, who is growing stronger and gathering more Death Eaters by the minute. It’s up to you, and only you, to stop him.
It comes with a custom illustrated game board and sculpted character figures, including Rubeus Hagrid, Bellatrix LeStrange, and, of course, Harry Potter.
To succeed, players must equip their allies and defeat as many enemies as possible. One of the best parts of Talisman: Harry Potter is undoubtedly the board, which includes iconic locations like Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts.
The Aim of the Game
The aim is to work your way towards the center of the board by equipping yourself with objects and gaining followers. There, Voldemort awaits; to win, you either present the Deathly Hallows as a loyal Death Eater or use them to destroy him at last.
Who is Harry Potter Talisman for?
It’s no surprise that this game is recommended for children thirteen years and older since the board and the pieces it comes with are complex and carefully illustrated.
It definitely has an older feel than some other Harry Potter board games, and I’d say it’s one of the best for older and adult fans.
Harry Potter Labyrinth
The secret corridors and hallways of Hogwarts Castle feature in Harry Potter Labyrinth. Still, ultimately the game doesn’t have a strong magical theme like some others do.
Players move through the maze trying to avoid dead ends and find their favorite characters, such as Harry and Hermione.
The Aim of the Game
Harry Potter Labyrinth aims to find the shortest route out of the maze while locating as many characters as possible.
Who is Harry Potter Labyrinth for?
This game is recommended for children seven years and older. However, I would say that some slightly younger children would be able to grasp and enjoy playing it since the premise is fairly simple.
Codenames: Harry Potter
Perfect for family and friends, Codenames: Harry Potter is a word and picture association game where players must locate Secret Agents who are concealed within a grid of Harry Potter references.
Within the game, one-word clues can guide the guesser towards the answer; however, you have to be careful not to run into any Death Eaters!
The Aim of the Game
To win, your team has to be the first to guess all the words correctly. Your mission is to pass information to other members of the Order of the Phoenix.
Who is Codenames: Harry Potter for?
Two or more people can play the game, but it does not come with a recommended age group. Based on the game’s concept and its relative difficulty, it’s likely to appeal to children of eleven years and older.
Back to Hogwarts
If you’re looking for something a little unorthodox and fun, Back to Hogwarts, with its cartoonish depiction of characters, might just be for you.
The game itself is fairly easy to play and is loosely based on the classic board game of Snakes and Ladders.
The Aim of the Game
Play as one of your favorite characters and race around the Harry Potter universe, trying to reach the end of the board before the other players do. There are both friends and enemies who will impact your journey – to win, you have to get back to Hogwarts first.
Who is Back to Hogwarts for?
This game is recommended for two to four players of six years and older. However, its collectible nature and non-standard illustrations might be more appropriate and enjoyable for a slightly older audience.
Harry Potter Magical Beasts
Harry Potter Magical Beasts is inspired by one of the more recent Harry Potter spin-off films. It comes with a well-designed board featuring swinging components that allow you to play both inside and outside of Hogwarts.
In the game, players take on the role of their favorite characters and explore different areas of the board in an attempt to find elements that can help them capture magical beasts.
The Aim of the Game
In order to win the game, you need to collect all four cards identifying a specific beast.
Who is Harry Potter Magical Beasts for?
This game can be played by two to four people of eight years and above. It’s likely to appeal to younger Harry Potter fans since they are more likely to be familiar with the Magical Beasts film that came out only a few years ago.
Harry Potter Sequence
The traditional and much-loved five-in-a-row game known as Sequence has been given a magical twist! Harry Potter Sequence sees traditional playing cards replaced with Hogwarts Houses, and all your favorite characters appear on the cards.
The Aim of the Game
The game’s premise is simple enough: play a card from your hand, and place a chip on a corresponding space on the board. Once you have achieved five in a row, it’s a sequence – all you need to do now is get the right number of sequences to win!
Who is Harry Potter Sequence for?
Out of all the games in this Harry Potter board game guide, this is one of the options allowing for the most players. You can play Sequence with up to twelve people, and you need at least two for a game.
The recommended age is seven and up, but this is definitely a great game for the whole family.
Harry Potter Potions Challenge
If Filch and Snape always sent a chill up your spine in the Harry Potter films, Harry Potter Potions Challenge offers the perfect opportunity to beat the miserable caretaker once and for all.
The Aim of the Game
The aim is simple enough – Snape has assigned you a task to create one potion, but in order for you to do so, you must first collect all the ingredients. Unfortunately, this isn’t as easy as it seems, thanks to Filch, who is keeping track of your every move!
Use your wand to reveal hidden ingredients. To win, you need to be first back, having collected all the necessary ingredients without being caught.
Who is Harry Potter Potions Challenge for?
Children of six years and older will enjoy this tense but exciting game. It is especially appealing to Harry Potter fans because it is similar to several sub-plots within the books and movies.
Munchkin: Harry Potter
Like Back to Hogwarts, Munchkin: Harry Potter is also collectible. You can play as a witch or wizard from your favorite Hogwarts House to defeat monsters and villains alike.
At the same time, you also need to prove that you are better than your competitors by taking part in epic duels.
The Aim of the Game
The first player to reach Level 10 wins the game. However, in order to do so, you must first defeat a monster unless you have a card that specifically allows you to win differently.
Who is Munchkin: Harry Potter for?
This role-playing game should be played by between three and six players of eleven years or older.
Harry Potter Death Eaters Rising
In this thrilling cooperative dice game, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back and growing stronger by the day with an army of Death Eaters by his side!
To defeat him once and for all in Harry Potter Death Eaters Rising, you’ll have to use teamwork, strategy, and the help of the Wizarding World (including Dumbledore’s Army, the Order of the Phoenix, and Hogwarts).
The Aim of the Game
To finally beat Voldemort and the Death Eaters, you need to assign dice to them when you are in their locations. However, this has to be done before four or more places are corrupted.
Who is Harry Potter Death Eaters Rising for?
It is suitable for two to four players, and the recommended age is eleven years and up.
Funkoverse Strategy: Harry Potter
Funkoverse Strategy: Harry Potter brings the Wizarding World to life, allowing players to set out on an adventure filled with all the awesome magic that makes the books and films so great.
It includes two playable maps of iconic locations – Diagon Alley and the Room of Requirement – as well as four Funkoverse game pops: Voldemort, Bellatrix, Hermione, and Harry.
The Aim of the Game
There are four different game scenarios; each turn, players can perform two actions, including using the unique abilities of their characters, with the aim being to score points. When you score six points, you win.
Who is Funkoverse Strategy: Harry Potter for?
This Harry Potter board game is fairly simple, and the extra interactive element of the game pops makes it even more fun. It can be played by between two to four people and is recommended for ages ten and above.
Pictopia: Harry Potter
Pictopia: Harry Potter is another board game that’s excellent for families to play together. It includes 1,000 picture trivia questions from the seven films, allowing you to relive your favorite magical moments.
The Aim of the Game
All you have to do to win at this game is to answer more questions correctly than your opponents. So it might be time for another movie marathon to brush up on your knowledge before playing!
Who is Pictopia: Harry Potter for?
The recommended age for Pictopia is seven and above. Still, some younger children who are big fans of the films could definitely enjoy playing too. The game requires at least two players, but there can be up to six.
Scrabble: World of Harry Potter
Scrabble is one of the most loved classic board games out there, so many Potterheads will be thrilled to hear that there is a Harry Potter edition of the game too!
All the best parts of traditional Scrabble are the same. Still, this version has a magical theme that celebrates the vocabulary of the Wizarding World.
The Aim of the Game
The game aims to score the most points by creating words on the Scrabble board using your randomly chosen letters. You can play the traditional version of the game using this board or the Harry Potter version.
Who is Scrabble: World of Harry Potter for?
This particular Harry Potter board game is best suited to a teenage or adult audience. However, it is recommended for ages eleven plus. You can play with two to four people.
Harry Potter: Sorcerer’s Stone Trivia
Test your knowledge of the first Harry Potter film in Harry Potter: Sorcerer’s Stone Trivia.
The game is packed with difficult questions that even expert fans might struggle to answer correctly! Fortunately, each question has three possible outcomes, and there are 750 questions to get your head around.
The Aim of the Game
Answering questions correctly allows you to win the game. Still, only once you have collected four wizards and the password can you be deemed a true Harry Potter expert.
Who is Harry Potter: Sorcerer’s Stone Trivia for?
The game is for teams of two to six players and is recommended for ages eight and above. Families who enjoy watching the Harry Potter films together will love testing their knowledge with this game.
Harry Potter: Strike
Harry Potter: Strike is an exciting dice game for children and adults alike. It comes with 26 dice, a dice arena, and a foam arena mat. As you might have guessed, it’s very different from the other games in this guide.
The rules of the game are simple and easy to pick up; it’s all about making a match when you throw your dice into the arena.
The Aim of the Game
Every time you make a match with your dice, you win a set. However, if you roll an “x,” your dice are removed – the last player left with dice wins!
Who is Harry Potter: Strike for?
This interactive dice game is recommended for children of eight years and above. Still, thanks to the easy-to-follow rules and lack of strategy required, it could easily be enjoyed by younger children as well. It’s designed for two to five players.
Hogwarts Ludo
Ludo is a classic board game that has been adapted in this Harry Potter edition. Hogwarts Ludo comes with a striking board that features the four Hogwarts House crests.
Many Harry Potter fans feel a strong connection to their favorite house, which is part of the reason this game is so enjoyable; it gives you the opportunity to cheer on Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, or Hufflepuff as the players race around the board.
The Aim of the Game
Each player races around the board by throwing the die; the first to reach Hogwarts in the center of the board wins.
Who is Hogwarts Ludo for?
Hogwarts Ludo is very easy to play, so it’s recommended for children of six years and over. The game can be played with two to four people, and it makes an excellent addition to any family game night.
Which Harry Potter Board Game is Best?
For die-hard Potterheads, the answer has to be Harry Potter: Trivial Pursuit. This card game has the potential to provide hours of fun thanks to its highly competitive nature and the sheer number of questions that might come up.
However, if you’re looking for an exciting family game that’s suitable for people of all ages and is easy to play regardless of whether you know anything about Harry Potter, my recommendation would be Harry Potter: Catch the Golden Snitch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Which is the best Harry Potter Board Game for Young Children?
Answer: In my opinion, Harry Potter Triwizard Maze is the most suitable for young children. The rules are simple enough to follow without requiring any strategy, and the game’s premise is exciting enough to keep little ones engaged.
Question: Are there any Solo Harry Potter Board Games?
Answer: It’s possible to play Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle solo by jumping straight to the final year of the game.
Question: What Other Board Games Would You Recommend?
Answer: It depends on what type of game you’re looking for. We have a guide to the best family board games, a guide to the best games for kindergartners, and a guide to the best six-player board games.
Question: Are there other Harry Potter Board Games that aren’t in this Guide?
Answer: This contains all of the Harry Potter board games available on Amazon. Still, you could try Pictionary Air Harry Potter or Uno Harry Potter for other Harry Potter-themed games that aren’t board-based.
Recommended reads:
- Stratego Pieces Explained – Must-Know Facts - February 28, 2023
- Wahoo Board Game Guide – AKA Aggravation Guide - February 22, 2023
- Pokemon Monopoly Guide - February 22, 2023