Board Games,  Card Games

15 Cat-Themed Board Games Everyone Will Love

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What would a board game blog titled, “Cats and Dice” be without a list of board games about cats? While the theme of a board game isn’t everything, some games draw us in simply because they’re about something we like. I (and I’m sure many of you) will always want to check out a game about cats. Board games about cats often have adorable artwork and with simple yet clever play. Plus, my cats are usually nearby as I play them!

Now, believe it or not, there are enough cat-themed board games to create two categories, one for kids and one for adults. Let’s start with the adult games first. Then, you can find lots of great cat-themed board games for kids afterward.

a cat lying on the stairs

Board Games About Cats for Adults

Some of these games have boards, and some of them only use cards. Just make sure your cats can’t knock the pieces over when playing each of these delightful cat-themed board games for adults!

Exploding Kittens

With artwork by Matthew Inman, the artist who brought us The Oatmeal, Exploding Kittens is easily one of the most popular board games about cats available today. The objective is simple: don’t explode! This game is like a combination of Uno and Musical Chairs. Players play cards to help them not explode and then end their turn by drawing a card. If a player draws an exploding kitten, they better hope they have some sort of diffuse card, like a laser beam or belly rubs! Otherwise, they explode and they are out of the game. The last player standing wins.

Isle of Cats

Quick! Save as many cats as you can before the evil lord Vesh comes! In Isle of Cats, 1-4 players will need to get as many cats onto a boat as possible while still keeping families together. You will do this by placing unique cat tiles into the boat. The more cats you manage to save, and the more areas you explore in the process, the more points you will earn. The player with the most points after five rounds wins.

Schrödinger’s Cats

How many cats are alive in the boxes and how many are dead? This card game plays like Liar’s Dice with a cat-themed twist.

Players are dealt the number of cards equal to the number of players (so four players each get four cards) and an optional cat physicist card. Then, they make bets on how many cards are on the table of one kind of cat. For example, the first player might bet that there are three “alive” cats. From here, players will raise or change the bid. But be careful what you bid! Another player can call you out, and if you’re wrong, you’re out.

Cat Lady

This game gives you the chance to prove you’re the ultimate cat lover! Players will try to gain as many cats as possible by giving them treats, toys, and other goodies cats love. But just like with real cats, some cats will only eat one thing, or they don’t like to play with certain toys. You’ll need to make sure you can give your kitties what they want in order to earn the most points and win the game.

Calico

Calico is like Patchwork with a cat-themed board game twist! Players will collect tiles that represent quilt pieces to create cozy quilts and entice cats to cuddle. Certain cats will come once different color and pattern combinations are achieved, so players will want to pay attention to win the affections of their favorite cat. Win the game by scoring the most points through buttons, cats, and completing your quilt.

Purrrlock Holmes

Put your detective skills to the test with this cat-themed version of Sherlock Holmes! Players are each trying to catch Furriarty before he makes his escape. They will investigate for clues about the suspect and the hour to get on Furriarty’s trail and beat the other players. Whoever finds Furriarty first wins, but be quick! If he escapes, no one wins the game.

Cantakerous Cats

In most board games about cats, you get to play with cats. In Cantakerous Cats, you get to play as a cat! You live in a house with your pet “Hoomin,” and you must give them affection in order to get away with mischief. Once a player has gotten away with mischief nine times while holding the cat toy wins them game.

Slap Cat!

Cats meet Dr. Frankenstein in this quick assembly game. Players take on the role of mad scientists working to build the most adorable cat possible by combining heads, tails, and everything in between. You will earn more points for assembling cool looks with kitty fedoras, bows, and more. You have to be quick, though! Otherwise, you’ll end up with loads of fish bones.

The Cat Game

Pictionary gets a kitty makeover in this drawing-based adult party game. Players or teams will draw a card, select a category like fLICKS or CAT-tivities, and then draw the word to get their fellow players to guess. But there’s a twist: each picture must use the provided cut-out cats. Whoever gets the most correct wins.

a fluffy cat lying next to a board game

Cat-Themed Board Games for Kids

While kids certainly can play some of the board games about cats from earlier, a lot of the games below are specifically designed for kids. But just as kids might enjoy the games from above, many adults will enjoy these next games, too!

Rat-a-Tat Cat

This cat-themed card game with delightful artwork mixes fun and learning at only $10. Players want to get the lowest score possible, but they will need a sharp memory to win! Rat cards are high while cat cards are low, so everyone wants the cats of course. You’ll get them by drawing cards, seeing what other players have, and keeping a straight face throughout.

Feed the Kitty

Keep your mice safe from the hungry cat! If you’re the last player with mice left in your bowl in this fast-paced game, then you win. Roll dice to find out what happens. You can squeak by a sleeping cat, but a hungry cat spells trouble. This adorably thematic game comes with little mice pieces, unique dice, and a bowl for the kitty.

Here, Kitty, Kitty!

The players of Here, Kitty, Kitty! live in a neighborhood overrun with cats. No one thinks it’s a problem, though, since everyone wants the cats for themselves! Everyone works to get the most cats to their house by the time the deck runs out of cards. Earn points based on how many cats you coaxed into your house to prove yourself to be the best cat collector.

Kitty Paw

Players must think and act quickly in this cat-themed card game. All kinds of square and rectangular cats such as Persians and American domestics sit in the center of the playing area. You and your fellow players must grab the cats you need to make up the image on your card. Finish it correctly and you’ll get points. Finish it incorrectly and you’ll lose points!

Cat-tastrophe!

Cats meet Jenga in this beautiful cat-themed board game. Kids and adults will love this one. Poor kitty is stuck in a tree made of round wooden pegs. Players take turns removing pegs to help kitty down. Be careful, though! If you make the cat fall out of the tree, then you’ll lose!

Wizard Kittens

Everyone plays as kittens in this magical card game, and mischievous ones at that. You’ve all accidentally released some curses into the library’s restricted section, and you have to clean up your mess before the librarian catches you! This quick set collection card game is great for families that enjoy a bit of magic with their kitty cuddles.

You might not be able to get your furry friends to play these board games about cats with you, but your friends and family sure will have a good time. Share your cat-themed game nights with us by tagging @catsanddice on Instagram.

What are your favorite board games about cats? Let us know in the comments.

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