Fun First, Learning Second: How We Design Family Strategy Games
If you’re new to Barndoor Games, welcome! We make family strategy games that are quick to learn, fun to replay, and secretly educational. Our goal is simple: help families connect and build confidence through play.
Why fun comes first
Kids and parents come back to a game when it’s genuinely fun. That is why we design for quick starts, clean turns, and clear wins. When the experience is engaging, the learning happens naturally in the background.
Secretly educational, never schoolwork
We build games that strengthen number sense, logic, and teamwork without turning your table into a classroom. Players practice real skills inside real play. It feels like a game night, not an assignment.
Family-tested from day one
We test with real families and listen hard. Here is our loop:
Prototype quickly with a focused core mechanic.
Playtest with families of different ages.
Simplify rules and remove friction.
Add replay hooks that keep it fresh.
Test again and repeat.
Every decision is grounded in feedback from the people who matter most - parents, caregivers, teachers, and kids.
Quick to learn, built to replay
Great family games respect your time. We aim for:
Setup under 2 minutes
A learn-as-you-play first round
Turns that stay under 30 seconds
Multiple paths to win so every rematch feels new
A look inside Code Crackers
Our flagship game, Code Crackers, was built around fast turns and clever choices.
Ages: 8+
Players: 2 (teams variant optional)
Play time: about 15 to 20 minutes
Skills that grow: mental math, pattern recognition, problem solving, teamwork
Why families love it: the rules are simple, the strategy is satisfying, and kids get a confidence boost as they improve round by round.
Want the deeper dive? See our Compare Editions guide to choose between Standard and Ultimate.
How to host a 20-minute family game night
Short on time but want a win together as a family? Try this:
Pick one game and clear the table. Distractions off.
Explain the goal first, then reveal the simplest turn you can take.
Play an open-handed first round so everyone learns together.
Keep the energy up with best-of-three or first-to-two wins.
End while everyone still wants one more. That is how game night becomes a habit.
For classrooms and homeschool
Code Crackers fits easily into a math warm-up or a stations block. Teachers use it for small-group strategy practice and friendly competition. Homeschool families use it to change the pace of the day while reinforcing core skills.
If you are an educator or shop owner, ask us about classroom tips, bulk options, and educator discounts.
What’s next at Barndoor Games
We are developing new titles that keep the same promise - fun first, learning second. Want early playtests, print-and-play mini games, and launch updates? Join our list and be the first to try what we are building.
Ready to play
If you are looking for a quick win for game night, start with Code Crackers. Choose Standard for the fastest pick-up-and-play experience. Choose Ultimate if you want more puzzles and more ways to scale challenge.