Favorite family board games for all ages?

[Anonymous]

I have 3 kids - 3, 8 and 10. Sadly, when older kids were younger, I was on survival mode and we didn’t just sit around and do board games. Even the games we received as gifts, my then preschool kids would play with the pieces and not really play the game since that would have required a parent to sit for the duration of the game. I would like to build up our game library.

Right now we have taboo, life, monopoly, uno, exploding kittens and some sushi card game. My older kids do play a lot of chess. They picked it up from their chess club at school.

Can you recommend your favorite board and card games?

[Anonymous]

3 and 10? I can’t think of a lot of games that both those ages would be interested in. Maybe hungry hungry hippo.

But generally we like code names, dungeon mayhem, and connect four. The kids always want to play ticket to ride but it can get long. If you do that one I recommend the Europe version so everybody stays on good terms. My 7 yo son really likes acquire.

[Anonymous]

Cooperative games for younger kids worked for us at these ages. Although everyone is still changing the way they play for the preschooler. These were favorites:

https://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Forge-Richard-Scarrys-Busytown/dp/B002V3RCE6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=busytown+game&qid=1582486118&sprefix=busytown&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/Peaceable-Kingdom-GMC6-Peacable-Cauldron/dp/B00S28895K/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=cauldron+quest+board+game&qid=1582486158&sprefix=couldron+ques&sr=8-3

[Anonymous]

Bugs in the Kitchen, maybe. Three and ten is a super wide spread.

For the three year old, Haba games are top notch. Something like Rhino Hero you might even get the older kids to play.

For 8 and 10, our family likes Jamaica, Rattlebones, Ticket to Ride, Metro, Azul, and Roll for Adventure.

[Anonymous]

I think it would be hard to find any board game that would engage a 3 yr old the same way an 8 and 10 yr old.

for the 8 and 10 yr old, consider Payday. It's an old school board game.

[Anonymous]

Splendor for the older kids.

I think you could involve a three year old in Code Names because of the verbal discussion. They can't be the clue giver.

Dixit, maybe?

[Anonymous]

3 is a little young, but could partner with an adult and actually help in Quirkle.

[Anonymous]

Apples to Apples Junior.

It's the best! All your kids will like it.

[Anonymous]

+1 on a coop game like Forbidden Island/Desert

Maybe Carcassonne if you play without fields? (I think there is Carcassone jr?)

[Anonymous]

Spot it is fun and kids are often better than adults.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the 3 year old could do something else and you could have a little time with the older kids? We really like Pandemic and Oregon Trail.

[Anonymous]

Forbidden Island and Forbidden Desert are two cooperative games that are good, cooperative, and can become harder as kids age or get to know the game.

My son, 7, loves King of Tokoyo and King of New York. Kingdomino, Ticket To Ride, Settlers of Catan, Azul are other favorites. Formula D is great and plays differently then the others. A good number of those can be found at Target.

[Anonymous]

Obstacles card game

Peaceable Kingdom has a number of good cooperative games

[Anonymous]

Boys are 8 and 12. They love Life, Stratego, Risk, chess, and Xbox Kinect games (Boxing, Table Tennis, Pixar, Jedi Academy, etc). The Kinect games would work for the 3 yr old if you have enough room. The Kinect camera would need a little more room to recognize the short stature of the 3 yr old and the old kids at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Spot it is fun and kids are often better than adults.

Oh this one is super fun for all ages (I’ve never played with teenagers though so I can’t vouch for that age I guess)