I love playing games - board games, card games, guessing games. Not only is it a great way to bond and build traditions with family and friends, but games are a great way to make learning fun! There are tons of skills beyond reading and math that can be learned with the roll of the dice and moving a token on a game board. Players learn effective listening and communication skills, sharpen deductive reasoning and problem-solving abilities, and how to graciously win (or lose).
As the days get shorter and temperatures drop it is the perfect time to gather around with your family, and maybe some hot cocoa, and try your hand at some of the best games for family time!
(Click the Game to find out where you can purchase locally
Ticket to Ride or Ticket to Ride: First Journey
A strategic game where players collect train cards to claim railway routes across a map. There is a series of Ticket to Ride games but these are two of the best to introduce you to the game. The pace of play is quick, easy to learn, and engaging for all ages. Allow approximately one hour of playtime, unless you are starting with First Journey which only takes about thirty minutes to complete a game.
The suggested age is 6 to 8+
Catan
A resource management game where players build settlements and trade resources. It's strategic but simple enough for younger players to enjoy.
The suggested age is 10+
KLASK
This is a two-player game but our family loves to have an annual tournament every year when extended family & friends visit for the holidays. Games can be played quickly, giving everyone the perfect balance of turns between "fan" and "player".
The suggested age is 8+ but our youngest started playing at about 5 years.
Mind the Gap
A game made for the ages - varying ages that is! Team up with players from other generations and be the first to make it around the board by correctly answering trivia questions and performing fun challenges.
Truly best when you can play with a variety of ages/generations - up to 4 teams.
Pass the Pigs
Simple to play - roll the pigs and rack up points, but pass them on before you "Pig Out" and lose the points you have accumulated.
The suggested age is 7+ but I find it easy to play with younger kids
Telestrations (sold at Target)
The game of "Telephone" mashed up with Pictionary is an often hilarious game great for all ages. Each player draws a card with words (or short phrases) on it and writes that word on the first page of their sketchbook and then has 60 seconds to sketch that word on the next page. From there it is passed around from player to player for all to get a turn to guess or sketch based on the last page of the book. Once your sketch book has made it back to you then the hilarity begins as you share what the original word was and how it evolved to the final guess. Who wins? Well, everyone wins if they have a good time, but there are a couple of scoring options for those who want to make it more competitive.
The suggested age is 12+ but we have played with kids as young as 7. If a younger player does not know the meaning of a word they can always use their own word instead of one suggested on the card, or ask a non-player for help.
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CLASSIC GAMES |
Sorry
They have made updated versions of this game, but nothing beats the classic game of bumping and sliding your pawns to HOME.
The suggested age is 6+
Connect Four
A two-player connection game where players take turns dropping colored discs into a vertical grid, aiming to connect four in a row.
The suggested age is 6+
Monopoly
I know that this game often gets a mixed reception and I get it - it is a long game to play and often leads to a rollercoaster of emotions from players. Players take turns moving their tokens around the board, buying up properties, building up real estate monopolies, and then developing them with houses and hotels in hopes of being the player with the most money at the end of the game. My suggestion is to save this game for when you are facing a lot of inside time or commit to playing by the rules for a shorter play time, such as starting the game by shuffling and dealing out all of the properties to each player.
The suggested age is 8+
Jenga
Stack up the wooden blocks and take turns pulling out one block at a time trying not to be the one that causes the tower to come tumbling down. This game is a great mix of skill and luck and can be played solo, or with a group.
The suggested age is 6+
Go ahead and grab your favorite game, or try one from the list of recommendations, and settle in for a family game night. Here are some tips for a great family game night:
- Dress comfy! PJs are the perfect thing to wear.
- Pick out one game that can work for the whole family, or if the age span is too vast, pick out one for the younger players and one for the older crew
- Don't forget the snacks! Our favorite is the "Snacky Plate" which is a kid-friendly charcuterie plate. Fill it with easy-to-grab finger foods and make it a real party.
- Be willing to adjust the rules of any game to make it work for your family.
- Have fun. It is very common for kids to be frustrated if things are hard, or aren't going their way. These are the situations to build upon and when our patience will come in handy.
