Board games that the adults like to play too?

[rzberrymom]

I'm not thrilled about playing Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, etc. with my 4 year old --I'll do it, but I know she can tell that I'm not that into it. But, lately I'm REALLY excited that we're finding a few games that DH and I love to play too!

This morning, we played Carcassonne with her, and it was so much fun--we had to remove the farmers, but otherwise it was very doable for her. We're having fun with Labyrinth too, with some modifications. And she likes chess too, but will only play when we're at our favorite coffee shop. I need more ideas!

So, which board games do YOU love to play with your kids? Not which games do they like, but which games do YOU really look forward to playing with them?

[Hokulele]

:

I am so sick of Candyland!

Not board games but I do enjoy Go Fish or the memory game with cards. (You know the one where you put them face down and try to remember where they are to match pairs, what is that called.)

I'll be watching for responses to this thread!!

[stellabluz]

Oooh I just found the older "Enchanted Forest" at a thrift store, really cool, but for around age 7...

[rzberrymom]

Originally Posted by stellabluz

Oooh I just found the older "Enchanted Forest" at a thrift store, really cool, but for around age 7...

I've been contemplating Enchanted Forest, but I think it's a memory game, right? So far, she hasn't really enjoyed memory games, but I'll definitely have to give it a try when she gets older!

[BookishVonLiberal]

not board games, but check out everything by Gamewright. AWESOME stuff. We have 5 or 6 of them and love them all. Ruby Rhino and Rat a Tat Cat are the favorites.

[Mama Rana]

We played Blokus in a game store, and ever since, I've wanted to get it. It's a strategy game, and the box says DS is too young for it, but we found he did ok with reminders. And even still, I enjoyed it.

[limabean]

Have you tried the Cranium-brand games? I think Cariboo and Hulabaloo are really fun. I also like some old-school games like Connect Four and Trouble. Maybe Pictionary, depending on drawing ability -- my 4yo isn't ready for that yet, but some would be.

They're not the most challenging games, but they're not mind-numbing like Candyland/Chutes & Ladders -- those are just intolerable for me.

I also like card games -- Uno, Memory, Go Fish, War, etc. for now, and when DS gets a little older, stuff like Phase 10. I'm looking forward to playing Rummy Cube and Yahtzee when he's a little older too.

[zeldamomma]

I can't stand candyland, but I don't mind Monopoly Jr. Backgammon is another classic game that kids can usually understand.

ZM

[rzberrymom]

I thought about Connect Four today--I'll have to look for that at thrift stores!

We've got Cariboo--she plays it with her friends, but I think it's a little too basic for enjoyable adult play. Is Hulabaloo any better?

I can't WAIT until we're ready for Phase 10, UNO and Lost Cities! :

I read good things about Rat-a-Tat-Cat--maybe I'll have to give that one a try!

I'll also look into Blokus--I read somewhere that it's fun for making mosaics even when you're not playing the game.

[rzberrymom]

Ooooh, I hadn't even thought about Backgammon!

[cuttiebearmom]

How about picking up some more games that you really like and modifying them. We have done that with quite a few too, using fewer pieces, not using all the skip turn, double turn, and move backwards cards. It's nice because you can add more of the rules as they get older and get a lot of life out of the games.

Some of our favorites:
- Sorry (we only each use 2 instead of 4 players - and make extensive use of the slides...)
- Uno
- Dominos
- Qwirkle (DD1 got this for a holiday and I love it!)
- Jenga
- Kids on Stage

[rachelsmama]

Frustration/Trouble

Mouse Trap (sometimes we just set it up and play with the trap)

Hungry Hungry Hippos

Some of the co-operative games from Family Passtimes (some make me want to barf). My favourite so far is Save the Princess, mostly because I think it's funny to use the beer to get past the dog.

[snoopy5386]

settlers of catan for kids.....i think it is called kids of catan
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/5824

[rzberrymom]

Originally Posted by rachelsmama

Frustration/Trouble

Mouse Trap (sometimes we just set it up and play with the trap)

Hungry Hungry Hippos

But, do you enjoy these too? Or is it mostly the kids? We have Trouble, and I find it pretty mind-numbing for adults (but luckily, that's one that she'll happily play with friends)

I'll have to look into some of the cooperative games--I've only tried the Orchard one (can't remember what it's called now)

[rzberrymom]

Originally Posted by cuttiebearmom

How about picking up some more games that you really like and modifying them. We have done that with quite a few too, using fewer pieces, not using all the skip turn, double turn, and move backwards cards. It's nice because you can add more of the rules as they get older and get a lot of life out of the games.

I'll have to give that idea a try! That's what we did with Carcassonne, and I couldn't believe it worked--I'll have to see what others we have that I could modify.

I LOVE Qwirkle too (my brother's friend invented that one, and I think she's just brilliant!)--how did you guys modify that one for little kids?

[TEAK's Mom]

Originally Posted by rzberrymom

I'll have to give that idea a try! That's what we did with Carcassonne, and I couldn't believe it worked--I'll have to see what others we have that I could modify.

I LOVE Qwirkle too (my brother's friend invented that one, and I think she's just brilliant!)--how did you guys modify that one for little kids?

My four year old plays Quirkle just fine. She does need help adding up the final scores at the end of the game, but that's it.

We also play lot of checkers, chess, backgammon, Blokus, Pente.

If I never play Uncle Wiggily again, it will be too soon.

[zinemama]

It's not a board game, but Apples to Apples Jr. is really fun. I thought it sounded dumb - actually, I couldn't make head or tails of it when someone described it to me - but it is actually a real hoot to play.

[Whistler]

Chinese Checkers or a modified version might work too!

I am so glad for this thread as I cannot handle one more game of Candyland!!!

[Girlprof]

My son could play Blokus at age four. I mean, he doesn't win unless we let him but he definitely can play by the rules. I like some of these suggestions! We never bought Candyland though I actually kind of like it.

[rzberrymom]

Originally Posted by TEAK's Mom

My four year old plays Quirkle just fine. She does need help adding up the final scores at the end of the game, but that's it.

Oooh, good to know! We'll have to give that one a try!

I forgot about Apples to Apples! I have the regular version, but it's too much pop culture for the kiddos--I'll have to try to find the Jr. version.