I'm looking for card and board games that I can play with Elise. Games that play well with two players are preferred.
She's six now and outgrowing a lot of the games we used to play. This weekend we picked up Sleeping Queens and she LOVES it. I'd love to pick up other games that move beyond the traditional Monopoly type board games as well as other card games.
My brother and his family recently discovered Dominion and I've been playing the snot out of the iPad adaptation. This weekend Elise watched me play for 5 minutes and then started making accurate gameplay suggesions - like "Dad, play the village first so you can get another action and play another card!"
I think she may still be too young to really grasp the intricacies but I'm tempted to pick up a copy of Dominion anyway. A few weeks ago we saw Ticket to Ride at the game store (actually she was intrigued by the Nordic version) but I didn't pick it up because I feared she wouldn't be able to get the rules. After her little demonstration this weekend I'm not quite as concerned.
Can anyone else recommend good card/board games for young children?
When this comes up, I always recommend Castle Panic as a great gateway game. It's a co-op, so you can talk about strategy together. Not much reading needed, and it's a fun game for adults as well.
I would also highly recommend Forbidden Island as another great co-op game, playable in about half an hour, and also a ton of fun.
(Would post BGG links, but they're down right now.)
Oh, and the rules aren't hard for TtR, but it does have a long-reach strategy and you can get a definite screw your neighbor vibe going depending on who you are playing with.
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
Most of them say 10 and up, so I'd wait for a BGG to come back online and get a better feel for them. I also imagine some of it depends on her cognitive skills. I was learning poker and cribbage and yachtzee and uno and whatever was being played by 7 because that's what games were being played and I wanted to play and learn them and learn how to win.
LordMortis wrote:Most of them say 10 and up, so I'd wait for a BGG to come back online and get a better feel for them. I also imagine some of it depends on her cognitive skills. I was learning poker and cribbage and yachtzee and uno and whatever was being played by 7 because that's what games were being played and I wanted to play and learn them and learn how to win.
That's kind of what inspired this thread - a lot of games say "10 and up" and yet she seems to grasp fairly complicated game concepts easily. She's already an Uno master and delights in hitting me with the Wild Draw 4 - unfortunately Uno is kind of strange as a two player game. Sleeping Queens says 8 and up and she has no difficulty with that. Dominion is 10 and up and yet she figured out the basics by watching over my shoulder.
My 4 year old plays Forbidden Island (aka the "Island of DOOM!"). I often see Castle Panic recommended for that age group, but I would also recommend Ticket to Ride as long as you can play nice with the kids. I have also purchased The Magic Labyrinth for a friend's kid who is 7 years old.
"If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." - Albert Einstein "I don't stand by anything." - Trump “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill, Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St Andrews, 2/1/1867 “It is the impractical things in this tumultuous hell-scape of a world that matter most. A book, a name, chicken soup. They help us remember that, even in our darkest hour, life is still to be savored.” - Poe, Altered Carbon
The writer tells about which games worked and which didn't, and the progression his kids made. It's a very nice read if you have the time.
That's a great list, thanks for posting it.
My son is almost 2, and we've started "playing" Go Away Monster from time to time. He basically ignores the monsters and focuses on putting the pieces in the room.
My recommendation for a gateway boardgame sure to appeal to younger kids has to be Gulo, Gulo. What makes this game work so well with younger children is the dexterity aspect, which truly gives smaller hands an advantage, so the game ends up balancing perfectly when parents/adults are playing with kids. Instead of holding back, the adults must be on their toes if they want to stay competitive, which makes it much more enjoyable than the vast majority of other games you are likely to play with a child.
But alas, it has been out of print for quite some time, and tracking down a copy these days is likely to be onerous, expensive, or both. But if Rio Grande Games ever gets around to doing a reprint, I would recommend any parents/family members of young'uns to buy it ASAP.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." — P. J. O'Rourke
My kids and wife were just playing Gulo Gulo this weekend. It is a pretty fun game.
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
My daughters also enjoyed playing Gulo Gulo when we borrowed hentzau's copy. The kids *love* how clumsy adults are in handling the pieces.
"If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." - Albert Einstein "I don't stand by anything." - Trump “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill, Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St Andrews, 2/1/1867 “It is the impractical things in this tumultuous hell-scape of a world that matter most. A book, a name, chicken soup. They help us remember that, even in our darkest hour, life is still to be savored.” - Poe, Altered Carbon
With my then 6 and 8 year olds - a good game that everyone in the family could understand and enjoy was zooloretto. Easy mechanics, a bit of strategy, fairly quick game sessions (maybe 30 minutes). Perfect for younger gamers. The game requires very little reading - which is key to keep kids attention. Even though both my kids can read very well, anything that throws a block of text at them every turn is a definate turn off. I'd also stay away from games that have any kind of long term strategy. Most kids like to make decisions "in the moment".
No kid experience, but you might give Robo Rally a look. You could probably strip out the more complicated aspects later to make it a simple race game, decisions, planning ahead, board effects, etc.
Isgrimnur wrote:No kid experience, but you might give Robo Rally a look. You could probably strip out the more complicated aspects later to make it a simple race game, decisions, planning ahead, board effects, etc.
I don't know if a 6-year old would have the spatial skills to pull that off. Heck, I still drive off the edge of the board without any outside influences.
If I were going to attempt it, I'd probably start with just an open grid and have them try to get from point A to Point B. Then introduces the conveyors, etc.
Isgrimnur wrote:No kid experience, but you might give Robo Rally a look. You could probably strip out the more complicated aspects later to make it a simple race game, decisions, planning ahead, board effects, etc.
I don't know if a 6-year old would have the spatial skills to pull that off. Heck, I still drive off the edge of the board without any outside influences.
I have to stand up and reorient myself to figure out what turn right and turn left mean. One day I will simply and instinctively remember that turn right is evil bastard code for rotate clockwise and turn left is evil bastard code for rotate counter clockwise.
Considering how confounding RoboRally can be even for adult players, I would imagine it could be an extremely frustrating experience for younger children, who may lack the patience to cope with the typical slapstick chaos of RoboRally.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." — P. J. O'Rourke
Isgrimnur wrote:No kid experience, but you might give Robo Rally a look. You could probably strip out the more complicated aspects later to make it a simple race game, decisions, planning ahead, board effects, etc.
I don't know if a 6-year old would have the spatial skills to pull that off. Heck, I still drive off the edge of the board without any outside influences.
I have to stand up and reorient myself to figure out what turn right and turn left mean. One day I will simply and instinctively remember that turn right is evil bastard code for rotate clockwise and turn left is evil bastard code for rotate counter clockwise.
You do the same thing with Wings of War.
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
LordMortis wrote:Spacial reasoning is not my strong suit. It'd be nice if I could find my strong suit one day.
Pantsless.
"If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." - Albert Einstein "I don't stand by anything." - Trump “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill, Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St Andrews, 2/1/1867 “It is the impractical things in this tumultuous hell-scape of a world that matter most. A book, a name, chicken soup. They help us remember that, even in our darkest hour, life is still to be savored.” - Poe, Altered Carbon
"Where are you off to?"
"I don't know," Snufkin replied.
The door shut again and Snufkin entered his forest, with a hundred miles of silence ahead of him.
If he tries to attend Octocon (or any gtg up here or anywhere else for that mater) pantless I am holding you responsible for all resultant medical bills in repairing my eyes.
“As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” - H.L. Mencken
Castle Panic was a hit. Carcassone was a bore for them and I couldn't figure out the rules to Castle Ravenloft (as a D&D gateway), so they just played with the figurines
What about good card games? We are going away for a week and that would be good for all our flights. I think the only card game they know is Uno.
Jag wrote:Castle Panic was a hit. Carcassone was a bore for them and I couldn't figure out the rules to Castle Ravenloft (as a D&D gateway), so they just played with the figurines
What about good card games? We are going away for a week and that would be good for all our flights. I think the only card game they know is Uno.
How old are your kids? Hard to make specific recommendations with no mention of their ages. Set is likely a safe choice, as it makes for a great family brain-burner. Quiddler might also work, depending upon the reading ability of your children. They're both somewhat educational, yet remain quite enjoyable to play.
For something with a little more depth, suitable for older kids (say, 8+), San Juan, Coloretto, Bohnanza, and Citadels are all excellent card games.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." — P. J. O'Rourke
Jag wrote:What about good card games? We are going away for a week and that would be good for all our flights. I think the only card game they know is Uno.
Jag wrote:Thanks. I'll check them out. I need to cater toward my younger son who is 8, but doesn't have the best attention span
Have a butcher's at the website for Set, and see how well your kids do with the flash tutorial and daily puzzles they have there. If they're able to follow the idea and enjoy it, then it's probably a safe bet to get the card game (I notice they also have an iPad version, so that may even be preferable to the card game).
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." — P. J. O'Rourke
Jag wrote:Castle Panic was a hit. Carcassone was a bore for them and I couldn't figure out the rules to Castle Ravenloft (as a D&D gateway), so they just played with the figurines
I like this guy's video series called "Watch It Played". In this video, he does a rules overview for Wrath of Ashardalon, which is the same basic rules as Castle Ravenloft, just with a few twists regarding some upgraded monster abilities and tiles. Should help you get your first game on the table. If you have any questions, feel free to ask her, several of us have played and should be able to answer your questions.
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
After playing it last night, I can wholeheartedly endorse Magical Athlete. Get it for your kid, but realize it will be hitting the table with adults just as often.
hepcat wrote:After playing it last night, I can wholeheartedly endorse Magical Athlete. Get it for your kid, but realize it will be hitting the table with adults just as often.
Yeah, that really was a blast. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
Elise is doing a fair job of grasping the game concepts but we're both struggling to pronounce the city names. My wife's entire family is from Finland so this is sort of a backdoor way to introduce Elise to her half-homeland.
We're playing through the first game with our hands open and so far she's destroying me.
Elise is doing a fair job of grasping the game concepts but we're both struggling to pronounce the city names. My wife's entire family is from Finland so this is sort of a backdoor way to introduce Elise to her half-homeland.
We're playing through the first game with our hands open and so far she's destroying me.
Man, that is a pretty game. I got that for my wife for Christmas two years ago, and we finally broke it out this past Christmas. Surprisingly, she really enjoyed the game. I think the fact that she beat me soundly helped.
“We can never allow Murania to become desecrated by the presence of surface people. Our lives are serene, our minds are superior, our accomplishments greater. Gene Autry must be captured!!!” - Queen Tika, The Phantom Empire
