Our family loves to play board games - we have hundreds (seriously) and most of them you probably haven't heard of. There are lots of games that teach skills, strategy, math, and more without your kids knowing that they are learning. Here are some of our favorites:
(Tip: You can find "how to play" videos on YouTube if you don't enjoy reading instructions. Also, our kids began playing most of these games around age 5, despite the age listed on the box. It never hurts to give it a try!)
Carcassonne A strategy and adventure game. Players draw tiles and play them to create kingdoms and score points. Ages 7+ |  |
| Forbidden Island This cooperative game involves all of the characters working together to reach a goal. Collect four treasures before the island goes underwater. This game is lots of fun to play with the whole family because of its cooperative nature. Age 10+ |  |
| Silver & Gold This is a flip-and-write game. (dry erase marker) Flip over cards and complete islands using shapes provided on the card. Age 8+ |  |
| Splendor This is a chip-collecting and card development game. Age 10+ | /pic1904079.jpg) |
| Ticket To Ride Collect and play matching train cards to make railroads throughout North America. Age 8+ | |
| Wingspan This strategy card game encourages you to accumulate points by collecting birds, laying eggs and hitting end-of-game bonuses. Age 10+ | |
| Draftosaurus In this drafting game, your goal is to place your dinosaurs in the best place to attract visitors. Age 8+ |  |
| Vegas Dice Game In this game of dice rolling fun, place your dice on the 'casino table' and try to win the big bucks. A little strategy and a lot of luck - the player with the most money wins. |  |
If you're not feeling that adventurous, here are a few games that you've probably heard of or might already have tucked away at home:
 | Apples to Apples | Age 12+ |
 | Clue | Age 8+ |
 | Guess Who | Age 6+ |
 | Life | Age 8+ |
 | Pictionary | Age 8+ |
 | Spot It | Age 7+ |
 | Scattergories | Age 13+ |
Card Games to play with younger kids:
 | UNO The object of this classic card game is to try to be the first to get rid of all the cards in your hand (This game says 7+ but kids who like to play games will get the hang of it at about age 4.) |
| Go Fish Learn about numbers and colors by making matches. This game can be played with a standard 52 card deck, but it's easier for younger children if you buy a Go Fish set of cards. Ages 4+ | |
 | Old Maid Gain matches and try to get rid of all of your cards without being stuck with the Old Maid! Ages 3+ |
 | L.L.A.M.A. The object of the game is to get rid of all of the cards so you don't have to take a marker because the player with the fewest markers wins. |
5 Card Games to play with older kids:
(using standard deck(s) of cards)
1. Hand and Foot
| Players: | 2-8 (Can be played with more but it does get a bit tedious) |
| Ages: | 13+ |
| Game Type: | Set collection |
| Skills: | Organization and math |
| Note: | This game requires multiple decks of cards, including the jokers. Can be played in teams. |
2. Spite and Malice
| Players: | 2-6 |
| Age: | 12+ |
| Game Type: | Competitive solitaire |
| Skills: | Strategy, card organization |
| Note: | Sometimes this game is called "Cat & Mouse". This requires 2 decks of cards (no jokers). Unlike other competitive solitaire games, this game the players don't race, but take turns. |
3. Fan Tan
| Players: | 3-5 |
| Age: | 8+ |
| Game Type: | Casino |
| Skills: | Card Organization and strategy |
| Notes: | Can be played with betting pennies, but my family plays without betting. You could also bet with candy. |
4. Gin Rummy
| Players: | 2-4 |
| Age: | 8+ |
| Game Type: | Set collection |
| Skills: | Card Organization |
| Notes: | This uses one deck of cards (no jokers) |
5. Spades
| Players: | 2-4 |
| Age: | 13+ |
| Game Type: | Trick Taking |
| Skills: | Strategy |
| Notes: | This uses one deck of cards (the standard version uses no jokers) |
