One of our family’s favorite things to do is play games together. Whether it’s a cold weekend in winter or on a quiet day of a family vacation, we always like to keep games nearby. As we head into summer when kids are home and you often hear, “I’m bored,” I thought I’d share some of our family’s popular choices that maybe you have or haven’t discovered yet.
Note that my kids are age 9 and 11, and I’d say that each of the games below could be played even by kids slightly younger than that with an adult or older sibling’s help.
Board Games
PayDay – it’s a classic, and we still have the 1980s version to prove it! We also have the more modern version of this game where you move through the month trying to balance your expenses and income to come out as the big winner at the end of the game.
Monopoly Gamer – my son loves Monopoly, but it’s my least favorite. This version of the classic game is the perfect compromise. It features Mario characters in a Monopoly type of board where you can purchase properties. There are different rules that put this game at a playing time of about an hour though!
Ticket to Ride – a game that really has you thinking strategy right from the start as each player has train trip tickets that they need to complete by drawing colored cards. There are only so many routes through each city across the U.S. though, so plan your routes carefully! Look for the expansion pack that gives additional trip cards, or other versions such as Ticket to Ride Europe which features some different rules.
Card Game
Exploding Kittens – this is a fantastic game that everyone will love! It’s part strategy, part luck as you compete against other players to avoid drawing an exploding kitten and getting kicked out of the game. It features some elements of Uno with action cards, but is a game all its own. I definitely recommend the expansion pack which includes additional action cards and a fun imploding kitten element. Guaranteed to be a hit at your next family or friend event!
Dice Game
Qwixx – a fast-moving dice game, it’s another that involves some strategy, yet is easy enough for elementary-age kids to quickly catch on. Roll the dice, choose your combinations, and tally the most points on your scoresheet.
