Children's board games shouldn't take too long to play, and they should be adaptable for different ages. Most of all, they should be fun. Some of these games aren't technically board games, but they are all perfect for multi-generational play, and they will certainly create some laughter.
Photo © GamewrightUglydolls, the stuffed toys with a distinctive look, fascinate some of us and mystify others, but you don't have to be a fan to like the Uglydoll card game. A simple matching game, it's easy to learn and fun to play, so that it's relaxing and non-stressful for grandparents and for grandkids.
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabberBananagrams, the 2009 Game of the Year, comes in a cool banana-shaped container. The container holds 144 letter tiles, which players draw and arrange into a crossword-type grid, racing against the other players. It's a low-tech, high-energy word game that is not just for children. It's fun for all ages, but its simple rules and adaptability make it a perfect kids word game.
Image Courtesy of PriceGrabberIf you're looking for a game of strategy to play with older grandchildren, look no further. The Settlers of Catan has delighted millions of gamers since its creation in 1995. It retains its charm through multiple uses, and players must draw upon logic and strategy to be successful. Besides, it's a building game, not a shooting game, and that counts for a lot with this grandmother.
Photo courtesy of PriceGrabberCatch Phrase is like charades in reverse on speed. Players are given a word or phrase and must get their team members to guess it. Instead of using pantomime, they use words, avoiding any forms of the word itself. A timer provides a quickening tick-tick-tick, and a buzzer goes off when the pace reaches a certain point. The team in play when the buzzer goes off loses a point.
Photo courtesy of PriceGrabberApples to Apples is the game in which players must choose nouns to fit a particular adjective, with unpredictable and sometimes hilarious results. The game consists of green apple cards containing adjectives and red apple cards containing nouns. An adjective card is turned up, and players choose a noun card to match it, with one player judging which card is the best match. The winner of the round gets to keep the adjective card as a simple way of keeping score.
Games for children should be short in duration to fit their attention spans, and Monopoly Junior fills the bill. The game is over when the first player runs out of money, which occurs surprisingly quickly. When a player lands on a property, he or she must purchase it; there is no option to pass on the purchase. Children still get practice in several essential skills, including taking turns, counting money and--perhaps most importantly--losing gracefully.
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabberA variation of the classic game Slap Jack, Slamwich is played with a deck of cards shaped like slices of bread. Each card depicts a sandwich ingredient. After the cards are dealt, players take turns putting one of their cards face up on a center stack. If the same ingredient is turned up twice in a row, or with only one other card between them, the first player to slam the deck wins the whole pile. Cards depicting a thief require that you slap the deck while yelling, "Stop, thief!"
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabberThis game consists of a round plastic box which holds plastic jewelry in four colors. The lid of the box has a mirror on one side and a spinner on the other. There are four gameboard pieces which fit around the jewelry box, and plastic playing pieces. Players accumulate items of jewelry as they move around the board by taking turns with the spinner. The winner is the first player to accumulate a full set of jewelry--necklace, earrings, ring and bracelet, plus the much-coveted crown. Well-designed and easy to play, Pretty Pretty Princess may not win any prizes for educational content, but it is fun for all ages.
Photo © GamewrightDweebies is "the card game with character," and each of the characters in the deck has "a profession or hobby that they¹re wildly passionate about," according to the game's creators. Representing jugglers, bagpipe players, surfers, weightlifters and the like, Dweebies are used in a game of matching that's somewhat like dominos. It appears deceptively simple, and it can be played quickly, but playing Dweebies well actually requires a keen sense of strategy.
Image Courtesy of PriceGrabberIf you're lookiing for a game that emphasizes fun over winning, Don't Make Me Laugh Jr. is just the ticket. As they race from the Little Chuckle to the Big Guffaw, players have to draw cards that require them to perform zany antics, sometimes alone and sometimes with the rest of the group. You may get to visit Lolo Land, and you may have to wear the clown nose. One thing is certain: You will laugh.
