We are not nearly the intense gaming family I once envisioned. Growing up holidays were spent with cousins playing game after game while munching on ridiculously yummy food. Sam grew up pouring concrete on holidays (or some other such work project) and thought holidays playing games were a trifle…boring. As a family, we’ve settled somewhere nicely balanced in between.
A good portion of our cupboard space in the Airstream is filled with card and board games – many of them intentionally purchased for homeschooling purposes. In no particular order here are our current favorites:
Ages of Kids: Rachel (8), Andrew (6), Cara (3.5)
Robot Turtles: We already blogged about this one and it definitely makes our list. Teach kids the basics of programming while they navigate their turtles through a maze to find their jewel. All 3 of our kids love this one and can play simultaneously at different levels (although that requires some seriously thinking on Sam’s part to set up the maze).
Sleeping Queens: We pretty much love any game by Gamewright. They do such a great job. Use a King to wake up a Queen, a Knight to steal one, or a sleeping potion to put an opponent’s Queen back to sleep. Easy to play, and the older 2 love it. Cara usually plays on a team.
Mermaid Beach: Cara has started playing her own cards on this one recently. A mix between Go Fish, Old Maid, and something else entirely. Super fun, quick, and easy to play.
Yahtzee Jr Toy Story: With a Buzz Lightyear lover, how could we not own this game? I love that its super easy to play – you just roll the dice and try to collect 5 of a specific character. It also plays fast. Cara can play this one by herself as long as I prod her to choose someone other than Buzz every turn.
Sequence Letters: This game was really great for Andrew about a year ago when he was learning his letters and sounds. Now its easier for him to play, but both Rachel & Andrew still love it. Too advanced for Cara to play on her own, but now that she’s learning her letters it won’t be long.
Spot It Jr Animals: This game is sweeping the nation. We were introduced by friends in Philadelphia, and given the game from Aunt Chelsea in Utah, while we had Christmas in Texas. Follow that? We bought the Jr. version thinking it would be a little easier for Cara. She normally doesn’t play, but I think we could start her pretty soon.
Tell Tale, Fairy Tales: Created by the same people as Spot It! this is a similar round card design. We play the version where each person adds a card to the collective story, that way all 3 kids can play. Great for writing practice!
The Scrambled States of America Game: Bought this one for Geography. Each player has a pile of states and has to find one that is “East of Missouri” or “Starts with the letter A, B, or C” or “Has a Capital with 7 Letters”. The person with the most states at the end wins.
Rush Hour Jr: Homeschool purchase designed to make my kids think. You have to navigate the ice cream truck out of the maze.
Qwirkle: We throw out the figurative scoring pad on this one and just play to see how many Qwirkles we can get. We help each other find the best places to put tiles and don’t keep score. Cara even enjoys pulling new tiles out and helping me match the colors and shapes.
ARGH!: I just HAD to add this one in. I LOVE this game. Its fast, fairly brainless, and super cute. More of a “I can’t stop drawing for jewels” and then “Crap! I just lost all my jewels to the pirate” kind of fun. Great for entertaining my kids while we wait at the laundromat. All 3 kids play this one.
Here are two bonus games played mostly by Sam & I:
Tantrix: We bought this game almost 10 years ago in New Zealand, and its actually a game we will play with the two of us. Create the longest line to win the game. Loops earn double points.
Monopoly Deal: I HATE the real version of Monopoly. This one I’ll play anytime, anywhere. Super fast, fun to play, and sometimes there’s just nothing you can do to win. (I just looked this up on Amazon and its been discontinued. 🙁 Apparently we’d better not lose it).
We already have too many games but so many of these look like fun! I am a sucker for a good educational game! I have two Carmen Sandiego games and my boys love them both!
I LOVED Carmen Sandiego growing up! I didn’t know they made games. Which ones do you have?
Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. I found the USA one at a garage sale and the World one I had to search a bit to find one for a good price.
Have you and Sam ever played Aquarius? It’s a card game, and my wife and I couldn’t stop playing it when we first found it!
No we haven’t! I’ve never heard of it. Off to do a little research….
You might want to check out these: Castle Panic – a cooperative game where you all win or lose together, Family Fluxx – goes really fast, sort of requires reading, but the pictures are pretty easy to translate, Uno (although I worry about the cruelty factor on this one), and later Dixit. Stealing Zeus or just Zeus is another Gamewright that involves LOTS of addition and subtraction (but don’t tell my kids). I’m going to check out Tell Tale!
Very nice list! I have yet to try States Of America with the kids, and have been looking for an educational board game. Robot Turtles sounds interesting as well. Would highly recommend adding add Rorys Story Cubes to your collection for your age group.
Thanks Mark! I looked at the Story Cubes, but chose the Tall Tells instead since it was by the same people as Spot It. I’ve since seem that at a friend’s though and they do look fun! Definitely check out Robot Turtles. Rachel is 8 and is quickly getting to the upper limit – so it depends on how old your kids are.
Thanks for this list! I’m always trying to find fun yet educational, make you think kinda games. I’m getting 3 games from your list (Spot It, Tell Tale, Sequence Letters). One for each of my kids for Christmas, but we can all still play together. Can’t wait!
so great! Glad we could help. Have a Merry Christmas!