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).