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And it definitely shouldn't be allowed near small children. The one I've just done with ds has two snakes in the final row. Never done it before but I actually cheated on his behalf. Orchard games we love you!

And it's boring as hell.

We were supposed to play it backwards for DD's homework last week - no chance!

Play it backwards, for homework! What the ...?

Yes! Dull game, the only reward is finishing and then you get a snake (a long one) at 98. Beautiful wooden board or not this one's going to the charity shop. Unless it's unfair to inflict it on someone else.

It teaches them about taking turns, basic counting and that you can't always win.

Just wait til they're older and bring home the board (or bored, depending on you POV) game they've designed - forget the , you'll need

She's Yr 3 - they are learning to count back from 100 in different chunks ie: 98, 96 etc or in 5's.

If I thought she'd struggle I would have had a bash, but we used to count backwards from 100 to get her to sleep as a toddler, and did it in 2's and 5's as well when she started getting too used to the basic way so she's been able to do it for years.

YABU! It's simple enough for very young children to play with without adults, it helps them learn to count, it teaches them the concept of taking turns and winning/losing.

It's fine if you are winning hehe!

Yeah, I got that it was about counting backwards, but doesn't the down the snakes and up the ladders just confuse. When playing backwards do you go up snakes and down ladders?

Thing is though - how many children add or subtract the number and then do a single jump. Most just count the squares to get there.

But YY to turn taking and winning / losing / no cheating

I use three dice in the shaker when we play makes it go super quick!

We have a Peppa Pig one which has a massive snake and massive ladder, but arranged in such a way that you can't bring yourself back if you get the snake!

We play it fairly often though and sometimes change the rules of which you go up/down. At least it doesn't take long so even if it is boring you don't have to sit through it for ages.

Whaaaaat? It is a brilliant game. You lot have been on the iPad too long!

The trouble is it's pure chance so if you have won twice in a row and a small DC is getting upset it is very hard to cheat to let them win.

Scenario: you need 4 to win.

You: < throws dice > What have I got? Four? Whoops dropped it. Silly Mummy, better throw again.
DC: You don't have to, Mummy.
You: No no no, that's OK, need to be fair
DC: But you didn't make me throw again when I . . .
You: Well I'll just throw again shall I? < throws dice >
DC: You got FOUR!
You: Oh! < weak smile > Now, lets see, < moves counter furtively > One, Two, Threefour. Oh still one to go.
DC: Mummeeeeee! You didn't do it properly. Go back and do it properly.
You: Oh...kay... One, Two, Three, Four. Oh I've won again.
DC: Waaaaaaaaah!!!! I NEVER win!!! I'm rubbish at this.
You: DC darling, I keep telling you it's just luck, there's no such thing as good or bad at this game.
DC: I hate this stupid game < throws board on floor, storms off in tears >

Whereas things like Monopoly are a bit easier to let them win (only once in a while, mind) "Ah no, I am a bit bored with having Park Lane AND Mayfair, don't think I'll bother this time."

We've started Settlers of Catan. That involves negotiation, trading and planning ahead.

DS (7) will find those skills particularly challenging. But useful for life.

Snakes and Ladders we only played at Christmas - ie parents full of goodwill and content to play board games from some compendium <outs self as Victorian> one of us had got as a gift.

After Boxing Day it was always, "Play with your sister... No not now, maybe later never".

I think it is great-it teaches so many things-most important of all that you can't always win.

Kim, teaching a 7 yr old to negotiate etc. Mine can only do prima donna. Where can I get this game.

Kim-settlers is such an amazing game! I love it! It is the complete opposite to what I hate about snakes and ladders-the game itself is interesting and although you can have setbacks and frustrations, you have some input into what you choose to do and even if you lose at the last minute, the game can feel worthwhile. Must get onto it with my seven year old...

DS is very good at negotiating - normally about time or sweets. We've been playing our own rules but decided to follow the proper rules now.

His biggest problem is attention - if he's not into something, he loses interest. If he is into it, he is definitely into it.

We love playing it..I've even got an app on my phone. please don't throw me out of MNs because I have..I need you lovely lot to get through the day

Snakes and Ladders was constructed to be unfair. It's actually a game that was made to model getting to Heaven and the huge consequences of small sins, which could undo years of virtuous living.

As you just may have seen with those two snakes at the end!

That is one fact I did not know
Religion gets everywhere.

I'm not surprised-it's a nasty game. And I don't believe that you train children to love games by playing ones that are hard and frustrating to win. I'd love to know your settlers rules, Kim. I really struggle to say it in English-we were introduced to it in Dutch!

Whaaa??!!! Snakes and Ladders is a great, classic game. You can't beat a good old fashioned, traditional board game. Never mind all this Angry Birds type app crap on phones you get nowadays!
Traditional board games are great as they get the whole family playing together.
If the kids don't always win, so what?! It's great to play them as it's one of life lessons - no, you can't always win and have everything, and have to sometimes accept gracious defeat and not fling the board to the other side of the room in a temper tantrum as you haven't got your own way
I play traditional games with my kids. None of the letting them win type stuff. If they snooze, they lose.