Essential board games

[Mumstudentbum]

My Dcs are 6, 9 and 13 and have just started being interested in playing board games together (most of the time without arguing ) so I'm interested in buying them some more so they don't get bored of the basic ones we have

We already have basics such as ludo, frustration, connect 4, junior monopoly etc but what would be on your essentials list?

[Toffeelatteplease]

Forbidden Island
Pass the pigs
Chess
Minecraft the card game
Labyrinth (although I have to say mine aren't that keen)

BIGGER games (More aimed at the older two):
Ticket to ride: Europe
Settlers of Catan
Lords of Waterdeep
Smallworld

Once you have the basics:
Sushi Go
Astronauts the card game
Dominion
Ticket to ride Asia or Switzerland

[Mumstudentbum]

Forbidden island and ticket to ride in my wish list.

DS (13) has a chess set gifted to him by my grandfather which is in the loft so will get that out for an airing too! Thanks for reminding me.

Will add pass the pigs, minecraft and astonaughts to the list too thanks x

[RattieOfCatan]

Chess, catan, carcassonne, union Pacific, dominion and pandemic. The 6yo may struggle but you could adapt things.

Pandemic is a team game and relatively simple and self explanatory, but it is about saving the world from 4 diseases which are going to wipe it out and it's actually very hard to win. so whilst I think it's amazing you would have to make it easier and you may not like the concept! I've played it with a 7yo and 9yo watching as they weren't sure about playing and they didn't really get why we weren't bothered about losing, but they were interested! It's the only one that they have been interested in!

[BuildersBum]

repeating what others have said, but it's what my almost 7 year old enjoys

from Haba -
Animal Upon Animal
Monza
Rhino Hero
Mouse Van Klecks
Wild Vikings

Card -
Sushi Go
Love Letter
Sleeping Queens

general -
Bugs In The Kitchen
Labyrinth

more 'adult' games
Carcassonne
Ticket To Ride
Takenoko
Camel Up
Colt Express
Patchwork - but it's two player