To think that snakes and ladders is a really rubbish game.

[Molehillmountain]

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!

In life, optimism and hope can turn the biggest, fattest snake into a ladder. In the board game, not so much!

I like the way Lola in Charlie and Lola book plays.

"Everyone knows that snakes are not really slippery and Dad says you can't climb a ladder until you are 23!"

Aw we like snakes and ladders because the littlies have as much chance of winning as the biggies.

MolehillMountain - I think you and I may be sisters of the heart.

Google "Moksha", or "Moksha Snakes Ladders". I think I had my penny drop moment when I was playing snakes and ladders with one of the infants after having been to a yoga class. Sure enough, that is the origination of the game.

Oh, I misread you, MolehillMountain. I thought you said that, in life, optimism and hope can turn out to be the biggest, fattest snakes! I think it's fair to surmise we have fairly differing viewpoints.

It gets better if you add bits on the squares about winning money.

GazpachoSoup
Whaaa??!!! Snakes and Ladders is a great, classic game. You can't beat a good old fashioned, traditional board game.

I vigorously contest you on this. I refer you to this shop! www.gameskeeper.co.uk
Don?t limit yourself to "old fashioned, traditional" games. It?s like confining yourself to books written before the 1940s.
Reward innovation, and enthusiastic games designers, who are working with technology to publish games that take advantage of modern printing technology!

If the above shop seems like too great a range to choose from, have a look at the winners and nominees for this prize: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiel_des_Jahres#2012_awards.

A third option for you is to subscribe to Spielbox, a magazine which reviews boardgames. They publish an English edition.

The thing with games that require skill, as well as just luck, is that the older children always tend to win. At least when the players are 3, 5 and 7. Not so much fun for the younger ones.

At least with Snakes and Ladders the game is open.

It's one of the worst games ever, reasons being

(a) there are no choices at all, just blind luck
(b) it can go on for hours relative to the interest that anyone could have in rolling dice over and over again, due to snakes on the final row.

There are some good traditional board games, such as backgammon and chess, but snakes and ladders is not one of them.

I found mine played it properly once, got frustrated and angry, then learned to cheat. Then it got worse. We had to throw it away.

I bought a Snail Pace Race where they got to take it in turns, learn colours count etc and not fight, then they fed the wooden snails on toy food.

They really liked Headache Rummikub monopoly and risk and moved on to settlers.

Does anyone remember the classic version of Snakes and Ladders with pictures of children, to show actions (good and bad) having consequences? I wouldn't play this because I can't bear to look at some of the pictures.

www.pointlessmuseum.com/museum/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/spearsnakescomplete.jpg

For example, the enormous ladder had a girl planting seeds at the bottom, and enjoying the flowers at the top.

But one of the snakes was a boy chasing a pig, and then we see him bending over for a beating. Not sure if that would get through censors these days!

We ended up scribbling out one snake and adding in one ladder.
Much better!

Just because a game is designed badly, not how you would like it, doesnt mean it cant be altered, and then played more often and more enjoyably .

Indeed, with some modern games, especially those Lego ones, altering the game rules is encouraged.

My Grandad told me the rules stated that Grandads could go up the snakes. It was ages before I realised and it's one of my fondest memories.

He also taught me how to cheat at patience!

Oh-gathering :-( I was really looking forward to having a "sister of the heart" . Can I be one anyway? I'll ignore the examples I was thinking of!

I still recall the awful frustration of Snakes and Ladders from my childhood. I also remember stern lectures about "being a good loser". Unfortunately, the game seems to be designed entirely for children who are at precisely that age when it's already an uphill task encouraging losing with good grace. The board can be so easily kicked across the living room too.

I was a bad mother. Snakes and Ladders was banished from our house.

It is an extremely boring game, but it is good trial run for real life.

Pandemoniaa-I would say you're a good mother. I'm not against them learning to lose with good grace but I think that's a more manageable lesson when the game itself is worthwhile. My friend was talking about how "good" her six year old dds birthday party had been for her-apparently she'd spent a lot of time crying from not winning games. I know she needs to learn - but one or two win/lose games if its really tricky for her. Otherwise all they learn is games are rubbish and I don't want to play.

letsgomaths yes the spears game Snakes and Ladderes is the one I had as a child. It has Ludo on the back. Funny I loved the pictures and kept it. My DC play with it and never comment on the non pc element. I don't beat the crap out of them or make them say their prayers .

Hoaz

I love playing snakes and ladders with my daughter, its daughter her that you can't always win and if you don't better luck next time. Although playing more than 4 games in a row is a bit tiresome and i have forgotten to go up a ladder on occasion so she can win haha