Best family board game?

[ScariestFairyByFar]

Looking for a present for step brothers family don't see them much but will see then at Xmas was thinking a game for them all would be good but need ideas.

---
MNHQ Update
We appreciate this thread is a little old now, but if you’ve come across it while on the hunt for similar recommendations, our guide to the best board games has been recently updated to reflect current availability and new releases. It’s been compiled based on advice from Mumsnet users as well as consumer reviews with fun for the whole family in mind. We hope it’s helpful!

[SierraGolf]

I know this is really late but if you havent already bought something try Twister for all ages.

[fuzzpig]

I quite fancy getting q-bitz myself but don't know if DH would enjoy it as much as me!

[rrreow]

For the person asking about Dixit, you can actually watch the game being played here: (and lots of other games as well) I haven't played it myself but from watching the video it's definitely on my wishlist!

[Dancergirl]

Has anyone tried Chairs or Q-Bitz? Both got good reviews on Amazon.

[Stripy1]

My son is 9 and is loving Monopoly. He can play it fully engaged for about 2 hours! but my daughter is 6 nearly 7 and lasts about 20 mins before she has lost interest. Junior monoploy would be great for her.

[rcd]

I bought Qwirkle recently and my family really enjoys it. It involves matching colours and shapes and it is possible invent a very simple version with a 2year old. I have even managed to get DH who is not keen on board games to play it.

[fuzzpig]

We were and and :o in equal measure, SP. Needless to say we didn't actually play it that night, tempting as it was!

[SminkoPinko]

lololol@ "let's play it now, you can consummate later",fp! Thanks for this great thread, folks.

[betterwhenthesunshines]

DD (and my mum!) just like building the tiles into pretend villages

[dementedma]

We have bought Carcassone for this year so hope its as good as people say.

[betterwhenthesunshines]

These threads always cost me a fortune - have discovered and love Carcassone, Labyrinth and Blokus. Now have in my Amazon basket: Gamewright Forbidden Island and Small World. Any feedback before I hit 'buy'?

OP - Pit is great fun, loud but good fr younger ones too as you don't need to read and older ones just like the yelling.

Perrudo could also be good for the age range you mention- kids like it because you have to lie!

[Grockle]

Really good thread. Thanks for suggesting it, Fuzz.

I have £15 from my MN secret santa to spend on something - I thought a new board game would be good.

I'm going to look at the ones suggested on here but if anyone has more ideas about what might suit me & DS(7) as well as me, DS, DP, DSS1(7), DSS2(6), that'd be great. I'm too impatient for snakes & ladders and Ludo is tedious (apart from when I send all of DP's pieces back to the start )

[fuzzpig]

A couple more good games (but not easy to get hold of) are Monopoly Express (dice version) and Doodle Dice.

I was given Lego Creationary for my birthday yesterday - it's fun, but really hard! I can't imagine being able to make good models like the ones on the box.

I'm getting kokoriko for my friend's birthday later this month, and animal upon animal as a family game for us this Xmas. This thread has been fab :)

[Horseymumjo]

It's not a board game, but the Nintendo wii has endless possibilities , something for everyone and even a 2 yo can join in.

Simpler stuff .... tiddlywinks, twister, giant jenga, rapidough,

I once baked loads of Christmas shaped biscuits with a hole in the top for attaching string to, then got all the kids around the kitchen table, gave them icing, silver and gold balls, loads of tubes of writing icing and got them to decorate them for hanging on the tree. They had fun for a good couple of hours doing that although not many biscuits survived to make it on to th tree!!!

[bealos]

My ds1 (7) has just discovered Cluedo at his grandparents and is loving it. A game doesn't really take that long to play and the little bit of sleuthing involved is enough for his age.

[Clary]

I love Pass the Bomb tho my articulate 9yo struggles with it tbh; it's about quickly thinking of words with a certain combination of letters so you have to be well read and a good speller!

My kids like Cluedo but be warned, you need the old version (I got it 2nd hand on Amazon) as the new one is Wrong Wrong Wrong.

We all like Rummikubb and it is quick to play but too hard for a 2yo.

Kids Triv Pursuit has been a hit here tho some people are struggling reading out the questions. It's also waaay too easy for adults (well bviously! but I mean they really can't play it in any meaningful way)

[TellMeLater]

Thank you for this thread, we have just bough animal on animal for the Christmas Eve hamper and a few others for presents for the kids.

Just to add our own suggestion we like Viva Topo - great for adults and children alike. It's a cat chasing mice who are trying to collect cheese game - the pieces are beautifully made from wood. Lovely game, guaranteed to get everyone excited when the cat is chasing their tails.

[ninjanurse]

I second or third Pictureka for a lively game that even little kids can join in with. Other games we enjoy are scattergories, Best of British, logo game, articulate and taboo. If you keep your eyes open you can pick up a lot of board games really cheaply in charity shops. I managed to get Best of British in a charity shop for £3, sealed and never used. Its £25 in shops!

[Erebus]

Ghostly Galleon is good here though my caveat would be a tired 8 year old just might not handle being sent back to the beginning, one step from winning! We have had to 'adjust' the rules in the past to prevent potential meltdown!

It's a fun game for a bunch of pissed adults, however

[shewhowines]

If you like monopoly but hate the length of time it takes to play, buy junior monopoly. Exactly the same format (but set in a funfair) but takes around 20 mins to play. For some reason it is difficult to get hold of. Make sure it has the dodgem car picture on the front.

I will never play real monopoly again.

[rockinhippy]

Frustration would work across those age ranges - DD has loved it since tiny & still plays now & DH loves it too, I can't really comment as I believe all board games are the devil spawn and designed to cause rows, or was that just my family as a kid

[multitaskmama]

We love scrabble, good fun, some funny words and improved the kids spelling!

[slalomsuki]

Not really a board game but UNO is the winner in our family with the two year old getting the hang of it quickly.

[midseasonsale]

rush hour