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Christmas

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Original poster

Anyone want to discuss board games?

26 replies

CircassianLeyla · 01/11/2013 13:15

Somewhere to share the good and the worthless.

I need to buy:

A family board game for Christmas Day (thinking if Family Trivial Pursuit)

One/two for DS1/2 who are 8 and 6

One that we can include DS3 almost 3 with.

We have Monopoly that we enjoy, Deadly 60 that wasn't great and have just been given junior scrabble.

What are your must haves and absolute wastes?

I fancy Cluedo but I imagine we need Junior.

OP posts:
Lizzylou · 01/11/2013 13:17

My boys are 9 and 7 and love Junior Cranium, Family Trivial Pursuits, Cluedo and Boggle Flash.

3bunnies · 01/11/2013 13:22

Ours enjoy labyrinth, charades, entropy. Have got them forbidden island for Christmas and looking forward to a co-operative game.

TeaAndCakeOrDeath · 01/11/2013 13:23

Is it one board game to do all that or a few that you can play at different times/with different people?

I think the 2 older DSs could join in with this one as its shouting out answers

And I've bought this one for DPs xmas but havent played it yet so cant say how good it will be

MadeOfStarDust · 01/11/2013 13:28

Labyrinth is one of our favourites too! have just seen ads for it on telly - they seem to be pushing it this year....

Destination is really good too - we got the Harry Potter version - one of those games that can be won with skill, but has some "luck of the draw" about it too - so the little ones can win..

Cluedo - again we got the Harry Potter one.... is fine from age 7/8 ish...

Also- don't rule out card games - Uno is a big favourite round here...

sadmum1000 · 01/11/2013 13:35

We picked up Destination London in the charity shop and kids love it. It's v cheap on amazon too because it is Olympic Games themed (so a bit out of date but doesn't bother kids)

They love the game of life, Cluedo, monopoly too. I'm also thinking of Forbidden Island for this year unless something else pops up on this thread.

Always long for ticket to ride but never see it cheap enough

NewBlueShoesToo · 01/11/2013 13:38

I totally agree that Deadly 60 is terrible.
Wimpy Kid Cheese Touch is fun although it doesn't sound it. Also
Happy Families
Old Maid
Racing Demon ( card game a bit like patience)
Pictionary
Scotland Yard
Pit ( noisy fast card game)
Game of Life

janeyjampot · 01/11/2013 13:40

We bought Animal upon Animal last year after it was recommended here. It's been great for all ages, but what particularly appealed was something which was so silly that to be overly competitive would be ridiculous (FIL I'm thinking of you!) and it was exactly right.

My DDs are in their teens but I have used it with children's groups I run from about age 4.

ForFawkesSakeNoGuyForSolo · 01/11/2013 13:42

My Dd will be 7 in December and has been complaining that her Db (15) has board games and she does not, so...watching thread with interest!

Original poster
CircassianLeyla · 01/11/2013 14:33

I love the Where is Moldova? That looks awesome.

I want to get a number if games, I would be hard pushed to find one that did it all I reckon.

OP posts:
Original poster
CircassianLeyla · 01/11/2013 14:36

We are going to invest in two decks of cards too as DS1/2 are starting to be able to play short games. I have such find memories of board/card games as a child.

OP posts:
Katieweasel · 01/11/2013 15:10

I have done a kind of rainy day box for my DS. Have bought lots of different card games for a couple of pound each like Ratuki, Monopoly Deal, Cludeo, Pictionary, Boggle slam and some dice games like clam and greed. I love board games but like the idea of lots of quick games rather than one long game where he might lose interest.

dancemom · 01/11/2013 15:19

Disney Trivial Pursuit?

Original poster
CircassianLeyla · 01/11/2013 15:21

Do we need the junior Cluedo? Or can we get away with the normal version?

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Happypiglet · 01/11/2013 15:27

UNO is the best game for all ages. My dd could play it from three (altho she couldn't hold the cards!) and it's still a firm favourite three years later with all mine.
Dd plays Cluedo but only with an adult to help. DSs (9 & 8) manage it fine.
Mine have started to get into 'grown up' games like Ticket to Ride and Niagra and Settlers but they may be beyond a six year old.
Another favourite is 'Post the Most" which is an Orchard games one involving delivering post. It's fun and your younger one could help with the posting. Perfect for a six year old. My eldest has to be bribed to play it now because he is in training for being a teenager as he is nearly 10...But we have had four good years out of it and the younger two still love it.

SummerSevern · 01/11/2013 15:32

How about Dixit
Brilliant game where you have to tell stories based on pictures. Really hard to explain without showing you, but it has beautiful illustrations and is great for descriptive language.

missingink · 01/11/2013 15:36

Uno and again Uno.
And don't bother with the Junior version of scrabble for a 6 year old. We play with half the tiles thus reducing the game length on the 'adult' board.

coffeespoons · 01/11/2013 15:40

Junior Apples to Apples or Junior Articulate!

fuzzpig · 01/11/2013 15:56

Labyrinth is fab, we love it. Animal upon animal is brilliant too!

Settlers of Catan and Carcassonne great for older ones (not 3yo, 6yo might manage in a team)

I'm thinking of a cooperative game this year to include my 6 and 4yo.

Whereisegg · 01/11/2013 16:15

I have bought battleship which I'm excited about, not sure if it counts as a board game really though...?

lade · 01/11/2013 16:22

UNO extreme. My daughters love the machine that randomly spews out cards. Fun for all the family!

Original poster
CircassianLeyla · 01/11/2013 16:32

DS1 has just looked through the Argos gift catalogue and got excited about The Chase - I don't think we will be getting that though.

OP posts:
missingink · 01/11/2013 16:42

Fuzzypig, what would be the youngest age for Layrinth would you say?

fuzzpig · 01/11/2013 17:09

Hmm, not sure as not actually tried recently with my 6yo. We have always played with my DSDs who are now 15 but still love it :o

I reckon a 5/6yo would be able to give it a good go anyway, possibly with a teammate to start? It's a very visual game so it's quite obvious what you need to do, as you can see the treasures laid out, but the forward planning might be a bit tricky

3bunnies · 01/11/2013 22:11

Our 6 nearly 7 yr old can play Labyrinth now on her own, but she's more likely to win if I am on her side! It does involve skill as well as luck. Ds is just 4 and enjoys it but we have to play for him, so it's usually dd1 (nearly 9) against me & dh with the younger ones helping.

More generally I would recommend getting a card playing book - we learnt loads of new/ child friendly games from one.

jellyfl00d · 01/11/2013 22:32

We love Rapidough, like pictionary but with play dough and adults and kids could play it, lots of fun, if you win turns you add to your own dough or steal remove dough from your opponent Grin