Family Board Games

[AliMonkey]

Am thinking of buying a game for some good friends - partly because easier to buy one thing for whole family than four things but also because it's something we like to receive so hope they will too. Kids will be 10 and nearly 7. I'll obviously have to subtly check what they already have, but let me know your favourites that both kids of that age and parents will enjoy.

If they like more traditional games, something like Carcasoone or Settlers of Catan?

If more adventurous, try Smash Up or King of Tokyo.

The website boardgamegeek is your friend.

Games which adults and 7 year olds can play on a surprisingly equal footing:
SET
Labyrinth
Pitchcar

Taking into account the seven year old

Dobble, ludo, London game, great game of Britain, labyrinth, pass the pigs.

Yes to Labyrinth
Also Forbidden Island big hit around here.

DS1 would agree on Forbidden Island. And I meant Carcasonne, not Carcasoone!

hate labyrinth and DD finds it really frustrating, she is quite good at it, better than me at spotting routes, but finds it annoying.

articulate?

ticket to ride?

Carcasoone

Big fans of Ticket to Ride, here. Turns are nice and quick so the younger ones don't get bored and a nice balance between strategy and luck, so one player doesn't always dominate.

Risk? It goes on for hours and hours here though.

Risk is awful goes on for hours often with one person dominating the game play while everyone else waits to take their turn.

Ticket to ride great for the ten your old but possibly a little tough for the 7 year old to play independently. (Unless your 7 year old is a hard core gaming nut already)

Again forbidden island is a fantastic game but I would question whether the 7 year old would be able to play independently. The fantastic thing about it being cooperative is that they are less likely to be aware how much you are steering their turn.....

The seven year old not playing independently opens up far more games
Settlers of Catan
Lords of war
Lords of water deep
Small world
Gloom (slightly quirky sense of humour required)
Dominon
Ticket to ride (Europe map)

Catan junior is not a good game on itself but is good for opening up the mechanics of the full game to a younger audience

Labyrinth
Set card game

I have brought a game called 'Family Scavenger hunt in a box'. Looks really good fun has cards to play inside or outside versions. Teams have to race to find things around the house. It is for ages 6+.

Last year we got Apples to Apples which is fun (but my DC were a little young for it).

Thanks for all your responses. I've looked them all up and am currently thinking of one of ...
Labryinth - recommended by three of you
Dobble and SET (both cheap so could get both at reasonable cost)
London Game - we played this when I was a child
Ticket to Ride Europe - though box looks a bit old-fashioned!
Qwirkle - anyone enjoyed this?

My first thought was Articulate, but I think I've seen that at their house.

We love Qwirkle. DS aged 7 will happily play with or without scoring. I would agree, Ticket to Ride is probably a little tricky for a seven year old. We also like Dungeon, Forbidden Island, and a card game called Gubs.

London game is reduced down to £17 atm

At Amazon

Harry Potter destination is an amazing board game! My 8 & 9 year old love it and so do I.

Faraway island is pretty awesome as well and I don't like boardgames.

Forbidden island not Faraway sorry.

Ingenious and Blokus are both good games for families, not much of a story line but good fast competitive play.

Tension
Family trivial pursuit
The logo game

Qwirkle - anyone enjoyed this?

I can't believe I forgot this,read the reviews on amazon ( amazon is always great place to check reviews) its brilliant.

Really good fun, easy to learn but can be as tricky as you want it...good educational game too - has won awards.

we took it to family gathering and 7 year old, teenagers as well as 90 year old granny all played and enjoyed it.

also love - dobble, good fun, uno ( card game) sleeping queens and love letter card game.

We love Qwirkle in our house (DH, me DD, 8)
Also Family trivial pursuit and cluedo

We love Qwirkle too...and dobble and Rubiks race and Rummikub.

Thanks. I've actually put Rummikub on my Amazon wish list for myself having come across it while looking. Sleeping queens also a favourite in my house. Too many good options is the problem!

I love, love, love Qwirkle.
Dobble is good for younger children. Doodlebugs for young ones is one of my favourites.
Zeus on the Loose is good for mental maths, much more strategic and interesting than most games with an educational interest.
Yahtzee and Triominoes were favourites from my childhood.
I've always fancied Mexican Train, but haven't ever played it.