Family games

[PinkArt]

Hi all. I'd massively appreciate any suggestions for games to buy my sister and her family this Christmas. The kids will be 7.5 and 5.5, both smart, both games fans.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. I didn't think it would be as hilarious (and painful!) as it turned out to be! Painful as it's basically a similar play set up as snap and I have teenage boys who reallllly go for it. Definitely getting it for younger cousins! Great fun!

Was going to suggest this game too! Great for travel.

Uno is another portable card game my kids loved at that age.

Mine also love Exploding Kittens but they're a bit older.

Another simple, quick and fun game for the whole family is Kluster.

Labyrinth or Monopoly Junior

These are great, thank yup. @Garlicnaan do you think Exploding Kittens might be one for a couple of years time?

Avoid Monopoly at all costs, worst game ever!

Junior Catan?

Anomia
Throw throw burrito
Rapidough
Pictionary ( we had the family edition)
Family cards against humanity
Genius square

Dobble!

Agree with dobble and there are lots of different ones. Mind still play this aged 12.

Yes to Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, Uno is great but might be tricky for a 4.5 yo. Dobble is great. I think they do a Junior Labyrinth too.

When mine were that age they loved,

Monopoly junior
Cluedo junior
UNO
SkyJo
Snakes and ladders
Taco cat goat cheese pizza
Horrible histories board game
Chinese checkers

Peach snaps or avocado smash
Kids articulate

Mine loved Castle Panic and Carcassonne from age 6, but if your youngest is a good gamer then they should be fine to play.
We've always avoided the Junior versions of the popular games as most of the time kids can play the normal versions, as long as the games are fully explained and adults play with them the first few times.

Oooooho loads to check out. Thanks all.
Dobble is already big hit so that feels like a good sign that a lot of these would also go down well.
We are too competitive, on both sides, to safely introduce Monopoly yet 😂

I’ve just had a look at Taco Cat Goat etc, but there seem to be various different versions, blue, red etc. Which version would be good for adults and teenagers?

Out Foxed

If they're game fans I'd assume they would have the basics like uno and dobble.

My children are the same age and we enjoy games. We usually try go for adult games which are easy enough for kids.

Carcassonne
Junior Catan (this one is junior but not babyish)
Azul
Labyrinth (you can get themed versions for kids)
Monopoly deal is good but probs too complicated for the younger one.

I'll keep thinking ...

This was the age that my youngest started to play games like Ticket to Ride…he was an absolute wildcard for a year or so but almost anything that doesn’t rely on vocabulary (so not Scrabble or adult Pictionary) or trivia knowledge should be fine for a bright 5.5 year old.

I really like Forbidden Island for that age. Cooperative but not facile.

Could he read and find his own routes at this age? Or did someone have to read them to him?

I also want to know this, I went to order it then got confused!

Yes. He was Y1 so could read the routes. We did play open hands for a bit. And he was a complete wildcard (rather than having any strategy) but it was fun and now he’s 8 he can hold his own with no help.

Ticket to Ride First Journeys. It’s the best game we ever bought our children. Also love Outfoxed, Junior Catan and Quacks of Queddlingburgh junior version.

For that age I liked games like buckaroo and kerplunk. Easy to explain the rules and brings lots of laughs.

My DDs are the same age. I totally agree with Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. They also really like Uno, Dobble, Avocado Smash, Chequers and a game called Funny Bunnies.

Another vote for Ticket to Ride First Journey. DS got it for his 6th birthday and he picked it up quickly. He still enjoys it now (age 7). Our 4yo joins in but needs lots of adult help and quickly loses interest. However, I definitely recommend it as a game the younger ones can grow into, as it's fun for adults to play as well.

We also have Catan Junior which I don't enjoy quite as much but it's still a good game.

DS really struggles with losing (autistic and needs lots of support with emotional regulation) so I've been looking at cooperative games - have just ordered Outfoxed for Christmas. Hope it goes down well!

Just to say that Ticket To Ride First Journeys is down to £14.99 on Amazon today. I noticed it on Reastie’s Christmas Bargain thread (the one with Black Friday), and then remembered this thread. We’ve had it for years and it’s brilliant, and this is the cheapest I’ve seen it.