Board Games!
We play board games several times a week in our house. Over the last two years, we've pared down the amount of games we keep on hand. We still probably have 30+ games between our home and RV.
For some, 30 games may seem like too many. It's definitely less than the 75+ we used to have, and we've kept what we love to play. Donating the rest gave us the freedom to concentrate on the games we enjoy most.
The games in this blog post are our current favorites. My children are 7, 6, and 4 years old, and we enjoy playing games as a family of 5 or as part of homeschool learning. My 4 year old needs help for a few of these game (the addition parts) but can handle his own play to participate competitively.
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Top 3 Favorite Board Games
KINGDOMINO
Kingdomino ranks #1 in our house and has held this title for a long time.
Ages: The box reads ages 8 and up, but my 4-7 year olds play this without help. My 4 year old and 6 year old need help with the multiplication and addition at the end, but have learned how to build his kingdom strategically.
Players: 2-4 players
Mom Likes Because:
- the kids can play without help
- provides fun math practice for:
- multiplication
- addition
- number sense up to 48
- number sequencing
- the kids learn practice how to gracefully win and lose
- each time we play we build different kingdoms
- easy set up and clean up
My 4 year old can hang in this game and genuinely beats his older brother and older sister. He has mastered number sequencing through 12 and gets help for the higher value sequencing. You are supposed to put the cards in number sequence to prepare each round.
Game Play: build a 5x5 grid kingdom and score the most points by connecting crowns and like tiles (meadows, mines, desert, grass, water).
We have played the Kingdomino Age of Giants expansion pack and Queendomino, but the basic Kingdomino version is the family favorite.
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CAT-TASTROPHE
Cat-tastrophe is a game that travels well, is easy to set up and involves kids of most any age.
Ages: The box reads ages 5 and up, but my youngest has played since he was 2.
Players: any number
Mom Likes Because:
- the kids can play without help
- the kids crack up laughing
- the game is cooperative
- builds fine motor skills for set up and game play
Game Play: get the cat to safety at the bottom of the "tree" by pushing out parts of the tree one at a time. Don't let the cat fall out of the tree!
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ZINGO 1-2-3
ThinkFun produces four Zingo games. Zingo 1-2-3 is a math game, Zingo is the original words game for early readers, Zingo Sight Words, and Zingo Word Build completes the set.
Ages: 4 and up
Players: 2-6 players
Mom Likes Because:
- the kids can play without help
- provides fun math practice for:
- addition
- number sense up to 12
- subitizing
- the kids learn practice how to gracefully win and lose
- fun to play
- double sided boards
- easy set up and clean up
Game Play: fill your Zingo card. We amended the directions for each kid to take turns with the dispenser rather than play as intended (grab the tile when it's dispensed). It led to fighting and someone getting their hands hurt, so we just take turns now. The boards are double sided - one side shows objects with the written word for the number and the other is addition of objects.
More Board Games
While those three games are our top 3 board games, we love all the games on this list. The next three games were chosen by my 7 year old, and my other two kids need help playing with him.
4. Chess
6. Zap
CHESS
We had this beginner version of chess to start, and have "graduated" to this family game set with a wooden storage case.
Ages: 6 and up
Players: 2 players
Mom Likes Because:
- requires strategic thought and logic
- the kids learn practice how to gracefully win and lose
- hard to play
Game Play: checkmate the opponent's king
My oldest mainly plays with his dad, and I gave my son the How to Beat Your Dad at Chess book to help him. My 4 and 6 year olds "play" with my oldest but they do not understand how the pieces move or how to win. However, it provides a great play opportunity for them and for my oldest to verbalize how to play. He coaches them on their moves just so he can get practice time to ultimately beat his dad.
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TREKKING THE NATIONAL PARKS
Trekking the National Parks is the most expensive game we've ever purchased. Lovers of the National Parks and family game night find this game to be worth the money.
Ages: 10 and up, but all three of my kids play (ages 4-7)
Players: 2-5 players
Mom Likes Because:
- teaches US geography
- great game for my 1st and 2nd graders to learn the US
- pairs with our RV adventures
Game Play: earn the most victory points
We've played this game for 2 years now and I shared a video back then of game play, set up, and how to win. My youngest was 2 then, and participated with help. We often play teams in our family so we can help the littles. The game takes about 10 minutes to set up and about an hour to play.
Zap!
Zap is a fast paced math game.
Ages: 7 and up, but my 6 year old plays
Players: 1-4 players
Mom Likes Because:
- provides fun math practice for addition
- plays fast
- teaches kids to win and lose gracefully
- teaches kids to take risks
- kids can play alone
Game Play: win the most points
My 6 year old can play this game but prefers Math War instead of Zap. My 7 year old loves this game.
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More Board Games!
8-10. Clumsy Thief series
11. Sleeping Queens
12.. Math Bingo
Hi Ho Cherry-O
This game is fun for kids of young ages and develops fine motor skills.
Ages: 7 and up, but my 6 year old plays
Players: 1-4 players
Mom Likes Because:
- color practice
- counting practice
- kids play independently
- set up and game play works on fine motor skills
Game Play: first player to get 10 cherries picked off the tree wins
Clumsy Thief
We have three versions of this game to fit with the math level of each of my kids.
Ages:
Clumsy Thief: 8 and up, and my younger two kids have "cheat sheets"
Clumsy Thief Candy Shop: 8 and up, and my younger two kids have "cheat sheets"
Clumsy Thief Junior: 5 and up
Players:
Clumsy Thief: 3-6 players
Clumsy Thief Candy Shop: 3-6 players
Clumsy Thief Junior: 2-4 players
Mom Likes Because:
- provides fun math practice for addition and number recognition
- it is fun to play and steal from other players
- teaches kids to win and lose gracefully
- teaches kids to think strategically
- kids play over and over
Game Play: have the most cards at the end
Sleeping Queens
Sleeping Queens has been a favorite for years!
Ages: 8 and up but all three kids can play without help
Players: 2-4 players
Mom Likes Because:
- provides fun math practice for addition and skip counting by 5s
- teaches kids to win and lose gracefully
- kids can play alone
Game Play: first to 50 points wins
The game tin has held up to travel, kid wear and tear, and moving. It's dented but has protected the cards inside for years.
Math Bingo
Math Bingo from eeBoo is my daughter's favorite math game. We play one-on-one and that's probably why she chose it. It's focused time with mom during school.
Ages: 5 and up
Players: 2-6 players
Mom Likes Because:
- provides fun math practice for addition and subtraction
- teaches kids to win and lose gracefully
- kids can play alone
Game Play: first to fill their board wins
Find more of our favorite board games in my Amazon shop! Comment with your favorite family games so we can check them out too!
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