[nesf]

I'd like to convert this thread into one where we can talk about good quality boardgames for kids. Ideally better than the usual crap put out in the Irish shops that breaks after a short time or is extremely gimmicky.


Kids of Carcassonne is a board game: http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/4...of-carcassonne

More specifically it's a German style board game based on an excellent adult board game called Carcassone. It's aimed at 4+ and I just picked it up for the 5 year old and he loves it.

It's a tile playing game with some strategic elements. Big bright colours and all that and good for the mind. Teaches you to think ahead and plan your moves in advance and all that yet is simple enough that a 5 year old can beat a 30 year old boardgame veteran in it.


Highly recommended if you want something other than the cheap plasticky crap that passes for board games in this country. I got it off amazon.co.uk for £22 which was a good enough price.

[IvyTheTerrible]

Oh I love the "adult" Carcassonne, would love to share the children's version with my boyfriend's nephew and nieces!

Thanks for sharing!

[nesf]

Another German board game I'm planning on getting: http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/5...-kids-of-catan

Under the brand of "The Settlers of Catan" another "adult" board game. Has a good reputation for younger children. Build completely out of wood, so able to take a lot of punishment. The problem is it's around the £40 mark, so not a trivial purchase.

[LadyMayBelle]

Suitable for an 11 year old? She went on hols with her parents to Carcassone, so this might be a good option! I can imagine her face when she sees a boardgame tho! Shock! But would be a better option than other gifts

[nesf]

Originally Posted by LadyMayBelle

Suitable for an 11 year old? She went on hols with her parents to Carcassone, so this might be a good option! I can imagine her face when she sees a boardgame tho! Shock! But would be a better option than other gifts

Too simple for an 11 year old I'd say. The full game would be better: http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/822/carcassonne

On Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rio-Grande-G...ef=pd_sim_b_12

Only £11 but it's a game I still play as an adult. There's that much depth and strategy in it. But very easy for a child of 11 to pick up. It's a bit like chess in that the rules are easy to understand but the game is very hard to master. There's a load of expansions and such if they get into the game.

Other good options:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mayfair-MFG3...3347932&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rio-Grande-G...3347977&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dominion-Car...3348010&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Abacusspiele...3348060&sr=1-1


There's loads more listed here: http://boardgamegeek.com/browse/boar...d=1&rank=82#82

Just make sure to check the number of players needed and the suggested age by the users of the site. If in doubt ask on this thread and if I've played it I can give you an idea of whether it's suitable for an 11/12 year old or not. Though at that age they should be able to play almost every game available to be honest.

[nesf]

For anyone interested in the history of these games: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German-style_board_game


Yeah, I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to this kind of thing.

[Moonbeam]

I am an adult and we play Carcassone! Dominion is supposed to be great too.

[silverharp]

The German game Siedler is very good not sure if there is an English version of it. Other favourites in our house are Monopoly and Risk.

[byhookorbycrook]

We have a shared maths programme in school,where we send maths boards games home over 6 weeks. It's amazing how many families say they have forgotten the fun of board games and would love the project to go no all year!!

[nesf]

Originally Posted by Moonbeam

I am an adult and we play Carcassone! Dominion is supposed to be great too.

Dominion is great. Myself and my wife went through a good long phase of playing it every night. Best with more than two people though. Agricola is another very good one for adults and teens.

[lonestargirl]

Bohnanza is a good, fun card game. It's interesting how many of the best games originate in Germany?

[Moonbeam]

my 2(3 in January) year old is getting connect4 and snakes and ladders because they are the only age appropriate games that I can think of..does anyone know any other family games that we could play together?

[nesf]

Originally Posted by Moonbeam

my 2(3 in January) year old is getting connect4 and snakes and ladders because they are the only age appropriate games that I can think of..does anyone know any other family games that we could play together?

Apparently a 3 year old can play this, though I have not tested this theory myself (assuming they get a lot of help): http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/5...-kids-of-catan

Pricey though. Built to take a lot of punishment though (this is why it works for 3 year olds...)

[Staph]

Originally Posted by byhookorbycrook

We have a shared maths programme in school,where we send maths boards games home over 6 weeks. It's amazing how many families say they have forgotten the fun of board games and would love the project to go no all year!!

Hi, I was wondering what these games were and are they suitable for 8-10 years? Thanks

[LadyMayBelle]

I have always found Cranium to be a lot of fun, and lat year discovered the kids version, and that went down really well..