My friends know, I am NOT summer's biggest fan. In particular, any temp over 75 is not my fave. Over 85 and I'm staying inside. Over 90 and I'm dreaming of a White Christmas. So, when the heat gets to be too much, we like to stay home and enjoy our game collection. With kids ranging from 7 to 1, some able to read, others not reading super well yet, and others not reading at all - and two parents who have enjoyed nearly 8 years of Candy Land - we're always excited to find a game we can enjoy with the kids.
Many of these find their way into suitcases on trips and they are go-tos for quick boredom busters any time of year!
These are our current Family Favorites:
Qwirkle:
Stats: 2 to 4 Players, Recommended for ages 6 and Up. Takes 30-60 Minutes to Play.
Play When You're in the Mood For: Something a bit brainy, but still super fun.
You'll Like It if You Like: Dominoes and / or Rummy Games
Summary: This is a strategy game matching colors and shapes to create rows. This game is a Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and Mensa Select. It's a great game for building math concepts and even adults enjoy playing. Brainy and Fun.
Tip: Children do not have to read to play and our 3 year old partners with us finding colors and shapes.
Cartoon It!
Stats: 2 to 6 Players, Recommended for ages 6 and Up. Takes 30-60 Minutes to Play.
Play When You're in the Mood For: Laughing, drawing, and a slightly brainy game.
You'll Like It if You Like: Pictionary, but you want something new.
Summary: I picked this up at a sidewalk sale, taking a chance on it as we historically love Think Fun Games. This is a super fun drawing game our kids LOVE! Each player is given a cartoon character to memorize and draw. Once the timer runs out, everyone judges the drawings and scores according to the accuracy of the sketch - to simplify the process there are sets of eyes, mouths, hair, etc that are used to create different combinations - by memorizing each feature even the children are able to replicate a sketch. A great memory, art, and family game for lots of laughs.
Tip: Provide blank paper for little ones and let them draw - without participating in the score.
Play-doh Toy Time Race
Stats: 2-4 Players, Ages 4 and up. Takes about 30 minutes.
Play When You're in the Mood For: Something silly.
You'll Like It if You Like: Board Games like Mousetrap and Operation, but you don't want to play all night long.
Summary: We purchased this on sale and the kids LOVE LOVE LOVE it! They especially love to "smash" mom and dad's play-doh characters. It's a classic spin a dial and move around the board game with a twist. Characters are made out of play-doh and with a lucky spin, you smash your opponent (who must reconstruct themselves and start over). Our kids giggle the whole time.
Tip: Make several characters for each player to have a stockpile ready when they get smashed.
Clue Jr.
Stats: 2 to 5 Players, Recommended for ages 5 and Up. Takes 30-60 Minutes to Play.
Play When You're in the Mood For: Clue, but your kids can't read yet (or at least some of them are still learning).
You'll Like It if You Like: Clue
Summary: As the Jr. Games go, this is my favorite to play as a mom. It is similar to classic Clue, but appropriate for non-readers (images are used in place of words) and the crime is missing cake, not a murder - more G and great for kids. Unless, of course, they think their mother looks Suspic-ee-ous.
Tip: Children may get excited and blurt out a clue - pretend you didn't hear.
Disney's Apples to Apples
Stats: 4-8 Players, Recommended for 7 and up - however our children have played as young as 4 years old. Can be as long or as short as you like
Play When You're in the Mood For: A fun getting-to-know-you-better game.
You'll Like It if You Like: Apples to Apples
Summary: We like this one for both readers and non-readers. Like traditional Apples to Apples, but illustrations on each card are great for non-readers or early readers. Lots of laughs as each player explains their reasoning.
Tip: Familiarity with Disney is not a requirement to play, and Apples to Apples sells many variations for all interest. Great for adults and kids.
Mousetrap
Stats: 2-4 Players, Recommended for 6 and up, but I partner with our toddler and she laughs the whole time! Takes about an hour.
Play When You're in the Mood For: Something silly!
You'll Like It if You Like: Gadgets, gizmos, and the intro to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Summary: We play the entire game from start to finish, but many families love to just set up the trap. The classic game we grew up enjoying is a fave with our kids today!
Tip: You have to set the trap just right to work. Keep the parts in a plastic ziplock bag - if the box spills you won't lose pieces.
Uno Attack
Stats: 2-10 Players, Recommended for 7 and up, but our children have played as young as 5. Takes 30-60 Minutes... it varies based on number of "attacks."
Play When You're in the Mood For: A very random card game.
You'll Like It if You Like: Uno, but you want to liven it up.
Summary: Traditional Uno is more exciting when you play Uno Attack. An Attack Card results in the machine firing out a random number of cards at a player - so you may be down to one card remaining and suddenly find you're holding 12! Lots of giggles every time we play.
Tip: Enjoyed by kids, parents, AND grandparents!
Sorry!
Stats: 2-4 Players, Ages 6 and up, but our 5 year old loves it. Takes about 30 minutes.
Play When You're in the Mood For: A classic board game - ANYONE can win.
You'll Like It if You Like: Board Games like Monopoly, but you don't want to play all night long.
Summary: The classic game is fun when you're looking for a game where every player has equal opportunity to win (regardless of skill). With diverse ages and talents, this is a great equalizer and simple classic fun.
Tip: Great when friends come over!
Rush Hour
Stats: 1 Players, Ages 8 and up, but our oldest has been playing for years (6 year old I believe).
Play When You're in the Mood For: A mind bender.
You'll Like It if You Like: Mazes and Puzzles.
Summary: This is a wonderful solitaire game to build thinking skills. Another top pick from Think Fun, this is consistently a top rated game on family reviews.
Tip: Great when you need to occupy an older child in quiet.
Twister
Stats: 2-4 Players, Ages 6 and up, but our 3 year old loves it. Takes about 30 minutes. Play When You're in the Mood For: Exercise You'll Like It if You Like: to stretch. Summary: The classic game gets the kids laughing, giggling, and exercising. Tip: Great if you feel couch potato syndrome coming. What are your fave family games?