geek
The Big List of 'Playing Games With The Kids' Lists
Dean
flag
Avatar
Recommend
17
My first GeekList was a listing of the so-called 'non-kids' games I play, or plan to play, with my five year old son. It was an unqualified success, in that I received several suggestions for games to play. I knew I could count on the Geek to help, and I wasn't disappointed.

On that list, some kind geeks posted links to similar lists they have. Of course I wasn't the first parent to think of such a list, but I never really thought to search for one before. That got me to search for other such lists, and I was amazed at the range of games these youngsters were playing, and extremely grateful to the others for sharing their experiences.

So this 'list of lists' came into being. It did so for a number of reasons:

First, it's handy for me to have a quick page listing all of the lists in one shot -- no more searching required. I just go to My GeekLists page.

Second, I figured if the list was handy for me, it may be handy for at least one other geek.

Third, I am basically lazy. In addition to not wanting to use the search feature all the time, I figured that others might want to contribute lists that I have not yet found.

So here it is. I hope you find it useful in some little way. If you would like to add another list, please do so.

Before we get to the lists, here are some words of wisdom (scroll down to see the original):
A wise man wrote:
The unfortunate truth about games and kids is that 'Your Mileage will vary'. You never know from one kid to the next what's going to work. There are some games that went flat with my kids that work like gangbusters with others.


It's completely true. While there's no 'perfect list' that will tell you exacty what game a given child will like, I know for myself, it is invaluable reading other's experiences in playing games with youngsters. It gives me a new perspective on what is 'age appropriate', and a good idea of when I can introduce my son to more complex games.

If your list is linked here, I sincerly thank you for posting it. If you have a similar list that is not posted, it's only because I have not found it yet. But if you add it, I may find it sooner!
Your Tags: Add tags
Popular Tags: children [+] kids [+] education [+] [View All]
Posted Tue Nov 28, 2006 4:15 am
1 , 2  Next »   | 
1. Board Game: Five Alive [Average Rating:5.28 Overall Rank:4824]
Dean
flag
Avatar
I'll start with the my own list:

Playing 'Real Games' with the five year old
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/16824

2. Board Game: Trade [Average Rating:6.97 Overall Rank:3018]
Dean
flag
Avatar
A great list someone added in the comments to mine:

Games that Daughter the Elder will trade bedtime books to play
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/1400
3. Board Game: Children's Hour [Average Rating:6.33 Unranked]
Dean
flag
Avatar
Another good list:

"Adult" games that my children (agens 3 & 5) play
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/17303
4. Board Game: Super Giant Monster Showdown: Destroy Tokyo Tower [Average Rating:6.55 Unranked] [Average Rating:6.55 Unranked]
Dean
flag
Avatar
The companion to the "Daughter the Elder" game:

Games that Daughter the Younger plays. I mean *really* plays as opposed to *plays with*, destroys or eats
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/15535
5. Board Game: Kids Rule! [Average Rating:0.00 Unranked]
Dean
flag
Avatar
Instead of a list where the proud parents show games that their youngsters play, this is a list where the owner is asking for others to share their experiences playing games. Some interesting ones in here:

Kids playing non-kids games
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist.php3?action=view&listi...
6. Board Game: Alternative Games for the Family [Average Rating:0.00 Unranked]
Dean
flag
Avatar
The list-title does a better job summarizing this than I can:

Games I own, and how my 7-, 8- and 10-year-olds like them.
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/17403
David G.
flag
Avatar
0506070809
Hey, that's me! :)

If I may quote myself, I think the most important point I make on my geeklist is:

After a lifetime of study, I wrote:
The unfortunate truth about games and kids is that 'Your Mileage will vary'. You never know from one kid to the next what's going to work. There are some games that went flat with my kids that work like gangbusters with others.


This is curse of all parent gamers. We know that that we don't know what's going to hit until we try it. So we keep buying and trying.... But, it's all worth it of course. The games mentioned on my list and others of course have a better shot at working than blindly trying, and that's why we all pour through geeklists.
Dean
flag
Avatar
Excellent points. I hope you don't mind if I shamelessly borrow from this for a preamble to the list.
7. Board Game: Elementary Watson [Average Rating:6.40 Unranked]
Dean
flag
Avatar
A list of games played with 4th and 5th graders at an after-school board game club:

Games played at the Pierce Elementary Board Game Club
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/16948
8. Board Game: Connect Four [Average Rating:4.78 Overall Rank:5346]
Dean
flag
Avatar
Another where the title is self-explanitory. Some unexpected games in this one!

Games I've Played With My Four-Year-Old Daughter
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/12468
9. Board Game: Pieces of Eight [Average Rating:5.95 Overall Rank:3577]
Dean
flag
Avatar
Another proud parent's list:

Games my 8 year-old daughter likes to play.
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/15404
10. Board Game: Couplez [Average Rating:7.50 Unranked]
Dean
flag
Avatar
A fellows asks for advice on which games a couple and their 4 year old may enjoy:

Game for a couple and their young two kids?
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/5285
11. Board Game: Birthday Gamesake [Average Rating:0.00 Unranked]
Dean
flag
Avatar
Suggestions for games to buy for a young gamer's birthday -- updated a couple of times as birthdays past:

Gifts for my daughter's sixth birthday (and Christmas, and 7th birthday, and ...)
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/3626
Melissa - off to Wuppertal!
flag
BGG Admin
Game Designer
Avatar
040506070809
I should add here, for those not in the know, that this particular child is also Daughter the Elder, of Item #2 fame.
12. Board Game: Battle Cry [Average Rating:7.33 Overall Rank:143]
Daniel Leitl
flag
Avatar
This is a list of games that for a time being I could not play with my son.

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/13611

Games I will not be playing because my son is grounded.

Oh, and that is my son in the picture.
13. Board Game: Christmas-in-a-Box [Average Rating:2.00 Unranked]
Dean
flag
Avatar
A Christmas list:

Possible Kid Games for Xmas 2006
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/17548
14. Board Game: Rich Uncle [Average Rating:6.12 Overall Rank:4030]
Dean
flag
Avatar
An uncle (I'm assuming an uncle!) shares his list:

Games I've taught my young nieces and nephews
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/6185
15. Board Game: The Book Game for Kids [Average Rating:3.00 Unranked]
Dean
flag
Avatar
Games played with 5 to 12 year olds:

Games I can play with kids
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/2202
16. Board Game: Six [Average Rating:6.26 Overall Rank:3200]
Dean
flag
Avatar
Another parent's list. Some new ideas for me here:

Games I play with my 6 year old boy
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/17739
17. Board Game: Three For All! [Average Rating:6.21 Unranked]
Dean
flag
Avatar
Some impressive games for a three year old to play!

Games I Play With My Three Year Old
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/17732
18. Board Game: Coma - Uma Guerra Biológica [Average Rating:3.33 Unranked]
Dean
flag
Avatar
Great suggestions on what games to play with a young girl:

Games I can play with my four-year-old daughter that won't put me in a coma.
http://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/11454
19. Board Game: 10 [Average Rating:4.44 Unranked]
Dean
flag
Avatar
Games played at a church gaming club:

Games for children 10-12 years old
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/17834
20. Board Game: Carcassonne [Average Rating:7.52 Overall Rank:58]
Melissa - off to Wuppertal!
flag
BGG Admin
Game Designer
Avatar
040506070809
I hope it's okay to just jump in with this one ...

Games played at a Primary School Family Games Night
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/14259
Dean
flag
Avatar
Quote:
I hope it's okay to just jump in with this one ...


More than OK, it's positively encouraged!

You see, I am a lazy creature. Each list that someone adds here is one less list I need to find. And I think I have found all the easy ones already through tags, so any others are greatly appreciated.
21. Board Game: Kids Battle the Grown-Ups [Average Rating:4.93 Unranked]
Dean
flag
Avatar
Suggestions on how to change games so younger (and even younger) kids can play them:

Games for grown-ups that can be modified for little kids
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/14007
22. Board Game: Nicht die Bohne! [Average Rating:6.42 Overall Rank:961]
Dean
flag
Avatar
A father breaks the rules and totally ignores the recommended age printed on the box:

Games I am Not Supposed to Play with my Kids
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/13655
23. Board Game: Kids Battle the Grown-Ups [Average Rating:4.93 Unranked]
Dean
flag
Avatar
How has this one eluded me until now? Another where the title does a better job of describing the list than I can:

Grown-up Games to teach to Children (and suggestions how to do it right)
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/5542
24. Board Game: Lucky Seven [Average Rating:1.69 Unranked]
Dean
flag
Avatar
Another old list that somehow eluded me until now, where a fellow lists the games his 7 and 10 year old play (though I suspect they may be a tad older now...)

Games good for adults to play with children
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/772
Dean
flag
Avatar
The latest in the "Playing games with Spence" series:

Games I play with Spencer, my 7 year old
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/14093
1 , 2  Next »   | 
1 comment [Hide]
Dean
flag
Avatar
Yes, I realize that with being able to add lists directly as items renders the text in the latest entries redundant, but I wanted to keep the same format as that which I started.

And remember, if you know of (or maintain) a similar list which I have not yet found, please feel free to add it.
1 , 2  Next »   | 
Front Page | Welcome | Contact | Privacy Policy | Advertise | Support BGG | Feeds RSS
BoardGameGeek and the BoardGameGeek logo are trademarks of BoardGameGeek, LLC.