Best Light, Family Games

Dallas Petersen

(Darasu)

United States
American Fork
Utah

Recommend

Don't get me wrong, I like the medium to heavy "gamer's" games, but the majority of the games I get to play are the light/family games. With 9, 7, 6, and 4-year-old kids, family games have to be broadly appealing and accessible. Here are my choices for best light/family games.

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Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:37 am

1. Board Game: Zooloretto [Average Rating:6.96 Overall Rank:290]

Dallas Petersen

(Darasu)

United States
American Fork
Utah

Bar none this has gotten more play than any other family game at my home. I recommend this to anyone wanting a great family game. Excellent. Well-deserving of the Spiel des Jahres.

8 comments [Hide]

Edited Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:46 am
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:18 am

W M Shubert

(wmshub)

United States
Portland
Oregon

KGS is the #1 web site for playing go over the internet. Visit now!

Yes, I really am that awesome.

Tried this with my wife and older (5yo) daughter last Friday. We all had good fun. My daughter needed help on figuring out which money actions would help her, but she liked seeing those pens fill up with animals!

Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:02 am
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Tom O'Keefe

(teabo)

United States
Richmond
Virginia

Ever buy snakes from the Egyptian, Taffey?

THis is not just a children's game by any means. I play this a lot with my family (ages 15-51), and we all love it.

Posted Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:03 pm
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JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

We love this one too!

Posted Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:56 am
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Andrew C

(ndru)

Australia
Adelaide
South Australia

timstellmach wrote:

I find that the area management options in Zooloretto help to balance out the screw-your-neighbor dynamic in the drafting, and make for a much better rounded game. But certainly Coloretto is a good game too.

I agree, and the "money action" in Zooloretto adds a whole new dimension to the Coloretto system.

The money action allows for players to rearrange existing sets and to acquire animals stockpiled in other player's barns. It means that screwing your opponent is not necessarily guaranteed and money chits offer a lot of flexibility.

It all makes for tougher choices than with Coloretto, which is why I think Zooloretto is far less family-friendly than to Coloretto.

If a bunch of 6-8 year olds wanted to play Uno I'd suggest Coloretto over Zooloretto as an alternative to Uno. I think Zooloretto is a notch higher in the age scale - perhaps in the 10-12 range.

Edited Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:58 am
Posted Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:51 am
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Tim Stellmach

(timstellmach)

United States
Arlington
Massachusetts

ndru wrote:

It all makes for tougher choices than with Coloretto, which is why I think Zooloretto is far less family-friendly than to Coloretto.

Well, it's probably more inviting because of the theme (assuming it's not a theme you find objectionable, as above). So it's "friendlier" in that sense.

But yes, it's more difficult. You'd probably lose the very youngest kids who could handle the Coloretto rules, and maybe want to think about a handicap of some sort for kids who find the money actions difficult to choose well.

Edited Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:38 pm
Posted Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:37 pm
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2. Board Game: Felix: The Cat in the Sack [Average Rating:6.66 Overall Rank:599]

Dallas Petersen

(Darasu)

United States
American Fork
Utah

A great, short game. The shortness of games (for equally short kid attention spans) tends to be a huge determining factor for whether a game becomes a favorite.

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Edited Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:31 am
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:21 am

David Harmon

(thesedarkdice)

United States
Novato
California

Also, as this is a bidding game, it should be noted that it has a fairly forgiving economy. Money spent can be made back in later rounds.

Posted Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:58 am
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3. Board Game: Niagara [Average Rating:6.59 Overall Rank:637]

Dallas Petersen

(Darasu)

United States
American Fork
Utah

Our newest family game. My kids love this, and it is enjoyable for my wife and I, too.

2 comments [Hide]

Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:25 am

Dave VanderArk

(David Vander Ark)

United States
Coopersville
Michigan

Excellent choice. The two expansions are pretty good additions to the game. The first one adds a beaver and a whirlpool tile, along with additional materials to add a sixth player. The second is "Diamond Joe", which you can play using the rules from BGG and anything to represent the NPC canoe in the river.

Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:39 pm
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JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

Agreed 100%

Posted Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:55 am
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4. Board Game: To Court the King [Average Rating:6.48 Overall Rank:836]

Dallas Petersen

(Darasu)

United States
American Fork
Utah

Luck galore, but this game is fun and accessible. Makes me want to get more dice-rolling games.

1 comment [Hide]

Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:24 am

Steve Oliver

(steveoliverc)

United States
Alameda
California

My daughter (and me, too) really enjoy the new Monopoly Express. Plays quickly, lots of good push-your-luck action, and a good math booster for the kids. And cheap, too.

Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:15 am
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5. Board Game: Sleeping Queens [Average Rating:6.38 Overall Rank:1674]

Dallas Petersen

(Darasu)

United States
American Fork
Utah

Nice, short game. For early math learners, this game has the added plus of creating simple equations with number cards. Haven't played this for a while, but it is popular with the kids.

0 comments

Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:23 am

6. Board Game: Mystery of the Abbey [Average Rating:6.56 Overall Rank:676]

Dallas Petersen

(Darasu)

United States
American Fork
Utah

I'm not a huge fan, but my wife LOVES it and my kids like it, too, so... it gets played, because, hey, I like to play games.

0 comments

Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:26 am

7. Board Game: Pirate's Cove [Average Rating:6.65 Overall Rank:569]

Dallas Petersen

(Darasu)

United States
American Fork
Utah

My kid's like the battles. Arrrgahhh!

0 comments

Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:34 am

8. Board Game: Tsuro [Average Rating:6.47 Overall Rank:817]

Dallas Petersen

(Darasu)

United States
American Fork
Utah

Simple, simple, simple. Quick, quick, quick. Fun, fun, fun.

5 comments [Hide]

Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:26 am

Jody Ludwick

(jody)

United States
(northern)
Indiana

Boring, boring, boring, IMO!

Sorry, couldn't stop myself. blush

Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:53 am
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I will not rest until Biblios is in the Top 100.

(stormseeker75)

United States
Budd Lake
New Jersey

Well I been watchin' while you been coughin, I've been drinking life while you've been nauseous, and so I drink to health while you kill yourself and I got just one thing that I can offer... Go on and save yourself and take it out on me

I like this one. Its super random, but its probably great for family gaming. Quick playtime means lots of replayability.

Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:34 pm
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Jody Ludwick

(jody)

United States
(northern)
Indiana

Steve-

This game seems to depend on just how long you can maintain a center positon for maximum mobility. Later in the game, once you are directed/forced to the outer edges, it's the luck of the draw that determines if you remain in the game... or not.

Pretty game with great bits though.

Edited Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:14 pm
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:13 pm
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Mark Campo

(Milarky)

United Kingdom
Radcliffe
lancashire

got to counter blance the great bits, its no days of wondergame after all.. it just has nice not seen very often oriental picture, then its photos of string on ceramic terrecota tiles. im with jody. i was miss lead by the geek with game. its no tron. rant over. the other games all look good played most so far comments. just this one is my bugbear.

Edited Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:06 am
Posted Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:05 am
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David Harmon

(thesedarkdice)

United States
Novato
California

Simple, light and just a little too light for my tastes.
And while that really makes it prime material for playing with my little sisters, I do feel bad when their eliminated.

Posted Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:01 am
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9. Board Game: PitchCar [Average Rating:7.25 Overall Rank:179]

Dallas Petersen

(Darasu)

United States
American Fork
Utah

Great dexterity game. The kids like to pick out the course. Sometimes we do timed trials.

0 comments

Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:33 am

10. Board Game: Hit or Miss [Average Rating:6.44 Overall Rank:3435]

Dallas Petersen

(Darasu)

United States
American Fork
Utah

This party game is great fun. It's funny to see the difference between what kids and adults write down. Definitely a generational thing.

2 comments [Hide]

Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:37 am

Sue Hemberger

(smithhemb)

Washington
Dist of Columbia

Glad to see someone else appreciates this one. We always find it fun and I generally hate party-ish games.

Posted Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:01 am
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August Larson

(colmustard21)

United States

Utah

Sorry Dallas, but I'd disagree and say it's one of my least favorite party games. A game that is a step-up from this, and also feels like a step-up from Apples to Apples is Say Anything. Tried that out game night and it was lots of fun with lots of freedom!

Posted Sat Mar 7, 2009 11:34 pm
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11. Board Game: GiftTRAP [Average Rating:6.60 Overall Rank:854]

Dallas Petersen

(Darasu)

United States
American Fork
Utah

It's funny to see what games my kids pick out for each other. BTW, definitely go through the stack of gift cards--there are some cards that are not appropriate for children (and adults, IMO).

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Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:36 am

leftfield

(gtatters)

United States
Durham
North Carolina

don't you take the dominatrix outta MY deck!!

Posted Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:46 am
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12. Board Game: Ticket to Ride: Europe [Average Rating:7.55 Overall Rank:62]

Dallas Petersen

(Darasu)

United States
American Fork
Utah

The Ticket To Ride series has a worn a bit thin, and has been replaced by Zooloretto, but this is still a favorite family game.

1 comment [Hide]

Edited Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:30 am
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:20 am

JP LaChance

(custom golf clubs)

United States
Madison
Wisconsin

Another excellent choice we like this one too

Posted Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:57 am
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13. Board Game: Lifeboats [Average Rating:6.66 Overall Rank:675]

Dallas Petersen

(Darasu)

United States
American Fork
Utah

My kids like this... probably because all four of 'em gang up on Mom and Dad. I'm thinking Lifeboats is best played when alliances aren't so cut-and-dry.

0 comments

Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:45 am

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Nello Cozzolino

(nello)

United Kingdom
London

the real family board game : triagonal ->
price,fun , educational strategy aspect,interaction and 8 game options

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/28693

Edited Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:35 am
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:35 am
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Steffan O'Sullivan

(sos1)

United States
Plymouth
NH

"There is one really important thing I must write which I have forgotten." (The final sentence in Henry Darger's Autobiograpy.)

Dragon Delta is a hit around here.

Posted Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:43 pm
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Henrik Lantz

(Bolger)

Sweden
Uppsala

You really should try Winner's Circle. A great horse racing game for the age of 5 and up, but can be enjoyed by adults only as well.

Posted Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:00 am
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David Harmon

(thesedarkdice)

United States
Novato
California

Lately, the big hits with the family have been

Ingenious
Transamerica (w/o Vexation)

Posted Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:04 am
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August Larson

(colmustard21)

United States

Utah

LarryKruger wrote:

I encourage you to try Perudo (Liar's Dice) with the family. It comes with six sets of dice and cups, and I printed out a Liar's Dice player's aid because the family likes to move the 'betting' die around the board (pictured above).

The kids and grandparents love it, so it has become a great addition to our collection!

Aaaaahhh! Not Perudo!! All my family except my little sister hates this game. Dumb dice fest. There are much better dice games out there.

Posted Sat Mar 7, 2009 11:35 pm
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