Top Games For Kids by Age and a BGG Kids Ratings Analysis

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

Recommend

To produce this list I've looked at kids games in a few different ways and from a few different viewpoints. And I had quite a few goals.

In terms of ways, I've looked at the top rated games for kids by minimum age, a lot of the data for this has come from www.KidGameRatings.com, a site set up by a BGG user, Cull, because BGG did not meet his requirements for giving ratings for kids.

I have also set up another account and made geekbuddies of everyone who has the "Plays Games With Children" microbadge, plus quite a few other people who commented on kids geeklists from a kid viewpoint. Thats 321 geekbuddies. My expectation is that these people are more likely to do their BGG ratings of games thinking about the kids as players. I've looked at the kids games that this group of users rate the highest.

I've also looked at the minimum age rating by manufacturer, by BGG users and by KidGameRatings users.

In terms of different viewpoints I have the manufacturer, BGG users, the geekbuddy group and the users of KidGameRatings.com.

The goals are:
1. To produce a list of great kids games, sorted by age
2. To look at the variances in minimum age rating
3. To look at the variances in game rating to look for quantative evidence for people to support Cull's campaign for Kid's ratings for games on BGG

The list is sorted by minimum age as recommended by KidGameRatings.com users. Towards the end of the list (most of page 2 actually) the games aren't kids games at all, but games that older kids (7+) could enjoy.

In the entries the numbers in brackets are the number of raters and the "BGG differential" is the difference between that score and the BGG score.

Feel free to add other great kids games to this list.

Here are links to Cull's recent forum posts about Kid-centric ratings:
Kid-centric ratings on BGG
Allow "kid-game specific" ratings

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Edited Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:18 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:34 pm

1. Board Game: Go Away Monster! [Average Rating:6.70 Overall Rank:1313]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 2
KidGameRatings Age: 2
Manufacturer's Age: 3

BGG Rating: 6.65
Geekbuddy Rating: 6.78 ( 36 ) BGG Differential: -0.13
KidGameRatings: 8.7 ( 36 ) BGG Differential: -2.05

Looks like this one is good evidence for seperate ratings for kids - I mean, how many adults would play it?
The manufacturer seems a little cautious on age. Maybe on the old "game contains small pieces" disclaimer.
Of the games on this list this one is the 4th highest rated on KidGameRatings.

1 comment [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:15 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:30 pm

Have faith

(cull)

United States

My two daughters have loved this game. Ages 2-4 sounds about right.

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:54 pm
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2. Board Game: Cranium Cariboo [Average Rating:6.17 Overall Rank:2646]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 2
KidGameRatings Age: 2.4
Manufacturer's Age: 3

BGG Rating: 6.34
Geekbuddy Rating: 6.4 ( 35 ) BGG Differential: -0.06
KidGameRatings: 7.5 ( 30 ) BGG Differential: -1.16

Again, another game that seems to beg for a specific Kid Rating. Interesting to note that the Geekbuddys don't rate the game significantly higher than the BGG massive.

3 comments [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:16 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:06 pm

(Doc_Adam)

England

I got this one for my 26 month old daughter a couple of weeks ago and she absolutely loves it!!! Several times a day she has been getting it off the shelf and starts playing it.

I think this is a must get present for every 2 year olds birthday.

AB

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 5:54 am
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Adam Alleman

(Daddys_Home)

United States
Denver
Colorado

My kids 3 and 5 can play it on their own. You can't beat that.

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:37 pm
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Laura Lawson

(lmlawson)

United States
Cincinnati
Ohio

A very clever game. When my parents (in their 70s) played it with my daugher (4), I think they enjoyed it as much as she did!

Edited Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:48 pm
Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:47 pm
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3. Board Game: Monkey Madness [Average Rating:5.32 Overall Rank:6651]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 2
KidGameRatings Age: 2.6
Manufacturer's Age: 3

BGG Rating: 5.4
Geekbuddy Rating: 5.69 ( 14 ) BGG Differential: -0.29
KidGameRatings: 7.9 ( 16 ) BGG Differential: -2.5

Yet another game that points towards the validity of separate ratings for Kids.

3 comments [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:18 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:08 pm

Randy Cox

United States
Clemson
South Carolina

1024x768 works just fine - Don't Wide the Site!

The Back Alley gets no respect.

I'm a little wary of this one. I think a lot of the reason this one gets higher ratings (even amongst those discerning parents) is the name Knizia. Just as Knizia fans boost his other games, Knizia fanparentz do likewise. It's really not a very good game, even for three-year-olds.

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:13 am
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Mark Hamburg

(m_hamburg)

United States

Randy Cox wrote:

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who feels this way. It was my older daughter's favorite at this age, but only because it was the only game that she could play. For my younger daughter, we also tried Go Away Monster!, Candy Land Castle, and Knuckling Knights; I think all three work better than this. But all kids are different (my two sure are), so you mileage may vary.

I don't think that Monkey Madness is exactly bad for two-year-olds, but I don't think it's the best choice, either.

Edited Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:28 am
Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:21 am
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(Doc_Adam)

England

m_hamburg wrote:

...I don't think that Monkey Madness is exactly bad for two-year-olds, but I don't think it's the best choice, either.

I'd agree with that. I introduced this to mine with was she was about 18 months old and it really helped her learn colours. She'll still play it from time to time now, but at just over 2 years old she has now moved on to other stuff (or maybe its cos she has more things to play with)

AB

[Disclaimer: this game is hard to find in the UK (there is a monkey madness game you can get here but it is different game) so I DIY'd one using some coloured wooden elephants and coloured lamenated card]

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:02 am
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4. Board Game: Orchard [Average Rating:6.59 Overall Rank:1882]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

aka Obstgarten

BGG Age: 3
KidGameRatings Age: 2.6
Manufacturer's Age: 3

BGG Rating: 6.58
Geekbuddy Rating: 6.32 ( 11 ) BGG Differential: 0.26
KidGameRatings: 8.9 ( 11 ) BGG Differential: -2.32

And another one. Although note that here the Geekbuddies rate it lower than BGG as a whole.
Of the games on this list this one is 3rd highest rated on KidGameRatings.

3 comments [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:20 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:09 pm

Mark Hamburg

(m_hamburg)

United States

If you want to own essentially the same game, check out the new (2007) version of Hi Ho! Cherry-O. It has two sets of rules, the cooperative rules are essentially identical to this. You don't get the high-quality Haba bits, but you don't pay for them, either. I wouldn't recommend the original version of Hi-Ho Cherry-O to anyone, but the new version isn't bad.

Edited Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:25 am
Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:24 am
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uberhegi

(hegiton)

United States

m_hamburg wrote:

I have not played to 2007 edition, but I find the competition, albeit random, the only fun part about Hi Ho! Cherry-O.

Posted Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:08 am
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Randy Cox

United States
Clemson
South Carolina

1024x768 works just fine - Don't Wide the Site!

The Back Alley gets no respect.

I'm told that Granny's House is also the same game, for a quarter the price ($10.45 online).

Edit. The game may have been Harvest Time

Edited Sun Jul 6, 2008 1:04 am
Posted Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:09 am
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5. Board Game: Animal Upon Animal [Average Rating:6.91 Overall Rank:498]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

aka Animal Upon Animal

BGG Age: 3
KidGameRatings Age: 3.5
Manufacturer's Age: 4

BGG Rating: 6.91
Geekbuddy Rating: 6.92 ( 33 ) BGG Differential: -0.01
KidGameRatings: 8.4 ( 24 ) BGG Differential: -1.49

And another game pointing towards the validity of separate Kid ratings. Its starting to look like its a pretty clear analysis.

0 comments

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:21 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:11 pm

6. Board Game: Chicken Cha Cha Cha [Average Rating:6.65 Overall Rank:814]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 3
KidGameRatings Age: 3.5
Manufacturer's Age: 4

BGG Rating: 6.85
Geekbuddy Rating: 7.02 ( 57 ) BGG Differential: -0.17
KidGameRatings: 8.2 ( 47 ) BGG Differential: -1.35

Okay, this is getting silly now. I'd say that the people rating games on KGR at just easier markers than on BGG, but most of them are on BGG too.

1 comment [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:23 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:17 pm

United States

Wisconsin

I'm having difficulty actually playing this with my three year old and 4.5 year old. They're too enamored of the bits and too possessive of their tail-feathers to actually play the game to completion. I think the age is too low, but I think the game concept is brilliant.

Posted Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:09 pm
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7. Board Game: Gulo Gulo [Average Rating:6.92 Overall Rank:418]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 3
KidGameRatings Age: 3.5
Manufacturer's Age: 5

BGG Rating: 7.02
Geekbuddy Rating: 7.45 ( 112 ) BGG Differential: -0.43
KidGameRatings: 9.3 ( 82 ) BGG Differential: -2.28

What are the manufacturers thinking here? They've just cut of 2 years of their target market. No wonder it seems to have gone out of print, despite being the #1 rated game that I picked from KGR, plus winner of uncounted kids games competitions on BGG. Its also virtually impossible to find in the UK, I know, I want to get it.
And the rating differences? Well, maybe people just don't want to see Puerto Rico replaced by Gulo Gulo in the #1 spot?

6 comments [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:41 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:22 pm

David Seddon

(Admiral Fisher)

United Kingdom
Congleton
Cheshire

Quote:

And the rating differences? Well, maybe people just don't want to see Puerto Rico replaced by Gulo Gulo in the #1 spot?

That's about the long and short of it with some of the raters - a sort of snobbery, really.

Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:19 pm
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Get up, get up, get up, get down, fall over.

(boltongeordie)

United Kingdom
Bolton
Lancashire

I have had far more fun playing Gulo Gulo than I have ever had, or ever expect to have playing PR.

And I like PR.

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:07 am
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Randy Cox

United States
Clemson
South Carolina

1024x768 works just fine - Don't Wide the Site!

The Back Alley gets no respect.

Fine game, but I think 5 years old is a reasonable age. I think that gamer geekz here on BGG tend to think kids (their gamer spawn, of course) can play games at earlier ages. They probably think a six-year-old gamer kid can play Puerto Rico.

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:16 am
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Mike Jones

(Guantanamo)

United States
Gainesville
Florida

Yeah it's here! Really it's right here.

Yeah, we play this a lot. 5 is about as young. I've tried once with younger and it didn't work well.

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:15 am
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Toasted Jones

(Toasty)

United Kingdom
Rugeley
Staffordshire

What I'm finding with kids games is the lasting appeal factor. The BGG rating is based on your incentive to play a game, which is why I think there is such a discrepancy between BGG and KGR ratings. Gulo Gulo, for example, is an extremely fun family game, however, it's not getting played as much as other games as our children get older and experience more things. Sounds obvious, but we're talking relatively small timescales as kids grow up so quick!

Kids games are like Video Games, once played a few times, you rarely go back. The BGG system does give a good feeling for how good a game is and how often a game will get played. So, when you get that shiny new kids game and have those first great sessions and ask yourself, why has this only got 6.1 on the Geek? It's a definite 8! Ask yourself the same question 6 months later.

It's been said before and I'll re-iterate, the personal comments on kids games are golden compared to the stats..

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:14 am
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United States

Wisconsin

Randy Cox wrote:

Yeah, my kids (3 & 4.5) understand the "pulling eggs from the nest" part, but I have to coach them through their movement decisions. Another one they can play, but rarely to completion. I think 5 is probably just fine. And I think it could go older, too. There's a strategy element connected to a somewhat hidden push-your-luck factor.

Posted Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:12 pm
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8. Board Game: Loopin' Louie [Average Rating:7.04 Overall Rank:295]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 3
KidGameRatings Age: 4.3
Manufacturer's Age: 4

BGG Rating: 7.09
Geekbuddy Rating: 7.1 ( 82 ) BGG Differential: -0.01
KidGameRatings: 8.3 ( 37 ) BGG Differential: -1.21

Another big hit on BGG, but a bigger hit on KGR.

3 comments [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:43 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:23 pm

David Molnar

(molnar)

United States
Ridgewood
New Jersey

It's the #1 rated kids' game on BGG. How could it be a bigger hit than that? Comparing the 7.09 figure to the 8.3 is meaningless.

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:33 am
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John W

(reapersaurus)

United States
Sacramento
California

molnar wrote:

It's the #1 rated kids' game on BGG. How could it be a bigger hit than that? Comparing the 7.09 figure to the 8.3 is meaningless.

Because the fact (if it's true) that Loopin Louie is #1 on BGG is further proof that BGG's ratings for kid's games is hopelessly flawed:
The ONLY reason why Loopin' is well-rated here is because of Alan Moon's GoF's incongruously embracing the game, and then tons of bandwagoners safely proclaiming "Oh, yeah - THAT non-strategic kid's game is great, unlike other just-for-fun kid's games" shake

To make the point perfectly clear :
Loopin' Louie is rated highly because it is popular with ADULTS as an ADULT's game, not because it is a strong kid's game.

Edited Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:30 am
Posted Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:29 am
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United States

Wisconsin

reapersaurus wrote:

To make the point perfectly clear :
Loopin' Louie is rated highly because it is popular with ADULTS as an ADULT's game, not because it is a strong kid's game.

Yup. I agree. Alan Moon could have pushed Pop-Up Pirate! at the GoF, and y'all would be lapping up that Kool-Aid as well.

However, it could also be said that this is the only truly honest rating for kids' games at BGG, because people aren't automatically dimissing it.

Posted Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:16 pm
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9. Board Game: Midnight Party [Average Rating:6.49 Overall Rank:1098]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

aka Ghost Party

BGG Age: 4
KidGameRatings Age: 4.3
Manufacturer's Age: 8

BGG Rating: 6.45
Geekbuddy Rating: 6.96 ( 45 ) BGG Differential: -0.51
KidGameRatings: 8.4 ( 17 ) BGG Differential: -1.95

Again, what are the manufacturers thinking on age?
Snore....another massively different score on KGR.

1 comment [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:44 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:25 pm

United States

Wisconsin

Unlike the high-ranked Gulo Gulo and Chicken Cha-Cha-Cha, my kids (3 & 4.5) actually can play this one without a lot of coaching. Except Hugo freaks out the 3 year old, so we don't play it that often, or to completion when we do.

However, you're gonna need someone older to keep score (if you keep score). This one is crazy in that even the winning score will likely be a negative number. That seems to knock off a large portion of the "can play it by themselves" group.

Posted Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:19 pm
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10. Board Game: Sherlock [Average Rating:6.42 Overall Rank:1827]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

aka Plumpsack

BGG Age: 4
KidGameRatings Age: 4.4
Manufacturer's Age: 5

BGG Rating: 6.48
Geekbuddy Rating: 6.7 ( 22 ) BGG Differential: -0.22
KidGameRatings: 8.3 ( 14 ) BGG Differential: -1.82

And another.

0 comments

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:45 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:26 pm

11. Board Game: Reiner Knizia's Amazing Flea Circus [Average Rating:5.89 Overall Rank:3004]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

aka Amazing Flea Circus

BGG Age: 4
KidGameRatings Age: 4.6
Manufacturer's Age: 6

BGG Rating: 5.99
Geekbuddy Rating: 6.62 ( 26 ) BGG Differential: -0.63
KidGameRatings: 8.3 ( 13 ) BGG Differential: -2.31

Again the manufacturers underrate kids intelligence. And BGG underrates the game for kids.

1 comment [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:46 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:27 pm

Adam Alleman

(Daddys_Home)

United States
Denver
Colorado

Play this one with my 5 year old all the time. Great components.

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:40 pm
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12. Board Game: Rat-a-Tat Cat [Average Rating:6.22 Overall Rank:1538]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 5
KidGameRatings Age: 5.1
Manufacturer's Age: 6

BGG Rating: 6.29
Geekbuddy Rating: 6.59 ( 67 ) BGG Differential: -0.3
KidGameRatings: 7.5 ( 31 ) BGG Differential: -1.21

0 comments

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:47 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:29 pm

13. Board Game: Attacktix Battle Figure Game: Star Wars [Average Rating:6.13 Overall Rank:2982]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 5
KidGameRatings Age: 5.2
Manufacturer's Age: 6

BGG Rating: 6.34
Geekbuddy Rating: 6.64 ( 15 ) BGG Differential: -0.3
KidGameRatings: 8.2 ( 12 ) BGG Differential: -1.86

So that's 13/13 games so far rated higher on KGR than BGG, with an average difference of -1.8.

0 comments

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:48 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:31 pm

14. Board Game: Diamant [Average Rating:6.74 Overall Rank:493]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

aka Incan Gold

BGG Age: 5
KidGameRatings Age: 5.3
Manufacturer's Age: 8

BGG Rating: 6.9
Geekbuddy Rating: 7.06 ( 121 ) BGG Differential: -0.16
KidGameRatings: 8.5 ( 42 ) BGG Differential: -1.6

Okay this one isn't so obviously a game for kids. But kids love it!

0 comments

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:51 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:32 pm

15. Board Game: PitchCar Mini [Average Rating:7.04 Overall Rank:476]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 5
KidGameRatings Age: 5.3
Manufacturer's Age: 6

BGG Rating: 7.17
Geekbuddy Rating: 7.3 ( 24 ) BGG Differential: -0.13
KidGameRatings: 8.2 ( 14 ) BGG Differential: -1.03

Pitchcar is on KGR too, but PitchCar mini gets higher ratings. This is the lowest differential so far. Its also not hard to see why kids can play dexterity games well and why they would appeal to them - this kind of game they have a good chance of beating their parents!

0 comments

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:52 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:35 pm

16. Board Game: Villa Paletti [Average Rating:6.54 Overall Rank:786]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 5
KidGameRatings Age: 5.3
Manufacturer's Age: 6

BGG Rating: 6.63
Geekbuddy Rating: 6.81 ( 55 ) BGG Differential: -0.18
KidGameRatings: 8.1 ( 14 ) BGG Differential: -1.47

Another dexterity game that works for kids.

0 comments

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:55 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:36 pm

17. Board Game: Circus Flohcati [Average Rating:6.59 Overall Rank:836]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 5
KidGameRatings Age: 5.7
Manufacturer's Age: 7

BGG Rating: 6.65
Geekbuddy Rating: 6.91 ( 56 ) BGG Differential: -0.26
KidGameRatings: 8.1 ( 20 ) BGG Differential: -1.45

Another game where the manufacturer underrates kids intelligence and BGG underrates the game for kids.

2 comments [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:55 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:37 pm

Randy Cox

United States
Clemson
South Carolina

1024x768 works just fine - Don't Wide the Site!

The Back Alley gets no respect.

Zirkus Flohcati for five year olds!? They can barely hold cards at that age.

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:17 am
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Sue Hemberger

(smithhemb)

Washington
Dist of Columbia

So you get them a cardholder. Doesn't have to be a big issue. Catalogues oriented toward seniors often have a good selection -- we use different kinds (handheld vs. standalone) for different games.
Dice cups, trays (or the HABA dice shaker that you can fill with the die/dice of your choice) are other useful preschool-gamer accessories.

Posted Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:15 pm
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18. Board Game: Pick Picknic [Average Rating:6.61 Overall Rank:763]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

aka Hick Hack in Gacklewack

BGG Age: 5
KidGameRatings Age: 5.8
Manufacturer's Age: 8

BGG Rating: 6.7
Geekbuddy Rating: 7.05 ( 64 ) BGG Differential: -0.35
KidGameRatings: 8.4 ( 17 ) BGG Differential: -1.7

I don't have to keep pointing out the same things do I? This is getting boring.

1 comment [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:56 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:39 pm

Sue Hemberger

(smithhemb)

Washington
Dist of Columbia

Don't know to what extent it was a number-of-players thing, but we much preferred Nobody but Us Chickens for this niche. Fewer fiddly bits.

Posted Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:17 pm
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19. Board Game: Blokus [Average Rating:7.15 Overall Rank:200]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 6
KidGameRatings Age: 6
Manufacturer's Age: 5

BGG Rating: 7.38
Geekbuddy Rating: 7.42 ( 142 ) BGG Differential: -0.04
KidGameRatings: 7.8 ( 63 ) BGG Differential: -0.42

The first game where the manufacturer overrates kids (or underrates their game?) and the smallest BGG Differential so far. I've seen some comments about this game where parents say their kid is just happy to sit there and fill the whole board in on their own.

3 comments [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:58 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:41 pm

Randy Cox

United States
Clemson
South Carolina

1024x768 works just fine - Don't Wide the Site!

The Back Alley gets no respect.

And this is the first one where I think that the BGG age and Manufacturer age are too high. My three-year-old plays (and beats me sometimes). I guess the moral is that kids are all unique, but that the average age should probably be on the higher side, like this one is.

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:19 am
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Mike Jones

(Guantanamo)

United States
Gainesville
Florida

Yeah it's here! Really it's right here.

Randy Cox wrote:

Didn't you say once that she beats you at PR too?

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:17 am
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Randy Cox

United States
Clemson
South Carolina

1024x768 works just fine - Don't Wide the Site!

The Back Alley gets no respect.

Guantanamo wrote:

Randy Cox wrote:

Didn't you say once that she beats you at PR too?

No. And the younger one is a he. But lately, his favorite game is Story Time (like Once Upon a Time) from Early Years and her favorite (5 years old) seems to be Secret Square or Bus Depot Diner, so I've got a reprieve from losing Blokus.

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:40 am
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20. Board Game: Hey, That's My Fish! [Average Rating:6.91 Overall Rank:322]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

aka Penguin

BGG Age: 6
KidGameRatings Age: 6.2
Manufacturer's Age: 8

BGG Rating: 7.12
Geekbuddy Rating: 7.26 ( 145 ) BGG Differential: -0.14
KidGameRatings: 8.3 ( 52 ) BGG Differential: -1.18

Another game playable by kids younger than expected.

1 comment [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:45 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:44 pm

United States

Wisconsin

My four year old knows how this is played, she just doesn't grasp the strategies yet. But she gets it more than she gets "Gulo Gulo."

Posted Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:22 pm
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21. Board Game: Pirate's Cove [Average Rating:6.65 Overall Rank:568]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 6
KidGameRatings Age: 6.3
Manufacturer's Age: 8

BGG Rating: 6.75
Geekbuddy Rating: 6.67 ( 110 ) BGG Differential: 0.08
KidGameRatings: 7.4 ( 16 ) BGG Differential: -0.65

Another low differential, but kids seem to enjoy this dicefest.

2 comments [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:02 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:45 pm

David Seddon

(Admiral Fisher)

United Kingdom
Congleton
Cheshire

Not really a kids' game, though it could pass as a family game.

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:20 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:19 pm
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(Cher)

United States
Reno/Sparks
Nevada

I don't agree with the age rating on this. Most six year olds can't read the text on the cards, and while the game play is simple once you get going, the instructions are pretty complicated. I think a savvy 7-year-old who can read well can play this, but most 7-year olds couldn't play it independently.

Posted Sun Jun 29, 2008 3:50 pm
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22. Board Game: Apples to Apples Junior [Average Rating:6.30 Overall Rank:1924]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 6
KidGameRatings Age: 6.4
Manufacturer's Age: 9

BGG Rating: 6.72
Geekbuddy Rating: 7.03 ( 38 ) BGG Differential: -0.31
KidGameRatings: 8.5 ( 13 ) BGG Differential: -1.78

Apples to Apples standard is also on KGR and doesn't score much different - an 8.1 rating for kids and an age of 7.7. In other words it isn't a much harder game.

1 comment [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:06 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:50 pm

Michael Kandrac

(Gamegrunt)

United States
Grand Prairie
Texas

This has been a huge hit with my grandkids, and the children in my game group.

Gg

Posted Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:14 am
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23. Board Game: The aMAZEing Labyrinth [Average Rating:6.33 Overall Rank:1066]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

aka Das Verr

BGG Age: 6
KidGameRatings Age: 6.5
Manufacturer's Age: 8

BGG Rating: 6.31
Geekbuddy Rating: 6.52 ( 79 ) BGG Differential: -0.21
KidGameRatings: 7.9 ( 26 ) BGG Differential: -1.59

I'm glad I did this research if only because I was thinking of trying this game out on my 3 year old. Maybe I'll wait a few years.

5 comments [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:06 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:52 pm

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.

The bits would probably be fun for a 3yo to fiddle with, but it takes planning ahead and visualizing the outcome of moves to actually play. My daughter was playing this at 5, but it really taxed her brain; I definitely wouldn't go below that!

Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:46 pm
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David K.

(Shadowen)

United States
Pflugerville
Texas

Junior Labyrinth works well for 5 year olds. My 5 year old son loves it and asks to play everyday.

Edited Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:28 pm
Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:28 pm
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Carol Jones

(Fairer Sex)

United States

Maryland

3-d Labyrinth is great for the younger set. My autistic son started playing it around age 2.

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:30 pm
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Rebekah B

(sq498)

United States

Colorado

I tried both this one and Junior Labyrinth out with my 4yo, and both were just too frustrating for him. Last week, I picked up 3D Labyrinth, and he loves it. The 3D walls are easier for him to move than the tiles, and the paths are much simpler. It's probably too simple to have much lasting power, but it works great as an intro to the series.

Posted Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:38 am
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Mark Salzwedel

(ssgames)

United States
New York
New York

I agree with the manufacturer for this. You can make all sorts of allowances for younger kids, but to play this game with all the rules and keep the child's attention for the whole game, I have never seen a child younger than eight do it.

Posted Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:18 pm
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24. Board Game: Can't Stop [Average Rating:6.85 Overall Rank:386]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 6
KidGameRatings Age: 6.5
Manufacturer's Age: 10

BGG Rating: 6.99
Geekbuddy Rating: 7.16 ( 102 ) BGG Differential: -0.17
KidGameRatings: 7.4 ( 16 ) BGG Differential: -0.41

This game has the lowest BGG-KGR differential on this site. Yes, that means all the games on this list are rated higher on KGR. Maybe that is not too surprising when looking at a list of games for kids vs. ratings of games from a kids point of view, but it gives complete support to separate ratings for kids.

1 comment [Hide]

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:30 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:54 pm

Mike Jones

(Guantanamo)

United States
Gainesville
Florida

Yeah it's here! Really it's right here.

My younger kids didn't like this as much. They don't like press your luck games I guess.

Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:18 am
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25. Board Game: Crokinole [Average Rating:7.80 Overall Rank:32]

Tony Ackroyd

United Kingdom
Brighton
E Sussex

BGG Age: 6
KidGameRatings Age: 6.5
Manufacturer's Age: 5

BGG Rating: 7.8
Geekbuddy Rating: 7.84 ( 58 ) BGG Differential: -0.04
KidGameRatings: 8.3 ( 27 ) BGG Differential: -0.5

Another dexterity game, but maybe more difficult for kids than the manufacturer thinks.

0 comments

Edited Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:10 pm
Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:55 pm

12 comments [Hide]

Post Comment

David Seddon

(Admiral Fisher)

United Kingdom
Congleton
Cheshire

Well, we've had a lot of best kids' games-type lists, but then this is a topic that looks at current hot-potato issue, so why not...

some good games on the list.

Posted Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:18 pm
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Show 7 more comments...

Carol Jones

(Fairer Sex)

United States

Maryland

I'm surprised at how few of these games we have ever played. My oldest child (now 13) loved It's Mine, 3-D labrynth and lots of adult games when she was little. My son's favorite games (age 10) are Star Wars: Epic Duels, Connect Four, Crokinole, /cranium Cariboo, Cash 'n Guns, Emerald, Scrambled States of America and Pandemic.

FYI: Pandemic was a huge hit. I think because it was a cooperative game it was less intimidating.

Edited Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:42 pm
Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:41 pm
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Jeremy Shelton

(Staban Tuek)

United States
Beaumont
Texas

Very interesting list Tony. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

Posted Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:07 am
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Nicolas Guay

(nickguay)

Canada
Memramcook
New Brunswick

Thanks a lot for putting this together. I found a couple games I do not have lined up for my son yet... and it also reinforced some of the choices I already made

Nick

Posted Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:24 pm
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