If it’s winter, then you can expect to find our family hunkering down at home most nights of the weekend. I used to dread this cold season, but in the last few years I have really learned to embrace the slower pace and less hectic schedule. We have a handful of great games in constant rotation, all of which we play with our 8 and 10 year old. My youngest fancies himself to be a stellar player at Clue, but I think his big sisters would definitely say he is more of a “lego building by our side” kind of participant. I think 6 is when children are really ready to play on their own team against parents. I recently told a friend that I keep at least two of these games wrapped in the closet at all times. They make great gifts for ages 8-12 too!
- Utter Nonsense – A seriously silly game where you use accents, and say phrases to help your partner understand what you are explaining. This one gets a lot of laughs!
- Q-Bitz – This one looks like an IQ test, but is much more fun. You race against each other trying to arrange blocks in the same pattern on the card. We decided that smaller fingers are better at this game. 😉 And it can literally be played by any age child.
- Avocado Smash – A little like Uno, but much more silly and loud. You flip, count, and slap cards in the main pile in order to avoid having to take more cards. The winner is the first person to have zero cards left in their hand.
- Catan: Trade, Build, Settle – Almost like Monopoly, but it takes place in olden times. Players (you must have 3-4 people playing) work to settle land and create a successful community. This one is best for the 10 and up age group because it is more complicated than the other games I recommended.
- Ticket to Ride – The instructions to this game seem daunting, but it is easier than it looks. You can play on your own (2 people minimum) or in teams. Each person tries to build railroads across the board. As you build, you gain points.The winner is the person who builds the longest railroads and has the most points at the end.
- Clue – If you grew up in the 80s there is a great likelihood you played this game. A murder takes place, and your goal is to figure out who did it, with what weapon, in what room. Poker faces required!
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