by E. Rae Fallesen

Created on: February 29, 2008

Children of different ages will have different gaming interests. However there are some games that translate beyond the age range recommended on the box just from the sheer fun they inspire. Depending on many things, including how shy, hyper, good natured or smart your child is, different games will appeal to them. Among my five siblings we all had our own favorites.

Great Board Games for Kids:

1) Candy Land. This is a great first game that will be a sentimental choice for your children for years to come. I still have my copy of Candy Land just for the beautiful board art of the Candy kingdom. Using a simple color and character system this game encourages a move both forward and backward across the board to get from start to finish.

2) Hullabaloo. This is an active game from the makers of the Cranium series. It is like Simon Says, but more complex. You turn it on and children gather around to do the activities. It is a great game to burn off excess energy. I've seen it at work during my three year old cousin's birthday party. It kept the children engaged and the adults laughing.

3) Junior games. These games involve the same basic premises of the adult versions but in a style kids can enjoy and comprehend. The questions might be simpler or the board might be smaller (with larger print and icons). Monopoly, Yahtzee, Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, Outburst and Life are some of the games with junior versions.

4) Cooties. During this game you get to roll dice to add body parts to your personal cootie. I loved this game when I was around seven. It's a creative way to make board games more hands on. Plugging those pieces into the right spaces isn't always easy, but it sure is satisfying to get your cootie up and running so to speak.

5) Sorry! This game isn't for every family. I didn't care for it much but my sisters absolutely loved it. I know we never played it with my brother because he'd throw a fit just about every time someone sent him backwards. This game is competitive and if your children get along easily and would find the setbacks amusing (instead of taking them personally) than this game will be great.

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