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Open Forum => Off-Topic => Topic started by: Sean on July 04, 2011, 04:49:04 PM

Title: Game Suggestions for Ages 5-13
Post by: Sean on July 04, 2011, 04:49:04 PM
I am looking to improve the board game/card game collection at the child development center where I work.  The children are from ages 5-13.  What games would you suggest?

Games we already have (I don't remember all but will update list):
Risk
Monopoly
Monopoly Jr.
Bibleopoly
Clue Jr.
Sorry
Connect Four
Stratego
Star Wars Stratego
LIFE
Battleship
Chess
Checkers
Guess Who
Scatergories
Dominoes
Othello
Phase Ten
Go Fish
Uno
Title: Re: Game Suggestions for Ages 5-13
Post by: Bobbert on July 04, 2011, 04:54:10 PM
I am looking to improve the board game/card game collection at the child development center where I work.  The children are from ages 5-13.  What games would you suggest?

Games we already have (I don't remember all but will update list):
Risk
Monopoly
Monopoly Jr.
Bibleopoly
Clue Jr.
Sorry
Connect Four
Stratego
Star Wars Stratego
LIFE
Phase Ten
Go Fish
Uno

Chess sets never hurt, and Apples to Apples is always fun. I would also suggest Battleship. And you're obviously missing the one game that everyone on these boards will point out :)
Title: Re: Game Suggestions for Ages 5-13
Post by: Prof Underwood on July 04, 2011, 05:10:48 PM
Here are some games that I have enjoyed playing with kids in that age range.  Organized approximately from least strategic to most strategic (or youngest to oldest).

Lucky Ducks (http://boardgamegeek.com/game/10320)
Pass the Pigs (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2593)
Guess Who (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/4143)
Dominoes (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2394)
Taboo (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1111)
Scategories (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2381)
Rack-O (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/917)
Yahtzee (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2243)
Parchesi (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2136)
Jenga (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2452)
Backgammon (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2397)
Speed Scrabble (http://boardgamegeek.com/game/4975)
Mancala (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2448)
Deck of cards (Spades, Hearts, Mao, Euchre, Bluff, Scum, Egyptian Ratscrew, Nerts, Speed, Spoons, Kemps & Cut, etc).
Battleball (http://boardgamegeek.com/game/6795)
RoboRally (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/18)
BattleMasters (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/700)
Set (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1198)
Scotland Yard (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/438)
Checkers (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2083)
Rook (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1260)
Star Munchkin (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/4095)
Star Wars: Epic Duels (http://boardgamegeek.com/game/3284)
Othello (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2389)
Redemption CCG (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2201)
Heroscape (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/11170)
Ticket to Ride (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9209)
Settlers of Catan (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/13)
Shadows Over Camelot (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/15062)
Blokus (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2453)
RISK (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/181)
Twixt (http://boardgamegeek.com/game/949)
Title: Re: Game Suggestions for Ages 5-13
Post by: TheHobbit13 on July 04, 2011, 05:21:33 PM
I'am on the pro tour for lucky ducks, don't be hatin'.
Title: Re: Game Suggestions for Ages 5-13
Post by: Chronic Apathy on July 04, 2011, 05:22:16 PM
If you enjoy Risk, look into other versions of it. There are often rule changes that mix things up, and obviously, the strategy changes considerably with new maps. Personal favorites of mine include Star Wars and Lord of the Rings Risk.
Title: Re: Game Suggestions for Ages 5-13
Post by: Bobbert on July 04, 2011, 05:25:37 PM
I'd forgotten about Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Catan. I think the Settlers of Canan version has a Redemption card or two  ;) Also, there are multiple versions of Ticket to Ride, including a Scandinavian one.
Title: Re: Game Suggestions for Ages 5-13
Post by: TheJaylor on July 05, 2011, 02:54:29 PM
Trouble and Sorry are always good for the younger ones. CandyLand is a must.
Title: Re: Game Suggestions for Ages 5-13
Post by: Prof Underwood on July 05, 2011, 03:06:51 PM
If you enjoy Risk, look into other versions of it...favorites of mine include Star Wars and Lord of the Rings Risk.
The variants are more challenging strategically, and while I would play RISK with an 8 year old, I wouldn't try those until someone was probably 10.  My favorites are LotR (specifically the Trilogy Edition), and 2210 AD.

CandyLand is a must.
Candyland is NOT a game.  As soon as you shuffle the deck, the game is determined.  All you are doing is flipping over cards and going through the motions.  There is absolutely NO choice in the game.  There is absolutely NO interaction in the game.  There is absolutely NO fun in the game.  I repeat, it is NOT a game.  [/rant]
Title: Re: Game Suggestions for Ages 5-13
Post by: Bryon on July 05, 2011, 10:11:59 PM
I agree with many of the suggestions above.  I also like these for that age group:

Hey, That's My Fish! (board game, up to 4 players, kids like the cute penguins, the only drawback is the setup time)
The Great Dalmuti (card game, up to 12? players, simple yet fun)
TransAmerica (board game, up to 6 players, simple, fun, and learn a little geography as you go.  They also have TransEurope, I think)
Saboteur (card game, a cross between a tile laying game and Mille Bornes, but with teammates that can repair your stuff)
Title: Re: Game Suggestions for Ages 5-13
Post by: STAMP on July 12, 2011, 05:30:54 PM
Tap into their creative side.  Pictionary is great for that.  Also that game where you mold clay into shapes to guess....Cranium??

Title: Re: Game Suggestions for Ages 5-13
Post by: The Schaef on July 14, 2011, 11:40:41 PM
A surprisingly deep game that is easy enough to play with an 8yo is Tally Ho.  Like chess, it features pieces on the board with simple movement rules, but the wealth of options (and restrictions) provide a lot of strategic value.

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Title: Re: Game Suggestions for Ages 5-13
Post by: RolltideRoll on July 22, 2011, 06:18:38 PM
I just played Labyrinth with the kids I nanny for (7,9,11, and 14), and it was a huge hit. The seven year old crushed us. NO idea how she did it.......
Title: Re: Game Suggestions for Ages 5-13
Post by: The Schaef on July 24, 2011, 08:45:57 AM
Forbidden Island is also good.  The box says 10+ but you might get away with 8 or 9.  It is one of the most accessible cooperative games on the market, and the Indiana Jones style grab-the-treasure-and-get-off-the-island-before-it-sinks-into-the-ocean theme has broad appeal.  And it's a steal at $18 (retail.  Not $18 online, but RETAIL).
Title: Re: Game Suggestions for Ages 5-13
Post by: LadyNobody on July 24, 2011, 05:17:08 PM
Snorta is a fun game for that age group.

Snorta is a fun game for any age group. Especially 7th-9th grade girls. I would know. :)

~Britta
Title: Re: Game Suggestions for Ages 5-13
Post by: SomeKittens on August 01, 2011, 02:32:54 PM
Jungle Speed is fun, but a bit pricey for what you get.
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