Educational/fun board games for boys

[marcemc]

My boys DS7 & DS4 love to play board games but this year I want to get them something unique & challenging, specially for DS7, he enjoys math.

Any recommendations.

 

[woodkins]

Rush Hour

 

[sksjasams]

How about Make 7? Just a twist on the Connect 4 game. Not complicated but still fun for a quick game and soon your boys will be able to play together.

http://www.amazon.com/Pressman-Toy-4437-06-Make-7/dp/B00004TFZ8

 

[MNdisneymom]

{....had to go dig through my DS's (7) pile of board games....}


1. Blokus...fit the different shaped pieces into the game board. Comes in many variations, including a nifty travel one.

2. Monopoly...I know it's an old stand-by, but my DS loves it. Great counting and strategy skills...He is quite good at it, and has a hard time finding suckers (I mean people) who will play with him. (It's embarrassing getting thumped that badly by a 7 year old)

3. Yahtzee...again, it's been around forever, but great for developing math skills. The 4 year old can help play too. (counting up the groups of numbers, for example.)

4. Trouble...very simple game, more fun the more people you have (max of 4). No great skill involved, might be a good one to play with the younger child.

-----
5. Carcassonne...this one is a little bit more difficult, not for the younger child at all. It is a tile laying game, you try to complete the little roadways and put your counters on the tiles that will get you the most point. It's the first "serious" game that my son has taken a real shine to. You don't have to play with all of the really complicated rules, so its definitely playable for kids.

And if all else fails, there is a wonderful website called boardgamegeek.com, which is exactly what it sounds like. They have a thing called GeekLists...type in 7 year old boy, and you'll get lists of games people have put together....

Okay, I'm going to take my geeky game self away now...Have a Disney day!

 

[DISNEYNV]

They have these really cool looking LEGO games available now. A 7 year old would probably love them

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

I second Rush Hour, and also River Crossing, which is similar but a tad more challenging.

And the 7yo loves math? Check out Equate. It's a board game like Scrabble, but it uses number equations instead. My guys LOVE it.

 

[crl]

How about Sum Swamp?

 

[marcemc]

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like you guys gave me plenty of cool ideas!

 

[amym2]

Go to a game store and see what they suggest. Our kids love the "Ten Days..." series and the "Ticket to Ride" series. They love playing "Carcassone" as well. You can order all of these online as well. They are all technically adult games, but with some help, your older child will probably understand them. DS just turned 9 and he has been playing them for a couple of years. DD is 6 and is now able to play them on her own with just a little guidance from us.