Great family board/card games

[jeeptruck]

Exploding Kittens is very fun for a younger crowd make sure to pick up the original and NOT the NSFW edition! It was funded through kickstarter and had the most number of backers for anything ever at its time and was also the most funded game ever. The original is pretty fun (as is the NSFW for an adult crowd). You basically keep drawing cards until someone draws the exploding kitten, if that person doesn't have a diffuse card then they are out. The exploding cards have little things on them about why the cat exploded. There is more to the game but that is the basic concept. It is rated ages 7 & up

http://www.explodingkittens.com/

double edit..here is the amazon purchase link http://www.amazon.com/dp/B010TQY7A8...te-20&linkId=9387be6dd3044c62c3b5cf74fb55d7ec

you can buy the "first edition" on the exploding kittens website...it cost more money and the only difference is the box meows when you open it and the cards say "first edition"

 

[queenofthehive]

I second the "Exploding Kittens" game. My son is 11 and loves this game. It is his favorite game. Get ready for suspense and lots of laughter! It is great for the whole family.

 

[jeeptruck]

I second the "Exploding Kittens" game. My son is 11 and loves this game. It is his favorite game. Get ready for suspense and lots of laughter! It is great for the whole family.

I like when we get a Nope-Yup-Nope-Yup!

 

[katie111]

OP here. Thanks so much for all of the suggestions! I just ordered Blokus and PayDay as those seem popular here and seem like something they would like.

We already have Trouble, Left Right Center, and Clue and they like all of those. Also realized my DD13 had Apples to Apples Jr in her room & we've never played that so I have to pull that one out (she's not big on board games).

I'm googling all these other games now to see what other ones I think they might like.

 

[crisi]

One that hasn't been mentioned is TransAmerica - its possible the simplest of the railroad baron type games - if Ticket to Ride or Railroad Baron is too much or you don't want to start your rail game experience with something that risks being complicated, TransAmerica is a great choice.

 

[Wala&Shoonoo]

Second vote for Love Letter - simple, inexpensive, solid game!

If you'd like to mix it up with a cooperative game, Forbidden Desert is excellent!

Also check out Splendor, Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Battleline, and Agricola: All Things Great and Small is a nice 2-player version of the full Agricola game!

 

[havaneselover]

I second the "Exploding Kittens" game. My son is 11 and loves this game. It is his favorite game. Get ready for suspense and lots of laughter! It is great for the whole family.

Can't wait to play this with dd after Christmas.

 

[jeeptruck]

Can't wait to play this with dd after Christmas.

It is so fun

I am also a fan of Settlers of Catan but that is definitely not just an "easy" game.

 

[elaine amj]

I was just considering Farkle and LCR! Lots of great ideas here

Our fave is Dominoes - but not really until the kids are about 10. (8 yr olds can play, but it takes more patience from the adults) We are ruthless when we play.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

OMG- So excited about this thread! I saw the Pig Dice game (now called Pass the Pigs) in the store, and it reminded me of when I was a kid.

 

[McKelly]

I just bought WordaRound. It was a fun, quick game. It would be great for traveling to throw in a bag, because it's basically a deck of cards.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

My DS12 and DS8 and I love to play games. The simple the better. And I want to get some new ones for them for Christmas. Our favorites in the past have been Uno, Sorry, and Headbanz (did I mention we like simple?). Any suggestions?

We love Munchkin, Fluxx, Mille Bornes (sp?), Apples to Apples and Labryinth.

 

[Mordu]

Spot it is our new favorite game. It comes in a tin and is small and easy to transport so we use it for waiting for good at restaurants.. Will be great for our upcoming plane trip to Disney too!

 

[DisHmsklMom]

My kids love Set, Guillotine, Quirkel and Uno.

 

[samsteele]

My kids love Set, Guillotine, Quirkel and Uno.

Uno is an old favourite from when I was a child. Like, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth Still going strong so a sure thing. I've heard only good things about Guillotine. I picked it up for one on my nieces some years ago and she loved it. Will have to get it for my youngest niece in the next few yrs! I've also picked up some of the 'opoly games on amazon for my nieces over the years. These are the variations on monopoly with different animals, dog breeds, cats & birds and themes. eg Labopoly or Birdopoly. Always a hit and well received. I just grabbed Chihuahuaopoly for my youngest niece who has a chihuahua/terrier mix.

 

[Mickfarland4]

Dominos!!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It is so fun

I am also a fan of Settlers of Catan but that is definitely not just an "easy" game.

I would disagree, but there is a Catan Junior version. I just got my 8 1/2 year old grandson "Dragonworld" and he loves it. Pretty easy to figure out, takes some luck and some strategy, and is fun for adults as well.

He also likes "Battle Sheep," "Robot Turtles," (I don't like that one), "Ravensburger Labyrinth," and "Carcassonne."

 

[disneydotlee]

I second Skip-Bo. I play it all the time with my 8 year old granddaughter.

 

[jeeptruck]

I would disagree, but there is a Catan Junior version. I just got my 8 1/2 year old grandson "Dragonworld" and he loves it. Pretty easy to figure out, takes some luck and some strategy, and is fun for adults as well.

He also likes "Battle Sheep," "Robot Turtles," (I don't like that one), "Ravensburger Labyrinth," and "Carcassonne."

I personally don't think it's hard but OP was looking for "easy" games. The gameplay is relatively simple but coming up with a consistent winning strategy can be a little more intensive.

I am currently carving a wooden Catan board on my homemade CNC machine

 

[AnnaS]

My adult children (20s to 30) right now like Apples to Apples (12+) & Disney HeadBanz - The Quick Question Game of "What am I".