The Best Board Games

Buying Guide

Before electronics were so readily available, families spent rainy days inside playing board games. There are a number of benefits associated with playing these games, which is why they are still an excellent choice for passing time.

For starters, board games allow friends and family to spend quality bonding time together. Some games are played in teams, encouraging players to learn how to work together to achieve success. Another benefit is increased brain power: Board games often require players to strategize, track certain patterns and focus on the task at hand.

Board games can also be used to teach younger children important life lessons. Kids will need to learn how to follow rules, take turns and practice humility whether winning or losing when playing board games. Fine motor skill and hand eye coordination are also improved, as little ones work on moving their pieces around the board.

When shopping for board games, you first need to consider the age group you’re targeting. There are games for toddlers as young as 18 months, as well as individuals as old as 100. You’ll also find games that cater to the entire family.

Children who haven’t yet learned how to read would do best with a board game that focuses on recognizing colors and shapes. Kids are also attracted to bright colors, which will help you capture their interest. Try starting with a simple game that only requires toddlers to move their game piece from one side of the board to the other. Make sure these games are also easy to clean up afterward. To help them get started on their lifetime of gaming advenures we rounded up the best board games for young children.

As kids begin to age, they do better with board games that present more of a challenge. Look for strategy games that improve STEM skills. These include games that require players to conquer a sequence of spaces, whether on a board or a vertical grid. Trivia games are also ideal for this age group. You’ll find both card and DVD trivia games on the market.

Don’t forget to pick up a game (or two) that is known to provoke laughter among its players. These games are great for reducing stress and just allowing everyone to let loose and have fun. The game may require getting up and acting out a scene or reading a card and having other players try to guess what you’re saying.

• Many board games have small pieces. These pieces present choking hazards to small children, especially toddlers age 3 and under, so use caution when storing them in a home with babies and toddlers. You may wish to keep them on a top shelf or in a garage.
• Make sure the game’s number of players matches your needs. Some games can only be played by two to four individuals, while others allow for as many as 12 players.
• Another thing you’ll want to keep in mind when shopping for a board game is the length of game time. Younger children may only have enough focus for a 15 to 20 minute game. Teens and adults can handle games that last much longer.
• Did you know there are board game cafes? Check to see if there’s one in your area. You can visit the cafe and try out a few different board games that you may be considering buying. That way, you’ll know whether you like the game or not before you spend money on it.
• Some board games are sold in multiple languages. Make sure you’re picking up the game in the language that is used in your household.
• Check the board game’s rating. Some are created with content that is made for older teens and adults. These wouldn’t be suitable for homes with younger children.
• In addition to family game night, board games are a great tool to break the ice when meeting new people. They can be used by kids at a sleepover, in a classroom to encourage strategic play or on vacation as a way to unwind from work and school.
• Consider popping a bag of popcorn, blending up some smoothies or milkshakes and putting out a bag of potato chips to enjoy with your family and friends as you sit down to enjoy some game time.
• Board games make excellent Christmas or birthday presents. They can also be used as a reward for a great report card or for showing responsibility with household chores.
• Kids are notorious for losing things. Don’t fret if some of your game pieces go missing. You can buy replacement pieces for most games, which means you won’t have to shell out the money for whole new game.
• Board games range in price based on skill level, design and the number of pieces in the set. For the most part, however, board games are quite budget-friendly.