Board games - fun for the whole family

An activity where the whole family can enjoy, one that does not cost much money and is always fun again. A game that promotes communication, demands cooperation and teaches children logical thinking. Everything sounds too good to be true. But all this can be found in board games. Learn to play with your family and you will have many beautiful hours together.

Many of us still remember games nights and afternoons with friends. Whether as a child, teenager or young adult, we spent a lot of time together on colorful game boards.
However, it's not as if board games have gone out of fashion, quite the contrary. In recent years there has been a renaissance of classic board games. Never before have so many new games been invented and some have become modern classics.

What speaks for board games?

Board games have a very social element. They are usually played by more than two players playing against or with each other. In some games there is even a combination of cooperation and competition. The players get to know each other better about the game and get into conversation.
Interesting for parents is that children can expand their social skills through board games. They can compete in the game with the "big ones" and, depending on the game, practice logical and strategic thinking, quick reactions, general knowledge, language skills or creativity. Along the way, they learn to face a competition and win or lose. The right board game can offer all that and a good dose of fun over and over again - in most cases at a lower price than a joint zoo visit.

Playing together can strengthen the cohesion of your family. In this way, one can sometimes find an access to older children who otherwise would be in danger of being isolated. Would not it be great if your kids were playing these social games with their own friends instead of sitting alone at the computer?

We would like to introduce you to a small selection of board games. We will limit ourselves to the categories of party games and strategy games. We do not present games for young children (they are available here), nor any classic board games (chess, checkers, etc.), nor cards and games of chance. To answer the question of which game is right for you and your family, you should consider how many players you will have, how long a game should take, how old the kids are to play and where the interests the teammates are lying. In case of doubt, an employee in a game shop can help you with the selection.
Final comments: for some of the featured games, there are simplified children's editions, two-player editions and enhancements that are expected to provide new challenges over and over again.

Party Games

Party games are characterized by the fact that they are played in groups and it is often lively. The rules are easy to learn. Some of the games require creativity and movement is part of the game concept - just right for families. Here is an overview:

Twister

An activity game in which it goes haywire. Short playing time. For 2-4 players, ages 7+.

taboo

Communication game, in which terms must be described, the players should guess. 4 players or more, Tabu Junior Edition, ages 8+.

Trivial pursuit

Quiz game in which questions from different fields of knowledge have to be answered. Also playable in a team. 2 or more players, Family Edition, ages 8 and up.

Cranium

Creativity game in which concepts have to be described or presented in different ways to the other players. From 4 players, family edition from 8 years.

Pictionary

Guessing game where you have to draw terms that are to be guessed by the other players. From 4 players. Junior edition from 6 years.

Activity

Guessing game in which concepts must be explained, pantomime-painted or painted. From 4 players, junior edition from 8 years.

Outburst

Rate and knowledge game in which two teams guess terms of a list (Disney movies). From 4 players (also suitable for very large groups). Junior edition from 6 years. Lively!

strategy Games

Strategy games are less lively than party games. Normally, you do not play in a team, with players counteracting or interacting with each other during the game. Some strategy games take extremely long. The games presented here are characterized by comparatively short game instructions and are easy to learn in the basics. In order to master most strategy games well, a few rounds are necessary. As a rule, strategy games are more popular with boys than with girls.

monopoly

The classic. Attention: sometimes extremely long playing time. From 2 players, from 8 years.

risk

The players try to conquer countries and continents. Great competition factor! Especially popular with boys. 2-6 players, ages 10+.

Cluedo

By properly combining a murder case must be cleared up. Pleasantly short playing time. 3-6 players, ages 8 and up

Scotland Yard

The criminal Mister X must be captured by cooperation of other players. 3-6 players, ages 10 and up

The settlers of Catan

The bestseller - sold more than 14 million copies worldwide. Each player tries to develop his own settlements on the island of Catan. He has to exchange resources with the opponents in order to move forward. Very varied and easy to learn. Many extensions and special editions. 3-4 players (with expansion set up to 6), from 10 years

Carcassonne

By laying down cards, players "build" a medieval landscape of cities, streets, monasteries, and meadows, claiming fields with their tokens. Simple gameplay, numerous extensions. 2-5 players, ages 10+

Did I forget something? Can you think of any more points?
I´m looking forward to your experiences and additions.

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