5 Games I Enjoy Playing With My Kids

You know that saying, if you can't beat them, join them? Well, sometimes it's like that here at home. It's loud and crazy and there seems to be a million things going on at once. Instead of trying to settle everyone down, gather together and play a game. A funny thing happens. Everyone settles down. Not really, but that is how it seems because then we are all focusing our energy on the same thing. Today I am going to share my 5 favorite games that I think are fun + easy to play with kids. (I will put links to Amazon so you can see what games I am speaking of.)

 1. Qwirkle

Qwirkle is a color and shape matching game. There are square tiles with different shapes in different colors that you use to make patterns. If you have a child younger than six that can create patterns you could play this together and leave the scoring out. We have really enjoyed this game. (AGE 6+ PLAYERS: 2-4)

2. Blokus

Blokus is an easy to understand yet challenging game. You try to fit all your color blocks on the board by touching your color corner to corner only. This is tricky because each piece is a different shape. (AGE 5+ PLAYERS: 2-4)

3. Monopoly

Monopoly. Ugh. I know, right? I hated this game when I was a kid. For some reason my kids love it. It must have something to do with all that play money! I don't mind playing it now. I keep thinking they will learn something from it, like the value of money, not the chance! (AGE 8+ PLAYERS: 2-8)

4. Clue

Clue is a game that I have always loved. Who doesn't like mysteries? It was Mr. Green with the candlestick in the ballroom! (We just ignore how disgusting that actually is.) This game has a new suspect: Dr Orchid. (AGES 8+ PLAYERS: 2-6)

5. Bananagrams

Bananagrams is probably my favorite game. You have little tiles with letters on them and you create your own cross word bank. It is fun to play it with kids and see what words they think of. And did you know there is actually a double bananagrams set? Twice the fun! (AGE 7+ PLAYERS: 1-8 or 16 double set)

Remember that you can play just about any two-player game with a lot of people by forming teams. Be creative and see what happens. Try picking one evening  a week to play games together. If that sounds like too much, try it every other week, or just once a month. Make some popcorn. Have a cold dinner of salami + cheese + crackers. Would it be fun for you to not cook dinner and have a game night? When we spend time together having fun we create healthy memories. Studies have shown that the more positive memories we have in our youth, the easier it is to get through pain or tough times when we are old. (This is an ongoing Harvard study, I wish I still had the link. If I find it I will add it.) What can you do to create more positive memories + traditions in your family?