Favorite Books here.
After reading my favorite toys post a week ago, Jeff informed me that I "forgot" to include all of the games the kids love. I put "forgot" in quotations because I think I might have done that accidentally on purpose subconsciously. I am not a game person-I can play a few: Scrabble, Candy Land, Zingo. Pretty much that's it. I just don't have the patience, or the attention span, or maybe it's the lack of competitive spirit. I am terrible at logic and deduction and all that fancy stuff.
So here's a guest post written (and updated every year) by my husband, game nerd extraordinaire, who never ever takes a pass. Most of these games are for the five, six, or seven year old and up crowd, and quite a few are one-player for when Jeff's not around.
Here's Jeff:
I grew up playing games, cards and puzzles. Sarah grew up reading books.
Like a Tetrus puzzle, there are different challenges to fit the wood pieces into the grid. Six and up-the games adjusts to make it easier for younger kids. All the kids in the family enjoy it.
2,837 Five Star reviews!!!
An awesome fun game that the whole family enjoys. For two to five players, the object of the game is to travel to as many cities as you can in just seven days.
Like an old-fashioned top, that needs to navigated through the maze by tilting it.
We have four of these and they are ADDICTING! So much fun. You guide a marble through the maze by tilting the ball in your hands. Ages six to adult. These are great to set around the house-they are irresistible.
This if for ages 8 and above and it IS difficult. The edges of each tile must match black to black and white to white.
All Think Fun Games get great reviews-they cater to all different ages from toddler to adult also.
Shake the cube and then match the pattern as fast as possible to win-a two-player game.
- Our kids have viewed tutorials on YouTube to help solve the cube. Isaac can solve it in under a minute and Andrew under three minutes. I tried to solve it 25 years ago without any technological assistance, but never did, until YouTube!
Boggle
-Our kids got onto a big scrabble kick this past year. Andrew liked Boggle better. You make up as many words as you can in three minutes. We play together at night before bed and help each other try to set a new record for words found. We sometimes re-shake it if the letter that come up are too tough.
-Our kids got onto a big scrabble kick this past year. Andrew liked Boggle better. You make up as many words as you can in three minutes. We play together at night before bed and help each other try to set a new record for words found. We sometimes re-shake it if the letter that come up are too tough. 
LONPOS Rectangular and Pyramid Puzzle
-This is really two puzzle/pattern games in one. Each puzzle is gradually more difficult. The pyramids are fun to build.
-This is really two puzzle/pattern games in one. Each puzzle is gradually more difficult. The pyramids are fun to build. 
Rush Hour
-We have Rush Hour and Rush Hour Two. You just have to drive the red car out of the game by moving the other cars out of its way. I think I have played this game more than the kids.
-We have Rush Hour and Rush Hour Two. You just have to drive the red car out of the game by moving the other cars out of its way. I think I have played this game more than the kids.
Solitaire Chess
This is also a puzzle game where you use chess pieces and moves to capture and remove all the pieces until there is just one piece left. You do not have to know how to play chess to play it, but you do have to know how the different chess pieces move. Like Rush Hour, the easy cards help you learn how to play and get you hooked.
This is also a puzzle game where you use chess pieces and moves to capture and remove all the pieces until there is just one piece left. You do not have to know how to play chess to play it, but you do have to know how the different chess pieces move. Like Rush Hour, the easy cards help you learn how to play and get you hooked. 
Monopoly Deal
-A fast way to play a game of Monopoly using playing cards. I think this was the "in" game sweeping the country last year-our kids learned it from friends out in Colorado, and as soon as we left their house, they all begged us to stop and get a deck. It has been worth every penny.
-A fast way to play a game of Monopoly using playing cards. I think this was the "in" game sweeping the country last year-our kids learned it from friends out in Colorado, and as soon as we left their house, they all begged us to stop and get a deck. It has been worth every penny.
Qwirkle Cubes
- This is a great game where both adults and kids can have fun together. We have both Qwirkle and Qwirkle Cubes, unless Qwirkle found its way into one of Sarah's 40 black bags.
- This is a great game where both adults and kids can have fun together. We have both Qwirkle and Qwirkle Cubes, unless Qwirkle found its way into one of Sarah's 40 black bags. 
Our kids still play this game four years later. It is hard to not get addicted to attempting to beat your time again and again.
Guess Who Mix and Mash
-Andrew is Mr. Game. He is Jeff Junior. This is one of his favorites.
-Andrew is Mr. Game. He is Jeff Junior. This is one of his favorites.
Chess, Checker and Backgammon Set 
- It folds up and latches, and all the pieces fit inside which is why Sarah bought it.
- It folds up and latches, and all the pieces fit inside which is why Sarah bought it. 
This year we bought a new chess set, as the chess playing moved to the low table on the porch that was constantly getting bumped by younger siblings. For Father's Day we bought this magnetized version and a timer (to prevent the constant arguments over who was taking to long.
😂 "forty black bags" I may be guilty of putting a game or two in there... thanks for the suggestions. It's always fun from a fathers point of view for these!
ReplyDeleteIf your family hasn't ever tried the following games, you should: Blink--this is a very fast game and even Janey can play it! It's not mind numbing for the non-gamey people either. In fact, it's actually good for older people to play! Spot It--again fast game and not mind numbing! Set--I think your family would love this one!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for suggestions-we love Spot It! I'll check out Blink.
DeleteI always love your gift suggestions! We have so many of your ideas floating around our home! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah and Jeff for some great suggestions. I would like to find a game my 8.5 year old son (also a Patrick!) can play by himself. I know that sounds kind of depressing, but he likes games and his younger sisters cannot play with him yet. The girls either lose interest before the game is complete or the toddler makes a mess of the board/game in action. The other morning I found him playing Monopoly Jr. by himself, using 2 different player pieces. So, please any suggestions for a solo game for an 8 year old would be great. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteJacelyn-That first "game" on this post with the puzzle pieces Patrick loves. Also, Speed Stacks (watch the You Tube videos and then he will be motivated to do it fast) and Loplos (the one with the beads connected) also Rush Hour is a huge solo favorite here.
DeleteThank you, Sarah!
DeleteI'm saving this!
ReplyDelete