Board Games: Inexpensive Family Fun

Board games are great family fun, and they come in all levels of difficulty, from those geared to preschoolers to ones that challenge adults. Most of us grew up on such board game classics as Monopoly and Clue. We enjoyed being with family or friends as we built our real estate kingdoms or found out “whodunnit.”

Here’s some good news: Playing board games is not only fun, but studies show that many of them are educational, as well. In her article “Board Games for Kids: Do they make kids smarter?”, Dr. Gwen Dewar, an anthropologist who specializes in studying the ways children learn, concluded that playing board games enhances learning. Important academic skills are introduced and developed while youngsters play board games. Skills such as following rules, predicting outcomes, detecting patterns, making appropriate choices and solving problems logically are practiced in each game played. Social skills also are supported, such as waiting for a turn, paying attention and practicing good sportsmanship. Dewar also suggests that games relying solely on chance are not as valuable to learning as those that require both strategy and a degree of luck.

Here are some board game selections for various age ranges, along with the skills these games  introduce and reinforce.

Zingo (ages 3+)

This early learning game is great fun. It is a sturdy version of a bingo card and can be played at two levels of difficulty. Pre-readers learn to match pictures and place them on their cards, while early readers identify sight words and play until they can yell “Zingo!” Games can be played competitively or as a group until all players are winners.

The Ladybug Game (ages 3-7)

This well-designed game is a winner. Kids love being one of the four color-coded characters and will learn to recognize numbers, count, recognize colors and even some words. All the while, they’ll pick up facts about gardens and gardening.

African Adventure Puzzle and Game (ages 4+)

African Adventure by Talicor is a unique blend of game and puzzle. Join two characters who are bilingual (English and Spanish) on their journey through the jungle. Players will learn critical thinking, improve memory skills and encounter jungle animal facts along the way. This game won the Creative Child Magazine award in 2010.

Bug Trails (ages 6-9)

This game comes with six-legged colorful dominoes. Players learn to match colors strategically, depending on whether they make a one-, two- or three-legged match. Great for color recognition, pattern recognition and simple game strategy.

Pirates vs. Pirates (ages 8+)

This swashbuckling game of swords and rewards requires each player to go for the gold coins while at the same time protecting his pirate. It’s a great beginning game of strategy with practice in calculated risk-taking. Aaargh, Matey!

Ticket to Ride (ages 8-12)

This train-themed game is set in the early 1900s. The goal is to build your railroad track to connect major American cities. Players learn names of cities and gain map skills. They also get a sense of American geography. This game requires strategic moves, decision-making skills and making a long-range plan. The game comes in alternate versions: Europe, Marklin (Germany), Asia, India, Nordic Countries and the Heart of Africa.

Forbidden Island (ages 10-12)

This intriguing game won the Mensa Favorite Brainy Game Award for 2010. It is a game requiring cooperation and collaboration. The goal is to capture four sacred treasures before the island sinks. A complex game for older players.

The Big Fat Tomato Game (ages 10-15)

Tomato farmers gear up to compete for the biggest tomato harvest. This competitive game reinforces basic math skills. Farmers work hard to grow their crop while fighting off varmints, weeds and even a dastardly tomato zombie.

Sounds Like a Plan (ages 10-15 and up)

This is a fun game for a large group and is guaranteed to produce lots of laughter. Players match advice to a given activity. Score points if your advice is taken. Players report having a lot of fun with giving the worst advice or Grandma’s advice. Great for developing the ability to think from another’s point of view.

Agricola (ages 12-16)

Agricola is Latin for farmer. In this highly strategic game, you begin in a one-room shack and endeavor to build your farm from scratch. You may take two actions at each turn with regular turns for harvesting. What will you do first: collect stone or build fences?

Trajan (ages 12-15)

Trajan is a sophisticated development game set in ancient Rome. Players try to increase their influence and power in the realms of politics, trading of goods and military domination. Made with beautiful artwork and graphic design, this game won the 2012 International Gamers Award for strategy.

Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher and freelance writer. She is an avid supporter of any activity that reinforces academic and social skills in children, board games included.

Jan Pierce, M.Ed.