Family Game Night: 10 Family Game Board Favorites
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Family Game Night: Spend Quality Family Time Together
One of the most rewarding activities as a family is spending time together and having some fun. With my family, we head outdoors when the weather permits, and when the weather does not cooperate, we pull out the game boards and play some adrenaline filled games.
There are several companies that manufacture board games, but for this particular article, I will be focussing only on Hasbro – the manufacturing and creative giant of board games, games and pretty well anything child/family oriented that is in relation to entertainment.
The following ten suggestions are based on experience of raising a family of five children. Yes, board games can become intense competition to the extreme where we laugh until our sides ache. This is the best part of spending quality time together as a family. We do this every Friday night, along with a pizza and after the game, a good movie that satisfies everyone’s tastes.
Cranium Board Game
Family Game Night: #10
10. Cranium – Family Edition
Cranium is a game that is geared for players that are ages 8 and over. It’s a game that involves multi-talents and it interactive in the sense that you are physically involved in solving the riddles and providing the clues. There are 14 different activities including sculpting with Cranium clay, sketching, acting, performing stunts and more. It will bring out the creative you and guaranteed to make you laugh.
Clue, Connect Four and Operation
9. Clue – Discover the Secrets
Clue is a game of intrigue and mystery. It is a game of “who dunnit” where there are 6 personalities, played by individual players, and each player receives “intrigue” cards that provide clues as to who is the murderer. There are rooms that you move through, weapons that are present and questions that you pose until you can identify the murderer. If you love murder and mystery, and are 9 years or older, you will enjoy this game.
8. Connect Four
This, technically, is not a board game unless you consider the board to be vertical, which I do. Connect Four challenges two players to drop tokens into columns in order to connect four of their tokens in a row but the opponent can block each move while aligning his tokens to win. The tokes are red or black, so it is easy to visualize and to keep track of. A great game of strategy and skill for players ages 6 and up (this age is recommended but my two year old loved this game and quite often won).
7. Operation
A classic game for children! It takes skill, a steady hand, focus and concentration while you remove game pieces from the body of the patient. The goal: remove the game piece without touching the side of the cavity or, the game will buzz and you lose your turn! Children ages 6 and over can try their operating skills in this game. For older children, add a twist of making them laugh while it is their turn!
More Hasbro Games
 | Amazon Price: $10.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $17.50 List Price: $19.99 |
Hasbro Games
 | Amazon Price: $5.18 |
 | Amazon Price: $2.85 List Price: $7.49 |
Twister, Game of Life, Trouble
6. Twister
Just as the name implies, this is a game that will “tie you up in knots”! Twister has been a party favourite for generations and remains one of the top sellers. It’s a game of laughs, flexibility, balance and concentration, especially if you are ticklish or laugh easily. Teens love this game as much as the younger children. The recommended age is from 6 and up but, again, my children began playing this game when they 2 years old. Get ready, and twist!
5. The Game of Life
Modelled after what we can encounter in the real world, The Game of Life has entertained families for over 50 years. Each player will be taken down the path of life with each roll of the dice and with each decision that he makes. Accumulate wealth, or not, decide to help others, or not, go to college, or not. Whichever your decision, it will determine how your life unfolds in this game. The Game of Life – from the beginning to retirement – can be enjoyed for players ages 9 and up!
4. Trouble
The board is unique in this game as there is a bubble that you push which, in turn, pops the die that are in it to roll. There are four sets of coloured pawns with four in each color category. The goal is to move the pawns to the safe home spot without being bumped back to the start. This is a great learning game for players ages 5 and up. I do not recommend this for younger children as the pawns, and the die if removed, can be choking hazards due to their size. Don’t be troubled when playing Trouble!
Mouse Trap
3. Mouse Trap
An educational game, without appearing as one! Players ages 6 and up will learn to build a mouse trap with each roll of the dice. It involves gears, pulleys, levers, switches, and of course, mice. Build your trap and catch your opponent’s mouse before they catch yours!
Sorry! A Game Reigning 60 Years!
2. Sorry!
One of the easiest games to learn to play for players ages 6 and up (again, my sons at two years of age were able to play this game, but I replaced the small pawns with large tokens so that he could not place them in his mouth). This game involves a deck of cards and each card has a number on it. There are four sets of pawns, and four pawns in each set. There are no die, as the cards act as the number that you move your token forward. Certain numbers allow you to move your pawn with specific manoeuvres, while others are simply “move forward”. The game’s name Sorry is derived from the card that is labelled “Sorry” as this card will send your token back to the beginning while the player who plays the card, moves his pawn to your spot. Move your pawns around the board to their home before the other players while being careful not to be sent back to the beginning. Truly a classic family chosen by families for over 60 years and continues to be a favourite choice.
Monopoly Classic
The Number One Choice in My Family
1. Monopoly
Monopoly is one of my family’s all-time favourite games. This is a game of buying, trading and building an empire on property. There is plenty of strategy involved and preplanning to maximize the properties to your advantage. The only goal in this game is to accumulate the greatest amount of wealth as the one with the most wealth wins. My six year old loves this game, and has a knack for buying and trading properties so that he can build houses and hotels. Monopoly is a game that can be played by younger players, recommended age is 8, to older players aged 99 and up! Be prepared for hours of endless entertainment and with 13 different themed games, hours can become months of countless hours of fun!
Copyright Beth100
© March 4, 2010
More Board Games
 | Amazon Price: $13.39 List Price: $19.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $16.50 List Price: $34.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $13.39 List Price: $19.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $26.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $9.99 List Price: $14.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $16.25 List Price: $24.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $13.99 List Price: $29.99 |
Hasbro Monopoly and Themes
 | Amazon Price: $11.99 List Price: $18.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $4.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $12.97 List Price: $17.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $7.50 |
 | Amazon Price: $9.79 List Price: $40.19 |
 | Amazon Price: $4.99 |
Thank you Hasbro!
Weekly Topic Inspiration - Board Games and Card Games
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- Useful (12)
- Funny
- Awesome (8)
- Beautiful (1)
- Interesting (2)
TattooKitty -- Scattegories is hilarious! I love playing that one when my friends come over. We always have a great laugh! I haven't learned to play Poker, but I will have to! Thank you!!
Harvey -- I don't gamble. LOL Besides, it takes me back to MY stats. Scary stuff!!! :D
Steven -- I've played Jenga before, and it is a blast! It tests my engineering skills, especially when playing on the carpet. ha ha ha It's not quite a "board" game, but it is a great game. Thanks for mentioning it. :)
You should try Clue and Mouse Trap. Twister is a load of laughs but really depends on who you are playing with and what is happening at the time. ;) It's always a great ice breaker game but can be a tad embarassing with some of of the positions. It's a blast if you're playing with friends your age and mixed gender.
I've been way too busy -- as you can tell, I'm just catching up on comments that are as old as 3 months! Very embarassing!! And I feel very bad for not answering every comment within a day of it being posted.
I've missed you in the forums, and we will have to catch up soon. xox :)
This is an awesome hub with some great game selections. We do a family game night at our house as well, and it was great having some different suggestions to look over. Thank you for the great ideas!
David
Playing Monopoly is a recipe for FUN!! My family also loves Scattergories and Poker ;) Great topic & awesome list!
What a terrific hub! Exactly what I would expect from you, Beth. Playing board games together as a family is, without a doubt, a truly effective way of enjoying one another. And it is an excellent parent who is willing to share time so willingly with loved ones.
My family has enjoyed playing several of your highlighted games and actually sometimes still do. Another game that is quite popular with us is Upwords, a type of scrabble game where you can build up on each other's words.
I really enjoyed reading this hub and am glad that I found it. Voted up, up, and up, along with useful and awesome.
Beth, I wanted to keep everything PG, are you attempting to change that? if you want to take things a few steps further, try my Hubs at http://hubpages.com/my/hubs/stats
H
Harvey,
Now, now! That word could be filled with an "i", which I'll do to keep this page family friendly!!! :D
xox
Well as always beth, you certainly written a great hub, as this one brought back a lot of great memories. Although I remember playing most of the games as a kid on this list, the only ones that I never did were twister, clue, and mouse trap.
Although from reading your hub, I guess you wouldn't consider a game like Jenga a board game huh? Although, I'm not sure if most kids would like it, but it's loads of fun to play if you ever get a chance to play it. Anyway, keep up the good work, beth, and hopefully i'll be able to talk to you again in forums, as life just isn't the same without you around. ;)
Love from steven. :)
James -- Thank you. I just spent part of the weekend playing board games with my children. We had a Sequence round robin which was a blast. Whoever thought that teenagers would choose board gaming with their family over the videos at their friends' place? :) Family time rules!!! :D
YadiraE -- I pulled out the Monopoly board last night and had a great time with the kids. Its speaks volumes when they choose to play a board game rather than a video game together! :) Thanks for your great comments!
Beth, There was talk of biting, I don't think guys appreciate that. I used an s. It's a 4 letter word that ends in ck, that's appreciated more. H
Harvey, can you enlighten me?
This is a nice family Hub. I have enjoyed most of these games, some very much so. I agree with you that it is rewarding to spend time with family in the board game world for a couple hours, away from the cares of the world. It is a bonding experience. Thank you for a fine article. :-)
I'm a big board game fan! I actually have many of the games mentioned in your Hub. I really enjoyed it, it was quite useful!
Beth, "Anytime, us Canadians know how to BITE!! :)"
Do you really think that what guys like? The word begins with an S. H
Harvey -- ha ha you're too funny! Just check out the Hubbers Hangout, I think on near the bottom of the first page or near the top of the second. There's only two threads relating to Canada Day! ha ha These are the only hints I'll give you! ha ha
Kimberly -- Sorry all the way is right! Just played it this weekend with my kids -- and they were sorry they did!! lol
Anytime, us Canadians know how to BITE!! :)
Beth, You little tease, where the hell is it? There are 264 pages on the hang out. H
Harvey -- I think I already know!! :) Now, did you catch me as double trouble over the weekend? Just check out my Happy Canada Day thread in the Hubbers Hangout, and tell me if I'm on the right track with you. hahaha xo
Mtsi -- Oh yea!!! Where and when? I'll bring some Keith's too :) Happy Canada Day!!!
Prairie Princess -- ha ha yea, I remember being told that WE WILL NOT play Monopoly during family holidays because that's all we did the whole holiday!! ha ha but it was sure fun! I never heard of Stock Ticker before. I find it and try it with my kids. I love game nights!!! :) Thanks and happy dice rolling!
Sorry all the way baby
what a fun hub
but Canadians naturally make better hubs its a fact
ps-thanks for getting my back and anybody with more yet boring issues with me, beth conquers BITE ME EH?
Tom -- one way around that -- join two games together! I do this with cards; we'll play with two or three full decks and it's loads of fun!! Thanks Tom!
lilibees -- It's funny that you said that -- mine do the exact same thing!!! I swear that little dice popping dome is more entertaining than the game itself. They should just sell the dome and I bet that it would become an instant hit! Thanks for sharing the fun your family has with the games! :)
Beth, What movie? H
Harvey -- ha ha I'd like to see that movie!! It would be a butt buster of a killer! ha ha xox
Beth, Being honest, I missed seeing your pic. H
Phillbert -- Thanks! I enjoyed playing all these games when I was growing up, and now I enjoy playing them with my children. :)
Easyguyevo -- oh yes, do try some other games! Catan (which I didn't list here) is a load of fun -- lots of thinking, planning and hoarding! :)
Easyguyevo -- well, we should have a match! I'm pretty good at it now, after all the losses I've had learning it. :)
Beth, You don't want to know! H
Hey Beth100 - game on...first Moosehead is on me - cheers...hope all is well :)
Harvey -- NO!! You have not been forgotten!! I've been too busy to come back and reply to each comment. Forgive me? How can I make it up to you?!? xox
Tom -- I haven't come across Wits N Wagers, but it sounds like fun!! Little kids -- they're the most fun to play with because they always add their own twist to the game. They kill me with laughter! And yes, the xbox and PS3 have their own minds....sometimes I can hear voices on the PS3! :D Thanks Tom -- you always get me to laugh! :)
ThePracticalMommy -- ha ha ha yea, that's part of the game! I was at the receiving end of the stick when I was little, so I've learned to watch the tokens with hawk's eyes! No missing my rent!! ha ha Thanks for sharing your fun rule!
Beth, Are you on any broad, I meant board. H
tHErEDpILL -- Perhaps you should try a game that can't be played the same each time. Look for a game is more strategy oriented -- each play will provide different moves. That's probably why Monopoly is so popular. It's all the same cards, but depending on the combination of the die and the style of the players, the game plays out different with each game. I have Smart Ass, and it is fun. We don't play it all the time, so when we do, it is "like new". I'll think of some more options for you. :)
tHErEDpILL -- There a number of great boardgames for adults: Catan (building a colony and surviving attacks/risks), Risk (strategy via world domination), Sequence (logic and luck), Trivial Pursuit (knowledge game based on what trivia you can remember), Blokus (strategy), Warhammer (role playing), Smart Ass (diction and fun), chess (strategy and logic), Scattegories (diction under pressure), backgammon (strategy, numeracy) and there are a quite a few more on the list. I have played all these games, and still enjoy them. I choose based on my mood. :) Happy playing!
Cardelean -- I understand where you're coming from. My youngest had to keep up with his older siblings, so he watched us play from his baby seat. When he was 9 months old, he was able to set up the pieces correctly on the chess board and play the pawns correctly. He began playing Monopoly by the time he was 14 months, and he learned all this by watching us play. Kids learn a lot by watching!
Beth, great hub! These are all great choices for family night, and many of these I played growing up. Cranium is so so hilarious! Funny story: I used to love Monopoly growing up, and I would bug my relatives to play it with me, at Christmas and other get-togethers. My Grandpa would beg me NOT to ask anyone to play Monopoly!
You mentioned PayDay in a comment. Did you ever play Stock Ticker? We had hours of fun playing that game!
Beth,
2-4 players are best 5 is doable- 6 might be a little tough..
enjoy
TH
Tom -- OH you're dating me with Pay Day!!! I played that game so much that the pictures wore off the board!!! :) No worries, I'm still playing hockey, but in the basement where it's cool and concrete surrounds us as walls. ha ha ha
Always a pleasure when you visit Tom! And, I will have to try Qwirkle! Thanks for the suggestion (have you tried Blokus? It's great for 2,4 or 6 players). :)
My children love the game Trouble. I don't so much lol. The reason they love it so much is so they can push and pop that middle dome button that makes the dice jump and hop. Thats it the only reason they love the, the noise. I swear they get the game out just to sit there and pop the dome! Great hub, thanks for sharing.
Beth, My mind can come up with anything. A movie I wrote is titled, "URANUS or YOUR ANIS." It deals with the URANIAN'S hating how we use the name of their planet. Maybe one day it will be produced. Presently I'm hoping my book turns into a movie. I wrote two books and ten movies in three years. People say it's difficult, ha. Be careful, the more you say I make you laugh, the more I'll try to keep doing it. H
Harvey -- you never cease to make me laugh out loud (while spewing my tea from laughter)!!! I have never heard of that game, but then again, there's lots that I haven't heard of! Perhaps I should do a little investigation and see what I can find. ;) Please, tell me more so I have a bit more info to go on. Thanks Harvey for getting my attention!
Ocbill -- I didn't learn backgammon until about 5 years ago. I love that game! Chess, checkers and all things checkered -- gotta love 'em!! I'm a bit of a chess fanatic (ssshhhh don't tell anyone!). Oh yes, newer Monopoly themes are great -- entertaining and throws a nice twist into the classic game. Have you tried the Canadian version? :) Thanks Ocbill!
CarltheCritic - I can relate to never winning! Being the youngest in the family and the only one who didn't understand what the object of the game was, it was a recipe for losing every game. I know laugh about it (but not back then). :) It's a great game -- you never know who ends up with all the wealth! Thanks Carl for the votes! :)
Great hub and good game choices!
O my I forgot. Totally awesome hub and useful too! I might try something else for a change.....
Monopoly is by far the most awesome......I never lost!
mtsi -- I didn't include chess or checkers or dominoes in this article. I tried to focus on Hasbro games only. :) But, we love playing chess too! We should have a game and some Moosehead! :)
Beth, I've been forgotten! H
All
Wits n wagers great- anyone can play it especially fun with little kids- they really make the game interesting.... Sometimes my son and I will play xbox monopolly but were pretty sure the CPU chats...
TH
Great hub still
Beth
th
PetiteSwans13 -- My Aunt taught me how to play Monopoly, and I don't recall winning one single game against her. As I grew older, I came to realize that she's a mogul when it comes to banking and property -- a talent that she's uses in everyday life. Though I didn't win against her, I learned many great strategies and I get to play the "boys" and leave them in my dust! :D
Denise -- ha ha ha yea, I thought I better break my non-writing streak of a few months! ha ha ha I loved Clue too! My younger cousin and I use to stay up under the covers late at night, and with a flashlight, we'd play game after game....then, my uncle would find us.... he joined in! :D Thanks Denise! xo
My family loved playing Life and Monopoly when I was a child. Monopoly would get (still gets) so silly because we would all try to cheat my father out of rent money when he's not paying attention (Hey! It's in the rules!!). Great hub!
"Wits and Wagers" and "Smart Ass" looks fun. I may have to use your link and order, but I get bored with games easily, so I don't know.
Hey Beth great hub! What do you suggest for adults, besides scrabble?
Great list of games. We are in the early years of game night so we play Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders and some new ones out by Eric Carle. I think my favorite on your list is Monopoly as well.
bETH-
AT OUR HOUSE WE LIKE SCRABLE, PAYDAY,blokus AND QWIRKLE-
qwirkle is an easy game you have 8 cshapes of 6 colors you score points by putting together a minimum of three like symbols, or 3 pieces of like colors there are 3 sets of each six shapes per color- its awesome easy to learn and fun unfortunately-i miss stuff with only one eye....
Oh and Beth who are you kidding.. your from canada you play hockey in the living room haha in the summer HA..just teasing... great hub...
TH
Beth, Nice list. I always enjoyed, "What Older People I Know Looked Like Naked, When Younger." You have no idea the disbelief this game caused. It was taken off the market by a Child Psychology Association.0
Yes, I am sick! H
Monopoly and backgammon were our favorites. Now mine is the newer monopoly games & chess.
I can remember playing Monopoly when I was a little tike and always loosing and for the longest time I had hated it. Now I have come to respect it as an amazing game (but I still never win it :[) Great hub, Voted up and useful.
WillStarr -- Isn't it a great game?!? It was one of my favorites growing up but now, it's the all time favorite in our home. We've introduced it to friends' families and they just can't get enough of it! Thanks!
wow did you just bring back some great memories...what a nice reminder that it is ok to get away from game consoles and spend family time...I also enjoy chess but that is more a two player game not necessarily a family game...
My personal favourite is trouble, but that might be because my father ALWAYS wins Monopoly!
Great list, BEth. Yay Beth...a hub, a hub LOL
Monopoly is definitely the #1 choice, I think. We used to have long summer days playing. BUT, my all time favorite will always be: CLUE
Monopoly was my family's favorite. We always played it on bad weather days.
Beth100 Hub Author 7 weeks ago
David Legg 7- Its wonderful to hear that you have family game night in your household too! I hope that you choose one of these as a new addition to your night. Thank you!