Some of the most popular board games have younger versions that introduce kids to a lighter version of a game that their parents may already enjoy but that they are not yet old enough to grasp. What better way is there to introduce them to game mechanics and the rich board game world available with the hundreds of new card and board games being published each year?
There are many benefits for parents and kids in teaching and playing these games together. There are the educational benefits of learning new strategies, thinking skills and game mechanics as well as sharing family time interacting and having fun together.
As an avid card and board game hobbyist, I have always enjoyed playing games. When I was young, I played games like Careers, Parcheesi, Monopoly and Life with my siblings. My mom was an avid Yahtzee fan and my Grandma enjoyed a rollicking round of double solitaire anytime I visited. As a mom, I introduced my kids to games like Enchanted Forest, Mousetrap and Guess Who. Today I benefit when my adult children play games with me that I also enjoy such as Everdell, Wingspan and Creature Comforts (to name just a few). It has come full-circle now that my grandkids are also joining in.
Start them young and we all benefit from multi-generational sharing of family times, learning how to patiently take turns, and share both new and old game experiences whether we win or lose! I hope that your families and friends choose a new game or two to learn and play together. Let me suggest just a few that are “starter” versions of currently popular Board Games! I would love to hear about your experiences with these or any other games you have recently discovered to play across the generations. Feel free to email me at marsha@rainbowresource.com to tell me about your favorite family game experiences or ask questions about any of the games that we have available. ~Marsha
My First Carcassonne
2-4 Players
Ages 4+
Although the tiles all match in this version of Carcassonne, this is a nice introduction to understanding the basics of tile-laying mechanics. As kids round up the cows, chickens and sheep that were set free in celebration of a national holiday in the town of Carcassonne, France, their goal is to catch all of these carefree, madcap animals before dusk. The tiles depict children in their player colors on the roads and whenever a road is finished, every player places one of their matching meeples on each appropriate picture. The first player who places all of their meeples wins. 10-20 minute gametime.
Original Game: Carcassonne for Ages 7+
Rush Hour Jr
1 Player
Ages 5+
In this younger version of the Rush Hour game, children need to use sequential reasoning to clear the road of vehicles so the ice cream truck can break free from the traffic jam – and deliver its treats to the neighborhood. There are 40 challenges with four levels of play included and with its small footprint, this makes a wonderful travel game. Be sure to see our website link for our customer reviews! Game duration varies.
Original Game: Rush Hour: Traffic Jam Logic Game for Ages 8+
My Lil' Everdell
1-4 Players
Ages 6+
My Lil’ Everdell opens up the world of worker placement and tableau building in the same setting as its parent Everdell game to both younger kids and those adults who are just starting to learn more complex strategy games with these elements. Players send their workers to the meadow to collect resources and play critter and building cards while trying to meet specific criteria to hold parades and gain points. The components and cards are beautiful and a nice complement to this wonderful introduction to the Everdell game experience.
Original Game: Everdell for Ages 13+
My Little Scythe
1-6 Players
Ages 8+
As a parent, have you ever wished your child were old enough to play Scythe or another one of your favorite strategy games? Instead of waiting a few more years to play these games with them, here is another introductory game that shines and will be fun to play for kids while introducing them to some of the game mechanics they will need to become your formidable game companions. Pie fights introduce kids to strategic battle; they navigate meeples in a colorful world where the roll of dice directs them while they prepare for the less colorful, more geographic map in Scythe. Best of all, they are given some stepping-stones to a deeper, richer, strategic game world that awaits!
Original Game: Scythe for Ages 14+
