{"id":319998,"date":"2021-03-10T12:44:02","date_gmt":"2021-03-10T19:44:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.familyfuncanada.com\/calgary\/?p=319998"},"modified":"2025-01-08T13:58:51","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T20:58:51","slug":"family-friendly-board-and-card-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.familyfuncanada.com\/calgary\/family-friendly-board-and-card-games\/","title":{"rendered":"Family-Friendly Board and Card Games . . . and Reasons to Introduce Them at a Young Age!"},"content":{"rendered":"

March 2021
\nThanks to Family Fun Toronto editor, Lori, for sharing this article with us!<\/em><\/p>\n

It truly would be too big of a task to share with you all of the great, family-friendly games out there today . . . because it is plentiful and exhaustive. So, I\u2019ll only pass on a few personal favourites that our own family has enjoyed over the years. Our kids are currently in kindergarten, grade 2, and grade 3 \u2013 but we have been playing games consistently with them for years.<\/p>\n

I firmly believe that introducing kids to games at a young age is beneficial for so many reasons. First and most importantly, it is intentional family time. Games force everyone to set aside their screens, gather at the table and spend quality time laughing and talking. Secondly, it gives you plenty of opportunity to guide them through the emotions of winning and losing graciously. This is such an important skill to learn and they won\u2019t get it right all of the time, because even I as an adult don\u2019t do it perfectly! There will sometimes be fighting, tears, giving up and then starting over. But if you keep giving them the opportunities and making it enjoyable, they will grow in their love for games. They will also increase their capacity for teamwork, encouragement and persistence while advancing their thinking to include strategy, speed, and adaptation.<\/p>\n

Check out some of the board and card game suggestions below, but also comment and share what some of your favourites are. Let\u2019s keep the love of board games growing in families!<\/p>\n

\n

Card Games:<\/h2>\n

Uno<\/a> \u2013 old school favourite that is quick and enjoyable for any age. Lots of themed versions, like Toy Story 4<\/a>, Minecraft<\/a> and the well-loved one at our house: Super Mario<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Skip Bo<\/a> \u2013 simple number sequencing card game, with a junior version<\/a>\u00a0available.<\/p>\n

Five Crowns<\/a> \u2013 engaging rummy style game for kids 8+, there is a junior version<\/a> for younger kids.<\/p>\n

Spot It<\/a> \u2013 a smash hit game available in lots of different themes, as well as\u00a0junior versions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Blink<\/a> \u2013 similar to Uno, but with colours and shapes \u2013 a great option to include younger players.<\/p>\n

Kids Card Games<\/a> \u2013 classic card games like memory, go fish, old maid, crazy eights, and slapjack all in one set.<\/p>\n

Board Games:<\/h2>\n
\n
\"Family

Playing Family Catan with my 7 & 8-year-old<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Settlers of Catan<\/a> \u2013 a strategy game that involves trading and building. Available in many different versions and expansions including\u00a0Junior<\/a>\u00a0and Family<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Carcassone<\/a> \u2013 games last around 30 minutes making it a quick and entertaining board game, good for ages 7+, or the Junior version<\/a> for younger.<\/p>\n

Sequence<\/a> \u2013 For ages 7+, simple matching and strategy involved. The letters version<\/a> is fantastic for younger ones learning letters\/words<\/p>\n

King of Tokyo<\/a> \u2013 A little like Yahtzee, but more complex and involving strategy as well as luck. This is another favourite in our home for ages 8-12.<\/p>\n

Codenames<\/a> \u2013 a popular party game that involves teams and guessing from clues. There is even a Disney edition<\/a> for the younger crowd.<\/p>\n

Qwirkle<\/a> \u2013 easy to follow rules, and helps enforce matching and shapes knowledge while involving simple strategy.<\/p>\n

Monopoly Junior<\/a> \u2013 shorter running time than the original monopoly, which parents will appreciate. Plenty of options to choose from like\u00a0NHL hockey<\/a>, Frozen<\/a>, Incredibles<\/a>, and more.<\/p>\n

\n

There are benefits to both card games and board games. Card games are versatile, quick, and easy to travel with. Board games are longer, teach more skills and encourage more dialogue. Add in some snacks and background music to complete the setup for a perfectly fun and enjoyable family night, without spending a lot of money!<\/p>\n

Looking for more tips on how to keep your kids occupied during the COVID-19 crisis? Find our best ideas, activities and inspiration <\/span>here!<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

March 2021 Thanks to Family Fun Toronto editor, Lori, for sharing this article with us! It truly would be too big of a task to share with you all of the great, family-friendly games out there today . . . because it is plentiful and exhaustive. So, I\u2019ll only pass
Continue Reading »<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":118,"featured_media":319999,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[647,7,668,75],"tags":[164],"class_list":["post-319998","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-covid-19","category-cheapies-freebies","category-featured","category-spring-break","tag-ongoing","cat-647-id","cat-7-id","cat-668-id","cat-75-id","has_thumb"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFamily-Friendly Board and Card Games | Family Fun Calgary<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Enjoy some family fun with family-friendly board and card games. 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