GrogHeads Forum

Tabletop Gaming, Models, and Minis => Other Games Around the Table => Topic started by: Bison on November 06, 2016, 11:24:19 PM

Title: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 06, 2016, 11:24:19 PM
I love gaming with the kids and wife.  It really has been a blessing for us as a family. 

Things I've learned over the past few years:

Young kids don't like conflict...generally speaking.  Co-op and low conflict games are great.
Not all games are equally loved by all.
Games that play quickly are good.
Kids love using their imagination.  Role playing games are fun.
As they get older and play more games...you better know the rules dad.

Anyway...I've got a list of games and many, many thoughts about them.

I hope others will chime in with their thoughts and experiences too.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Moreb on November 06, 2016, 11:35:24 PM
Well I was so intrigued by the Mice and Mystics that I ordered the base game and both expansions a few moments ago.

(https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic1312072_md.jpg)

(https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic1709639_md.jpg)

(https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic2038331_md.jpg)
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Moreb on November 06, 2016, 11:46:24 PM
The Heart of Glorm is out of print, expensive from most places, but I was lucky to find a copy at cost. They had 2.

WOW, the place I just ordered from is now out of stock also.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 06, 2016, 11:57:42 PM
I've heard good things, but that is not a game we've played.  I wonder if that game time is correct.  I'd definitely make sure I have it setup in a location that we could play and come back to after a break.

I'd also consider some quick and easy card games.  Gamewright makes a variety of card games that play in 10-15 minutes and cost like $10 or less on amazon.  Light on rules, quick game play, plus a little math/memory skills.  A good example is:

Rat-a-Tat Cat
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3837/rat-tat-cat
or
Zeus on the Loose
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/22864/zeus-loose

My youngest daughter loves Sleeping Queens.  Plays in 10 minutes and she loves the princess art.  I'll admit that I enjoy the game too.  The best part is she knows the rules and can explain them to me. 

Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 07, 2016, 12:01:18 AM
What sort of themes is your grandson into?  Like superheroes, animals, cars....
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Moreb on November 07, 2016, 12:07:21 AM
Keep them coming Bison. The funny thing is that this weekend I have remodeled a bedroom into a gaming room. New paint. Ripped up a laminate and installed new underlayment and a luxury vinyl plank. New doors, although the main door isn't hung yet. I was looking earlier for some decent folding gaming tables. We've yet to order the furniture but I plan on putting my new computer build there along with a t.v. . Bookshelves will be added for all my ASL games with any new additions to be stored there also.

A few days ago my adult daughter invited us over for a gaming night. We've missed the past couple of weeks.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Moreb on November 07, 2016, 12:08:14 AM
Quote from: Bison on November 07, 2016, 12:01:18 AM
What sort of themes is your grandson into?  Like superheroes, animals, cars....

He loves both cars and superheroes. And he loves hearing stories so I took a gamble with it.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 07, 2016, 12:17:15 AM
Quote from: Moreb on November 07, 2016, 12:08:14 AM
Quote from: Bison on November 07, 2016, 12:01:18 AM
What sort of themes is your grandson into?  Like superheroes, animals, cars....

He loves both cars and superheroes. And he loves hearing stories so I took a gamble with it.

I think you'll be alright.  The minis should make the game that much cooler for him.

I'd also consider just picking up a cheap deck of cards with marvel superheroes on them.  You can play go fish, memory, or war with them. 
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Moreb on November 07, 2016, 12:46:24 AM
Good Idea. We've played a bit of Go Fish and Memory. I might have been a little hasty is stating that he needs to mature a bit because since I originally asked about games in May he has in fact matured quite a bit. I enrolled him in Karate for some self esteem. The first lesson he was to view a class in session before starting his own. He was so nervous and told me so several times as we waited. Like I said he is incredibly intelligent but a bit socially awkward. At least he was. While we were sitting there he says, 'Pepaw, I don't like karate. I like playing video games, watching t.v. and riding my bike'. So I tell him 'Ain't nobody says you can't still do those things. Give it a try and if you don't like it, you don't have to do it'.

Well he loved karate and broke right out of his shell and has done really good at it. Not that it's like any contact at this point, but the structure, exercise, and self control lessons have been great. So now I do think it's time to try and do some more gaming with him.

I bought him an xbox 1 for Christmas last year and from the beginning he was a wiz at it. All the buttons and things he just picked right up on. But I don't want him relying too much on digital so I am going to take what you said to heart because I think you've found a time tested activity to spend some quality hours at. The simpler things in life are things my family strives for. We are fishers, hunters, hikers, bike riders etc. Time to add a little bit more of what I enjoyed immensely as a kid, gaming. It's something my wife will participate in because she loathes anything digital.

Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Yskonyn on November 07, 2016, 01:41:39 AM
Cool thread !

My Son is turning 4 soon and he already has interest in games. My aunt says he should be ready for Catan Junior, but I am curious what you guys share here as well!
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 07, 2016, 05:32:48 AM
I'd check out the games lineup from HABA too.  German company that makes a great assortment of kids games.

http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/384/haba-habermaass-gmbh

The younger kid games (3+ years old) are generally dexterity type games, but the important part is the structure of "rules". 

As far as the Junior games like Catan and Stone Age, I have mixed feelings.  Brant and others have spoken highly of them and they have good judgement on games. 
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: bayonetbrant on November 07, 2016, 06:29:02 AM
I'll second Gamewright as a great source for kids. 

My daughter digs Sleeping Queens, and Pounce, and Castle Keep.

Both of my kids started with Kids of Carcassonne (now re-released as "My First Carcassonne" - same game, new box) and my daughter also loves Monster Factory (another tile-laying game).

My daughter is almost ready for Ticket to Ride, but there's apparently a kids version of that one, too, that I need to track down and check out
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: bayonetbrant on November 07, 2016, 06:31:48 AM
and look at what popped up in my "on this day" memories on Facebook...

Bayonette playing her first game of Kids of Carc with me
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12191062_10106744745727415_1406294167208559609_n.jpg?oh=1a1308cc6bfe206ec1a7dc24f61d98b8&oe=588ED95A)
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: jamus34 on November 07, 2016, 08:36:44 AM
Jumping in from the other thread.

My youngest (4) right now doesn't have the patience or attention span to play more than games like chutes and ladders or candyland.

My older 2 (7 & 10) are all about games. We play Carcassonne regularly, my oldest knows chess and is starting to developer strategy and the 7 yr old is learning it.

I would like to get them into some light / quick RPG games and strategy. Card games are good too, we've started playing Mille Bourne too.

Any ideas or options to look into
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Moreb on November 07, 2016, 09:02:03 AM
Cute pic. I envy you guys (Bison, bayonetbrant, jamus34,Yskonyn). I'm 47 now and my daughter has been out for 6 years now. I miss that time that I squandered while she was young although we rarely spent a night apart. I was heavily into dirt bike riding from a young age and then eventually my daughter was too. She had her first motorcycle when she was 5, her second at six. Through the years we spent almost every weekend riding and I'll cherish that time forever. Through a twist of fate we are now just a couple towns away from each other so I get to visit my grandson often.

Not to get sappy but the years I could least afford the luxuries were the best of my life. We didn't know we were poor. It didnt matter. Life has been good for us and I'm just glad to be a part of her life still.

So enjoy every day with your children. It goes fast.

Carry on.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 07, 2016, 09:34:12 AM
Quote from: Moreb on November 07, 2016, 09:02:03 AM
Cute pic. I envy you guys (Bison, bayonetbrant, jamus34,Yskonyn). I'm 47 now and my daughter has been out for 6 years now. I miss that time that I squandered while she was young although we rarely spent a night apart. I was heavily into dirt bike riding from a young age and then eventually my daughter was too. She had her first motorcycle when she was 5, her second at six. Through the years we spent almost every weekend riding and I'll cherish that time forever. Through a twist of fate we are now just a couple towns away from each other so I get to visit my grandson often.

Not to get sappy but the years I could least afford the luxuries were the best of my life. We didn't know we were poor. It didnt matter. Life has been good for us and I'm just glad to be a part of her life still.

So enjoy every day with your children. It goes fast.

Carry on.

Great memories.  Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 07, 2016, 09:47:40 AM
Quote from: jamus34 on November 07, 2016, 08:36:44 AM
Jumping in from the other thread.

My youngest (4) right now doesn't have the patience or attention span to play more than games like chutes and ladders or candyland.

My older 2 (7 & 10) are all about games. We play Carcassonne regularly, my oldest knows chess and is starting to developer strategy and the 7 yr old is learning it.

I would like to get them into some light / quick RPG games and strategy. Card games are good too, we've started playing Mille Bourne too.

Any ideas or options to look into

Just a few quick thoughts for possibilities.  These are all games that my oldest 9 likes to play.  The youngest enjoys them, but as I said earlier is not big on conflict with other people.  She has no problem shooting arrows at goblins in our D&D campaign.  :)

Card Games:

Both like this one
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic1355432_md.png&hash=0276108783c77bdd28411d614bbaf4c21c637f6f)
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/125678/dc-comics-deck-building-game

Oldest likes this one.  The youngest understands the game and rules.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic394356_md.jpg&hash=775998af715fb31ee4708fea11165ac7017cc5ee)
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/36218/dominion

Fun Dice Chucker:
Both like although the youngest only really enjoys attacking Dad in Tokyo.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic3043734_md.jpg&hash=815699435bc80df46e6fa8c50c85ee0033c7b3b2)
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/70323/king-tokyo

Fun Area Control game gateway to bigger wargames perhaps:
Both like but fight over the few girl races...I need to pick up an expansion pack.  It does take some reminding and recommending on my part for the youngest because of the variable power/race traits.  Not too bad though.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic428828_md.jpg&hash=d40436f1fb100b5dc9767a4772b796e3fa291c64)
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/40692/small-world

I'd also recommend the Pathfinder Beginners Box as an intro to fantasy RPGs.  Has everything you need for levels 1-5.  Think old D&D red box if you are familiar with that version.  Plus there is a lot of free pdf material on the Paizo site.  I wish D&D 5e had gone this route, but sour grapes on my part.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic2040767_md.jpg&hash=75d9d9f302fafd477c00c8d6eb416db80280bd8a)
http://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/98302/pathfinder-roleplaying-game-beginner-box
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: bayonetbrant on November 07, 2016, 10:26:19 AM
13yo loves him some Dominion.  He even played in the local Dominion tournaments back when he was 10 and 11, and while he didn't make it out of the first round either time, he was competitive in both and easily could've.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Moreb on November 07, 2016, 12:46:12 PM
I like the look of Smallworld. I honestly had no idea there were so many games outside of the famous, mass produced, and often cheapened in quality, 'standard' titles.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 07, 2016, 01:06:02 PM
Its a very good game and it scales great from 2-5 players with different maps for different player counts.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Yskonyn on November 07, 2016, 03:25:34 PM
Thanks for all the input here. I am surely going to keep an eye on it.

Moreb, nicely said. I think we live in a society where 'performance based living' has become the norm. Living the fast-life. Heck, even children in elementary school are bombarded with skill tests these days here in Holland.
I try to be concious about it and intently slow down often. Enjoy the little things. Be offline for a while. That sort of stuff. It's revelating. :) 
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: jamus34 on November 07, 2016, 03:32:50 PM
Quote from: Yskonyn on November 07, 2016, 03:25:34 PM
Thanks for all the input here. I am surely going to keep an eye on it.

Moreb, nicely said. I think we live in a society where 'performance based living' has become the norm. Living the fast-life. Heck, even children in elementary school are bombarded with skill tests these days here in Holland.
I try to be concious about it and intently slow down often. Enjoy the little things. Be offline for a while. That sort of stuff. It's revelating. :)

Standardized testing is the bane of modern society. It teaches kids nothing while taking away valuable classroom time.

/Rant

Sorry. I agree, spend time with your kids. I wish I did and do it more. Even the small things, for example my kids love the car wash
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 07, 2016, 03:48:01 PM
Quote from: jamus34 on November 07, 2016, 03:32:50 PM
Sorry. I agree, spend time with your kids. I wish I did and do it more. Even the small things, for example my kids love the car wash

Its the only way I get my car clean too.   O0
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: jamus34 on November 07, 2016, 04:04:28 PM
Uhh.....er....I meant the automated car wash
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 07, 2016, 04:17:30 PM
Ha!  Not me.  We get out the hose, bucket, and sponges.  It usually degenerates into a water fight, but the car does gets a little water and soap on it too.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Moreb on November 10, 2016, 09:47:39 PM
My copy of Mice and Mystics: Heart of Glorm has arrived but not the base game or the other expansion. I'm debating on whether to open it or not. May want to see how the core game plays first.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 11, 2016, 09:00:40 AM
That is constraint
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 11, 2016, 12:05:54 PM
The latest game added to the family collection is another fun strategy card game.

Arboretum
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic1926202_md.jpg&hash=d34c6198c93b43aa801856711de84034ece8cdd7)
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/140934/arboretum

My daughters and wife really enjoy the game play and the artwork.  I don't disagree with them on either account.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Moreb on November 11, 2016, 03:47:06 PM
You werent kidding. That artwork is splendid.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 14, 2016, 11:57:19 AM
We played a game of Evolution Climate this weekend.  No its not some PC driven climate change game.  I'd played the base game a couple of time previously, but it was the first experience with the game for my girls  They love animals, so it was a nice fit.  There are not a ton of different trait cards, but they can create a huge variety of species and with possible climate shifts between ice ages and hot ages it can get very interesting.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic2876816_md.jpg&hash=c6b133676665ffda67f08c2a503592dcac5daf96)http://boardgamegeek.com/image/2876816/evolution-climate

I will say that the complexity of the trait system was a little confusing for the youngest.  She pick traits based on how cute the picture on the card was.  She said its in the middle of her games not the best and not the worst.  Makes sense as it maybe a little to advanced for her age.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Nefaro on November 14, 2016, 02:26:48 PM
I'm gonna try a game of GMT's Sekigahara (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/25021/sekigahara-unification-japan) with a 9-year old nephew sometime this week. 

He loves strategy games, and can be pretty crafty at them.  As long as there isn't much reading or referencing to do, in which case his eyes just glaze over and a deficit of attention begins to steamroll.  I recall Conquest Of The Empire, and War! Age Of Imperialism's basic rules, being pretty popular with him at age 8.

So when he requests some game time, I try to choose new games that are picture & symbol heavy.  Plastic pieces are always popular too, of course, but not required.

In the case with Sekigahara the rules are quite light and nearly all the mechanics hinge on the blocks' symbols, matched to similar ones on the cards.  Kinda like a fancy card-driven Stratego on a point-to-point map containing castles and cities to capture.


(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic3014419_md.jpg&hash=277e39ed5a6211d95508a4aa8f9ae36427609c9f)



As a bonus, this can easily double as a 1v1 Beer & Pretzels game that most non-hardcore gamer adults can get into easily, too.  I got it as a gateway lure.   :arr:


Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 14, 2016, 02:40:35 PM
Cool.  I'd never really looked into Sekigahara.  It seems like the wargame niche is really lacking introductory/gateway games, which is not good.  I know there is Memoir 44, Maneuver and the like but I would welcome more variety in gateway games. 
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Nefaro on November 14, 2016, 02:54:34 PM
Quote from: Bison on November 14, 2016, 02:40:35 PM
Cool.  I'd never really looked into Sekigahara.  It seems like the wargame niche is really lacking introductory/gateway games, which is not good.  I know there is Memoir 44, Maneuver and the like but I would welcome more variety in gateway games.

Speaking of Memoir 44, I expect to eventually move him up to Battle Cry and C&C Ancients.  But the card-driven aspect of the C&C series is more involved than the cards in Sekigahara.

With this block game, you basically only spend 0-2 cards on your turn to choose how many armies are activated for movement.  For combat they enable an individual block or two at a time (depending on card symbols), with the same Mon symbol in your combating army, to score it's strength in the fight (which goes back & forth until a winner is decided for that battle).

Pretty simple system, really, but the mix of hidden army info, and managing them with very limited resources each turn (the cards), looks like it still makes for lots of strategizing, bluffing, and such.


These types of strategy "Block Games" seem to be a common recommendation for beginners or gateways into wargaming.  The simpler ones, anyway.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: bayonetbrant on November 14, 2016, 03:34:04 PM
Quote from: Bison on November 14, 2016, 02:40:35 PMIt seems like the wargame niche is really lacking introductory/gateway games, which is not good.

Tank on Tank
any of the C&C family - C&C, Battle Cry, BattleLore, etc
HeroScape (if you consider it a wargame)
most of the Columbia block games: Hammer of the Scots, Crusader Rex, Texas Glory, etc
Ted Racier's First World War from Phalanx Games
W1815 if you can find it
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Moreb on November 14, 2016, 09:12:03 PM
Well I received the other two boxes for my Mice and Mystics the other day and late last night I opened the core came. Very impressed with the quality of the product. I'm going to play a few times and then again with the missus so I have a firm grasp on the play before introducing to my daughter and grandson also. I watched a Wil Wheaton game session on Youtube that included his family playing along. A good view. Seem like great folks.

Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 16, 2016, 12:58:52 PM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on November 14, 2016, 03:34:04 PM
Quote from: Bison on November 14, 2016, 02:40:35 PMIt seems like the wargame niche is really lacking introductory/gateway games, which is not good.

Tank on Tank
any of the C&C family - C&C, Battle Cry, BattleLore, etc
HeroScape (if you consider it a wargame)
most of the Columbia block games: Hammer of the Scots, Crusader Rex, Texas Glory, etc
Ted Racier's First World War from Phalanx Games
W1815 if you can find it

I really want to try Hammer of the Scots. 

I picked up 1775 to use as an intro to wargaming for my oldest.  She likes the game, but I can say that her willingness to play was driven principally by her interest in that period of American history.  Ultimately I think that is one of the major sticky points with not only getting kids involved with wargaming, but people in general.  There has to be a compelling interest in the history, or in the case of Battlelore fantasy settings, that is being represented on the table.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: bayonetbrant on November 16, 2016, 01:13:58 PM
you could try Hold The Line from Worthington and see if that piques her interest
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 17, 2016, 10:30:38 AM
Well I've set my sights on a couple of new (for me) titles to consider.

Ra -  A classic auction game.  I really like the look and theme, but damn Asmodee is killing me with the price.  Grrr...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic3013552.jpg&hash=1b94f48674fb9d12e65baaf804f171a3cb8ca448)
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/12/ra

I think this one has real potential to be a hit with the family.  We enjoy Splendor which has some similarity to this but the auction feature is a cool mechanic that is missing from our collection.

Via Nebula - Resource management/movement game.  The art work is simply stunning and it's a fairly simple game, but requires some degree of strategy to accomplish building objectives.  And is right in the age range that is perfect for the kids.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic2839651_md.png&hash=1fa68275d798fda5c3fb5c0d5ba3a57cd39202da)
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/191231/nebula
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 18, 2016, 08:02:17 PM
I'm a weak man.  Picked up Ra, which we played a game of tonight.  Bigger hit than I expected it to be.  Simple mechanics, but a heck of a lot of fun.  And then I had to play 2 games of Sleeping Queens, which I lost.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 19, 2016, 12:18:29 PM
Racked up a games of Smash Up and Alhambra this morning with the kids.  They really like Smash Up, but I want to poke my eyes out.   Not a horrible game, but its not my favorite.  Alhambra is an excellent easy to play tile laying game that has just the right amount of strategy for younger kids.  I'd even play it with a group of adults.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 19, 2016, 08:22:11 PM
Finished off the day with a game of Pandemic.  The oldest and I really enjoy the game.  Tonight was the younger daughter's first play through and she did very well.  Next time I'm upping the epidemic card number...MAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on November 25, 2016, 11:58:34 AM
The daughters and wife found Tokenoko to be a blast to play.  I think that is another very good introductory game for kids.  Its also good for adults who like rules light games with enough strategy to be replayable.  I didn't mind the game, but again I'd rather play games with the family with the hopes of cultivating their love of games.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic1912529_md.jpg&hash=39ac5480cd27fdccd54b4a398f70e388803f4ba5)
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/70919/takenoko
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: jamus34 on December 10, 2016, 04:40:28 PM
Going to take a hard look at the Harry Potter Battle at Hogwarts CC game. Both my older two munchkins have become big HP fans and since Nintendo loves purposely small batch producing nre releases (looking at you Nintendo classic) I think this would be a nice fill in.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on December 10, 2016, 08:59:38 PM
Good stuff Jamus.  The more time away from electronics and spent playing games around a table is a good thing in my book.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Con on December 11, 2016, 12:20:14 AM
Looking for some other games to play with brand new 5 year olds.

Any suggestions (candyland snakes and ladders etc are killing me).  Sneaky Squirrel/Labyrinth/trouble are good but I need some more variety and something to start them thinking on strategy.

Con
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on December 11, 2016, 05:08:27 AM
5 year old twin boys if I recall correctly?  They are getting close to opening up a world of strategy games!  The following are just a few, inexpensive ($10-15) games that are fun and play in 15 minutes or so.  I always found shorter games to be more enjoyable.  The kids attention spans and my sanity being the critical factors.  :)

Outfoxed - Cooperative deduction game.  Players collect clues to pick out which fox stole the pie. 
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2FU8h8LpwbcdTEXpYoj-a1dOKXzgs%3D%2Ffit-in%2F246x300%2Fpic2401324.jpg&hash=9fd2352e65d01639df2a52a08c58ef8922da9fdd)

Rhino Hero - Dexterity, hand management.  Build a card tower, but you need to match shape of walls to what is on your cards in hand to place a roof cards.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2FIO8pG3CpxM7ryDOEqd5c7mWfV1Y%3D%2Ffit-in%2F246x300%2Fpic2022956.jpg&hash=14e3ae977d5d43f0ad47f2972a5f128f13577456)

Coloretto - Hand management, set collecting.  This is a fun one with a subtle depth of decision making as you build up the piles of cards to draft. 
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic149765_md.jpg&hash=4f35eccb2d6a5db7bf3b452acdb3dfffeb6086e5)


Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: bayonetbrant on December 11, 2016, 07:26:13 AM
Quote from: Con on December 11, 2016, 12:20:14 AM
Looking for some other games to play with brand new 5 year olds.

Any suggestions (candyland snakes and ladders etc are killing me).  Sneaky Squirrel/Labyrinth/trouble are good but I need some more variety and something to start them thinking on strategy.

Con

My First Carcassonne (http://amzn.to/2grYEiF) - got my son started on boardgaming
Monster Factory (http://amzn.to/2hitnhJ) - got my daughter started on boardgaming (and she's still only 6, so all over it)
Pounce (http://amzn.to/2gOgDfl) - both kids loved this one

Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: jamus34 on December 11, 2016, 08:32:19 AM
Well I say upfront that the wife and I are extremely strict on screen time not school based. No TV during the week except for special occasions and they can watch / play about 45 min each during weekend days.

Obviously if they need to do school work that is not counted.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on December 18, 2016, 12:01:08 AM
Had a bunch of people over today for a get together and the girls broke out Apples to Apples Jr. to play with the other kids.  I personally dislike the game, but man it makes me happy to think that they grabbed a game to play without any prompting.  The board gaming indoctrination is coming along nicely.  :D
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on December 18, 2016, 01:32:43 PM
Spent the morning playing King of Tokyo, which always devolves into a 2 against 1 affair.  The game is fun, but I think its a better with more players.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic3043734_md.jpg&hash=815699435bc80df46e6fa8c50c85ee0033c7b3b2)
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on January 14, 2017, 05:19:30 PM
We played a 2 1/2 hour game session of Basic Fantasy Role Playing game this morning.  My 9 year old daughter created and game mastered the dungeon and it was really well done and thought out.  She even designed her own monster called a Cave Jelly which she based off of the green slime for a lower level slime/ooze monster.  The best was a fake door trap that pelted the wife's magic user with a magic ice ball doing 4 points of damage knocking her character out.  I had a good laugh as it was an ingenious trap.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on February 06, 2017, 12:47:32 PM
Played some Love Letter and Alhambra with the kids this weekend. 
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: bayonetbrant on February 06, 2017, 12:55:51 PM
How are the Love Letter games?  I keep seeing them at the store, but haven't pulled the trigger yet.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on February 06, 2017, 01:00:28 PM
We only have the original, but its actually a fun, quick little game.  A round takes maybe 5 minutes at most.  Simple rules and plenty of luck to keep the field level. 
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: JasonPratt on February 06, 2017, 01:11:30 PM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on February 06, 2017, 12:55:51 PM
How are the Love Letter games?  I keep seeing them at the store, but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

My pre-10 nieces love it. (I got them the Five Rings variant.) Less than 48 hours after giving it, they had almost worn the cards out! -- they took it to play while going to eat (and impressed the waitress who evidently though it was anime.) One of their aunts liked it so much that she and my sister-in-law both got a set for her!

(They like the card version of Alhambra, too, but the older one has only played one game of the walled version yet. They want to, just need some more training with the new wall rules.)


Quote from: Bison on January 14, 2017, 05:19:30 PM
I had a good laugh as it was an ingenious trap.

My dad still jokes (in an affronted way) about spending two hours thirty years ago, rolling up a character for The Keep on the Borderlands and learning the rules, and then being insta-killed by the spike pit just inside the front door.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on February 06, 2017, 01:14:07 PM
Card sleeves man!  Card sleeves!
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: JasonPratt on February 06, 2017, 01:19:11 PM
Quote from: Bison on November 06, 2016, 11:57:42 PM
My youngest daughter loves Sleeping Queens.  Plays in 10 minutes and she loves the princess art.  I'll admit that I enjoy the game too.  The best part is she knows the rules and can explain them to me.

My nieces three-ish years ago tore Sleeping Queens to pieces playing them so much!

I got the Mice and Mystics game for them long ago, but I've never tried to get them to play it. (I got the 1st expansion new at the time; haven't gotten the 2nd, wasn't out at the time.) I think it would be a little too violent for them, and maybe too creepy/magical for their Mom.


Quote from: Bison on February 06, 2017, 01:14:07 PM
Card sleeves man!  Card sleeves!

That is a solution I should more strongly consider for Love Letter!
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: JasonPratt on February 06, 2017, 01:44:07 PM
Carcassonne my older niece doesn't understand the scoring really, but likes playing it on my phone. They both like the tile-laying Tsuro of the Seas. Niecemus Prime also can play Stone Age relatively well, as long as the phone is doing the rule-work for her. Microniece hasn't gone to that yet, but is starting to pick up Medici (also on the phone) -- in fact she doesn't want NPrime to learn it, so that she can have a game to herself!  ::)

I should look up Castle Keep, but I have a huge backlog of board games they haven't gotten into yet already.

I would love to get them into Dominions, but they need a bit more seasoning I think. Also I have to keep a weather-eye on their Mom (and on Bro by extension though he's more permissive -- but I don't want him to get into trouble with the wife. She's antsy even about them watching Disney's Zorro.  :o ) Still it's hard to bet on what she will and won't like. I was astonished that she's more than okay with Five Rings Love Letter.

I've had King of Tokyo on the scope for a while, but I'm worried it's too fantastic (and combatative) for their Mom.

I picked up Once Upon a Time for Microniece two Christmases ago, with all the expansions -- a real collector's set in total -- which I thought would go over like gangbusters, including in helping her reading comprehension; but as far as I know she hasn't cracked it once. If I'm not there to help them learn how to play, the parents just focus on something else.  :-\

I've had Takenoko for them for a couple of years, but they haven't gotten into it as well as I thought they would.

They've almost figured out how to play Sushi (which goes by another name, too, the green spice sauce forget what it's called).

Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on February 06, 2017, 02:10:14 PM
The base set of Dominion is very simple and doesn't involve any combat at all.  The only card I could think might be questionable is the witch, but even that isn't anything beyond giving a curse card.  Anyway all parents are different so defer to them obviously. 
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: bayonetbrant on February 06, 2017, 02:15:12 PM
There is a second edition base set out for Dominion now. It's even simpler than the old one was
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Nefaro on February 06, 2017, 06:36:07 PM
Quote from: Bison on February 06, 2017, 01:14:07 PM
Card sleeves man!  Card sleeves!

Even penny sleeves extend their lives at an easier cost.

I kinda prefer them just because they're thinner.  So the larger decks don't stand a couple stories tall.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: JasonPratt on February 06, 2017, 07:11:44 PM
There are only 16 cards to Love Letter so thick sleeves would be no problem.  O0
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Ubercat on February 06, 2017, 10:29:47 PM
Quote from: JasonPratt on February 06, 2017, 01:44:07 PM
I would love to get them into Dominions, but they need a bit more seasoning I think. Also I have to keep a weather-eye on their Mom (and on Bro by extension though he's more permissive -- but I don't want him to get into trouble with the wife. She's antsy even about them watching Disney's Zorro.  :o ) Still it's hard to bet on what she will and won't like. I was astonished that she's more than okay with Five Rings Love Letter.

She sounds like a character. Reminds me of a couple of guys I've dubbed The Candyland Twins. They came to a few game nights of our small gaming group a few years back and would veto any game that had the vaguest hints of any kind of violence. Only Euros were acceptable and even then, if any kind of physical conflict were even implied by the abstract game mechanics, they held out for something different.

I finally got mad at their utterly moronic, ivory tower, reality obliviousness and said something about it. I don't recall what I said but it wasn't too obnoxious. To my great relief, they never came back. They probably thought that my annoyance meant that I was going to beat them to a pulp and then cut them into tiny pieces, being the psychotic, violent monster that I am and all.  ::)
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on February 06, 2017, 10:44:07 PM
I never really understood the no conflict mentality.  Sure Ticket to Ride for example doesn't have "conflict," but it sure as the hell can be very cut throat.  Passive-aggressive conflict at its finest.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: bayonetbrant on February 07, 2017, 07:12:30 PM
Sleeping Queens with Bayonette

(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/fr/cp0/e15/q65/16422735_10109057056677735_634061683605370551_o.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=4291fe8759ee6884f7946acaaba83923&oe=5944B632)
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on February 07, 2017, 07:23:03 PM
Hey!  We have that same carpet.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: bayonetbrant on February 10, 2017, 06:31:21 AM
if you want to include Legos in the RPGs

http://studdedplate.blogspot.com/search/label/building%20the%20bestiary
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Emeraldlis on February 11, 2017, 06:31:21 PM
That's adorable Brant , wish my daughter was that age again , it's a magical time :) is bayonette counting how many times she's won you  ;)
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: bayonetbrant on February 11, 2017, 08:23:15 PM
No. That game lets you discard based on equations. She's doing the math
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Emeraldlis on February 12, 2017, 09:46:46 AM
Cool  8) sounds like a great game for getting kids interested in arithmetic  O0
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on February 17, 2017, 12:23:10 PM
Hive is awesome not only kid friendly but fun for adults too.  The chesslike quality of play is a very enjoyable strategy game.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Nefaro on February 20, 2017, 05:54:38 PM
Played Tales of the Arabian Nights (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/34119/tales-arabian-nights) with a 9-year old nephew this weekend.

While I was being cut up by crazy sailors, and getting turned into an Ape and driven insane by a variety of wicked enchantresses, he was on the golden path nearly the whole time.  Becoming a warlord for a city of Mermen and gaining all manner of blessings and wealth before cruising to a win over me.  Despite being enslaved by an Efreeteh the turn before his win.  :)) 



Think he enjoyed the storytelling stuff in it.  Picked it up no problem as long as I was reading the storyteller entries for both of us. 

I also have Agents Of Smersh (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/111105/agents-smersh), which has a similar storytelling system but is set in a James Bond type of 1970s spy action Co-op game.  May try that one in the not too distant future, even though it has more mechanics to learn.  Surprisingly good at learning game mechanics after being told how they work; he catches me messing up regularly.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Arctic Blast on February 21, 2017, 06:18:11 PM
Castle Panic is an excellent co-op, though the add-ons definitely add quite a bit of crunch to it. I wouldn't go beyond the first expansion (Wizard's Tower) when playing with small kids.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: bayonetbrant on June 06, 2017, 03:24:02 PM
hey Bison!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/admagic/rise-of-tribes/?ref=grogheads

They might be a little young for it right now, but looks like a cool one they could grow into.
I'm backing it  8)  :bd:
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on June 07, 2017, 06:54:33 AM
^ The game looks pretty sweet.  I'm not sure I'll back it, but I will keep an eye on it after it releases.

We recently have played Clank! which is a great deck builder dungeon delve race sort of game and Santorini an awesome two player abstract game.
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Bison on June 24, 2017, 06:51:35 PM
Played a few games of Santorini today.  Great brain burning abstract strategy game for everyone, but very simple rules make it kid friendly.  The god power cards are a lot of fun too and change up the rules and strategies.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/194655/santorini
Title: Re: Gaming with Kids
Post by: Nefaro on August 11, 2017, 08:10:38 AM
You may want to check out the new game from Iello - Arena: For the Gods!


Arena fighting game with mythological heroes.  Says ages 8+.  But still looks fun to me, as an adult.

Supposedly in the same difficulty category as their King of Tokyo/New York games.  Although Arena has a more hex-based move/fight/push spatial strategy.  Plays in about 30m.


http://www.iellogames.com/arena.html