Game Recommendations
 

Looking for recommendations for Board or box type games. There are two families I get gifts for at Christmas and I usually get some sort of family type game as a gift. Family One has 4 kids ages 15-8. Family two has 6 kids ages 18 to 10.

Anyone have any ideas for something fun and different?

We're big fans of Sequence. It has connect 4 sensibilities with a little more thought and interest. Can be played individually or with teams, good family game.

Apples to Apples

I'm a big advocate for Settlers of Catan, the first Euro-game to really catch on here in the states. It's very accessible, and different from any Hasbro or Parker Brothers game you've ever played.

Of course, I can't help but pitch Disaster On Everest but mostly because my name is on the package, as I got to do playtesting on it. But it's a solo game, so obviously, not suited for family game night. (But for those nights alone, it's fun - as are other Victory Point solo games like Nemo's War and Circus Train.)

Thanks for all the recommendations. I'm just not a gamer, much to Maddie's annoyance, so look at all these games and I have no idea what's fun or not.

Apples to Apples - hilarious party style game, requires minimum 3 but really 4 people to play.

Electronic Catch Phrase - love that game, frustrating to some, also requires minimum 4 players

Settlers of Catan - don't recall how many people it requires to play but I like it. Kind of a board game version of Civilization.

I have not played the other recommended games. But as long as I'm posting here again, I'll throw a couple more suggestions out there:

Scattergories - can be successfully played with as few as 2 people, can also be played by many more

Balderdash - a slightly "older" game, it's basically "dictionary" with the words on cards instead of chosen from a book. Can be really funny if players have a sense of humor.

Blokus - can be played by 2 or 4 players. Puzzle game.

Lawn Darts are ALWAYS AWESOME!

Haha Matt. My friend who has 6 kids I ususally get gifts like the crayon melter, things you can shoot your siblings with, I got an ant farm and pre-ordered the ants. You know caring friendly gifts like that :)

Quarters, Queens, the 24 dammit game, beer pong...

Kings Corner, fun checkers derivative.

Spin the bottle

This is a fun game- we play it all the time.

....."Hi, Bob!" or it's equivalent. :D ( I hear the Finding Nemo ride has potential in this area).

I second "Apples to Apples." I've played this a couple of times in a big group and it was really fun to see some of the pairs submitted.

Cranium is also another favorite, or any of the many variations they have developed. It combines a lot of different elements like trivia, spelling, drawing, and performance so no one should feel left out.

I saw a new one at the store the other day that looked interesting called Dicecapades. Haven't played it though.

Finding Nemo ride could kill you as a drinking game. The official account I recall is 28 "Nemo"s during the ride.

I've had mixed results with Apples to Apples but when it works it is a blast. But sometimes the vibe hasn't quite kicked in and it fizzles.

We like blokus. Lord of the Fries is still one of my favorites. Kill Dr. Lucky is fun, too. Ticket to Ride can be fun, but I prefer the US board to the European board, despite wanting to prefer the latter.

Name a game for which that isn't true.


If you can find it, Formula D Racing is a great game. Well, it's a great game even if you can't find it.

I could name plenty of games that don't require a lively social atmosphere to enjoy.

I play and enjoy cribbage online all teh time and for all I know my opponent is in the process of hanging himself and just wanted one last sad game.

But Apples to Apples is entirely dependent on the social vibe. Mechanically it is not a particularly interesting game.

Kill Dr. Lucky rules! :snap: It's like a reverse Clue - instead of solving the murder, you're trying to commit it. (But, in comedic ways like with a frying pan, etc.) We've played it with a 10 year old, and she LOVED it, as much as older kids and adults do.

Also, I recommend Carcassonne, Guillotine, Apples to Apples, and Killer Bunnies. :)

Guillotine is wonderful! Easy to learn, can be played with just two people (but more is also fun), and doesn't take hours to finish.

Thanks everyone - lots of choices, I love it!

The nice thing about Carcassonne - it's never the same game twice. The board is made up of tiles that are played as the game progresses. Because of that, there is no set-up time, and it also travels well. :)

Russian roulette?

You failed to mention Nude Twister. I'm disappointed. :p

Taboo is great because it comes with a buzzer. I wish I could carry that buzzer around all the time and use it during conversations with annoying people.