Game On!

Not watching a lot of TV has a strange affect on people: they actually want to do something. Weird, right?

Case in point: We can hardly sit down to dinner before someone asks "What are we gonna play tonight?"

In case your family is looking for something to do, here's our top picks for unplugged family entertainment....

1. Settlers of Catan

What the Kids Think:

• "It's fun. I like how it has different scenarios." -9 yr old
• "I like that we're competing, but that we're not fighting each other." -12 yr old
• "I like it when we do the fish." - 6 yr old. (The fish come with anexpansion pack).

Quick Rundown:

​For 3 to 4 Players, ages 10 & up. BUT our kids start at 5 (they partner up with a parent until they are ready to fly solo). 

What the grown-ups think:

• Lots of ways to earn points to win, and the game is changes everytime. 
• The grown-ups aren't bored with it.
• We have totally gotten our money's worth out of it.
• Lots of cause and effect, but chance is involved: you cannot make the dice do what you want. It's an easy way for kids to learn that life doesn't go according to plan, but you must keep trying!

Get the Most out of Catan:

• Watch the online tutorial from the company. Shows you how to play very quickly.
• We let the kids take turns setting up. It's half the fun designing the game, but you can kill it before you even start if everyone is argueing about which scenario to play. Figure out what works for your family! 
• Always use the same color for each player. If you are red, stick with red. It is very confusing otherwise.
• Bigger families can play. If you have 5 or 6 that will want to play, get the extension for the main game. It comes with green and brown game pieces, extra cards, and extra board pieces so you can set up a bigger island. (We have found that the other extensions don't always need the 5-6 player extensions that are offered. We can usually make do, unless you need ships).
• We made it a little easier on our youngest players by changing the Robber: you pick a card from the bank instead of shutting down someone's property.

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2. Ticket to Ride

Quick Rundown:

2 to 5 players. Ages 8 & up. (Our 6 yr old plays by herself).​

What the Grown-ups Think:

• Papa loves it. Less chance involved and he wins a lot.
• Mama could take it or leave it. I don't mind playing, but I don't find it very challenging. One of my sons loves it though, so I knit and play.
• Pick up some geography facts.
• Gotten our money out of it.

What the Kids Think:

• ​"It's fun to play." -12 year old.
• "Trains, and it's entertaining for a fun time after dinner. It's fun and stuff like that. Something for when you're not in the mood for Legos." -9 year old.
• For once in her life, the 6 year old has no opinion. Go figure.
• The toddler loves playing with the extra train cars.

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3. Eve's Choice: CandyLand

What Eve Thinks:

"I love it because it has gingerbread men and girls and ginger and candy and princesses and lollipops and because there's a lot of chocolate and a lot of cookies."

What Mama Thinks:

I like it when when we follow the House Rule: Take the special pink cards out of the game once they've been played. We started that rule after a ninety-minute game that would. not. end. There were tears. (Even the most easy going kid does not want to get sent back to the beginning five times.)

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4. Micah's Pick: Monopoly

What Micah Thinks:

"Well... It's a good source of math, and I can basically beat everyone, unless I'm against Papa (who I can still beat sometimes). The one thing that is hard is that no one wants to play, which is because I always win."

What Mama Thinks:

Monopoly? You want to play Monopoly? Um... Let me see where your Papa is! (I have had some ugly Monopoly experiences that just ruined it for me).

But I love that they're doing so much math, so it's still a great game, if you ask me.

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5. Levi's Pick: Seafarers

What Levi Thinks:

"I like it because you get to build ships and expand your area and sail to other islands.  And there are lots of scenarios and they are fun. Besides, it's something other than Monopoly, which Micah wins nearly everytime."

What Mama Thinks:

Yes, I know this is just more Catan. But we really enjoy it. (Our kids actually pack Catan when they visit their grandparents).

The Seafarers Expansion gives you new board pieces, boats, cards and scenarios. (This is the one we found we did need the 5 & 6 player expansion). 

As far as the cost, I totally believe that if your family takes to Catan, the expansions are a great investment. We've used them as Christmas presents. We have others that we enjoy, but I'll save that for another day!

What About Your Family? What Do You Like to Play?

Copyright 2016 by Anna Travis.  All rights reserved.
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