Christmas is coming and I love to find games that my kids will play for hours. Currently, I have four boys in my house within the age range of 8 to 14, so I am sharing from personal experience the games that have worked for us.
These are great ideas to give to grandparents or other family members when they ask for recommendations.
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Carcassonne
In Carcassonne, players build the area surrounding this impressive city, one tile at a time. They then place a follower on fields, cities, roads or monasteries in order to score as many points as possible. These followers will become knights, monks, farmers and thieves, depending on where they are placed. No matter their function, the player who will most cleverly use their followers will win the game.
One summer we took Carcassonne on our family vacation and most of the kids were found playing it in the sunroom each morning when we woke up! Every time you play it, it’s a different game. Always a new challenge and always a lot of fun.
Stratego
This is a classic game that I remember playing as a kid! When I found one at a yard sale and brought it home for my kids, they were hooked. Stratego mixes capture the flag, battlefield strategy, and spies! What’s not to love?
Civitas
Civitas is a fast-paced card game that is so fun, your kids might not realize they’re learning about different forms of government. I was excited when Bright Ideas Press came out with this game and grabbed a copy right away. It did not disappoint.
Rush Hour Logic Game
This game is another classic. I had one child that played Rush Hour non-stop for about a year. It’s a great option when a child needs something to fill their time that’s also a terrific brain workout.
Pandemic
My husband takes our four boys to a local board game night in our town once a month. They have discovered many new-to-us games this way, and Pandemic was one of these great finds this year.
Pandemic is a cooperative game – you all win or you all lose.
Four diseases have broken out in the world and it is up to a team of specialists in various fields to find cures for these diseases before mankind is wiped out. Players must work together playing to their characters’ strengths and planning their strategy of eradication before the diseases overwhelm the world with ever-increasing outbreaks.
Ticket to Ride
This cross-country train adventure game is a favorite of our family. It’s a great way for kids to learn geography while they try to travel by rail to the most cities across the USA.
Quadcopter Drone
I know, I know. This last pick might not be exactly educational, but we bought it recently for one of our boy’s birthdays. It has been the best gift ever! An easy-to-use entry level drone that is good for beginners and kids. It’s also at an entry level price for a drone. We found it to be good quality, and once the instruction manual was read and understood, there has been happy flying and in-the-air flips ever since!
So that’s my list of top games for kids in the 8-14 age range this year. What would you add? Comment below!
