Growing up as a kid, I adored board games. I never played many computer games, but oh how I loved my board games. I loved sitting down with all the cool little pieces spread out around me, reading the rules, thinking, forming strategies and game play.

So I was very keen to start playing board games with my own children.

I started out buying a few board games. But very quickly I realised that what I thought was cool, was not what my kids enjoyed. The trick was finding games that were age appropriate.

I was also quite frustrated with purchasing board games, because you can’t open the box, and take a look at how the game might play.

I had to rely on word of mouth recommendations. But truth be told, I don’t know of any parents who are… heh… particularly obsessed about the satisfactory game play of a children’s game… like me.

(Did I mention I used to design and make online educational games for children?)

Thankfully, my local toy library buys lots of educational board games for children aged 2-6. So my kids and I now have the opportunity to test out heaps of board games, that I probably would not have purchased.

I’ve discovered that some kid’s games are just crap – they are hard to play, have complicated rules, poor engagement, the squares are too small, game pieces are not logical, no educational outcomes, no satisfying end to the game that makes the kids want to play again.

But some board games are just fantastic! They make my kids (and me) squeal with delight and laughter, they are fun and engaging, and have different versions and levels of game play. Plus the kids will learn stuff and will talk about the game throughout the day. That’s when I know the game is really successful.

So I’m going to review a whole heap of children’s board games that my kids just love! I hope you enjoy them as much as we have!

(If you have any recommendations, feel free to send them my way. I’d love to hear from you!

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