25+ Best Games for Grandkids
What are the best games every grandma should have at her home? As a former preschool teacher for 11 years, I am here to tell you that the little ones are capable of so much more than you think! You can pretty much ignore the age rating on the games for the youngest of children. Just let them play. Gradually show them how the game is supposed to work. Adjust your expectations.
The whole point of all of this is to spend quality time with your grandchildren, and there is nothing better than playing games unless it’s reading books!
The older the kids, the more they will be able to do obviously. Every new game can be a challenge when they are learning, so be patient and enjoy the process.
My 3 boys have flown the coop, and the games for the older kids are the one that they enjoyed the most over the years. I now have 2 grandchildren who are young, but the 3 year old is really starting to like to sit and play games for awhile!
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25+ Best Games Every Grandma Should Have At Her House
Obviously, you might not have all of these because they take up so much room. But, I recommend having one or two for each age/stage so that when you have them over, you have something to do on a rainy day or before naptime or whenever the mood hits!
#1 Best Games Every Grandma Should Have: Ages 1-2
When you have a 1 or 2 year old, the goal is for them to have fun and to keep their interest. These games are not for winning and losing, but for you to cheer them on as they play.
A Wooden Shape Game, this Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set, or set of shape matching eggs will keep them busy for a little while before they are on to the next thing!
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Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set
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Buy Now →#2 Best Games Every Grandma Should Have: Ages 3-5
Kids at this age are so smart! They are ready to learn strategy, hold a few cards, and work as a team. Start simple, and add in more difficulty over time. It is so much fun to watch them problem solve!
Outfoxed: Think Clue for preschoolers. It is a fun and cooperative board game that is perfect for younger kids.
Feed the Woozle: Another fun game that encourages cooperation. There are 3 levels of play, so you can adjust the difficulty as they learn.
Don’t Break the Ice: My boys LOVED this one and I can’t wait to play it with my grandchildren!
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Buy Now →#3 Best Games Every Grandma Should Have: Ages 6-10
I’ve taught most grades of elementary school over the years, and my kids loved when we had indoor recess so that they could play a few games. I don’t think many played games at home, so this was a real treat for them.
UNO Card Game: Uno is a classic. My boys had so many Uno tournaments with cousins and on campouts. They even created a sort of solitaire version when they were all alone.
Connect 4: I remember playing this classic game with MY grandma!
Monopoly Junior: Monopoly has created updated versions for a younger audiences. Parents and grandparents will love that they are a little faster to play than the original.
Rummikub: This is a fun and simple first strategy game. Play with tiles showing until they catch on. Adjust the rules as they progress.
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Buy Now →#4 Best Games Every Grandma Should Have: Ages 11-15
Board games for this age can be hard to find. You have really smart kids who are not necessarily that mature yet. Here are some games that are really fun for this age group.
Pictopia: There are many versions of this game, so pick your favorite. This is a trivia game with options.
Kids Against Maturity: This game is so much fun! Question and answer cards, humor, and so much laughing. Perfect for a family game night.
Hedbanz: Another fun game where guessing is involved.
Ticket to Ride Board Game: Another game with many versions. Great game for teaching strategy.
Battleship Classic Board Game: Do you remember playing this? It teaches strategy and memory skills. You sunk my battleship!
Giant Spoons: This game is easy to learn and fun for hours! Be quick!
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Buy Now →#5 Best Games Every Grandma Should Have: Ages 16+
Your older grandchildren are ready to play any of the card games or board games you love to play. These games are all still rated G, but they are all fan favorites with our kids.
CATAN: Many version of this, as well as extensions. My grown kids come home and play this for hours.
Five Crowns: This is another game that my kids love. They still go over to their grandma’s house and play with her!
Apples to Apples: Great game of comparisons. This has been a favorite with all my kids’ cousins over the years.
Password: So many hours playing this with our boys!
Play Nine The Card Game of Golf: Laura says her family probably played 100 hands of this game last Christmas. It’s a golf card game.
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Play Nine The Card Game of Golf
Buy Now →#6 Other Fun Items to Have Around
Playing Cards: General rule of thumb would be to have a deck of cards for each person.
Wooden Building Blocks Set: These are fun for any age, but especially the little ones.
Wooden Pattern Blocks: This can be plain blocks when they are little, and then the designs can challenge the older kids.
Play Scarves: These can become anything, and are great for playacting and dancing!
Inflatable Reindeer Antler Ring Toss Game: Fun for everyone no matter their age!
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Inflatable Reindeer Antler Ring Toss Game
Buy Now →NPP Reader Recommendations! Share Your Favorites!
Skull King: Dawn E. recommends this game saying: “I purchased it a few years ago as a new game for New Year’s Eve. I required everyone to wear some kind of pirate costume, even if just a hat. I also purchased a pirate medallion necklace at the party store for the winner, which they would keep for the next year. In addition, the winner would be named the Pirate King/Queen. A new tradition was born. The competition has been fierce and fun and this game kept us sane during Covid. I hope you give it a try!”
Left Center Right came in as a recommendation from Valerie C., a friend of Laura’s. She says her family plays with dollars and people get crazy excited. Quarters can be used with younger children.
Carcassonne: Kari A. recommended this as a great option intead of Catan. It’s similar, but not such a commitment, which for me can sometimes seem endless. I am ordering this to see what my adult kids think! Here is the basic game, and here is an extension. There are a couple other expansions.
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Buy Now →This post was really fun to write. There is nothing better than having a grandchild -I love my little grandson so much, and now that he is almost 3 years old, we have started playing so many games together when we are together!
The best thing to remember when playing games with children, no matter their age, is to lower your expectations, and really focus on having fun.
There need to be some ground rules once they are old enough to have cell phones -which will be different for everyone. I would encourage you to have a phone basket for them to be put away so that the time is more focused and eliminating as many distractions as possible is always for the best.
Have fun, and let the games begin!😍
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