Snail Pace Transformations

Transforming Life Inch by Inch

  • Home
  • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
  • My Story
    • Books Read In 2022
    • Let’s Chat!
  • Work At Home
    • Reselling
    • Point Programs
    • Blogging
  • My Book
  • 52 Resources For Stretching Your Money
  • My Shop

15 Family Favorite Board Games & 7 Ways To Spend Less On Them

Share
Pin
Tweet
Share

how to purchase board games for less

Our daughter LOVES board games. Every Christmas and Birthday she has a new one on her list. I try to make a point of making time to play one with her at least twice a week if not more. She twists her Dad’s arm to play a few times a month too, and when her friends come over at least one board game is played if not several.

Over her 11 years of life we have purchased and played a lot of board games with her, some she liked but my husband and I hated. Some my husband and I liked but she really did not care for.

Here are 15 games that the family agrees are fun and worth purchasing

(Links in this post are affiliate links. I will be compensated when you make a purchase by clicking those links. See my disclosure page for more information)

1.  Blink

Blink is a fast paced card game great for pattern recognition skills. My daughter loves it because it is fun and addicting. I love it because we can complete 3 rounds in under 15 minutes, so even on my busiest days I can squeeze in a few rounds with her.

2. UNO

UNO is a classic that I loved when I was a child and am now sharing with my daughter. Great for those nights you have a bit more time because it can take a while. Make some hot cocoa sit back and bond as you play.

slam3. SLAM

When I don’t have time for a full game of Scrabble, SLAM is a close second. It works on children’s ability to spell small words too.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

4. In A Pickle

 In A Pickle is a super silly yet super fun game that will stretch your child’s creative thinking skills.

5. Yahtzee

Yahtzee will brush up your child’s math skills without them knowing it.

6. Connect 4

Another fast yet enjoyable game that can be squeezed into a busy day is Connect 4.

pictureka

7. Pictureka

My daughter got Pictureka at a yard sale and we both love it! Right now it is our current favorite game that we play at least a few times a month together.

8. Monopoly Junior

The original Monopoly is great when you have a whole evening ahead of you to play but if you are more pressed for time Monopoly Junior  is just as fun and works on basic money skills yet takes under an hour to play (the original game has been known to last for hours in our home).

9. Apples to Apples

You need the whole family for  Apples to Apples, or better yet several families. Great game for gatherings, very fun. There is also a junior edition available.

10. Scrabble

Scrabble is a classic that in our house requires a dictionary close by so that cheaters can be challenged.

battle

11. Battleship

During the summer on our front porch you could hear “you sunk my battleship” at least once a week.

12. Candy Land

Candy Land is getting pushed to the back of the game shelf more and more now due to my daughter getting older (she is currently 11), but when she young was Candy Land was a favorite, so much so the pieces are looking really worn now.

chutes and ladders

13. Chutes and Ladders

Chutes and Ladders is a simple game that is fun for all ages. As you can see from the photo in our house, my husband get pretty emotionally involved in this game!

14. The Game Of Life

Make sure you allow a whole evening for The Game Of Life, but it so much fun and the more people who play the funnier it gets.

15. Sorry

My absolute favorite childhood game (UNO is a close second). It seems whenever hubby plays a board game with our daughter Sorry  over 75% of the time he chooses Sorry so I am guessing it is a favorite of his too.

Now that you know a few great board games though how do you afford to start collecting them. Well as a mom of a board game loving child I have picked up……

7 different ways to save money on board games

1. Shop Sales

Board games tend to go on sale just before Christmas, especially at stores like Target or Toys R Us, watch flyers and deal sites for the best deals.

2. Use Coupons

Board game companies often release coupons of the most popular games at various times of the year. I find out about them by following Money Saving Mom.

3.  Stock Up During After Christmas Sales

I have purchased board games for us much as 75% off at Walmart, Meijer, Target and Barnes & Noble. I store them to use as Birthday gifts  for my daughter and her friends throughout the year.

4. Yard Sales

My daughter has purchased a few board games to add to her collection from yard sales. Word of caution, make sure to take the time to read what should be in the box and then check inside and make sure the pieces are all there.

5. Game Swaps With Friends

Children get bored of playing the same game over and over and so do parents. To enlarge your collection without emptying your pocketbook ask another family if they would consider trading a few games with your for a month or two with the agreement of “if you loose a piece you repurchase the game for them”.

6. Thrift Stores

Thrift stores often get great games donated, again just like at a yard sale I advice you to take the time to make sure none of the pieces are missing.

7. Use Swagbucks

Make your Swagbucks account your family game night fund, and save up points to cash in for gift cards to Target, Walmart, Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Become A Snail Pacer

Receive a monthly newsletter full of tips for making life changes at a realistic pace.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit
Share
Pin
Tweet
Share

Filed Under: Frugality

Comments

  1. Helene says

    December 10, 2013 at 6:54 am

    We are board gamers at my house too. Sorry is my younger daughter’s favorite while my older girl (12) loves “Ticket to Ride” and “Puerto Rico.”

    Reply
    • Victoria says

      December 10, 2013 at 6:58 am

      I have not hear of any of those, I will have to check them out.

      Reply
      • Aimee May says

        December 15, 2013 at 1:44 pm

        Ticket to Ride is very good!

        Reply
  2. Barb @ A Life in Balance says

    December 14, 2013 at 4:38 pm

    Woohoo! We have a number of the games on your list. I need to look for SLAM. It sounds like a great game for kids learning their sight words; I have 2 practicing them right now, and another one learning them next year in Kindergarten.

    Thanks for sharing your list at Motivation Monday.

    Reply
    • Victoria says

      December 14, 2013 at 4:42 pm

      Yes SLAM is excellent for learning sight words. When I first started with my daughter I handicapped myself a bit when I played it with her to give her a chance to keep up.

      Reply
  3. Tammy says

    December 17, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    Loved these suggestions. Hubby and I love playing board games and we are grandparents!! I posted this on my FB page for others to read.

    Reply
  4. Paula says

    December 17, 2013 at 2:01 pm

    I used to always buy a new game for the family for Christmas and then we spend New Year’s Eve playing it! Many memories there. Our newest favorite is not a board game but a dice game called Tenzi. It is a blast for any age

    Reply
    • Victoria says

      December 17, 2013 at 6:21 pm

      I will have to look that one up, I have never heard of Tenzi before.

      Reply
  5. Dottie says

    November 2, 2014 at 2:18 am

    our family favorite has been the Amazing Labyrinth by Ravensburger. All ages can play.

    Reply
  6. Ann Marie says

    April 15, 2015 at 9:59 pm

    My son is 3 and loves Candy Land which I found at a yard sale years ago to play with our nephew.
    We just bought Chutes and Ladders and he has a difficult time seeing the numbers and board graphics so do my husband and I. It is strangely squished looking. So we will be hunting for a new board at thrift stores. The Milton Bradley one is good especially the one from the 80’s but shipping was a lot on Ebay.

    Reply
  7. Melissa says

    July 28, 2015 at 6:19 pm

    Our family loves Blokus. You can play with two players, but is more fun and challenging with three to four players.

    Reply
    • Victoria says

      July 29, 2015 at 4:58 am

      I haven’t played Blokus before I will have to check it out.

      Reply
  8. Allison says

    November 29, 2016 at 4:25 am

    There is a German game called Mensch ärgere Dich night that is similar to but even older than Sorry, and my family likes it better than Sorry, in case you want to give it a try. You may have to do some translating with google translate for the rules, however.

    Reply
    • Victoria says

      December 5, 2016 at 9:02 am

      I am going to have to take a look at this game. I LOVE Sorry.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Follow Snail Pace Transformations

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Looking for something?

Sign Up For My Newsletter

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

Hi, I'm Victoria

Welcome to the Snail Pace Transformations blog where I share my tips for improving finances and home management one small step at a time. Why small? Because small changes are more likely to transform your life.

My Book Thrifty & Thriving Available On Amazon

Recent Posts

  • An Easy Start To Finish Yard Sale Plan (Step-By-Step Instructions)
  • 45 Ways To Turn Your Laptop Into A Money Making Machine
  • 59 Fun & Affordable Spring Activities For Families
  • Spread Love This Valentine’s Day With These 41 Bible Verses
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Lifestyle Pro Child Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in