Junior Scrabble

I didn't know this existed until my partner bought it for his older children, but we didn't really look at it as Reuben can't read or write confidently yet. Then he spotted it today and wanted to give it a go, it was a lot of fun and he started making some words. Isaac also joined in, mainly counting the letters.

 

 

We have the Mattel version with a double board, one side is like a picture crossword and is suitable for ages (I'd say) 4 to 6, the other side looks more like a conventional scrabble board but without values allocated to letters and no complex scoring system.

What I also liked about the game was the fact that the boys didn't really have to play a "proper" game, they could just mess around with the letters and familiarise themselves with how words are made.

 







More cooperative board games!

We really have got the bug now! I ordered these two great games from Peaceable Kingdom and we've not put them down since (and they are a lot cheaper than the Myriad ones).

Count your chickens!

For ages 3+ so we could all play this one.
The baby chicks have flown the coop! All players work together to help Mother Hen collect her chicks and bring them back to the coop. To start, players place the 40 baby chicks all around the board. Mother Hen is on start. The object of the game is to get all 40 baby chicks back inside the coop before Mother Hen gets to the last space on the board. Players spin and move Mother Hen, counting the number of spaces she travels. For each space travelled, players collect that number of baby chick markers and place them in the coop. But watch out for the fox! If the spinner lands on the fox a baby chick is removed from the coop. Players take turns, but work together – players count aloud together, collect the number chicks together and, if they collect them all, players win together!


Race to the treasure!

Ok, I REALLY like this one, ages 5+ so Isaac could not play it but Reuben (4 and a half) is fine with it, he even understands the use of coordinates.
Players try to beat the Ogre to the treasure by creating a path from START to END. Along the way they need to collect 3 keys to open the treasure. Players strategize, cooperate and build the path together. If they do it before the Ogre gets there, they win!

Co-operative games

While in France, the friends we were staying with had a number of board games for adults and children alike. I found that Reuben disliked the competitive ones and could not get into the whole winner/loser thing, he often cheered when others scored points and did not abide by the rules... (I quite like this about him!)
But the games he did like were the co-operative ones where all players come together to achieve a common goal, you still take turns and follow rules but everyone wins when the target is reached, avoiding a lot of upset or boasting (depending on who has lost or won).
I did a bit of research and found a number of these games on the Myriad website.

They are appropriate for most ages and include:

Shadow in the Woods Board Game

A co-operative game for children 5 years and up, requiring the help of an adult to move the candle. The object of the game is for the Gnomes to unite under one tree. The candle tries to find the Gnomes and freeze them with its light. A second co-operative game on the board's reverse is for children age 7 years and up. Here the candle is stationary, and the gnomes must move through the shadows and jump over the light.

 

 

Orchard

Ripe sweet cherries and plums, juicy apples and pears are hanging from the trees and are ready to be picked. But the bold raven also has his keen eye on the fruit. Can the fruit be harvested quickly before the raven can snatch it away? A co-operative game for 2 or more players.

 

 

Princess

An exciting co-operative fantasy game for age 4+. Our Princess needs to be rescued from a mean guard and a fierce dog. It's not going to be easy, and besides, darkness is coming. Off we go into the fields, woods and meadows in search of things magical and practical required to free the Princess. This co-operative game is a firm favourite with our testers.