Choosing a family game with children of 6 to 8

What to look for at 6 to 8

The age on the box. It mainly says whether a child can follow the rules. A game marked "8 and up" may ask too much reading and counting of a bright six-year-old, while a game for "5 and up" can bore the adults quickly. When in doubt, pick a game whose age on the box is no higher than that of the youngest child playing.

Reading and counting. Young readers drop out quickly when cards are full of text. Check whether the game works with pictures, colours and numbers up to ten.

Playing time. The box tells you how long a game takes. For this age 15 to 30 minutes fits; also look at games under 30 minutes.

Luck and choices. In a game with a lot of luck a six-year-old can beat an adult. In a game with many choices the parents win more often. A mix of the two suits most families.

Children's versions of well-known games

Many big family games have their own version for younger children, with shorter rules and a smaller board. Children get to know the game and can move on to the full version later.

• Ticket to Ride: First Journey: laying train routes on a simple map, with coloured cards and few rules.
• Catan Junior: the children's version of Catan, with pirates, islands and a smaller board.
• Carcassonne Junior: laying tiles and building roads, without the scoring of the full Carcassonne.
• Dragomino: the children's version of Kingdomino, with dragon eggs instead of points. Dragomino won the Kinderspiel des Jahres in 2021.
• Regenwormen Junior: the dice game known in English as Heckmeck or Pickomino, in a version for younger players.

The games in this row are Dutch-language editions; the game’s page lists the languages.

Together against the game

In a co-operative game the whole family plays together against the game. That helps children who find losing hard, and parents can think out loud without taking over.

Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo's Treasure from Libellud is the children's version of Mysterium: one player is a ghost who gives clues with sounds. It won the Kinderspiel des Jahres in 2023. You will find more in our guide to co-operative games.

Fast and loud: reaction and stacking games

Reaction games are short and need almost no explaining. In Halli Galli and Dobble everyone plays at once, and children are often quicker than their parents. Rhino Hero is a stacking game in which you build in turns.

• Halli Galli: turning over fruit cards and hitting the bell as soon as exactly five of one fruit are showing. There is also Halli Galli Junior.
• Dobble Giant: the big version of Dobble (Spot It), where you look for the one picture two cards share. Zygomatic lists age 6 and up.
• Rhino Hero: taking turns to build a wobbly tower of cards and sending a rhino up it. HABA lists age 5 and up.

When they are ready: the next step

Around eight, many children can join in with ordinary family games. Qwirkle works with colours and shapes and won the Spiel des Jahres in 2011. Kingdomino won the same award in 2017 and plays quickly. Labyrinth from Ravensburger, here in a Stitch edition, has you sliding corridors until your treasure is within reach.

Browse all family games, the games for age 6 and up and for age 8 and up. Looking for a Sinterklaas or Christmas present? Read the gift guide as well.