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QuestionGames with positive player interactions? (self.boardgames)

submitted by ilario_entertainment

Hi all. My son and I love playing board games together. He's 7yo and we're trying to expand our collection. Any recommendations for family-friendly games are appreciated!

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[–]trying-this42 7 points8 points  (3 children)

My child really liked Out Foxed when she was younger. We also enjoyed my first castle panic, although he’s probably pretty close to playing regular castle panic. Forbidden island is also a good one to look into. They’re all coop.

Quacks is not a coop game but there’s no negative player interaction and it’s fun.

[–]ilario_entertainment[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I've heard a ton of positives about Quacks. I need to pick up a copy ASAP.

[–]GoosemanIsAGamer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't sleep on Castle Panic - amazing game that we played with our kids as they grew up and still enjoy playing as adults. Wizards Tower is a great expansion for it.

[–]Direct-Mix-9376 0 points1 point  (0 children)

very good game definitely pick up a copy

[–]Cautious_Sherbet6789 11 points12 points  (5 children)

There’s a lot of great games out there that are recommended for 8 and up but aren’t just “kids games” but fun for adults as well. (My recommendations are for next year…)

Ticket to Ride

Sushi Go

Forbidden Island

Takenoko

Dixit

[–]Cautious_Sherbet6789 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are youth versions of TTR, Scythe, and other games, but they’ll outgrow the youth version pretty quickly.

[–]ilario_entertainment[S] 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Ticket to Ride is my personal fave. We play the original version since I like it so much haha. Sushi Go! as well 😄 thank you for the suggestions!!

[–]etkiiNegotiation, power-broking, diplomacy. 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Are there any positive player interactions in TTR?

[–]ilario_entertainment[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I guess not really, but I just love that game. I think I need to go the co-op route though. I haven't explored that avenue of gaming in years.

[–]LeBeQs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You could probably say the Train Station (I think it's only used in ttr europe + expansions) is kind of a positive interaction. It leads to overall more successful objectives

[–]Bagginnnssssss 4 points5 points  (2 children)

If you start with twilight imperium now he could be a killer at age 8

[–]RVAVandal 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Conveniently that's about the time the game will finish

[–]Reymen4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are always better the second time you play it. 

[–]shinobiwarrior 7 points8 points  (3 children)

I was gonna mention Flamecraft (the only direct interaction is giving resources to other players) but it might be a tad too complicated for a 7yo

[–]sandara3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe Flamecraft Duals might be more appropriate , but it's two player. You could sort of play it co-op with a young child. 

[–]lilbismyfriend300 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I think it's too much for a 7 year old. While it is a "nice" game with cute art, and isn't very deep strategically, it has enough mechanical complexity to push it past a true gateway/intro game.

[–]shinobiwarrior 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup. I guess someone with more imagination could adapt some rules to make more kids friendly, but it might not be worth the effort

[–]MyOtherSide1984 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm sure what "positive player interactions" means, but that'll rule out many of the common family games like ticket to ride, Catan, sushi go, kingdominos, and others unless you aren't playing to win so you avoid getting in their way or hurting them. If you're fine with "gotcha"s, then they're perfect.

Some things like Tokaido, Harmonies, or coop games would be good picks. They may be more visual but with strategy that isn't super impacted by other players as much. You're playing your own game together, but with some gotchas still.

It really will require being nice and mindful of what others need unless you play coop games, of which I don't have much experience unfortunately

[–]tjhc_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Carcassonne - Simple enough for a child, fun as an adult as well. Most of the time you build the beautiful medieval scenery together and in a 3+ player game, it can make sense to actively help each other completing shared projects.

[–]SinghilarityArchipelago 2 points3 points  (2 children)

I really like Bonanza, although it's more limited at 2p.

The game forces you into situations where you need to trade beans you get, & more often than not everyone feels like they got a pretty good deal in the exchange.

I actually note that it has very pro-social interactions in it, which is one of my favourite things about it!

(Can start teaching them card counting, too...)

[–]LarryBird27 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I laughed because this is one of the more contentious games that i’ve played. Maybe it was just my group, but people love telling other people when they’re making a terrible deal, and it can be fun because of it. Funny how opposite our experience has been.

[–]SinghilarityArchipelago 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Highlights the joy of playing together, eh? Not just the game, but the gathering of players & what the game brings out of them. ✨

[–]RVAVandal 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Pandemic was pretty successful for us. Learn geography while cooperating together

[–]formiciniEldritch Horror 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lanterns: The Harvest Festival is easy to learn, feature nice-looking tiles, and the main mechanism is "choose something and everybody benefits from it".

[–]nonalignedgamerIMO. Your mileage may vary. 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Well, given games are fictional playful situations with no real life repercussions, ALL interaction is positive. It's just roleplay. 🙂

Till COVID hit I've been running boardgame workshop for kids for some 6 years (ages 7-14). 

stuff we used - copypasta from older comment]

  • Speed recognition and speed deduction games. These were a staple of our workshops. Most of these are as challenging for adults as for kids - some are more challenging for kids though. For young kids I think Dobble / Spot it would work (there are some version for younger kids). For older kids - Halli, Gali, Pick-a-dog/pig/seal/bear, Kakerlakensalat, Dr Eureka (or some of other speed puzzles). For teens - Ghost Blitz, Jungle Speed, Cortex Challenge (speed quiz). For serious pondering - SET
  • Stacking games - these are great for small kids (and adults!). Animal upon Animal and Rhino Hero are staples. Other stuff: Go Cuckoo (an easy one), Hamsterrolle (middle), Riff Raff (unforgiving). 
  • Flicking games - these tend to have high skill ceiling. nontrivial for adults. Coconuts (just great and allows for much more skill than it appears), Ice Cool (same thing), Pitchcar (for 5-8 players, not really for smaller groups)
  • Roll and move (yes!). Especially check Drei Magier Spiele's line of products - everything that won or got nominated for Kinderspiel prize in particular. Magical Labyrinth (this is a hit with kids, roll and move + memory), The Enchanted Tower (roll and move plus bluffing, great for 2 player - adult and kid for instance), Spiderella (published by Zoch, very interactive/evil roll and move, also has a unique pulley mechanism). | These were all non trivial for adults. Kids could also beat them.
  • Memory games - memory can be a great equaliser as kids are as good in it as adults. - first the mentioned Magical Labyrinth. Then something like Memoarr - (this is more of light family game) or Leo (similar idea, but a co-op. really nice one too). For memory game with planning (set collecting) check My first Stone Age which is quite a nice package as a game all together.
  • If you're brave you can check speed memory games - El Capitan (2016, Gigamic) is quite hard and 10 year old beat me because they were doing mnemonic (so much for no skill argument). Deja-Vu is another speed memory game. 
  • Push your luck - I've played Diamant/Incan gold with 8 year olds and it's always a blast. But it really works for larget groups (5-8 y.o). For a very simple push you luck - check if Duck Duck Bruce is available. A great family game if you can find it is Pyramids of Pengqueen (originally Pyramid) - really streamlined asymmetric game. 
  • other - Win lose of Banana (2 minute basic social deduction you can make yourself), Cheating Moth/Mogel Motte (UNO with cheating, well sleight of hand), Kakerlakenpoker (game of lying through your teeth - for an even simpler game of this type check Ciao Ciao ) The Mind (telepathic co-op)

Here was a list of some heavier family games, but I think these would be too much 

  • Dice Games - King of Tokyo was the most complex game kids were willing to learn on their own (goes up to 6 players). Bang the dice game is similar but simpler, yet requires at least 4 players (goes up to 8)
  • Auctions? No Thanks! For Sale. The issue with these is that kids find the themes boring.
  • light(er) abstracts: Hey that's my fish (works for kids too), Blokus + Blokus 3D (works for kids but harder to wrap brain around). The issue with these - look simple, but aren't. Maybe best if kids play between themselvess.  

[–]Reymen4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Roll and move has been shown to measurable improve kids ability to count. So if nothing else that is always good. Make sure you use a die with numbers.

[–]Soccerref3244 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Quacks, Cozy Stickerville, Flip 7, Castle Combo, Cascadia Jr.

[–]sonicNH 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Dorfromantik and Dorfromantik: Sakura play nice

[–]gallimaufrys 4 points5 points  (1 child)

forbidden island might be worth a look, it's coop but might be a tad hard for 7. would depend on the 7yr old I think. 

[–]Sumnation 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My six year old plays forbidden island with me. He needs some help sometimes and doesn’t exactly play optimally, but he enjoys it.

[–]Woots4ever 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Race for the treasure is the only one that comes to mind. 

We also just changed the rules for some games. Dots, swish, and Set. We just worked together to make sets/groups when they were younger. Then made it harder or played against each other as he got older. 

Edit: there is a lion king jr whatever board game that is coop interactive but it was so hard to play with my child for them to understand group goal achievements. But it is there and meant for younger kids. 

[–]Johnno117 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you like Dungeon Crawlers, or Dwarves, then have a look at Deep Rock Galactic. It's about scifi Dwarves going down into an alien world to dig for riches, shooting creatures, fighting for their life and so on.

Based on a video game with the same name.

Was my main "PvE" (players versus environment) game for several years.

[–]rtSUrprise18 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Space Escape - Mole Rats in Space is a cooperative game we enjoyed.

[–]Invisig0thStreet Masters 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Aeons End is a great cooperative game that is deliberately designed with LOTS of player interactions. Sometimes your best skills involve helping out your buddy. If that’s what you’re looking for, check it out.

[–]casualsactap 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Splendor is great. My son loves it

[–]mpokorny8481 1 point2 points  (3 children)

What is “positive player interaction”? Any game with enough depth to be “interactive” is just a framework for human relationship. Which can be “positive” or “negative” whatever those mean to you. The real teaching moment for a kid (or an adult or anybody) is how to negotiate the interpersonal connection that comes from a robust human to human “interaction”.

I realize for a lot of people games are a safe space to intentionally limit or remove the scope of those interactions but any game capable of holding itself a positive interaction is inherently capable of the negative as well.

[–]ilario_entertainment[S] 4 points5 points  (1 child)

I'm just looking for things that aren't going to send him into a crying panic I guess 😂

[–]mpokorny8481 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know, as a father of a kid I’ve tried to get to play games I get it, but I think there’s a teachable moment here.

The answer you’re looking for is anything published by HABA. Rhino Hero is a good place to start.

[–]BoardGameRevolutionDungeon Petz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s where one player takes an action and others fee something as well. Usually the player taking the action gets a better or stronger reward.

[–]Accomplished_Dog508 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you're looking for something with a campaign to it Familiar Tales is a really good family game with a web based app that takes care of teaching you the setup and walks you through the first mission. The web based app is used throughout the whole game for narration and tracking who's turn it is.

[–]UglyYinzer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

5 minute dungeon. Pay it with my son and his cousins every year (use the app with it, simple and good)

[–]purplepickletoes 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Diced Veggies, Roll n Cook (available free online) and Railroad Ink.

[–]Direct-Mix-9376 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would recommend the marvel united game but if you get the game get the plastic pieces and cardboard locations

[–]Reymen4 2 points3 points  (4 children)

After reading the title and before hearing about children involved I would have recommended "Sidereal Confluence". Where the only interaction is that you trade resources with each others. But that is far to hard. Look it up in 8-10 years. 

Instead have you checked out cooperate games? Games such as "Pandemic" and "Forbidden Island" have people use their abilities to help each other accomplish a goal together.

A bit harder game, but not nearly as hard as Sideral Confluence is "Zoo Vadis". In that everyone has an ability that they can't use themselves. Instead you want to try and get someone else to use it and pay you for the privilegium. It is a racing game where you want to get to the goal first. It also has nice wooden animal figures if your kid (or you) like that. 

You might be able to say that Race for the Galaxy has positive interaction? In that game the only interaction between players is that everyone picks what they want to each turn. Then everyone else also get to do a weaker version of that action. So you can get to do multiple different actions each turn, but only the action you have chosen is at "full power". In that game you compete to get as many points as possible. 

[–]Defiant-Youth-4193 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Race for the Galaxy for a 7 year old is crazy.

[–]Reymen4 0 points1 point  (1 child)

All of my recommendations are probably crazy for 7 years olds. I am bad at picking games for kids. They are so hard to know how experienced they are, and they might be able to play really hard game if they like the theme or their parents are good teachers, or they dont play at all. 

I just made recommendations that wagly fit the theme and trust the parents to read up on them if they believe they fit. 

[–]Defiant-Youth-4193 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think Forbidden Island is a really good rec for a 7 year old. Good intro to a mechanic that will translate well to future games too.

[–]ilario_entertainment[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We've actually never played co-op games before. Last time I played one has to be at least 10 years ago. Someone else mentioned Forbidden Island so I definitely need to check that one out.

[–]etkiiNegotiation, power-broking, diplomacy. 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Trading games are full of interactions that are mutually beneficial:

  • Bohnanza
  • Chinatown/ Waterfall Park

[–]SadCrocodile762 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My little scythe 💯 

You actually get rewarded for giving opponents resources 

[–]shaman717 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Calimala 

[–]Jolly_Cardiologist38 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Toy Battle

[–]arayoung9 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My son just turned 8. Here are some games he has liked playing while he was 7: Splendor, Gizmos, Rallyman, Sagrada, Sea Salt & Paper, Tiny Towns, and Sardines

[–]zoeybeattheraccoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Labyrinth is a classic where players can play the same game with different complexity levels. We played it so much that the copy was practically ruined by the end.

Savernake Forest is a cute and engaging card game using a card river, drafting and pattern construction.

Lost Cities is another classic 2 player game that will sharpen his math skills.

Diamant is a great push your luck game that anyone can play. It's a little better with more players but you'll still like it with 2.

He might like Century Spice Road too.

[–]Express_Grocery_4707 [score hidden]  (0 children)

Try cooperative games like Flashpoint (play as firefighters!) or Forbidden Island. 

[–]Indie_ukCascadia 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I think survive the island would be great as a family game but I don’t have one so haven’t tried it as such

[–]BoardGameRevolutionDungeon Petz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s the opposite of positive player interaction

[–]BoardGameRevolutionDungeon Petz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check out some of Daniel Garcias games. Barcelona does iirc