The 10 Best Board Games For Kids

Ravensburger Labyrinth (appx. $19) is simple enough to be picked up in minutes, yet still rewards strategy and thoughtful execution. It's one of the rare titles that parents can play with young children and find themselves actually having as much fun as the kids.

A game that will hold the attention of both younger and older players, Peaceable Kingdom Race to the Treasure (around $16) encourages cooperation and creativity. It's a nice foray into the fantasy genre that doesn't get too complicated or alienate more reality-oriented children.

If you don't want your kids sitting around on their duffs all day, Gotrovo Treasure Hunt (appx. $30) gets them up and moving. Little ones — up to 20 at a time — have to solve riddles, find clues, and follow a treasure map. It has incredible replay value, as all the cards are reusable.

For older children, consider The Settlers of Catan (about $33). Winner of the impressive "Game of the Century" award, it's an addictive strategy title that only takes about an hour. There are also expansions that include other genres or even allow for more players.

The colorful Candy Land World of Sweets (appx. $11) is not quite what you remember. It's still simple and engaging enough for a pre-kindergarten audience, but both the characters and the board have undergone revisions that make the game more complicated and visually stimulating.

This edition of Hasbro Connect 4 includes variants on the classic game, in which two players take turns competing to finish a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal pattern in their chosen color. Its simple, yet unpredictable, nature gives it cross-generational appeal.

Cheerful and cooperative, Peaceable Kingdom's Hoot Owl Hoot (around $16) offers an excellent chance to teach younger kids about the value of teamwork. There is no competition between players, only a common goal to reach in order to secure the win for everyone.

If your child needs a game that requires no reading comprehension but still fosters the development of math skills, Chutes and Ladders (about $14) fits the criteria. It also teaches moral choices by rewarding good deeds and punishing bad ones (like beating your parents).

If your child prefers the idea of building something, try Melissa & Doug Suspend (about $13). Rubber-tipped wire frames turn into interesting sculptures as long as you can keep them balanced. It's a perfect way to redirect destructive impulses into creative ones.

Hasbro's Battleship (appx. $9) has never lost its appeal. This no-frills edition allows you and your children to once again enjoy the simple things in life, like simulated naval warfare and the joy of losing a bunch of tiny plastic pieces.