best strategy board games for families

Alright, alright, listen up ya’ll. We’re gonna talk about them board games, the ones for the whole family, you know, the kind that keeps the young’uns off them darn phones. I ain’t no fancy expert, but I know what’s fun, and I know what gets folks laughin’ and thinkin’ at the same time. We ain’t got time for them complicated games with a hundred page rule books. We want games that are easy to learn but hard to stop playin’, right? So here we go, the best strategy board games for families, according to me.

First off, let’s talk about them classic games. You know, the ones your grandma and grandpa probably played. There’s chess. Yeah, chess. Don’t go rollin’ your eyes at me. It ain’t just for them brainy types. Chess teaches ya’ll to think ahead, to plan your moves like you’re plannin’ a good harvest. It’s about outsmartin’ your opponent, and there ain’t nothin’ more satisfying than checkmatin’ your brother-in-law after he’s been braggin’ all day.

Then there’s checkers. Now, checkers is simpler than chess, but don’t let that fool ya. It’s still got plenty of strategy. You gotta be thinkin’ about how to trap your opponent, how to get them kings. And it’s a fast game, too, so you can squeeze in a few rounds even when you’re busy. My grandkids, they love checkers. They get so competitive, yellin’ and jumpin’ around like a bunch of chickens in the hen house.

• Chess: teaches you to plan and outsmart your opponent.
• Checkers: Simple, fast, and still strategic. Fun for all ages.

Okay, now let’s move on to some newer games, the ones that ain’t been around forever but are still a whole heap of fun. There’s this game called Ticket to Ride. I don’t know who come up with that name, sounds kinda silly, but the game is good. You collect these colored train cars and try to claim railway routes across a map. It’s easy to learn, but there’s enough strategy to keep you on your toes. You gotta be thinkin’ about where to go, how to block your opponents, and how to complete your secret destination tickets. My daughter she plays that one all the time, says it makes her think and she has to make a good plan or else her sister always wins. I don’t get it much but they seem happy.

Another good one is 7 Wonders. Now, this one might sound a little fancy, but it ain’t so bad. You’re building a civilization, collecting resources, constructing buildings, and developing your military. It’s a card game, so there ain’t no board, but it still feels like a strategy game to me. You gotta be payin’ attention to what everyone else is doin’, and you gotta be thinkin’ about how to get the most points. And the best part is, it plays pretty quick, so you can fit in a game even when you ain’t got a lot of time.

Let’s not forget about Catan, or Settlers of Catan, whatever you want to call it. This one’s about buildin’ settlements, roads, and cities on an island. You gotta trade resources with other players, and you gotta watch out for that darn robber. It’s a game that can get pretty intense, with lots of wheelin’ and dealin’ and sometimes even a little bit of arguin’. But that’s part of the fun, ain’t it? My sons they fight like cats and dogs when they play, but at the end of the day they are still friends and have a good laugh. That makes a momma happy.

Important thing is finding games that everyone enjoys. You don’t want somethin’ too complicated that the young’uns can’t understand, and you don’t want somethin’ too simple that the older folks get bored. You want a game that everyone can play and have a good time, no matter how old they are or how smart they are. That is the trick to family fun and making good memories. And sometimes, it’s not about the game. It’s about spending time together, laughin’ together, and making memories. That’s what really matters, you know? So go on, get yourself some board games, gather your family around the table, and have some fun. You won’t regret it. That is my advice to all you folks, ya’ll hear now?

And don’t forget, there are lots of other great strategy board games out there. These are just a few of my favorites. You can go online and look for more, read some reviews, ask your friends for recommendations. There’s lots of stuff on the computer these days for that, my granddaughter shows me sometimes. The important thing is to find some games that your family will enjoy and that will bring you all together. And the best strategy is to have some darn fun and not take things too seriously. Remember that and you will be just fine. Games are for joy and laughter not fighting and anger. Take it from this old lady.

• Ticket to Ride: Collect trains and claim routes. Easy to learn, lots of strategy.
• 7 Wonders: Build a civilization with cards. Quick and engaging.
• Catan: Build settlements and trade resources. Intense and interactive.

So there you have it. Some good games for you and your kin. Now go on and have some fun. And don’t forget to put them darn phones away and actually talk to each other for once!