| By :
Mark Etinger
When it comes to kids board games, you know all the classics and the ins and outs of what to get your child. There are tons to choose from for the younger set and it's easy to always find out what new board games have come out for them recently. But for older kids, you may be at a loss as to what board games will keep them interested, or if they are going to want to keep playing them at all. It's easy to get your kids to move from Don't Wake Daddy to board games that are a bit better for their age and to make it a family event so that they keep playing them as they get older. There are a lot of games that work the brain by forcing players to use strategy and to plot out their moves. Some great educational board game choices for older kids are war strategy games. These have always been popular, with classics like Risk and other games that have emulated it. It's all about commanding troops and conquering land, working quickly and smartly to defeat your opponents. For a more immersive experience, new board games with role playing elements pop up all the time. The original, which also inspired role playing video games and fantasy movies alike, was Dungeons and Dragons. It has a long history and a really intense fan base. Of course, if that seems a little too complicated for your young teenager, you can start with something easier like Forbidden Island. The game sends adventurers (that's you and your child) on to a forbidden island to find treasure without getting caught in traps and stuck in the ruins. It's exciting and fast paced, but easy for the younger set to understand. Role playing games run the gamut from regular fantasy fare to horror, and adventure; some are even based off of popular television shows. They often last long runs, usually not ending until several plays in. That could turn a game into a nice tradition, to pull out the board once a week or every other week and make it a part of the weekend. A great way to keep your older kids into board games is to make them part of a family game night, or to give them as gifts and offer to spend the time to learn it with your child. Board games are important because they promote being social, instead of just holing up with a video game. They force players to think, to plan, and to understand the consequences of their decisions.
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