Christmas gifts for children: board games by age

It is a rough guide, because children of the same age are very different. It is better not to give a game too early: a child who keeps failing soon loses the joy of it. There is no upper limit: many games stay appealing well beyond the minimum age. The choking-hazard warning “Not for children under 3 yrs.” is a different matter: it points to dangers for small children, such as small parts that could be swallowed. Take it seriously, especially if there are younger siblings in the house.

Children only learn to lose little by little; between the ages of three and six, they do not have to manage it yet. Games in which everyone wins or loses together take the pressure off. Examples in this selection are Bandido from age 6, Just One and The Game: Quick & Easy from age 8, and Sky Team from age 10. In one-player puzzle games such as Camelot Jr., nobody loses. In competitive games, short playing times and adults at the table help: when everyone sometimes wins and sometimes loses, a child finds it easier to shrug off a defeat.

In games that call for dexterity, concentration, stamina or sticking to rules, the younger child is almost always at a disadvantage, and the older one feels held back. Games without right and wrong, such as Rory's Story Cubes Classic, cooperative games or teams made up of a younger child and an adult are a better fit. Let the older children explain: both benefit.

Usually one that suits the child well is enough. Overflowing toy boxes tend to overwhelm children rather than stimulate them; experts advise fewer but long-lasting toys that can be added to over time. That works well with games: for Rush Hour there are extra challenge cards, for Dixit new picture cards. In any case, what matters more than the price is that someone plays along: better briefly and with undivided attention than for a long time and half-heartedly.