Board games that work for families with mixed ages

This piece for Ridents collects the advice that holds up in practice.

The best family games take ten minutes to explain, give younger players a real chance and still reward adults who think ahead. Cooperative games, where everyone wins or loses together, remove the tears that competitive ones can cause. Look for simple rules with a bit of luck, a short playing time and pieces that are satisfying to handle.

The best family games take ten minutes to explain, give younger players a real chance and still reward adults who think ahead.

Rotate three or four titles rather than buying constantly. Keep them within reach rather than on a high shelf, play at the table after dinner, and let the youngest player choose. A regular games evening, even once a fortnight, becomes something everyone looks forward to and remembers long after the console games have been forgotten.