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One of the biggest challenges when it comes to playing – and enjoying – games as a family is juggling multiple ages and developmental levels.

So, how do you enjoy board games with toddlers underfoot? How do you have a family game night when you have children of all different ages? How do you get your big kids to be patient with your little kids?

How to Enjoy Board Games With Toddlers Underfoot: Playing Games with Children of all Different Ages and Stages

How to play – and enjoy- board games with toddlers, and when playing with kids of different ages and developmental stages

It can be challenging to have a successful family game night… especially when you have children of all different ages and developmental stages!

One kid wants to play [easyazon_link identifier=”B00U26V4VQ” locale=”US” tag=”mylitpop-20″]Catan[/easyazon_link], another is arguing that [easyazon_link identifier=”B00H4OKN48″ locale=”US” tag=”mylitpop-20″]Apples to Apples[/easyazon_link] is a better choice and all the while you have a toddler running underfoot, knocking pieces and dissolving into a mushy mess on the floor.

So, what’s a mama to do?

Well, it’s not going to be perfect, but with a little creativity, it can be so much better!

Strategies for making family game time work for children of different ages

Here are a few ideas to make family game time a little bit easier:

Introduce a gateway game first and play the older children’s game after.
Encourage big kids to teach little kids how to play new games.
Try playing cooperative games together.
Choose to play a game with big kids during nap or quiet time.
Play with big kids when your little one is asleep for the night.
Consider using “teams” and have your little one be on your team, move your pawn, roll the dice, etc.
While you play with your big kids, set your little ones up with another game at your feet. [easyazon_link identifier=”B00A8Q0S6M” locale=”US” tag=”mylitpop-20″]Hullabaloo[/easyazon_link] is a great choice!
Let your toddler “play” but abandon rules. Give your little one a pawn and let him move it all over the board, every which way. Your little one will feel included and have a sense of control, but you can still play with your bigs.
Set your toddler up with an activity while you play with your big kids.
A little bribery can work wonders, too. (Am I allowed to say this here?)

And, above all, remember this: It won’t always be this difficult. You are in a hard season and you will muddle through and come out the other side… hopefully with little gamers!

Here are a few of our family’s favorite games for toddlers and little kids

Is your favorite listed here?

InLinkz.com

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**Now, it’s your turn. Tell me: How do you enjoy playing board games as a family when you have toddlers underfoot or children of varying ages and developmental levels? Share here!**

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These are great tips! I admit that with 7 kids from 2-18, I’ve often gotten frustrated when we tried to do a game night. I’ll put some of these to use.

LOVE THIS! We have so much trouble with board games – since the older three are 16, 13, 11 and the little two are 5, 2.

I’ve found some games work better with littles around than others. Dixit (not one you listed but it is SO creative!) is grand because the cards are interesting and not vital to gameplay (so littles can take a few to play on their own). Firefly, not so much!

I do my game playing with my preschooler while my toddler is napping or down for the night. Thank you for the game suggestions, my kids don’t need any more toys and I’d love us to have a wide selection of games.

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