Best Board Games #8: Monopoly

Playing board games together is one of our family’s favorite past times.   This is the an article in a series of top 10 best family board games. <–You can see the entire list with all the details there.   This is the top family board games list so far:

Top 10 Board Games for Families:

10. Streetcar 9.   Empire Builder

8.   Best Family Board Game: Monopoly

Buy the Monopoly Board Game Here: Monopoly Board Game Board Game Designer: Charles Darrow Publisher: Parker Brothers Players: 2 -8 Time: 120+ Age: 8+ (My recommendation: 7+) Fun to Age Ratio: 10 Type: Real Estate Strategy——–x-Luck I know what you’re thinking – Monopoly?!   What kind of gamer’s list includes Monopoly?   Well, mine.   It may barely fit into the category of strategy game, but it is the granddaddy of board games and still can be really fun to play for a wide variety of ages. I expect everyone knows the game, so I won’t get into a gameplay description.   The common criticism of Monopoly is that it goes way too long because of its last man standing denouement.   That’s right, I used the word denouement.   Actually, you should be able to get a good game in by 2 hours if you follow a few words of advice:

• First, get your fastest, most focused and math-intensive player to act as banker.
• Second, don’t dawdle.   Pass the dice quickly.   You can have fun without inane chit-chat (actually that rule applies to any game you play with me, which is why I ™m called the board game fun police ).
• And third, aside from a few slight tweaks discussed below, FOLLOW THE RULES.   No free money on Free Parking.   No free hits as debt payment.   Those types of changes delay player bankruptcy and subsequently lengthen the game.

As for the tweaks, one thing our family has done is eliminate the $1 bills.   Just round everything to the nearest $5.   It affects the game very little and speeds up banking considerably.   Another thing to consider is once the game is down to two players, you could set an ending point such as X number of times around the board and the player with most assets wins.   Or just let them duke it out as quickly as they can but it can be a tough watch for those who are already out. There are tons of Monopoly versions out there.   I know, I have a bad habit of collecting them.   Try to stick with just a plain ol’ Monopoly board.   I find if you have a good banker you can play faster than with the electronic credit card system, which I think is unintuitive and clunky.   But if you like it, go for it. Most importantly, revisit this classic family game.   It might surprise you. iPhone/iPod/iPad editions are available.

WHAT WAS THE BEST FAMILY GAME ON OUR LIST?

Check out all the details on the family game Acquire as our top pick for best family games to play on family game night! #2 Settlers of Catan #3 Ticket to Ride #4 Elasund #5 Puerto Rico #6 Carcassonne #7 Railways of the World

MORE BOARD GAME FUN FROM KIDS ACTIVITIES BLOG

• If you take our board game recommendations, you will need some really good ideas for board game storage!
• If you have creative board gamers in the house, check out our ideas for DIY board games.
• Need some personalized board game pieces?
• Have you played the Hocus Pocus board game!
• Many of our favorite games are online board games for kids.
• And if you need additional ideas for board games for family night, we have you covered!
• {Squeal} Make a life-sized Chutes and Ladders board game outside with chalk!
• We have a fun printable board game that you can download.

What is your family’s favorite board game to play together?