Family Game Night

Monopoly (this is the Sponge Bob version)...

and DKT are 2 family favorites.

The beloved Austrian board game DKT and Monopoly are basically the exact same game!  
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As we swing into the longer nights of winter... we spend some family time together playing board games (at least once a week anyway).  By the time my son gets home from school and gets his homework done - it is just about dark!  So, games are a nice way to break up the evening.  
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My son is now 10 and does a great job as the banker for Monopoly and DKT.   Sneaky way to teach math and change counting, etc. And playing as a family gives you a safe environment to not allow cheating and specifying what the rules are before they go out and play at another house.  I think most 10 year olds like to win, and as parents - I think sometimes it is easier to just let them win so they are happy, but in the long run - you aren't doing them any favors.  So, we play by the rules and he usually wins anyway, but is also learning to loose, if not gracefully, then at least - not in a sulk.  Phew.  It is all for fun.
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We also play Sorry!  But - I am on the lookout for a new board game for the family (3 players so that rules out the 2 player games).  Any favorites?  Suggestions?  I am thinking maybe Life.  What are some of your family favorites?

On the weekends, we head outdoors!  Not that we aren't outdoors a lot during the week, but school takes up such a chunk of the daytime.  Anyway, it IS getting cooler here, but mid-day is usually fairly nice.  We like walking and bike riding - just taking it easy and enjoying our time together.  

Note:  You can get all sorts of versions of Monopoly - from the Classic, New York, Sponge Bob, Dr. Who, National Parks - lots more!  Amazing.  Just be sure that you are ordering the board game if that is what you want, not some electronic version!