Does your family have a game night? I want to start one with my family – even though my oldest is only 2 ½. I think it would be so much fun – have home-made pizza and play games. Anyone else do this? What games are you playing?

UPDATE: Here are board game ideas from The Motherboard and Parents.com (for all ages)

7 Classic Board Games for Kids

home made "match" - I laminated pics of family members on the front of playing cards (after my kiddo lost some of the deck).  And a game we think is fun "Don't Wake Daddy" - it's a board game

When my oldest was little we would play Trouble all the time, he still loves it at 9 1/2. Now we play Battleship, Clue & Monopoly.

Today I actually introduced Chutes & ladders to my 2 1/2 y.o. and he loved it. We of course didn't play exactly by the rules but just learning to take turns was fun for him. He also enjoyed "Don't Break the Ice".

Good luck with your new adventure.

 My son is older now, but here are some games he loved when he was only 2 and 3--and he STILL loves them! So they are a great investment :)

The Hungry Caterpillar

Horton Hears a Who

I Can Do That

Toy Story Yatzee

Cootie

Candy Land

Hi-Ho Cherry-O

We like to make a quick easy pizza, then a mix to snack on while we play.

We live close to extended family and they have always had game nights nearly weekly.  We host mostly because our kids are the youngest, i.e. go to bed earliest.  That said, the adults and older kids (over age 10) tend to play.

We hope to change this in the New Year with a game called Qwarkle (for 6+).  We generally play a game with dominoes called "turkey" with the adults but it is too complex for those under 10-12.  Qwarkle is a bit like dominoes in that you have to match up tiles but it uses shapes and colors.  So the plan is to have all the kids play and at first have the 5 and 3y/o be on a "team".  I think my 5y/o will pick it up quickly.  We figure the little ones may play a round or two then the 3-9y/o will likely go off to the toys.  We will either continue with that Quarkle game or start one of our own.  Guess we'll see.

If you want a good game for a 2.5y/o Candy Land would be the way to go.  Memory games with matching cards are good too..just only put out  3 matches at first, build the number of cards put out as your child can sit longer and gets better at matching.  Do not expect to finish a game unless you child is really into it.  Many games are for 3+ due to choking hazards AND attention span and other skills required to play games (like taking turns).

Best of luck.  Board games build so many skills, counting, colors, shapes, taking turns, good sportsmanship regarding winning and losing, attention skills, etc.  and it's all in the name of good fun too.