Cactus Game Design Message Boards

I am looking to improve the board game/card game collection at the child development center where I work.  The children are from ages 5-13.  What games would you suggest?

Games we already have (I don't remember all but will update list):
Risk
Monopoly
Monopoly Jr.
Bibleopoly
Clue Jr.
Sorry
Connect Four
Stratego
Star Wars Stratego
LIFE
Phase Ten
Go Fish
Uno

Chess sets never hurt, and Apples to Apples is always fun. I would also suggest Battleship. And you're obviously missing the one game that everyone on these boards will point out

I'am on the pro tour for lucky ducks, don't be hatin'.

I'd forgotten about Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Catan. I think the Settlers of Canan version has a Redemption card or two  Also, there are multiple versions of Ticket to Ride, including a Scandinavian one.

If you enjoy Risk, look into other versions of it...favorites of mine include Star Wars and Lord of the Rings Risk.

The variants are more challenging strategically, and while I would play RISK with an 8 year old, I wouldn't try those until someone was probably 10.  My favorites are LotR (specifically the Trilogy Edition), and 2210 AD.

CandyLand is a must.

Candyland is NOT a game.  As soon as you shuffle the deck, the game is determined.  All you are doing is flipping over cards and going through the motions.  There is absolutely NO choice in the game.  There is absolutely NO interaction in the game.  There is absolutely NO fun in the game.  I repeat, it is NOT a game.  [/rant]

Tap into their creative side.  Pictionary is great for that.  Also that game where you mold clay into shapes to guess....Cranium??

I just played Labyrinth with the kids I nanny for (7,9,11, and 14), and it was a huge hit. The seven year old crushed us. NO idea how she did it.......

Snorta is a fun game for that age group.

Snorta is a fun game for any age group. Especially 7th-9th grade girls. I would know.

~Britta