Can anyone give some advice on how to get young children interested in board games? My family has always enjoyed playing together, but with competition from computer games and television I'm having trouble holding my kids attention.

Does anyone have some recommendations for good games to start with and how to hold my daughter's interest?

I found with my children when they were younger that you could try Chutes and ladders or Candyland which they always enjoyed and I would play with them. There was nothing that they liked better that beating mom.

Even Operation is fun. I hope this gives you a few ideas.

Oh and before I forget, I know what you mean by video games and Tv. My son who is now thirteen can't get enough of his PSP and his Playstation Two and my daughter is seventeen and has her own stuff in her room, but I am amazed at both of them because from the time they were younger till now, they actually still enjoy sitting down and playing a board game with me.

I would just turn the tv off and say "Alright kids, who wants to play"? I'd let them choose which game and we would start. Maybe this will also help you. Good luck and enjoy yourself and your children. They're only young once.

I had given Candyland a shot with my oldest and she liked it until she went to a friend's house and they had invested in the DVD version. From that point on she found the "do it yourself" version much less interesting.

I'll give Chutes and Ladders a try.

My daughter is 5 and has no interest in board games. My husband got me a game called Blokus for Christmas and funny thing is Annabel likes it. She'll only play for 1 or 2 games but it's a start. Her friend Carter (a boy) has it and likes it too.

I know my daughter recently wanted twister and of course, she is taller than her brother and watching them play was hilarious. He had to stretch two times farther than her.

Twister is a good game if you want some laughs.

Wow, Twister has had some staying power! That game has been a favorite for years. Mine are too small to enjoy it right now, but later on I know they'd love to play.

I took a look at Blokus and was impressed by the recommendation of Mensa as well as Dr. Toy. I noticed that there's also a travel version of the game. If we get it and the oldest finds it entertaining I'm going to add it to my list of stuff for long car trips.

How about taking a trip to the toy store, and letting them each pick out any board game they want (no toys, video games, or anything else).

You can announce that you are going to have board game night from time to time (or card game night), and then tell them they each can pick one or two new board or card games.

I agree with the other reply about no video or TV during that night. They may complain at first, but I bet they will come around, especially if they help pick out the games.

My husband and I love board games, but it's always so much fun to pick out one we haven't played before.

Good luck!

Yes, I love board games from time to time too, but I refuse to play Monopoly with my two anymore. They say that I am as ruthless as Donald Trump when I play that one with them.

I told them that's the idea. LOL

You might try board games that feature something they enjoy. My little girl is too young to play games but does love to play with the pieces to Thomas the Train Making Tracks.

The board game aisle is my favorite aisle in the toy store.

Nobody will play my husband in Monopoly either. He likes to broker side deals when playing.