Let's get this out of the way...

The first board game or card game you play with your child will be painful.

Not for the child mind you - but for you.

Your child will love spending the time with you. Even if the game only lasts 5 minutes - your little one will love the special intimacy that is created when people gather around a table to game.

You on the other hand - especially if you are one of those brilliant people all gamers have in their lives -- the one who memorizes the rules and then argues the tiniest detail for interpretation...you my dear -may find yourself preferring to listen to fingernails repeatedly drag over a chalkboard while having a migraine. I'm not joking. 

Do not start with Star Trek Catan either

So, the thing to keep in mind is that first game will set the mood for all other games to come. Do not start our your child's gaming experience with a weekend long D&D session. Don't do it. Not even with some sort of modified rules. Don't do it. Even Candy Land with modified rules will cause you pain and suffering.

Instead start small.

• Grab 2 decks of cards (should be easy because most of you probably have at least 5 decks in the house).
• Locate the Ace, Two, Three and Four of the same suit of your choice. (Hearts or Diamonds are good because those are standard shapes most kids learn)
• Turn the cards face down in front of your kid on a flat surface.
• Play the memory match game.

You don't have to worry about rules since none came in the package. Besides the only thing you have to do is find the same number and suit. Make a BIG deal out of your littles finding matches, "YEAH! You found a match /insert clap!" and be very exaggerated when you or them match the wrong ones, "What? A two and a three? Oh DARN! Oh well I guess it is your turn!"

 Because you haven't spent money on a fancy packaged game you won't feel nearly as invested in 'following the rules' and you can relax, have fun and allow mistakes. And with only 8 cards in play it makes the game go fast and even if your little one gets bored and wonders off you have a gauge as to his/her attention span. And with that knowledge you'll be able to select other games.

So there you go, my first thoughts from my Boardom. This gives me time to go through our game closet and place, in order, the specific games I'll write up for you all.

If you have a specific game you would like me to talk about let me know - and yes the image on the back of this page is of the front part of our game closet.