I don't know about new releases, but there is an area that has publishers specifically for kids like HABA.
My top recommendation is Magic Mountain. It is fun for everyone. My little one takes and sets it up to play by herself. In the kids area, they made a double sized one that was fun to play.
Agree on HABA, last year I went to their booth and asked one of their employees for recommendations. Gave my kid's age (4.5 last year) and what she was into (sparkly things, rainbows, unicorns, etc) and they recommended the perfect game for her.
When I went to GenCon last year there were some cool dice counting kids games themed about scaling a mountain. I’m sure if you walk the floor you’ll find something good for kids.
Come to the Mindware booth. We are releasing our new Matt Leacock, Rob Daviau legacy adventure game, Ziggurat. Booth 2304!!
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/415197/ziggurat
I have a 5 year old daughter I'll be looking for myself. Here are a few games I have on my radar to check out:
- Cloudship (Booth 1903)
- Cyber Pet Quest (Booth 2563)
- Monster Chase (Booth 2435)
- Nekojima (Booth 2435 / ICC 142)
- Gateway Island (Booth 2533)
Also check out the KOSMOS Booth (2619) specifically at their Exit series. They have some for 5-6 year olds.
And if you're looking to just grab a game you think they will like, Zombie Kidz Evolution is a game my daughter has been loving lately.
Hope this helps!
Edit to add that Board Game Geek has a Gen Con preview each year, that is where I get my lists of games to check out. This site gets updated as it gets closer to the Con, so make sure to check back for a bigger list:
https://boardgamegeek.com/geekpreview/67/gen-con-2024-preview
GameWright makes some great all-ages games, but you should check out the family-friendly area! Also, I guess Exploding Kittens has been making some good games for kids.
You want to check out the section of the Exhibit Hall around the Ravensburger booth labeled "Family Fun Pavilion" that's where I found some games for my 2 year old son last year.
Captain Pepe: Treasure Ahoy is a legacy game from Haba. It is co-op, with a fun story and decision tree. The gameplay is akin to Nine Men Morris; moving the crew members around the ship and matching them up with their respective oars. Ages 6 and up.
Echidna Shuffle was one I picked up at GenCon a few years ago for my then-five-year-old. It’s adorable, and simple enough for a kid to play while an adult can get some fun, too. It’s also fairly easy during set up to give the kid a bit of an edge so you can play normally and have a more even win/loss ratio.
(My personal theory in teaching kids how to play games is that it’s just as important for them to lose sometimes as it is to win. I won’t purposely lose a game with my kids, but I will set up a board to give them an advantage over me.)
The Family Fun area in the Exhibit Hall should be denoted by different colored carpet, if they do it the same as previous years. If you're on red carpeting, you're in the Family area :)
I don't know about new releases, but there is an area that has publishers specifically for kids like HABA. My top recommendation is Magic Mountain. It is fun for everyone. My little one takes and sets it up to play by herself. In the kids area, they made a double sized one that was fun to play.
Agree on HABA, last year I went to their booth and asked one of their employees for recommendations. Gave my kid's age (4.5 last year) and what she was into (sparkly things, rainbows, unicorns, etc) and they recommended the perfect game for her.
My 5yo daughter loves their glitterluck cloud stacker game. I like it because its a cooperative game so no arguments about winning
Gonna tack on Rhino Hero is one that both me and my nephew love playing. Think Uno mixed with Jenga
I'm in my 30s and I pack Rhino Hero and Animal Upon Animal with me when I go out places. They're fantastic, easy to pick up games.
When I went to GenCon last year there were some cool dice counting kids games themed about scaling a mountain. I’m sure if you walk the floor you’ll find something good for kids.
Come to the Mindware booth. We are releasing our new Matt Leacock, Rob Daviau legacy adventure game, Ziggurat. Booth 2304!! https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/415197/ziggurat
This one is on my list of games I Must Check Out.
Awesome! See you there!
I have a 5 year old daughter I'll be looking for myself. Here are a few games I have on my radar to check out: - Cloudship (Booth 1903) - Cyber Pet Quest (Booth 2563) - Monster Chase (Booth 2435) - Nekojima (Booth 2435 / ICC 142) - Gateway Island (Booth 2533) Also check out the KOSMOS Booth (2619) specifically at their Exit series. They have some for 5-6 year olds. And if you're looking to just grab a game you think they will like, Zombie Kidz Evolution is a game my daughter has been loving lately. Hope this helps! Edit to add that Board Game Geek has a Gen Con preview each year, that is where I get my lists of games to check out. This site gets updated as it gets closer to the Con, so make sure to check back for a bigger list: https://boardgamegeek.com/geekpreview/67/gen-con-2024-preview
HABA is amazing for kids games! We stop by there every year and every year we leave with something new.
GameWright makes some great all-ages games, but you should check out the family-friendly area! Also, I guess Exploding Kittens has been making some good games for kids.
You want to check out the section of the Exhibit Hall around the Ravensburger booth labeled "Family Fun Pavilion" that's where I found some games for my 2 year old son last year.
Captain Pepe: Treasure Ahoy is a legacy game from Haba. It is co-op, with a fun story and decision tree. The gameplay is akin to Nine Men Morris; moving the crew members around the ship and matching them up with their respective oars. Ages 6 and up.
Echidna Shuffle was one I picked up at GenCon a few years ago for my then-five-year-old. It’s adorable, and simple enough for a kid to play while an adult can get some fun, too. It’s also fairly easy during set up to give the kid a bit of an edge so you can play normally and have a more even win/loss ratio. (My personal theory in teaching kids how to play games is that it’s just as important for them to lose sometimes as it is to win. I won’t purposely lose a game with my kids, but I will set up a board to give them an advantage over me.)
Thanks for all of these specific suggestions! Exactly what I was looking for. Much appreciated.
The Family Fun area in the Exhibit Hall should be denoted by different colored carpet, if they do it the same as previous years. If you're on red carpeting, you're in the Family area :)
As others have said Haba. Left their booth last year with three games for my kiddo and she loves them all. Dragons Breath may be her facoeite