(Part 2) Best game collections according to redditors

Adding to this, it looks like FFG/Asmodee's new rules have basically removed new and upcoming data packs for Netrunner from Amazon entirely. Not even available at the regular $15 price. Some people are listing them at $22+.

MSRP $15, Actual $22: http://www.amazon.com/Android-Netrunner-Salsette-Island-Data/dp/B016Z95H5C?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&redirect=true&ref_=s9_simh_gw_g21_i1_r

Newest datapack The Liberated Mind can't be purchased at all: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_9?url=search-alias%3Dtoys-and-games&field-keywords=the+liberated+mind&sprefix=the+liberated+mind%2Ctoys-and-games%2C136


Pretty ridiculous and very anti-consumer move.

Honestly, if they actually play, odds are that they've already bought all of the expansions they want. If you really want to get them something nice, get them an accessory for the game that they normally couldn't justify buying such as a set of colored minature bases like these.

Also, do you know if they have a playmat to play on? It is a 3'x' flat, mouse-pad-like mat with space art on it. They improve the game vastly, but are a little pricey, so some players might find it hard to justify, but it is THE BEST accessory to buy for the game.

A few games I like that would probably fit the bill:

Spot It. Super fun game, easy to learn and quick to play. Not the deepest game but it's lots of fun for all ages and a nice quick game to play when you want something short or as a break between longer games. Good for any number of players.

Dixit. A storytelling game. Each turn one of you is the "storyteller" and tells a short story (one word to a sentence) about it. Everyone else picks a card from their hand that they think fits the story. The cards are mixed up and everyone guesses which one the Storyteller had. The interesting scoring mechanic is the storyteller only gets points if some people don't guess right. If everyone or no one guesses right, the storyteller gets no points and everyone else gets points. Plus, if it's not your turn but someone votes for your card, you get points. The cards can be somewhat crazy and surreal but are definitely safe for a 9 year old. The game is a fun casual game.

Ticket to Ride. Fun game where you lay out train routes. You can block people's routes and you will be angry at whoever does that to you. Only takes 5 people though.

Tsuro. Another somewhat shorter game. You take turns laying tiles and moving your Dragon along the path they create trying to stay on the board. Near the end of the game it gets hectic and you might end up knocking each other off.

TransAmerica. A train game like Ticket to Ride but faster and a little less complex. Rounds go quickly and it has an interesting scoring mechanic. Each round you lose points if you don't connect to your cities and the game ends when someone is at zero. The winner is whoever lost the least points.

7 Wonders. A fun game that involves playing cards that you draw from a hand you pass around. Takes up to 7 people but might be slightly too complex for the 9 year old.

Shadow Hunters. A hidden roles game where you will be on teams but you won't know who's on your team. Throughout the game you try to figure that out and it can get very competitive. Again might be slightly too complex for the 9 year old but maybe not.

Castle Panic. This game is slightly different because it is a cooperative game. All of you play against the game itself to try and defend your castle and defeat all the monsters. It's a pretty fun game.

There are a ton of other good games but I'll stop for now since I've probably listed too many as it is. Two things I'd recommend to try to find new games that your family might like beyond these. First, see if there's a board game store near you. A lot of them will have board game libraries where you can go in and try out the games at no charge. Most (in my experience) are pretty friendly to newer players. Second, check out TableTop. It's a show hosted by Wil Wheaton where he explains games and then plays through them. My wife and I used it as a good way to see new games that we might be interested in without having to buy them sight unseen, since boardgames can be expensive. The demo part of the show has sold us on a bunch of games (several of which are listed above). Hope this helps and enjoy the family game nights.

My first thought was finding some productive outlets to help him understand what's OK to hit/throw, and what's not OK to hit/throw (i.e. baby gate in the house, etc, and it never being ok to throw inside the house)

Ideas include:

T-Ball Set

Unintentionally slightly phallic bopper thing

Froggy Toss

Velcro Toss/Catch

Indoor Bowling Set

And so on. Destructive kids are no fun, but as an adult female, I love the release that comes from throwing things and sometimes hitting things as hard as I can. As long as there's a distinction between when and where these things can happen, my personal opinion is that it's a good and normal thing.

You can also buy sets of colored (or clear) plastic bases and pegs, for example:

https://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-X-Wing-Miniatures-Bases/dp/B016A7PF24

Here you go...

Full size too. Not some small 1000 piece. Similar to this https://www.amazon.com/Ravensburger-Magical-Bookcase-Jigsaw-Puzzle/dp/B00VR4LZXE/ref=sr_1_28?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1505332082&sr=1-28&keywords=puzzle&refinements=p_n_feature_five_browse-bin%3A3211377011%2Cp_89%3ARavensburger

For this interested, here's the puzzle on Amazon:

Ravensburger at The Dog Park https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C05HFJQ/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_AGu0DbJ41RAXN

I googled your question for you.

Amazon still sells the "epic collection" boxes. It's 40 bucks since it comes with all the extra goodies, but worth it for a fresh-in-box-edition rather than trying your luck with jizz stained ebay.

Link