We haven’t tried games yet with the two year old. We are going to see her later this week so I might bring a few up.
The almost three year old likes Don’t break the ice. I also pulled out the Ravensburger 4 First games . We were able to play two of them. I’ve also tried a few memory games and he’s just not interested. I’d suggest starting with just a small amount of the cards. He’s very into trucks and cars. We have some cars and trucks from when our kids were young plus bought some newer ones. He loves the tractor and trailer and the gas truck and tow trucks. He loves to take them to the garage which is an old shoebox.
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We made our GD a memory game using our family and dogs using Pinhole Press. She also likes Candyland, Uno, Hungry Hippos. Our almost two year old grandson likes Hungry Hippos but usually shortly after I put it together he is on to something else.
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I gave the GKs this game for Christmas…Zingo.
Bingo-like game using picture matching/name recognition. Two levels of difficulty. (Picture to picture matching; picture to word matching) Players have to say the name of the picture on the chip to win the piece to put on their Zingo card. First one to cover their entire card wins.
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Thanks all-- love the suggestions for games. Will keep these all in mind.
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Lots of GS time this weekend. SiL had to work these weekend and since he works in historical interpretation at a historic site, today was a crazy day (he worked a 10 hour day today). I took GS to the grocery store with me and he had a blast. We talked about everything we were buying and he said hi to everyone in the store.
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We play that game, and we have had it since DDs were very young. Can play with up to 6 players. We play it the way the game says and also play on until all the players do finish.
Depends on child’s temperament - GD1 is the apple not far from the tree when it comes to not being a good sport on games (a bit of a sore loser), and she is learning how to handle it better. (SIL with adult game argued on a rule he didn’t want to follow). Before I start a game that includes GD1, I check to make sure however the game turns out for her to not be upset if she doesn’t win.
Since Candyland was mentioned, also a favorite. Also was a game from our DD’s young years.
GS2 enjoys Candyland - some of it is with an adult playing and moving things along but also keeping it fun with the kids.
Another game they like is a dog and bone game “Diggin Doggies” - 4 colors of dogs/bones and home base. Have to make sure all the pieces stay with the game as the bone magnet gets attracted to the dog mouth magnet. A memory game and with parent supervision, young can play and enjoy.
Last time I saw my great-nephews, we played Candyland for three hours. Their mom and dad were totally played out on it, so I was a ripe (and willing) target. 
They were 8, 5 and 3 – the oldest helped the youngest a bit. We had a good time and now I’m officially a cool great aunt. They were also amazed to realize that I’m their grandma’s BIG sister!
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I played a lot of Uno when I was a nanny. The 5 year old was very good and got the logic of Reverse and Pick 4 cards. The twins, even at 2, could play a 4 or a ‘blue’ card.
And of course there is nothing like a rousing game of Pretty Pretty Princess.
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+1 for Pretty Pretty Princess. They reissued the game a few years ago after discontinuing it for a few years. Phew!
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Haha. My GD doesn’t need to play that … she is a real life pretty, pretty princess at her other grandparents’ house!
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Great giggles to play pretty pretty princess with a grandpa, dad, little brother, or even a grandma!
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LOL Pretty Pretty Princess. My DS16 came home from a play date at a [female] friend’s house at about age 6.
“How did it go?”
“L had a great time, because I let her win a million games of Pretty Pretty Princess”
“You did?”
“Sure. What do I care about being a pretty princess?”
ETA: he was invited back to a Princess party by the same friend and wore his knight costume. Popular guy
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When I was young (60 years ago) there was a board game that I thought was something like Barbie Prom, but looking up now it may have been Mystery Date? I see they have it on Amazon in vintage metal box. Does that draw any memories from other grandmas on this thread? I went to a neighbor’s house and just loved to play that game.
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Oh yes, my friends and I loved the Barbie Mystery Date game. I recall that getting a date with Ken was considered winning and no one wanted to be stuck with Poindexter ( who is probably a tech billionaire now).
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I have to laugh, because my mom was a very quiet feminist. She wouldn’t let me have a Barbie, Mystery Date or Pretty, Pretty Princess. She felt that they would make me think that looks and getting a boyfriend were the important things for me. If you knew her, you’d have been very surprised by her “resistance.” I did grow up to (less quietly) embrace Mom’s values, but my D and GD both had/have Barbies. Last time GD & I played Barbies, they were throwing up (a kid at daycare threw up a few days before). 
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I had Barbie Queen of the prom with boyfriends Ken, Bob, Tom, and Poindexter. I actually liked Poindexter! Don’t recall Barbie Mystery Date.
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My guess is that Poindexter would be quite popular with the CC crowd. “Chance me with Barbie” could be its own thread.
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Complete dentist fail yesterday.
D1 had called right after the first of the year to schedule dental check ups for all 3 grandkids. Their appointments were for February 18th.
So, yesterday, she picks all the kids early from two different pre-schools and takes them to dentist. They get there and the receptionist discovers that whoever had booked the appointment booked it for February 18, 2026.
D was more than a little annoyed since now she has to reschedule which requires juggling her schedule (which is set 3 months in advance–she works nights), her husband’s travel schedule (set 3-12 months in advance) and my 2 upcoming cataract surgeries.
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I didn’t want my D to have a Barbie, but the year she turned 4 she got 2 from other little kids for her birthday. My GD had them too. Of course, they’ve changed now with Barbies having careers.
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