I’ve gotten into heated arguments with *strangers* over the rent vs buy thing when they find out I rent. Half of it is the same energy people have when they tell you that you shouldn’t smoke (“you know that’s bad for you, right?”), but I think the other half is people trying to justify their choices.

If the kids can’t read yet, there is codenames Pictures, and now there are Disney and Marvel versions of Codenames.

Don’t underestimate the kinds of games kids can learn. I play Ghost Fighting Treasure Hunters, Sushi Go, Ticket To Ride, and Santorini with my 5 year old and they are all meant for slightly older age groups.

So many more games! Once kids can really read on their own there are so many more. A few my family have enjoyed:

Modern board games can be so much better than this selection of Target / Walmart games. Go lookup your local specialty toy or game store for 100 better ideas.

Spyfall and Code Names are great as well, because they all encourage critical thinking, and don’t require much in the way of rules knowledge

You can’t choose your family but you can choose to spend time with them