Popular Games Research

After our visit to Toys'R us, I decided to do some research into popular childrens games and try to see why they are popular. I first looked at the popular games for ages 3-6. I obtained the information from this source as it put together the most popular games for each age group.
www.babyzone.com


3-6 years
Candy Land 
www.hasbro.com
This game is played as children pick cards to move their gingerbread man to the matching coloured space, and the first to reach 'Candy Castle' wins. The game is very simple and easy for children to play, and since its release has become very popular among its age group. The idea is very simplistic, with a 'Snakes and Ladders' feel to it, but with unique look and bright vibrant colours. There is also a Winnie the Pooh version of the game which means it is very adaptable, meaning more and more versions can be made of the same idea.

Cranium Cariboo Island
www.toysrus.com
The creators of Cranium have created a brain challenging game for young children, making it immersive by having them explore an island discovering castles etc, and in the end opening the large treasure chest in the middle and getting a reward. The game teaches children about colours, shapes and numbers as well as letting them have fun in the process. The game is quite technical in its design, with a plastic liftable treasure chest, but the children react best to the material rewards the game gives.

Other popular 3-6 games:
Chutes and Ladders
www.hasbro.com
This game is simple and well known, with a bright colourful board to attract children and gives rewards and punishments of going up a ladder and going down a chute.

Duck Duck Goose
www.amazon.co.uk
A board game version of the popular childrens playground game. The players have to collect a specific colour of ducklings to make a nest, then the plastic mother goose is sent round the board and when it says 'goose' the players grab the adjacent duckling to see if it matches the colour they are collecting. It is a simple game, but with visual rewards of little plastic ducklings and a timed activity to get the duck makes it exciting.

Popular Adult games similar to our idea:
JAMBO! (12+)
www.boardgameratings.com
Players are traders, trading and selling tea, hide, fruits, salt, silk and trinkets to be the first to earn 60 gold. Cards are used to represent objects and items to trade as well as animals and people which can be used to hinder your opponent. This game is slightly complex, thus the age range, but it has won many awards as it is an engaging and unique game.

The Settlers of Catan (10+)
www.mayfairgames.com
Players are required to expand their colony through building settlements etc, and trading items and animals. The first player to complete 10 points wins. The game is quite complex, with lots of components and 60 minutes playing time. However, this game has been very successful with it having many expansions and different versions.