Learning Curve

(yes he is crying)

So tonight I tried to play a game with the boys and it didn't go as expected.  Well, in some ways it did but in other ways it didn't.  I hear of others playing board games with their kids and no one has ever given details....so here I am asking....what is it like for you and what games are recommended?? 

Each year at birthday and Christmas I always want to get board games for the boys so we have a variety.  I have gotten a few and tried to play them and realized they just weren't ready yet.  So I picked up a memory game the other day and we "played" it tonight.  I know that the rules sometimes have to be modified but we really had to modify.  We still had fun and I know they will get it but I would love to  hear your experiences or suggestions. 

They pretty much got the taking turns concept and the matching concept.  They didn't get the memory concept or the fact that you have to let everyone see what you flip or that you cannot just keep flipping until you get a match:)  Then at the end of the "game" there was a major meltdown. 

So what games do you play?  Do you not play by the rules but then know that later they will eventually learn the real rules?  Are there games that are good for both learning levels of a 3 yo and a 5 yo?  Just thought I would ask.....I am learning here :)