Box cover of "The Kids of Catan" board game showing cartoon-style artwork featuring children engaging in various activities in a colorful medieval village setting, with trees, a rising (or setting) sun in the background, and the game's title and author "Klaus Teuber" at the top. The Mayfair Games logo is visible at the bottom right corner.
| | | | | | |

The Kids of Catan (2003)

ByMichail

The Kids of Catan

“The Kids of Catan” is a German board game designed for children, using the theme from “The Settlers of Catan”. The game was created by Klaus Teuber and published by Kosmos in German and Mayfair Games in English. The story revolves around three children of Catan who are helping their parents build structures for Catan’s first settlement.

Why is The Kids of Catan Popular?

“The Kids of Catan” is a simplified building game for kids, based on the immensely popular “The Settlers of Catan”. It offers a fun and engaging way for children to learn about strategy, competition, and luck while building structures and managing resources. The game has been praised for its ability to keep players engaged and for its combination of strategy, competition, and luck.

Game Components of The Kids of Catan

  • Game Board: Sits on the box tray with a turntable in the middle, featuring 15 resource spaces and one space for the bully.
  • Resources: 15 resources (5 wood, 5 grain, 5 brick).
  • Buildings: 13 buildings (12 red-roofed buildings and 1 green-roofed City Hall).
  • Player Pawns: 4 player pawns and a bully pawn.
  • Die: One die for determining turns.
  • Carts: Each player has a cart with three spaces for resources.
  • Other Components: Well, gate, baker, butcher, school, tower, and church.

    How To Setup The Kids of Catan

    To set up the game, place the game board in the box and position the turntable on top. Place the resources in their corresponding colored spaces around the turntable. Each player selects a pawn and places it next to a resource space. Divide the red-roofed buildings among the players based on the number of players (6 buildings for 2 players, 4 for 3 players, and 3 for 4 players). Set the City Hall aside for later use.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Turn-Based Gameplay: Players take turns rolling a die to move the turntable.
  • Resource Collection: Players collect resources when their cart arrow points to a resource space. Each player can only carry one of each resource type.
  • Bully Mechanic: If a player lands on the bully space, they lose a resource from their cart.
  • Building: Players build a building by collecting one wood, one grain, and one brick, then placing the building in the village and returning the resources to the board.
  • Objective: The first player to build all their buildings and then the City Hall wins the game.

    Player Experience

    The game is designed to be engaging and easy to follow for young players. Every player is involved in every turn, reducing downtime and keeping the game exciting. The randomization from the die rolls adds an element of unpredictability, while the simple strategy of managing resources keeps the game challenging yet fun. The game components, such as the wooden buildings and turntable, are of high quality and encourage imaginative play outside of the game.

    Pros

  • Engaging for Young Players: Keeps children involved every turn, reducing boredom and increasing engagement.
  • Simple yet Strategic: Teaches basic resource management and strategy in a fun way.
  • High-Quality Components: Durable and enjoyable to play with.
  • Introduction to Catan Series: Prepares children for more complex games in the Catan series.

    Cons

  • Limited Complexity: May be too simple for older children or adults looking for a more complex game.
  • Dependence on Luck: The die rolls introduce a significant element of luck, which can be frustrating at times.

    Personal Thoughts on The Kids of Catan

    **The Kids of Catan** is an excellent introduction to board games for young children, particularly those familiar with or interested in the Catan series. It teaches important skills like turn-based gameplay, resource management, and simple strategy in a fun and accessible way. While it may lack the complexity that older gamers might enjoy, it is a great stepping stone for children to develop their gaming skills and imagination. If you’re looking for a game to engage your kids and prepare them for more advanced board games, **The Kids of Catan** is a solid choice.

    We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more. 

    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl