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Board games are a core memory for all ages, whether you’re an adult hanging onto that one time you won Monopoly or a young kid playing Catan for the first time. Children’s games are staples in playtime, but they offer much more than just entertainment. Board games have educational value that aid in a child’s development. With recommendations from child psychologists and toy experts, here are the top children’s board games and their benefits—both for fun and learning.
Top Children’s Board Games To Try
First Orchard
Suitable for ages 2 and up, First Orchard is the ideal introduction to gaming for toddlers. Players aim to harvest all the fruit in their basket before the raven reaches the orchard. Players collect fruit from the corresponding trees along the path based on what the die tells them to do. First Orchard aids in child development by engaging toddlers in counting, color recognition and matching. The large pieces are easy for little ones to grip and handle, too.
Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! is great for families with children ages 8 and up looking for a fast-paced game. As the cards of sushi ingredients get passed around, players try to pick up the ones that would make the best combination of sushi. It’s a game of strategy as players choose a card to keep, with some worth more value, such as nigiri paired with wasabi. At the end of each round, icons of maki rolls are added up and the point values of sushi combinations are totaled. The player with the most points after three rounds wins.
Dixit
Dixit is a storytelling game that fosters creativity and encourages imagination for kids ages 8 and up. Each round, players take turns being the storytellers. When they are the storyteller, they give a clue to the theme of one of their card illustrations and place that card face down. The other players add cards that they feel fit the theme, then cards are shuffled. Players vote to determine which card they think is the storyteller’s card. Depending on how the votes fall, either the storyteller or players get points and move the number of spaces on the scoring track relating to that value. The first player to reach space 30 wins.
Forbidden Island
Based in a perilous paradise, Forbidden Island challenges teams of up to four players to find four sacred treasures before the island sinks. Each player is designated the role of an adventurer: pilot, engineer, explorer, navigator, diver and messenger. Players take actions on their turn, such as shoring up an island tile so it’s no longer flooding or capturing a treasure. The cooperative game is full of tension and excitement, which is perfect for family game nights.
Ticket to Ride
Children ages 8 and up can play Ticket to Ride, where they learn geography through forming trail routes that connect cities across North America. Players compete to gain points through obtaining gold tickets and completing routes, which is done by collecting colored train cards. It teaches kids about geography, history and means of transportation while challenging them to think strategically.
Race to the Treasure
Race to the Treasure is a simple, collaborative game for ages 5 and up. The objective is to work together as a team to beat an ogre to the treasure. Players take turns picking up path cards and strategizing what is the best path to pick up the four keys that will unlock the treasure. However, players might pick up an ogre card that will expedite the ogre’s progress toward the treasure. Race to the Treasure utilizes strategic planning, decision-making and cooperation, which helps children learn problem-solving and social skills.
Kingdomino
Kingdomino is a dominoes-esque board game that challenges players to attach dominoes to their kingdom that total the highest number of points. Each turn, players connect a new domino to their existing kingdom, with crown tiles multiplying the worth of the kingdom. After all the players complete the 5×5 grid, points are tallied and the player with the most points wins. It’s a quick game for ages 8 and up that engages children in problem-solving and strategy.
Read More: Best Board Games
Board games offer a playtime alternative that is hands-on and distraction-free, allowing kids to fully immerse themselves into the game. This offers benefits for children’s development, including:
- Board games can help with early learning. Toddlers who play board games can learn basic concepts, such as counting and colors. As they move pieces or grab cards, they are sharpening their hand-eye coordination, too. Older kids shift to playing more complex games, which can teach them critical thinking and decision-making.
- Games can improve focus and attention. Board games require children to sit still and direct their attention to the instructions and the mechanics of the game. As children play more games, they build up a tolerance for staying focused, increasing their attention span.
- They help to sharpen social skills. Some board games call for cooperation, which can help children learn teamwork. Board games are often turn-based, teaching kids how to be patient, share and take turns, which can translate into real-life scenarios. The win-loss premise of games can improve sportsmanship skills and help children better deal with losing.
- Board games offer screen-free playtime. In the digital age, much of children’s playtime is consumed by screens. Board games offer a reprieve from digital games with screen-free playtime that is void of distractions. This can foster face-to-face interaction and help create a better relationship with digital devices for young kids.
Popular Types of Board Games for Children
Each board game is unique in their own right, whether it’s the storytelling aspect or the interactive pieces that make them special. Children’s board games vary in type—here are the most popular ones:
- Cooperative: In these board games, children are working together to complete the game’s objective. Everyone has a role in the game, aiding one another. This helps children with social skills, such as sharing. Popular cooperative games include Outfoxed, Race to the Treasure and Forbidden Island.
- Memory and matching: Memory games, such as the maze game Magic Labyrinth, require players to recall information from early on to help them in later turns. These games challenge kids to pay close attention to detail.
- Family games: Board games suitable for families can be played by all ages. They typically have simple mechanics and rules. Family board games get everyone involved, such as Forbidden Island and 5-Minute Dungeon, which require families to work together.
- Adventure and storytelling: Adventure games incorporate characters, storytelling, fantasy themes and quests to keep kids engaged. Karuba is a popular adventure game that takes kids through an island as they search for treasures.
- Dexterity: These games are hands-on, requiring physical movement to complete the game’s objective. For example, Rhino Hero is a children’s card-stacking game where players balance cards to build the highest tower. Dexterity games help kids improve their hand-eye coordination and precision.
How To Choose the Right Board Game for Your Child
Choose games that not only accommodate your child’s age, but also their skills, such as games with big pieces for kids who are developing fine motor skills. At younger ages, developmental years fly by, so choose games that can grow with them. Some games can be made easier when kids are first introduced to them and then adjusted to be more difficult as children become more experienced. Games with flexible difficulty levels are worth the investment.
Gaming is a different experience for every child, so you might find your child is more receptive to solo play rather than group play. To account for this, opt for games that can be played across a range of player counts. That way, as they become more comfortable in social settings, kids can venture into some friendly competition.
Purchase games that pique your child’s interest, whether that’s an adventure game or fantasy game with their favorite characters. “Look for games that match their interests, so it feels exciting and not like ‘learning in disguise,’” says Amanda Gummer, child development research psychologist and founder of Good Toy Guide, a free resource for people looking for play ideas. “Remember, the best game is the one that gets everyone around the table and keeps them coming back for more.”
On top of entertainment value, educational value is a key factor to look for. Children’s board games are designed to cater to different educational needs. For instance, there are board games that cover science topics, such as Planet, which teaches about habitable ecosystems, and Tree Bingo, which educates about different species of trees. Board games that combine entertainment and educational value pay off in the classroom and in life.
Tips for Teaching Board Games to Children
Children have short attention spans, so it’s important to meet them where they are when you’re teaching them a board game. Here are some tips to smoothly teach a board game to children and keep them engaged:
- Simplify rules and teach them slowly. Break rules into digestible steps. Start with a simple rule and gradually add rules once kids fully understand the previous ones. Introduce new rules only if they are completely relevant. For rule-heavy games, create a flashcard for each rule so kids can easily find the information they need.
- Start with team games. Cooperative board games ease your child into board games by having support as they play. Collaboration and interaction will keep kids engaged.
- Demonstrate rules. Each step you introduce should be followed by a demonstration. This gives kids a visual representation of what to replicate.
- Have a practice round. Before starting the game, allow kids to practice the rules stress-free. Offer them guidance as they go through the practice round, so they can further learn the rules.
Where To Buy Children’s Board Games
Whether you want to shop locally or online, there are plenty of options, including:
- Big-box retailers, like Walmart and Target
- Online board game retailers, such as Noble Knight Games and Miniature Market
- Child development and education companies, like Discount School Supply
- Specialty children toy stores and online retailers, such as HABA and Simply Fun
Children’s Board Games Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What age is best to start introducing board games to kids?
Starter games are typically meant for ages 2 and up. This is a good age to introduce games because kids are learning about basic concepts.
What are good board games for preschoolers or early learners?
First Orchard, Rhino Hero and Sneaky Snacky Squirrel are ideal for preschoolers and early learners because they incorporate basic learning concepts, such as counting and color recognition, with engaging, easy-to-learn games.
Are cooperative board games better than competitive ones for children?
Both cooperative and competitive board games offer unique benefits for children. Both have been found to increase prosocial behaviors, such as sharing and turn-taking.
Can board games support educational development in kids?
Yes. There are educational board games for children that are designed to support development, such as games that teach them how to multiply, sound out letters, build words or teach them where states are on the map. Games can cover a wide range of learning topics, from language arts to geography.
What’s the ideal number of players for kids’ games?
Two to four players is the sweet spot for kids’ game. A small group keeps the game moving quickly enough to hold children’s attention while still allowing for social interaction. Children get more turns with fewer players, which helps them stay engaged and practice the skills the game is targeted for. As players are added, turns might take too long, leading to boredom or distraction.
How can I keep kids interested in board games long term?
Let kids choose the game. Giving them control will increase their motivation to play. Switch up games, too. It’s helpful to have games of variety, such as rotating between quick, silly games and more strategic ones to match their energy levels. “Families who treat games as a fun tradition rather than a one-off activity, e.g., weekly ‘games night,’ help children see board games as part of family life,” says Gummer.
Can board games be played solo by kids?
Yes, there are plenty of board games that focus on puzzles and mazes that are great for individual play, such as Catan Logic Puzzle and Space Invaders.
What’s the best way to store and organize children’s board games?
Shelves are the number one way to store board games. To maximize space, place them like books. This keeps them organized and allows you to select your game without toppling over all the others. If you choose the book method, make sure all the pieces are secure on the inside: put a rubber band around cards and place small pieces in plastic bags. It might be helpful to put a band around the box, too, so the lid doesn’t come off.