If there is one thing that both kids and kids at heart love, it is a new board game. Since time immemorial, board games have long kept our families entertained and sane! We have rounded up some of the best board games for preschoolers.
Dr. Seuss “I Can Do That!” Card Game
First up is Dr. Seuss “I Can Do That!” . This is a game that was recommended to me by a grandmother of preschoolers. Her grandkids love the silly foam fish that comes with the game. One the the challenges when choosing board games for 3 year olds and the younger preschool crowd, is that they still have a hard time sitting still. No worries with the Cat in the Hat “I Can Do That!” game. This game involves lots of physical action – perfect for younger kids.
Players flip over a selection of three cards which will direct them in performing a challenge. For non-readers, pictures help give clues as to what they cards say promoting early reading skills. With activities that involve things like ‘dancing with the foam fish between your knees’, the combinations can be pretty hilarious.
Karuba Junior
Haba is a publisher usually associated with kid’s games, so it was surprising to some to see them give us a more grown-up game in the form of the original Karuba. That’s not to say it’s an adult game — it’s good for ages 8 and up, but it’s definitely a game that grown-ups can enjoy without the kids.
Such was Karuba’s success that Haba went on to produce Karuba Junior, aimed at ages 4+ and co-operative rather than competitive. It still retains the tile-laying exploration of the original, but incorporates the same kind of memory mechanics seen in Stone Age Junior with a more race-against-the-clock feel to it.
Outfoxed! Board Game
Outfoxed is a cooperative deduction game in which you try to figure out which fox is the thief. Players move around the board to gather clues and learn deduction skills. Since this is a cooperative game, it’s not too overwhelming for younger children, and parents can work on the deduction puzzle as well.
The Allowance Game
The earlier you can teach money confidence to kids the better. The Allowance Game is great for children as young as five. After a few game plays, kids will become familiar with counting money and saving it, too. The board is full of different chores to earn cash, so expect the kids to get lots of ideas about doing work around the house. Winning is entirely up to chance based on the roll of the dice. Games can be won in 15 to 30 minutes even though it does have a monopoly feel to it. The Allowance Game teaches more than money. It also teaches social skills and has spaces on the board like paying a library fine or for a broken window. Younger kids will get a kick out of this game whereas the older kids might not find it as enjoyable.
Sequence for Kids
I love finding strategy games that adults can play with kids; that’s how Sequence for Kids is. Kids as young as 3 can learn to play, and you play with multiple ages. To play you put down a card from your hand and place a chip on a corresponding game board space. When you have 4 in a row, it’s a “sequence” and you win. The twist comes in with unicorns and dragons – a unicorn card can be used to place your chip anywhere or a dragon card can be used to remove your opponent’s chip. This little bit of strategy makes this game interesting for preschoolers and grown ups alike.
Your turn! What are your favorite board games for 3 year olds through 6 year olds? Leave ideas in the comments below.