Board games are a fun pastime that anyone regardless of age can enjoy. However, there are almost too many to choose from so we took it upon ourselves to find the best board games for kids to help you trim down your options. Any board game meant for kids should be kid-friendly in the sense that it’s understandable enough for the age group it’s geared toward. It should also be easy to set up and clean, not too time-consuming that kids lose interest, and promote development such as social, problem-solving, cooperation skills, etc.
10. Hasbro Scrabble Junior Game
What we like:
- Promotes spelling & reading
- Grows with the child
- Compact
What we don’t like:
- Flimsy
- Nowhere to store tiles
- Set amount of letters
Recommendation: When looking for the best board games for kids, we had to think about the classics. This updated version of the classic scrabble has two sides: one to match pre-spelled words and one to create words. It’s quick to setup, but it doesn’t come with storage for the tiles. Even so, it’s perfect to grow with a child’s spelling and reading milestones. However, it could do with more letters and more durability overall as it’s all made from cardboard.
9. Educational Insights The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel
What we like:
- Colorful, simple design
- Reinforces several skills
- Easy cleanup
What we don’t like:
- Tough to use spinner
- Durability needs work
- Some difficulties using squirrel
Recommendation: This continues to make top lists of the best board games for kids to the point that therapists and teachers recommend it. It aids in motor skill development, color-matching, and turn-taking. Some still struggle to use the squirrel holder, however, but it can be played without it. Also, the stump can break if pressed on too hard. This educational game is still simple and colorful to keep a child’s attention, and it even stores easily in the box.
8. Winning Moves Games Candy Land 65th Anniversary Game
What we like:
- High-quality board
- Simple to learn
- Introduces patience/sportsmanship
What we don’t like:
- Small path spaces
- Pieces can break
- Basic artwork
Recommendation: This vintage game will easily bring back memories while letting you create new ones with your kids. It is made with a high-quality, durable board to hold up over time, and it helps kids learn how to wait and take their turns as well as proper sportsmanship whether they win or lose. The spaces on it don’t exactly match with the size of the pieces, and the artwork won’t exactly keep a child’s attention. The game itself is still enjoyable and one to be played over and over again.
7. Peaceable Kingdom Hoot Owl Hoot
What we like:
- Two play levels
- Good cooperation
- Easy for non-readers to play
What we don’t like:
- Thin cardboard material
- Sorting pieces can take time
- Tough to shuffle
Recommendation: A game based on cooperation can teach younger children that it’s not always a competition. The fact that it’s a color-recognition game makes it so that those who can’t read, especially preschoolers, can still learn to play. You can even adjust the levels once your kids become more advanced in this. All the pieces come in a single envelop, so sorting through can be a task. Also, it would help if the game was more durable in the long haul.
6. Hasbro Connect 4 Game
What we like:
- Target’s a number of skills
- Quick to play
- Strong bottom mechanism
What we don’t like:
- Low-quality parts
- A bit too lightweight
- Hard to return to box
Recommendation: Yet another classic that’s been updated across generations, Connect 4 is an ideal way to teach various skills from hand-eye coordination, to strategy development, and even pattern recognition. It’s designed well enough so that the pieces don’t fall out on their own, but the entire game from the frame to the chips feel thin and light. Their longevity is questionable, but the entertainment factor holds strong. Another thing that helps with kids’ coordination and pattern recognition is a building set.
5. Peaceable Kingdom Race to the Treasure!
What we like:
- Strategy & cooperative play
- Quality-made pieces
- Simple to play without adults
What we don’t like:
- Can be too easy
- A bit small
- Not much replay value
Recommendation: The Race to the Treasure game is the next one on our best board games for kids, this game works at developing cooperative group play and building strategy. As you have to work as a team, it pushes social skills as well, and it even has a cool math-grid for kids to learn. Kids can even play this on their own. It can lend itself to being a bit too simple and quick to play to the point that children may outgrow it fast.
4. Winning Moves Games Clue The Classic Edition
What we like:
- Problem-solving skills
- Quick turnaround
- Pieces have good weight
What we don’t like:
- Can take up space
- Artwork could be better
- Cards can quickly wear
Recommendation: Following along the trend of updating classics, this game has a new appearance yet all the same crime-solving fun. The pieces have a great weight to them so you know they are of high quality, yet the cards could use some work as you can see them wear out quickly. Also, the artwork is a bit lower in quality with the room cards appearing small and squeezed-in. Clue does, however, foster problem-solving skills in older kids, and it can be played with up to six people.
3. Days of Wonder Ticket to Ride
What we like:
- Fast-paced
- Easy setting up cleaning up
- Quick to learn
What we don’t like:
- Requires a large playing surface
- Hard to sit flat
- Can get repetitive
Recommendation: This is a great game for teaching navigation and geography skills even if the board isn’t completely accurate. It’s face-paced, but it can go on for over 30 minutes, making it more ideal for older kids to play with. You will need to have a good deal of space for this strategy game, however, and it runs the risk of becoming repetitive. On the other hand, replay can promote learning new paths to take to score higher points.
2. Mattel Blokus Board Game
What we like:
- Fast-learning
- Fun for all ages
- Great pattern recognition
What we don’t like:
- Not very sturdy
- Small
- Storage could be better
Recommendation: The Blokus Board Game is just what you need when you want something that’s quick to setup, even faster to learn, and one that kids of all ages can enjoy. It teaches both pattern and color recognition, and it helps kids learn some healthy competitive play. The entire thing could use with some better durability, and the pieces are very small, so it’s unlikely for young kids to play without supervision.
1. Jax Sequence for Kids
What we like:
- Encourages strategy
- Good playing pace
- Child-friendly designs
What we don’t like:
- A bit tough to learn
- Takes up space
- Low-quality cards
Recommendation: Out of all the best board games for kids, this one is perfect for introducing strategy. The instructions can get challenging to explain to some kids, but once they learn, it goes by fast enough to keep them readily engaged. You may experience some wear on the cards as they appear to be in low quality. Still, the artwork on this sequence game is eye-catching and fun for little ones.
Conclusion
There are countless board games that can teach much-needed skills while still being fun for the whole family. If you want to find the best board games for kids, then refer to our list prior to getting any game. For those that have played with the products we reviewed, we’re interested in how well you and the kids enjoyed it!
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