Playing board games with your children is an incredible way to spend time with them. It separates them from their digitally entangled life and provides a solid alternative to screen time. It helps develop strategic thinking and problem-solving and paves an avenue for learning critical social skills such as taking turns, cooperation, and good sportsmanship regarding winning and losing.
And whereas you can certainly explore the classic board games that many of us grew up with as kids, like Candy Land or Monopoly, there has been much development in board games, and today I believe there are better options. As a father of two young children and an Uncle to slightly older kiddos, I’ve been in the trenches trying to explore my board game hobby with them. These are my recommendations for the best board games for kids based on their age.
Complete List [Summary]
2-4 Year Olds
Runners Up:
- Here, Fishy, Fishy!
- Animal Upon Animal Junior and Animal Upon Animal
- Richard Scarry’s Busytown – Eye Found It! Game
4-6 Year Olds
Runners Up:
7-10 Year Olds
- Camel Up [Read More]
- The Quacks of Quedlinburg [Read More]
- Ticket to Ride [Read More]
- Codenames: Pictures [Read More]
Runners Up:
- The Game
- Pandemic [Read my review of Pandemic]
Preteens/Teenagers
Runners Up:
The Best Board Games for Kids Ages 2-4
Depending on your child, introducing your 2-year-old to a board game may seem a bit early, but with the right game, it’s prime time for them to dip their toes in (with some parental assistance, of course).
General Note
German board game manufacturer HABA has an entire line of board games known as the My Very First Games line. You can’t go wrong with any of the games in the whole line, and they’re appropriate as early as two years old, well through the age of four.
First Orchard
First Orchard is the simplified version of HABA’s Orchard. It’s the board game I recommend starting with, and I’ve gifted it to countless other parents.
First Orchard is a cooperative game, meaning everyone works together and wins or loses together. Everyone rolls the die, collects the various fruits represented on it, and places them in the basket.
There is a possibility to get the basket icon (wild) on a roll, which is where most of the possible strategy comes into play. On some turns, you may roll a fruit icon that has already been depleted from your supply. In this case, nothing happens on your turn. So when rolling the basket icon, you should prioritize using it on fruit in greater abundance. Although it’s unlikely that your two-year-old will pick up on the strategy here, it’s something to work toward as they age.
On some turns, you may roll the crow icon. Each time this happens, the crow moves closer to eating up all your fruit and your child losing the game.
The component quality is incredible and appropriate for all ages, featuring sizeable wooden fruit and a chunky wooden die. You don’t have to worry about the choking hazard.
- EXCITING PLAYTIME: These toddler board games for 2+ year olds have been enjoyed by families for over 30 years with over 3 million copies sold. The First Orchard toddler game is a perfect cooperative learning game for 1-4 players.
- DEVELOP SKILLS: Our First Orchard toddler games ages 2-4, help develop social skills such as taking turns and following directions. These excellent toddler board games also reinforce color recognition, counting, and fine motor skills.
- FAMILY TIME: Designed by educators, these board games for 3 year olds are ideal for family time. In these games for toddlers 2-4 years, kids can work together as a team to roll the dice and pick the matching fruit from the orchard before the raven!
- SUSTAINABLE WOODEN GAME COMPONENTS: Made from PEFC certified wood, this cooperative toddler board game and pieces are the right size game for 2 year olds. These board games for toddlers include 16 large wooden fruit pieces and a chunky color die.
- EDUCATIONAL AND FUN: Perfect for introducing simple game rules, these board games for toddlers encourage working together and how to win and lose gracefully. A perfect first board game that will last for years of family game play.
Little Bird, Big Hunger
If First Orchard sounds good, but you are looking for something competitive instead of cooperative for your three-year-old, I recommend HABA’s Little Bird, Big Hunger.
Similarly to First Orchard, you’re rolling a die to collect food items that your picky birdy needs to eat to hatch and grow up. Once you collect the correct items in the right quantities, your bird grows a little (represented by moving on to your bird’s next card).
The first player to nurture their bird to maturity is the winner.
- Ah, ah, ah, what's hatching over there? Four small cheeky chicks are beginning to poke through their egg shells. As soon as they emerge they have a huge appetite.
- Seeds, berries, worms, and flies - the little ones will be happy to eat it all. But watch out, the chicks are very picky! The roll of the die decides what the chicks can be fed
- Little by little they will become bigger and stronger. Which of them will be the first to grow into an imposing little bird?
- Contents Include: 4 sets of cards (1 set = 4 cards), 20 feed dishes, 1 die, 1 sheet with 6 stickers and game instructions.
- A humorously illustrated collecting game for 2-4 players ages 3 and up. Playing time: about 15 minutes. Made in Germany.
My First Castle Panic
If your child has outgrown First Orchard, I recommend My First Castle Panic as their next cooperative game.
My First Castle Panic is the simplified version of the adult game Castle Panic and is for the older or more experience in this age group.
Everyone works together to use their cards to remove monsters on the board, most of which have a shape/color combo underneath them, which corresponds to those on the players’ cards.
If the monsters get to the end of the board and destroy your castle, everyone loses the game.
Some of the cards have special powers on them, as do some of the monsters—making the game more interesting, but it will also likely require more hand-holding than the above games.
- COOPERATIVE GAMEPLAY: My First Castle Panic offers a cooperative experience where players work together to defend the castle. Ideal for young kids, it removes competition and promotes teamwork, making it perfect for family game nights.
- NO READING REQUIRED: Designed for preschoolers, this game features simple mechanics with no reading needed, so toddlers can easily play. The interactive gameplay helps develop early cognitive skills with no frustration.
- EDUCATIONAL VALUE: The game teaches matching colors and shapes, as well as strategic thinking. Kids learn to plan ahead, think critically, and take turns, making this family game great for boosting problem-solving abilities.
- HIGH REPLAYABILITY: With quick 20-minute rounds, My First Castle Panic offers great replay value. Its dynamic gameplay and fun monster tokens ensure kids stay engaged, making it ideal for family fun or classroom activities.
- IDEAL FOR FAMILY BONDING: Designed for 1–4 players, this board game is perfect for a wide range of ages. Whether for sibling play, time with grandparents, or family fun, this game fosters connection, communication, and teamwork.
Runners Up:
- Here, Fishy, Fishy!
- Animal Upon Animal Junior and Animal Upon Animal
- Richard Scarry’s Busytown – Eye Found It! Game
The Best Board Games for Kids Ages 4-6
Although your kids are growing up, most games you buy will still feature simple rules appropriate for young children. But they’re also going to start to feel more fun for Mom and Dad.
Rhino Hero
I thoroughly enjoy Rhine Hero as an adult. It combines a dexterity game ala Jenga and a card game ala Uno.
You play cards that force your opponent to grow the structure, hoping they’ll knock it down. There are even Reverse cards like in Uno. You also may have to place the little rhino figure in the tower, which can sometimes be quite challenging.
- FAMILY FUN: Help Rhino Hero search for danger by building a tall house of cards and get ready for one of the most exciting heroic stacking card games for kids! A wobbly stacking game that will keep everyone engaged for hours.
- PERFECT FOR ALL AGES: This award winning kids card game from our HABA games collection is tailored to suit 5 year olds & up, but is a game that the whole family will love!
- ENGAGING GAME FOR FAMILY GAME TIME: Combine tower stacking and card games with Rhino Hero, the goal is to play all of your cards before the tower falls down!
- EASY TO LEARN: Players take turns building a card tower while balancing the brave Rhino Hero on top, aiming to create the tallest, most stable structure possible in these fast-paced kids card games.
- COMPACT AND PORTABLE: These kids playing cards are lightweight and easily portable, making them a great travel game option for picnics and vacations.
Outfoxed
You may have noticed a theme. I’m a big fan of cooperative board games for children.
Outfoxed is the next-level cooperate board game for 4-6 year-olds that contains some excellent game components and adds deduction to your child’s list of game concepts.
You’re trying to stop the fox before he gets to the end of the board. To do so, you must roll dice to travel around the board and collect clues. You also leverage the dice to reveal different fox cards and remove them from your list of possible suspects based on the clues you’ve found (a similar mechanism to the classic game Guess Who).
- COOPERATIVE WHODUNIT GAME FOR PRESCHOOLERS: Introduce kids ages 4 and up to this classic, cooperative gameplay. Featuring a fun evidence scanner and adorable fox suspects.
- CRACK THE CASE: Can you help find out which Fox stole Mrs. Plumpert’s prized pot pie? You’ll have to work fast to gather clues and rule out suspects together before the guilt fox high-tails it towards the exit!
- WHO, WHAT, WHERE: Clues help you determine what the guilty fox is wearing so you can rule out suspects as you travel the board.
- FUN FAMILY GAME: Outfoxed is a fun cooperative boardgame that is perfect for younger kids. Entertain kids on play dates or rainy days with Outfoxed.
- (Playback Language)
Dragomino
Dragonomino is the simplified version of the hit game, Kingdomino. This one is fun for adults as well.
Players take turns placing tiles next to their own. If the terrain of the adjacent tiles matches, then they may pick up a dragon egg or that type and flip it over to reveal its contents. Most will display a picture of an empty egg, but some will contain dragons. At the end of the game, whoever has the most dragons on their tiles, will be declared the winner.
- Dragomino is the children's version of Kingdomino
- Players build their ''kingdom'' and as they match different landscapes they try to collect as many eggs as possible!
- Explore new lands in search of fabulous dragons!
- Who will find the most baby dragons?
- English Version | Ages 5+ | 2-4 Players | 15 Minutes Playing Time
Runners Up:
The Best Board Games for Kids Ages 7-10
So you’re raising a 7-10-year-old? You’re probably competing for their attention with video games. These are my picks to keep him interested (if that’s even possible).
Camel Up
Camel Up is hands down my favorite gateway board game. It’s the first game I introduce people to, and it’s one I’ll still whip out at a game night.
The rules are simple. It’s chaotic and engaging. And a game lasts somewhere in the vicinity of 30-45 minutes.
It’s perfect for this age range.
Throughout the game, you place bets on which colored camel will win and lose the race, both for an individual leg of that race and the final results. The camels will move according to the dice expelled from the pyramid in the middle of the board.
The black and white camels move the colored camels backward, and there are traps that you can set on players that manipulate the camels’ movements.
- EXCITING CAMEL RACING GAME: Up to eight players bet on five quirky camels, each racing around the pyramid in this hilarious and unpredictable board game.
- UNIQUE DICE SHAKER MECHANISM: Features an innovative pyramid dice shaker that releases one die at a time, adding suspense and excitement to each camel’s movement on the track.
- UPDATED 2018 EDITION: Enjoy the refreshed version of Camel Up with stunning new artwork, an enhanced game board, and engraved dice, bringing a vibrant new look to the game.
- ADDED GAME TWISTS: Includes new rogue camels that race in the opposite direction, introducing unexpected twists and even more laughter to your game nights.
- STRATEGIC BETTING FUN: Players must strategically place their bets based on the camels’ positions and the unpredictable outcomes of the dice, making for a fun and engaging challenge for all ages.
The Quacks of Quedlinburg
The Quacks of Quedlinburg is a push-your-luck style eurogame. It’s also high on my favorite beginner games for adults. I’ll always have it in my collection.
You collect different potion ingredients, many of which have special abilities, and randomly pull them out of your cloth bag without looking. The more you’re able to add to your cauldron, the more points you’ll score that turn. But beware, you may pull ingredients that cause your potion to fail, and then you’re out of luck this turn, and your opponent might get ahead of you and complete his potion first.
- The modern classic push your luck game of potions, explosions, and not being able to stop.
- NYT WIRECUTTER: Featured in “The best board games”
- WINNER of the prestigious Kennerspiel des Jahres award in 2018
- For 2-4 players, ages 13+
- 5 minutes to learn, 45 minutes to play
Ticket to Ride
I’ve successfully introduced Ticket to Ride as early as 6, but you’ll be smooth sailing with a 7 or 8-year-old.
In Ticket to Ride, you collect train cards to build tracks across the map between different destinations and complete contracts. The player with the most points (primarily based on their contracts) is the winner.
- FAST-PACED STRATEGY: Race to build your train routes across iconic American cities in this award-winning board game.
- COMPETITIVE FUN: Challenge friends and family in a 2-5 player game, where every move counts.
- COLLECT TRAIN CARDS: Strategically gather train cards to claim routes and earn points.
- TICKET TO SUCCESS: Plan your routes wisely with ticket cards for bonus points.
- ENDLESS REPLAYABILITY: Enjoy hours of entertainment with this classic board game.
Codenames: Pictures
They’re getting to an age where they will need a more social game. For that game, I recommend Codenames. I prefer the Codenames: Pictures version of the card game as I think interpreting the pictures is more interesting than reading the words.
Teams take turns guessing the hidden markers by chaining concepts together that describe the cards. It’s more fun than it sounds.
- A picture-perfect spin on the classic Codenames party game
- 2-8+ player (in two teams)
- 15 minutes playtime
- Ages 10 and up
- English (Publication Language)
Runners Up:
- The Game
- Pandemic [Read my review of Pandemic]
The Best Board Game for Preteens/Teenagers
Your kids are now basically adults, or at least they think they are.
For the preteen/teenage demographic, I suggest gateway games or games with really cool themes, with a slight emphasis on the latter.
If they happen to get really into the hobby, the world is your oyster, and you can go down the heavy strategy game rabbit hole, but until then, you need to get them hooked.
Blood Rage
This game has Viking warriors and giant monster figurines that fight each other with unique abilities. It has a major cool factor, and the rules are simple enough that I’ve gotten my own father to play it with me over Thanksgiving.
It’s also a wonderfully designed game featuring area control and card drafting. It’s the most expensive game on this list, but I highly recommend it. It’s not one he’ll get bored of quickly.
- EPIC VIKING BATTLE: Engage in an epic Norse battle as you prepare for the impending Ragnarok, the ultimate end of the world, in the Blood Rage board game.
- STRATEGIC CARD DRAFTING: Each Age, draft powerful cards to shape your destiny, and spend your rage to execute cunning strategies and vanquish your foes in glorious combat.
- VIKING TERRITORIES: Fight fiercely to control ancient Viking territories, summon awe-inspiring monsters from Norse mythology, and embark on legendary quests to secure your place in Valhalla.
- EXQUISITE MINIATURES AND ART: Immerse yourself in the world of Norse mythology with breathtaking art and highly detailed Studio McVey miniatures, including clans, ships, and legendary monsters.
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR STRATEGY: Start with the same abilities, then evolve your clan and leaders, and summon mighty monsters to tailor your unique strengths and strategies.
Wavelength
Wavelength is a super fun party game that you can actually try out on Twitter.
Players are divided into teams, and one team tries to guess the position of the dial by giving clues. The category cards feature opposites and are visible to the guessing team (e.g., Forbidden vs. Encouraged). One player gives the rest of the team a clue to help the team guess the position on the dial based on where that clue may fall on the spectrum of the category card. For example, if the dial is supposed to be turned most toward the Forbidden side, you may give a clue “Murder.”
- Hot or cold. Soft or hard. Wizard or…not a wizard? Work together to decide where your clue falls on the spectrum in this telepathic party game.
- POLYGON: “One of the best party games we’ve ever played.”
- NYT WIRECUTTER: Featured in “The best board games”
- Works in groups from 2-12+ people. Great for large parties, offsites, family gatherings, and anywhere you need instant fun.
- 5 seconds to set up, 1 minute to learn, 30 minutes to play
Dark Moon
Dark Moon is a hidden traitor board game. Who can you trust? Some people playing will be secretly infected and will try and sabotage your ship. Everyone else will try to repair your ship as natural events and sabotage threaten to destroy it. It’s easy, very social, and supports up to seven players.
- Ages 12 and up
- 3 to 7 players
- Playable in just 60 minutes
- Package Weight: 1.179 kilograms
- English (Publication Language)
Runners Up:
Full List [Summary]
2-4 Year Olds
4-6 Year Olds
7-10 Year Olds
Preteens/Teenagers
Paul Shapiro is Founder and Editor of Board Game Squad. He enjoys all types of games and experiences, but has a particular penchant for medium to heavy eurogames.