There's a lot of choice when it comes to board games for kindergartners, and it can be tough to know where you should start. To give you a better idea, we've put together this list that should help point you in the right direction.
Regardless of what you need (be it just for fun or as an exercise to help with something like fine-motor skills), you'll find board games for kindergartners to suit you below. Because plenty of these qualify for our list of the best board games overall, they should be quite fun for you to play as well. Basically, don't worry about losing your marbles if your kid demands to play over and over again.
You shouldn't have to break the bank with these recommendations either. Our bargain-hunting software is always on the lookout for a discount, and the retailers with the cheapest price should appear with each entry. We should be getting plenty of discounts because of the upcoming Black Friday board game deals, so it's a good time to be on the hunt...
Board games for kindergartners - top 5
No matter how many board games for kindergartners we try, we always come back to this one. Few strike as good a balance between accessibility and fun as Spot It! (or 'Dobble', if you're based in the UK), so we have no hesitation in saying that it needs to be on your shelf yesterday. Crucially, there are numerous spin-offs dedicated to every major franchise you can imagine. Does your child love Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel, or Spongebob Squarepants? There's probably a version of Spot It! just for them.
At its core, this is a more interesting version of Snap. While players still match pictures, those symbols vary in size and placement from card to card. As such, finding a match requires keen eyes and quicker reflexes. It also means anyone can get involved - especially younger gamers who might struggle with more complex board games for kids.
This laser-focus means it doesn't take up much space. Rather than needing an entire table, it can be played very easily wherever you are. We often take a copy with us when traveling or waiting at the airport to go on vacation, for instance; seeing as it's contained within a small tin, Spot It! can be thrown in a bag without taking up much room. If you ask us, all that makes it an essential purchase no matter how old you are.
Funko may be better known for its POP! figures, but that doesn't mean its board games for kindergartners should go ignored. As Disney Mad Tea Party demonstrates, they're brilliant (and in this case, just a little bit weird).
Based on 1951's animated Alice in Wonderland movie, the game challenges players to stack cups on a wobbly table. Although there's more to it than that, this tells you everything you need to know; it's an exercise in patience, dexterity, and the joy of watching everything come tumbling down. Think Jenga, only with more tea.
However, rather than taking it in turns to stack teacups at random, each player starts the game with a handful of cards that tell them which one to pick. If you're successful and don't cause the stack to fall over, you get to discard your card. If you fail, you've got to take more. Whoever manages to get rid of all their cards - or stack all 12 cups - wins. It's simple but effective, so Mad Tea Party is well worth a look regardless of whether you're playing as a group or need good board games for 2 players.
Even if they're blazing a trail ahead of their classmates, reading probably won't be a four-year-old's forte just yet. With that in mind, some games might seem out of reach thanks to text on cards and board spaces. That's where Rhino Hero comes in.
Blending the tower-building of Jenga with super-heroics, this board game for kindergartners is a charming exercise in patience and steady hands. While the aim is blissfully straightforward (make a tower out of your cards), the reality is a lot more interesting. Namely, everyone's contributing to the same structure, and sometimes you'll have to move the wooden Rhino Hero token from level to level. This gets increasingly hard as the game goes on so that battle to keep it all upright will have your kids on the edge of their seats.
Certain cards come with special abilities, too - they might force a neighbor to pick up another card or make them lose their turn. This adds depth to proceedings, providing some replay value that ensures Rhino Hero won't be a five-minute wonder.
The original Ticket to Ride ranks as one of the most chilled-out board games for families, but its antique style probably won't light your child's world on fire. Enter Ticket to Ride: First Journey. This is a simplified adaptation that makes the idea much more approachable for kindergartners. It's bright, accessible, and faultlessly cheerful.
As with the full-fat Ticket to Ride, you score points by creating train routes across the USA (or Europe, depending on which version you pick up). Because those routes are much shorter than the original game, you can do so in just 15 minutes. First Journey is a bite-sized experience as a result, and all the better for it.
It isn't any less zen, though. This is a relaxing alternative to other competitive games, making it a sound choice for those who don't want arguments breaking out around the table. It's also the perfect introduction to more complicated board games in general.
Fancy taking a stroll down memory lane? Mousetrap has been one of the best classic board games for decades, and it's still just as delightful today as it was 60 years ago. Combining an enchanting zaniness with all sorts of gizmos, this old favorite knows how to please a crowd. Giving kids levers to pull or traps to spring is always a winner.
While it's enjoyed some upgrades as time's gone by, the fundamentals of Moustrap haven't changed much. As per the original version, you'll play as hungry mice trying to get as much cheese as possible (the first one to six wins). However, players have got to get past all manner of pesky traps first.
Due to clever, multi-part mechanisms, these cockamamie inventions are ideal for practicing fine-motor skills on the down-low. It's perfect for learning about cause and effect, too.
Sure, very young children may struggle to get all this set up. But once it's ready to go, Mousetrap is a delight of a board game for kindergartners. Entertaining and educational? That's the perfect mix.
Board games for kindergartners - FAQ
What board games do 5 year-olds play?
With the tender age of 5 being right in the middle of kindergarten, kids of that age are probably starting to look for bigger and more complex board games. As a result, we'd suggest getting them to try Spot It (available for $12.99 at Amazon). While it's still very accessible and can last less than five minutes, this card game's emphasis on matching pictures of various sizes will challenge them a little more.
Similarly, Disney Mad Tea Party ($19.99 via Amazon) and Rhino Hero (which you can find on Amazon for about $15) also strike the perfect balance of being easy to understand whilst pushing both motor skills and cognitive abilities.
What board games do 6 year-olds play?
As kids get older, the board games they play are likely to have increasing levels of depth. That's why we'd suggest checking out Ticket to Ride: First Journey ($34.99 at Amazon) if your child is on the cusp of leaving kindergarten. It's still very easy to get the hang of but offers slightly more complex gameplay that has the added benefit of familiarizing them with the sort of mechanics that are common in board games for families.
What is the most popular kid-friendly game?
This isn't an easy question to answer without some hard data, but a quick look at Amazon's bestsellers list would suggest that Disney Eye Found (which you can pick up for $9.99) is a hit when it comes to board games for kindergarteners.
There's also an Avengers version if you think your kid would prefer the world of superheroes
This is sort of like Mickey Mouse meets Where's Waldo; players must find certain objects hidden amongst 12 Disney locations, and the whimsical artwork makes it easy to engage with even for younger children. There's also an Avengers version if you think your kid would prefer the world of superheroes to Disney classics.
