The best first board games for toddlers & preschoolers (from a pediatric OT)
Whether it's too hot to go outside OR too rainy/cold to leave the house, board games are one of my very favorite ways to pass the time with little kids. And I don't just love them because they're fun (though many really are!). As a pediatric OT and mom of two, I love them because of all of the skills they’re helping your child work on while you play.
Playing board games is one of the best (and most fun!) ways to support your toddler or preschooler's development, all while connecting with YOU. So if you're looking to add a few to your shelf, here are my favorite first board games, organized by age so you know exactly where to start.
(Quick note: the links below go to my Amazon storefront and are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share games we genuinely play and love. Thank you in advance for supporting my small business! 🤍)
Why board games are so good for toddlers and preschoolers
Early board games help build so many critical skills, including:
Turn-taking and waiting
Frustration tolerance when things don’t go their way
Learning to handle winning and losing
Following directions
Remembering the steps of a game
Fine motor skills from picking up, placing down, and manipulating small pieces
Cooperative play to work together toward a goal
Connection with you!
Here's the part I always want parents to remember: these skills take time and practice to develop! They’re not going to be good at all of these right away. The earlier you start modeling and practicing them in low-stress, playful moments, the better.
That said, here are all of my favorite games, organized by age group:
Best first board games for age 2 (toddlers)
Monkey Around This is my FAVORITE first game for toddlers! It teaches turn-taking, includes movement and full-body play, and uses a soft, stuffed-animal-like banana, so there's something concrete for them to hold. The cards are thick and durable too, so they won’t get ruined easily. If you buy one game off this whole list to start, make it this one!
Acorn Soup Another one of my favorites for younger toddlers. The directions are super simple (and very visual), which makes it so easy to follow along. I love that you can practice taking turns OR work together to build each soup, so you can meet your child right where they are.
Don't Break the Ice A big hit with toddlers! It's simple, hands-on, and great for early turn-taking and fine motor strengthening with the little mallet.
Great for ages 3 to 4 (older toddlers and young preschoolers)
Candy Land A perfect first "real" board game for 3 to 4 year-olds! There's no real strategy required, but it's great practice for following directions, counting spaces, and matching colors, plus an introduction to winning and losing.
The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game The OT in me LOVES this game! It's great for working on matching colors and taking turns, and most importantly, fine motor skills, because it uses a little tweezer to manipulate the acorns.
Hi Ho Cherry-O Great for ages 3 and up. You can play it as a team or use it to practice winning and losing! Plus it sneaks in some early math skills like matching and counting, and good fine motor practice manipulating the pieces.
Zingo I love this one for working on memory, taking turns, and building vocabulary and word recognition skills. My fellow pediatric speech therapists use this one all the time! Perfect for ages 3 to 4 and up.
Ready for a little challenge, ages 4 to 5+ (preschoolers and early elementary)
Uno A classic first card game! You can modify it for younger kids by using fewer cards to start, and you can even play "open face," where everyone can see each other's cards so you can help guide which card to play each time. Just beware – some rounds seem to last forever!
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza This one says 7+, but in my opinion even preschoolers (around age 4 and up) can start playing! It's a fun card-slapping game that helps with sequencing steps, memory, and tolerating winning and losing. Plus, it’s genuinely fun for adults to play!
Outfoxed My FAVORITE first game for teaching strategy and critical thinking. It's great for ages 4 to 5 and up with a little help, and because it's cooperative (you're all working together to solve the mystery), there's no one "loser." Also fun for adults too!
Race to the Treasure This one is great because there's some strategy involved and you're working together as a team. It also works on visual-perceptual skills, spatial awareness, right-left knowledge. Again, fun for adults!
OT-approved tips for playing board games with little kids
A few things that make playing games smoother (and more fun):
Modify the rules. Use fewer cards, skip complicated steps, or play "open face" so everyone can see each other’s hands. There are no board game police, I promise!
Try cooperative before competitive. Games where you work together to “beat the game” or build something as a team takes the sting out of losing while children are still developing frustration tolerance.
Model losing gracefully. Let your child see you lose and stay calm. "Aw, I didn't win that time, that's okay! That was fun." You're teaching regulation in real time.
Keep it short and low-stress. Try to end playing while it's still fun. A five-minute game that ends happily is better than playing for longer and it ending in a meltdown.
Make it part of your routine. Playing a game around the same time each day or week, like before bath time, or after lunch on the weekends, can become a cozy, predictable part of your day. (Board games make a great rainy day activity, too!)
I’ve linked all of these games, plus more of my favorites, on my Amazon storefront HERE!
Any favorites I missed? I'm always looking to add to my recommendations, so share yours in the comments! 🎲🤍