Whether you’re a board gamer yourself trying to get your young children started in the hobby early, you’re wanting to find a nice gift you can get for a youngster or you’re looking for something that you can all play together, board games for young children might be the best way to go.

Here I’ll be covering some top board games that will be great for youngsters and why!

1) Spot It Animals

The original Spot It game has been modified into a simplified version for a younger audience! Making it easier to play and learn, this is a great little game to play with kids to get them thinking.

Each card has 6 colourful animals of different sizes on it. Between any two cards there is always one animal match! You can use this game to help young children learn the different animals or even have them make the animal sounds when they’re making their matches!

Spot It Animals is for ages 6 and up, however it can easily be simplified for younger children as young as 3 or 4!

2) Hugos Hodgepodge Hempels Sofa

Hugo’s house is full of so much junk! In Hempels Sofa, the players try to help him reach the objects they are looking for. To do this, they need to keep track of things, have a good memory, and not step on each other's stuff. The first player to pick up four objects wins.

This is a great children’s game that offers the players excitement and surprises every step (literally) of the way! Utilizing both dexterity and memory, it is a great way to have your tots learn how to think with strategy!

Hugos Hodgepodge Hempels Sofa is designed for ages 5+!

3) Rhino Hero SuperBattle

Rhino Hero Super battle is a 3D stacking game where players are tasked to build, and climb a skyscraper, but not only that, there is also fierce battles to be had between our four superheroes, our main hero Rhino Hero, Giraffe Boy, Big E, and of course my personal favourite Batguin (so cute, oh my gosh!).

This game is simple, fun and easy to learn and people of all ages, big kids and little kids, can get some fun out of it. Each turn you will get your options for building and moving and you will need to figure out what you can or should do. Helping again with dexterity, strategic thinking and memory to play this game.

Rhino Hero SuperBattle is designed for ages 5 and up!

4) The Little Orchard

This is a cooperative memory game for children! This game is great at helping children to develop team spirit and working together! Helping with the recognition of naming colours and symbols and also their fine motor skills! Another point into their dexterity!

The players of this game have to pick up all the cherries before the crow can come and steal them all from the tree. Players will have to use their memory and deduction skills to win against the sneaky crow! 

The Little Orchard is designed for ages 3 and up!

5) My Very First Games My First Orchard

This is another version of the previous game, The Little Orchard, however it has been further simplified for a younger audience. The fruit pieces are larger but players are still encouraged to work together to harvest all the fruit before the crow gets them. Our sneaky crow friend is back! 

This cooperative game again is designed to help children develop social skills and understanding of game rules. It should help children develop colour recognition and to teach them counting by ones. Not only that but the super cute pieces can also double as a pretend set of solid wooden fruit!

My Very First Games My First Orchard is designed for ages 2 and up!

6) Dragon Rapid Fire - The Fire Crystals Board Game

In this cute little racing game, players move their dragon figures to collect fire crystals on their way to the volcano! On a turn a player will roll the die, which may change which way a player is allowed to walk and make the player have to walk down a different path. This may mean the player takes longer to get to the volcano, but in the end, the player with the most fire crystals will be the winner! Who doesn’t like to collect all the little shinies? This can also be a great learning tool for counting for younger kids!

In this game, players will be forced to think strategically, but also will be required to start making on the spot decisions of what to do. Maybe the path they were going to take is now one they’re not able to go down? This game encourages a slight competitiveness and how to win and lose gracefully! 

Dragon Rapid Fire - The Fire Crystals is designed for ages 3 and up!

Buying Guide

In summary, if you’re looking for...

A memory focused card game? Spot It Animals.

Strategy, dexterity and memory in a game? Hugos Hodgepodge Hempels Sofa.

A more hands on building strategy game? Rhino Hero SuperBattle.

A cooperative recognition and social development game? The Little Orchard or My Very First Games My First Orchard.

A little competitive counting game with cute dragons? Dragon Rapid Fire - The Fire Crystals Board Game.

And there we have it! Our top board games to play with small children! What do you think? Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below!