Inside: Looking for the best board games for kids? Here’s my list of the very best games for kids under age 10 – don’t miss this chance for some good ol’ family fun!

What are the best board games for kids?

Sign me up for a good game night: I love board games. But kids…. hmmm… it gets a little trickier trying to find games for kids that are still fun for  adults or older siblings.

RELATED: Looking for more toy ideas for kids? Check out my list of 100+ ideas broken down by age!

Why are games so awesome for kids?

Thanks for asking: board games are amazing.

I give my kids a new game for every birthday or Christmas – we have grown quite a collection over the past years and I am here for that!

I truly think of board games as a “write off” for toys: you can’t have too many.

Board games teach our kids so many amazing skills and we need these powerful tools in our lives:

• Communication skills
• Taking turns
• Sharing
• Winning AND losing graciously
• Rule following
• Math skill (most board games have a math element to them when you really think about it…)

RELATED: Need some more gift ideas? Try my guide to the best puzzles for kids!

When should we start our collection?

How young is too young? How early is too early?

For my kids, age 3 was the golden ticket number for each kiddo with “entry level” game play. These are games like Candy Land and Memory – simple to understand and limited rules to follow.

Around age 3 is when I started helping my kids amass their board game collection and board game repertoire.

Let’s hear it for the game: HERE ARE THE BEST BOARD GAMES FOR KIDS

The following list contains affiliate links. Busy Toddler is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.

Hissss

An absolute whole family favorite and works from age two to 92. It’s a lot about luck in this game of building color matching snakes. Games that are luck based are great for toddlers who don’t quite have their skills up yet.

Outfoxed

A cooperative play game – Outfoxed is a team game (there’s no winner – everyone works together to catch the fox). It’s a bit like clue for kids with some really cool elements that make it even fun for adults.

Kids on Stage

This is the perfect charades game for kids – it’s just so well done. If you have drama-loving kids, acting it out here will be the best.

Sleeping Queens

This is a really fun game for the older kids (the box says 8+, I’d say 5+). The goal is to wake up as many queens as possible… but it takes a little skill and a little luck to win. Side note: I would play this one with adults too. It’s that fun.

Rat-a-Tat Cat

Hello to the favorite of my neighborhood for all of last winter. Ages 4.5+ on this one and have the best time trying to avoid the rat and find the cats. This one plays in fast rounds, best with 3+ players (IMO).

Spot it!

Need a travel game? A car game? A diaper bag game? You need Spot it! It’s part matching, part Where’s Waldo and really just about the best “toy” to always have on you.

Yeti in My Spaghetti

What a perfect game for toddlers on up to elementary school – this game awesome. Don’t let the Yeti fall into the bowl… a steady hand is needed here!

Lucky Duck

It’s a little bit memory,  a little bit carnival game. The ducks move on a rotating track and my kids LOVE it. This 36 year old happens to really enjoy this one too.

Shark Bite

Another game of total luck: you “fish” for the prey inside the sharks mouth but one will trigger the giant mouth to snap shut. Makes the kids giggle every single time.

Let’s Go Fishin’

Do you remember this one? The fish spin and you try to reel them in. I love this one because kids can play alone OR in a group.

Hungry Hungry Hippos

It’s a classic for a reason. Everyone should own Hungry Hungry Hippos. The End.

Perfection

Do you remember this game? You need to add all the pieces back into the puzzle before the timer pops them all loose. It’s fun for kids with the pressure and without – and it’s all about spatial awareness…

Bop-It

Ok technically not a board game but this is the best. It’s not easy but trying to follow the verbal directions of the game with a physical motion is hilarious. Perfect for littles, bigs, and adults (not to toot my own horn, but I do have the neighborhood record right now…)

Operation

You had it as a kid and guess what? It’s still fun as an adult. It’s simple for little ones but still challenging for adults (I’ve still yet to complete a full operation without the buzzer)…

Chutes and Ladders

Don’t forget about this classic – it’s an easy one to overlook. As kindergarteners work on counting to 100, this board game (with 100 spaces) is perfect for counting skills.

Guess Who?

A game that teaches children to ask questions. SIGN ME UP. This is a tricky one for preschoolers and up but once they grasp the game, it’s the best.

ZINGO

Made for kids based BINGO!!! This is the best little game for kids and parents – a fun alternative to traditional BINGO.

Connect 4

Who doesn’t love playing Connect 4? The ultimate game of thinking skills – every house should have it.

Banana Blast

Need something silly and funny to give the kids this holiday season? This is an all-ages, all-siblings kind of game that makes everyone laugh… and be a little nervous. Whose banana will be “the” banana….

UNO

One of the first truly great card games that kindergarteners can play. This one is easy to learn and a great introduction into the world of cards.

6-in-1 Fun Pack

I love having a multi-set like this one (it’s a great gift for stockings too). The set comes with six different card games with simple photo cards for kids.

Good Ol’ Deck of Cards

You can’t go wrong with having just some decks on cards lying around. There’s a lot kids can learn just from playing with a standard set.

The Best Board Games for Kids – from Busy Toddler