15 best board games for kids

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Really interesting entertainment with your family. And no smartphones.

The games in the selection are arranged by age. But do not forget that the manufacturer's recommendations are only a rough guideline. Younger children often cope with the game quite successfully. Whether the child will like the new fun depends largely on his interests.

Most of the options presented are special editions designed for young players. However, instead of junior versions, you can safely take ordinary, adults. With a slight simplification of the rules, children can easily deal with them, and when they grow up, they will be able to play on equal terms with their parents.

1. UNO Junior

• Age: 3+.
• Number of players: 2–10.
• Party duration: from 15 minutes.

One of the most popular games, with which many begin acquaintance with the world of board games. UNO is loved for fast and addictive gameplay, excitement and a lot of fun from chatting at the table.

This version is distinguished by colorful cards, where, in addition to numbers, funny animals are drawn. Older children use the entire deck, and for the smallest players there is a simplified mode without special effects. The rules are the same: get rid of the cards as soon as possible and do not forget to shout “Uno!” When the last one remains in your hands.

2. Childhood of Barabashka

• Age: 4+.
• Number of players: 2–6.
• Duration: from 15 minutes.

A game designed for children to develop attentiveness and quick thinking. Thanks to simple rules and funny colorful characters, "Childhood of a Barabashka" runs the risk of being liked by a child and becoming a favorite board game.

The main character and his village friends are depicted on the cards in different colors. Participants turn the cards over in turn, and then at speed grab the figures with the correct color, which are in the picture. The fastest gets a point, and the winner goes to the one who picks up the most items by the time the deck is empty.

3. Children of Carcassonne

• Age: 4+.
• Number of players: 2–4.
• Duration: from 20 minutes.

A colorful version of the cult strategy game that even toddlers can play. The simplified rules are easy to learn, and the gameplay does not suffer from this at all - it will be interesting even for adults.

Opponents take turns overturning tiles with the landscape, buildings and their inhabitants, laying out the elements on the table so that the paths coincide. When one of the paths closes or hits an obstacle, players can place their figures, if their colors are on the cards. The winner is the one who "resettles" all his people before others.

4. Alias Junior

• Age: 4+.
• Number of players: 4 or more.
• Duration: from 30 minutes.

An exciting game for the development of associative thinking, imagination and logic, which will give a storm of emotions to players of all ages.

The same rules apply here as in the adult Alias. Using synonyms, antonyms and descriptions, participants make up words from cards to each other without naming them. Whoever guesses correctly gets a point, and the smartest one becomes the winner.

5. Cheese castle

@IgraJby / YouTube

• Age: 5+.
• Number of players: 2–4.
• Party duration: from 15 minutes.

An atmospheric game that develops memory and spatial imagination, originally created for young board players. "Cheese Castle" is interesting even as a separate toy: a beautiful labyrinth-fortress has removable roofs and moving corridors. Inside there are funny little mice, which, if they move carelessly, can end up in dungeons.

The task of the adventurers is to collect a collection of cheeses hidden in the master's castle with a team of four mice. This is not easy to do, because the treats are hidden under the roofs, which are removed only during the turn. In addition, opponents can move the floor, and then not only will the position of the cheese change, but there will also be a risk of falling into a trap, losing one scout.

6. Young Pig

• Age: 5+.
• Number of players: 3–10.
• Party duration: 10-20 minutes.

A fun and dynamic card game based on the UNO mechanics, which requires attention and quick reactions. As in the original UNO, participants need to discard their cards as quickly as possible, but instead of "Uno!" you have to shout "Pig!"

At the same time, the cards here are not abstract, but on a pig theme, which makes the game much more fun. What are the names of special cards: "Zakhrapin", "Perekhryushka", "Pointing", "Polisvin", "Tikhokhryun". In general, the whole family is in a good mood.

7. Jenga

• Age: 6+
• Number of players: 1 or more.
• Party duration: from 1 minute.

A time-tested board game that challenges the coordination and dexterity of the participants. "Jenga" is good because it is suitable for any age: kids can build towers from bars, and older children can play by the rules on an equal basis with adults.

The gameplay is simple and therefore even more beautiful. Participants take one block out of the eighteen-storey tower, one by one, and add new floors from them. One wrong move - and the structure falls apart under the general jubilation, and the most awkward one is already erecting a new tower for the next round.

8. Dobble

• Age: 6+.
• Number of players: 2–8
• Party duration: 15 minutes.

A quick game with simple rules that develops attentiveness and sharpness of reaction. Dobble is liked by both children and adults - it is ideal for a noisy company or a family where they like to laugh.

The cards stored in a round tin box have one common picture, and it is on their search that the gameplay of five different mechanics is based. Depending on the variant of the rules, you can collect cards or toss them to opponents, but for this you first need to find the same symbols.

9. Sticky chameleons

@ "Beaver Games" / YouTube

• Age: 6+.
• Number of players: 2–6.
• Duration: from 15 minutes.

An active game with interesting mechanics for agility and coordination, which will cheer you up and give you a storm of emotions. "Sticky Chameleons" is a bug hunt in the truest sense of the word.

Each player receives a sticky rubber tongue, which must be slapped across the table with a swing, trying to pick up a certain type of insect. You need to be extremely precise so as not to get hit by the wasps. And, of course, do not yawn: there are many hungry chameleons, and there are not enough tasty bugs for everyone.

10. Scrabble Junior

• Age: 6+.
• Number of players: 2–4.
• Party duration: from 15 minutes.

A game well known to many under the name "Scrabble", which broadens horizons and improves memory, and also allows young children to learn how to make words from letters.

The mechanics are based on ordinary crosswords. Of the available chips, you need to lay out the longer words on the field, trying to get as many points as possible. The junior version provides two options for the game: with pictures and some letters (for the smallest) and the classic Scrabble (for older children and adults).

11. Ticket to Ride Junior

• Age: 6+.
• Number of players: 2–4.
• Duration: from 15 minutes.

A colorful and atmospheric railroad adventure game and one of the most iconic board games. The children's version has simplified rules and develops strategic thinking, memory and attentiveness.

The goal of the players is to pave paths between cities, overtaking opponents by the number of railway lines. To do this, you need cards of locomotives, trains and several special cards. If you manage to complete six routes before anyone else, you can get a cool Golden Ticket bonus and become a winner.

12. Colonizers Junior

• Age: 6+.
• Number of players: 2–4.
• Duration: from 30 minutes.

An exciting strategy to develop thinking and economic skills. "Colonizers Junior" will take the guys into the exciting world of pirates who are exploring new islands and looking for treasures.

The job of the settlers is to establish seven pirate camps using one token of each loot. The required amount of resources can be obtained from your territories or bargained with other players. In addition, you can build camps, ships, and also ask for help from the parrot-wise man Koko.

13. Speed caps

• Age: 6+.
• Number of players: 2–4.
• Duration: from 15 minutes.

A very fast, funny and, most importantly, a simple game of attentiveness and reaction, which even young children can easily deal with.

Bright multi-colored bucket caps must be folded vertically or horizontally in the sequence indicated in the assignment on the current card. It is picked up by the one who copes the fastest and pushes the call button. The victory goes to the player who has collected the most cards at the end of all rounds.

14. Monopoly Junior

• Age: 8+.
• Number of players: 2–5.
• Duration: from 60 minutes.

The legendary economic strategy with which board games are associated with most people. Simplified rules and bills of the same denomination make it easy for the smallest tycoons to understand the process. There is even a version with a toy cash register and payment cards.

Funny characters and colorful design will captivate children in the game. The main goal is to ruin rivals by becoming the sole monopolist of the city. To do this, you will have to put together a start-up capital in order to buy out all businesses and real estate step by step.

15. IQ ‑ Focus

• Age: 8+
• Number of players: 1 or more.
• Duration: from 1 minute.

An interesting puzzle game that makes you wiggle. Its beauty lies in the fact that you can even play alone when there is no company. The compact case is both an organizer and a playing field, and also allows you to take the puzzle on the road.

The gameplay elements are multicolored figures made from squares. The child's task is to fill the playing field with them so that the color in the center matches the one specified in one of the conditions. There are 120 fields in total, and each task has only one correct solution.