Of all the ways to delight in learning with little children, playing games together is such a meaningful way to teach simple concepts and learn through play. 

This blog post lists the best board games to play with preschool-aged children, plus our all-time favorite games to play with little kids.

In this blog post:

• Best board and card games for children
• All-time favorite games to play with preschoolers
• Play-based learning curriculum from Treehouse Schoolhouse

Best board and card games for preschool children

I love using games to gently introduce young children to learning concepts and to encourage cooperation, taking turns, and learning how to handle emotions when they lose! As a part of our daily rhythm, I have been asking the little ones in my home to pick a couple of games for us to play together. They are learning so much as they play, and they get their cups filled as I sit and spend quality time with them. 

1. Sneaky Snacky Squirrel

Sneaky Snacky Squirrel combines color learning, matching skill, strategy, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination with this quick-play board game.

Age Range: 3+
Players: 2-4

2. Sequence Letters

Sequence Letters practices letter recognition while sounding out the letters on cards and connecting them to pictures on the game board.

Age Range: 2-7
Players: 2-4

3. Outfoxed

Outfoxed encourages cooperation, counting skills, and critical thinking in this whodunit game as players work together to crack the case to find out which fox stole the prized pot pie.

Age Range: 2-7
Players: 2-4

4. Sleeping Queens

Sleeping Queens is a card game with playful characters that encourages early arithmetic and strategic thinking by rewarding players for creating math equations.

Age Range: 5+
Players: 2-5

5. Sum Swamp

In Sum Swamp, littles can gently develop math skills in a fun way as players run through the swamp by adding and subtracting numbers on the dice.

Age Range: 5+
Players: 2-4

6. Spot It!

Spot it! sharpens reflexes and observation skills. Players will develop focus, visual perception skills, speech-language skills, and fine motor skills in this fast-paced game. 

Age Range: 5+
Players: 2-8

7. Hoot Hoot Owl

Hoot Hoot Owl is a simple strategy game that emphasizes following directions and taking turns as players work together to help owls fly back to their nest.

Age Range: 4+
Players: 2-4

8. Clumsy Thief Junior

Clumsy Thief Junior develops confident math skills along with lots of laughs as players sort through their hands of cards to find any two that add up to 10.

Age Range: 4+
Players: 2-4

9. Hi Ho! Cherry-O

In Hi Ho! Cherry-O, players sneak in math skills as they pick pretend fruit from the trees on the game board, adding or subtracting as they go.

Age Range: 3+
Players: 2-4

10. Go Fish!

Go Fish! is a classic, easy-to-learn matching game that encourages numeral recognition.

Age Range: 4+
Players: 2-5

11. Richard Scarry’s Busytown

Richard Scarry’s Busytown is a game where children can practice problem-solving skills as they seek objects and characters on the board, practicing color recognition and taking turns. 

Age Range: 3+
Players: 2-4

12. Connect 4

Connect 4 is a classic game that encourages turn taking and critical thinking skills.  

Age Range: 5+
Players: 2

13. Animal Parade Head to Toe Dominoes

Animal Parade Head to Toe Dominoes is played by matching pictures of animals together in this dominoes-style game for littles. 

Age Range: 3+
Players: 2-4

14. Feed the Woozle

Feed the Woozle gives children a way to practice motor skills with a size of creativity and silliness as players feed the Woozle 12 crazy treats before all the snacks are gone.

Age Range: 3-6
Players: 2-5

15. Frida’s Fruit Fiesta Game

Frida’s Fruit Fiesta Game gives children a way to practice the alphabet and develop fine motor skills by using Frida the toucan to find the matching fruit.

Age Range: 4+
Players: 2-4

16. Tea Party Game

Tea Party Game is a sweet game for children where players hone in their patience and manners as they set the table and collect all the items for teatime – complete with a real tablecloth!

Age Range: 3+
Players: 2-4

17. Snail Express

Snail Express teaches color names and recognition as players help each snail deliver the mail.

Age Range: 4+
Players: 2-4

18. Kids on Stage

Kids on Stage is a charades game that prompts players to act out animals, objects, or actions. It uses simple illustrations, which makes it a great choice for children to participate even if they aren’t able to read.

Age Range: 3+
Players: 2-4

19. Count Your Chickens

Count Your Chickens is a cooperative board game that reinforces counting and teamwork as players work together to bring all the baby chicks back to the coop.

Age Range: 3+
Players: 2-4

20. Enchanted Forest

Enchanted Forest is a classic memory game that develops visual recall as players search for hidden treasures under trees.

Age Range: 5+
Players: 2-6

21. Sorry!

Sorry! is a classic board game that introduces children to games, reinforcing counting and teaching competition in a fun and lighthearted way.

Age Range: 5+
Players: 2-4

22. Story Time Chess

Story Time Chess uses character-based stories to help very young children understand how and why each chess piece moves.

Age Range: 3+
Players: 2

23. Skip-Bo Junior

Skip-Bo Junior is the simplified version of Skip-Bo, which builds early numeracy and sequencing skills by using shorter number strings and bright animal graphics to help young children learn to count from 1 to 10 in order.

Age Range: 5+
Players: 2-4

24. Uno

Uno is a classic matching game that uses color and number recognition to teach children critical thinking in this simple, fast-paced game.

Age Range: 5+
Players: 2-10

25. Noodle Knockout!

Noodle Knockout! is a fine-motor skills game that develops hand-eye coordination and color recognition as players use oversized chopsticks to sort and “slurp” up different types of noodles and toppings.

Age Range: 4+
Players: 1-4

See all of our favorite games for preschoolers on Amazon.

All-time favorite games to play with preschoolers

Of the dozens of games that are well-suited for little kids, our all-time favorites are Sequence Letters, Sleeping Queens, and Count Your Chickens. 

Play-based learning curriculum from Treehouse Schoolhouse

If you love learning through play, or giving small children everyday moments to learn together with you, Treehouse Story School: Preschool is a gentle, literature-based preschool curriculum that invites children to learn through the themes in stories they love. Each week will focus on a picture book, inviting children into connection and learning through music and movement, play-based narration, alphabet and number play, motor skills, practical life development, crafts, and baking together.

It would be a great fit for your toddler or preschooler if you are looking to incorporate multi-sensory, play-based learning while introducing them to timeless stories. From toddler through upper preschool, this curriculum can be used year after year as you dive deeper into beloved, classic stories your family will cherish.

What board games do you love to play with the little children in your family? Share your favorites, plus the games you want to try, in the comments below.