35 Board Games for Kindergarteners
Even when you have a garage full of sports equipment, a backyard with a playset, and a house overflowing with toys, kids will still complain about being bored and having nothing to do. On top of that, we live in an age where kids are inundated with tablets, video games, and streaming services that provide immediate access to almost any movie with the touch of a button.
One solution that will undoubtedly capture any kids’ attention and offer an alternative to screens is board games. Not only are table games suitable for all ages, but they also provide a plethora of educational benefits, especially early learning skills for young children.
A few educational skills that board games encourage include critical thinking, fine motor skills, math, hand-eye coordination and more. If that’s not enough to get you excited about board games, they also help to develop social and emotional skills, such as patience, teamwork, and confidence. As a bonus, board games are the perfect way to bring the entire family together.
We’ve given our recommendations on board games for all kids, so this time, we’re focusing on the best options for Kindergarteners. So, whether you’re looking for something fun to do or are hoping to encourage your child’s educational and social skills in a fun way, here are 35 board games for kindergarteners that are sure to delight!
Editor’s Note: We know raising kids can be hard. That’s why we’re dedicated to making your life easier with the latest and greatest parenting advice and products. We wanted to let you know that if you chose to purchase one of the items featured in this post, we may receive a small commission for it.
Best Kindergarten Board Games to Develop Fine Motor Skills
1. Spot It!
Product Price: $16.99
Kids will utilize their developing reflexes and observational skills in this card game to spot the matching symbols and be the first to call them out. While it’s a compact game ideal for bringing on vacation or a road trip, it won’t get boring, thanks to five unique game modes. Up to eight players can join at once, making it fun for the whole family. Since it only takes about 15 minutes to play, you can get in a quick game while waiting for the bus before bedtime.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“This game is incredible! Not just because it is fun, but because the algorithm used to create it is astounding to me. Somehow every little disk has one and only match with any other disk. I have actually watched multiple videos on the mathematics behind this and I’m still convinced that it is just magic. Incredible.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
2. Go Fish
Product Price: $10.99
Don’t forget about this classic card game that’s perfect for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and even adults. This beginner strategy game helps develop fine motor skills, improves concentration, and helps with number recognition. With bright colors and simple illustrations, this game is ideal for younger kids.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“Great to help kids learn their numbers and how to play cards. My three-year-old and seven-year-old love this game and ask to play it all the time. They will even play it with each other if I am doing something and can’t play right away.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
3. The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game
Product Price: $21.99
It takes fine-motor skills and skilled hand-eye coordination to spin the wheel and pick up the acorn. But watch out – your spinner could land on a gust of wind that blows all your acorns back into the tree.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“My girls (4 & 5 y.o.) LOVED this game! It’s easy to learn. Challenges patience, taking turns, and helps explain winning and losing. Really cute acorns and the squirrel tweezer tong thing is fun to use. Get it!”
Purchase it on Amazon.
4. I SPY Dig In
Product Price: $24.99
While this game is recommended for kids five years of age, older kids will love it too. Just pour the game pieces into the bucket and dive in. Race the clock to find six game pieces to match on your card. It’s based on the bestselling I SPY book series by Jean Manzollo and Walter Wick and brings the books to life.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“Bought this for my six-year-old grandson and the whole family enjoys it!”
Purchase it on Amazon.
5. Perfection Popping Shapes
Product Price: $10.99
Match all nine shapes in the shortest amount of time to win this exciting puzzle game against other friends. Or young kids can play by themselves and try to beat the timer before the puzzle tray pops all the pieces out. It helps to develop fine motor skills and identify shapes.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“Purchased as a gift for a five-year-old. Hours of fun! Great way to learn about shapes, while playing a game under a time crunch! Kids were excited when they beat the clock!”
Purchase it on Amazon.
6. Hungry Hungry Hippos
Product Price: $22.99
Break out this fun game for family game night, and prepare yourself to have a blast. This dino edition is a cute remake of the classic board game everyone knows and loves. All age groups will enjoy chomping down on the marbles. Plus, kindergarteners can practice their math by counting all the marbles they ate.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“This game is super easy to set up out of the box, and it's an absolutely adorable version of hungry, hungry hippos. My four-year-old absolutely loves pulling this off the shelf for us all to play as a family.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
7. Mouse Trap
Product Price: $24.99
In addition to being a classically loved kids' board game, it also develops fine motor skills and challenges a child’s critical thinking while setting up the intriguing mouse trap. Then, make your way around the board without getting trapped.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“I got this game for my boys thinking they would enjoy it; they love it! I’ve always wanted to play this game when I was little but never did. I’m glad I get to enjoy it with my boys.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
Best Kindergarten Board Games To Encourage Teamwork
8. Disney Mickey and The Beanstalk Game
Product Price: $19.99
This cooperative board game comes with detailed sculptures and incredible artwork that make kids feel as if they’re inside a storybook. With a 3D board, spinning down the vine and sneaking past the giant is a totally immersive experience they’ll want to experience over and over again.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“My five-year-old loves this game and we have played it at least a dozen times in the three months we've had it. He even likes to play multiple characters by himself.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
9. Hoot Owl Hoot
Product Price: $17.06
Learn about simple game strategy and creative problem-solving together in this new game. Take turns drawing a color-coded card to help the owls fly back to their nest by morning.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“This game brought together three seven-year-olds who typically cry when they lose. Everyone was happy and cheering for one another”
Purchase it on Amazon.
10. Mermaid Island
Product Price: $19.99
Quick – help the mermaids swim to mermaid island before the sea witch gets there! But don’t worry, all you have to do is spin the arrow and pick up the wand to gain the power to defeat the sea witch.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“Great game where me and my little ones can all play and have a good time. The rules are not complicated and don't have a lot of board pieces. We have to work together to win. My kids are five and eight.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
11. Race to the Treasure!
Product Price: $18.99
Strategize and use critical thinking skills to build the path and beat the ogre together. The age range for this game is five years and up, but even grown-ups will have a blast. The team wins by collecting three keys along the path to open the treasure before the ogre gets there. Plus, the math grid board is a great introduction to numerical concepts.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“A game of cooperation is just what my kids needed.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
12. Pancake Pile-Up
Product Price: $18.99
Make sure you have enough pancakes for a crowd because this is the perfect party game. From sequencing and pattern recognition to using gross motor skills, the learning opportunities are endless! Get together in teams for a relay-style race to correctly recreate the stack of pancakes on the card.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“My daughter (seven years old) saw her favorite YouTube family playing this game and has been begging for it for months. Perfect Christmas present. She loves it and plays with me (mom) and her older brothers.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
13. Charades for Kids
Product Price: $14.99
This is one of the best games to replace screen time and get kids up and moving. Since it’s designed with younger kids in mind, all the cards have pictures to help those who aren’t confident in their reading skills. Act out the clues to help your teammate guess the word.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“We played charades with our whole family on New Year's Eve. Great Grandparents, Grandparents, parents & kids. It was a blast and even the littles, aged three, loved it!”
Purchase it on Amazon.
14. Pretty Pretty Princess
Product Price: $19.49
This is the perfect game for anyone who enjoys dressing up during playtime. Collaborate with one another by racing to collect a set of fancy jewelry. But make sure you’re not caught with the mystery ring!
Here’s What Reviewers Have to Say:
“I got this for my five-year-old for Christmas and she loves it. The whole family actually has fun playing it, even my husband. The girls got a kick out of seeing him wearing the jewelry.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
Best Kindergarten Board Games To Encourage Critical Thinking
15. Connect 4
Product Price: $11.99
Combine math skills and critical thinking in this classic table game where kids go head-to-head as they try to get four of their color disks in a row. Don’t forget about using strategy to block your opponent's pieces. With three game varieties to play, your kids will never get bored of this game.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“This game is a classic. I grew up with it and now my kids get to learn.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
16. World of Disney Eye Found It
Product Price: $19.99
Spot all the characters you love while searching this giant six-foot-long board, including Mickey Mouse, Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, and more. From focusing, to memorizing, to matching, this game teaches a plethora of skills to young kids while they’re having a blast.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“Our five-year-old engaged with this game, and while the gameplay concept is easy to catch on to, the items are hidden well enough that it is fun for older players as well. It is a game that can be played again and again. It is nice to have a board game option for a wide variety of age ranges to engage with.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
17. Zingo Bingo
Product Price: $21.99
Pre-readers and early readers will enjoy navigating this game independently while also learning language and matching skills. Since it comes with an extra zinger card, up to seven people in the family can play together.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“I bought this as a Christmas gift for my four-year-old nephew. He loved it as soon as we popped it open and started playing it. This was one of the most fun games on Christmas for a group of 20-year-olds, a six-year-old, and a four-year-old.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
18. Hedbanz Junior
Product Price: $16.99
You’ll only figure out what you are by asking yes or no questions to your friends and family. Since it’s an animal theme with colorful pictures, players don’t need to know how to read to have fun. Plus, young kids can also pick up a clue card if they need help.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“Gave this to my granddaughters, ages four and seven, for Christmas. Easy enough for the four-year-old to learn, fun for my 10-year-old grandson too, and even the adults had a good time.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
19. Candy Land
Product Price: $11.99
This classic game is still just as much fun now as it was back when it was first created, and it’s filled with delicious surprises and sweet adventures. There are no complicated rules, and the game requires no reading to have fun.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“I got this for game time with my grandbabies. I enjoyed this game as much (as) they did. They are learning their colors and getting comfortable with taking turns, winning, and losing.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
20. Don't Spill The Beans
Product Price: $21.39
Compete to get rid of all your beans first without tipping the jar. Kids will have to think strategically about balancing the jar, or else they’ll have to take all the beans.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“Youngest child loves to spill the beans a handful at a time but it's fun!”
Purchase it on Amazon.
21. Guess in 10 Junior Food We Eat!
Product Price: $14.97
Encourage young kids’ critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and decision-making with this exciting card game. This junior version is tailored toward preschool and kindergarteners, using colorful pictures and easy-to-read words.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“This was a gift for our almost four-year-old grandson, he loved it! He has become very clever in his guessing. He is now taking time to think about the clues and place his guess in the fewest clues possible.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
Best Kindergarten Board Games To Improve Eye-Hand Coordination
22. Trouble
Product Price: $11.99
Whether you have time after school or on the weekend, break out this classic game with the iconic pop-o-matic dice roller bubble that kids will want to press over and over again. Move your color peg to the corresponding number on the die, and watch out for double trouble and warp spaces.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“Easy game to play and you’ll never lose the dice!”
Purchase it on Amazon.
23. Operation
Product Price: $19.99
While kids get to feel grown-up playing doctor and operating on their patient, they’re also fine-tuning their hand-eye coordination and developing fine motor skills. But they must be careful not to touch the sides, or it’ll buzz, and their turn will be over!
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“Played this as a kid and just gave this to my six-year-old granddaughter … we had a blast!”
Purchase it on Amazon.
24. Jenga
Product Price: $15.99
Use coordination, skill, and a little luck to locate and pull out a block without crashing the tower. Kids can play alone, with a sibling, or with the entire family.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“This game is a classic. It’s easy to play with and keeps children and adults occupied. It’s nice that both children and adults can play it together.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
25. Kerplunk
Product Price: $16.99
This classic kids' game may have a new look, but it’s as enjoyable as ever. After creating a lattice of sticks blocking the marbles from tumbling down, players take turns strategically removing sticks without letting the marbles drop.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“This game is so easy to learn and really easy to put together. I played this with my nephew so many times, and he absolutely loves it. Another way that I have used it is in my kindergarten classroom as a classroom management strategy.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
26. Banana Blast
Product Price: $22.99
Develop strong reflexes and eye-hand coordination while swinging into fun playing banana blast. Strategically pull out the bananas and try to catch the monkey when he jumps.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“It's a very fun game for the whole family!”
Purchase it on Amazon.
27. Colorama
Product Price: $24.64
Included in this game are 40 colorful pieces that help to reinforce pattern and shape recognition in young children.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“Perfect game for young children. Can adapt it to your child's age and attention span. Helps teach colors, shapes, taking turns, counting, and sportsmanship. “
Purchase it on Amazon.
28. Don't Break the Ice
Product Price: $28.49
While the concept seems simple, it’s ideal for kids wanting to play a quick game. It also encourages a variety of valuable skills, from hand-eye coordination to creative thinking, as kids try to evaluate which blocks of ice to tap without dropping the penguin.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“This was one of the first games my son got and we still play it three years later. Love to buy this for kids that are starting to get into games. Really easy concept and quick to keep their attention.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
Best Kindergarten Board Games To Improve Math Skills
29. Sum Swamp Game
Product Price: $19.99
Learning while having fun is the best way to practice math. This kids’ board game encourages basic math skills, such as odds, evans, addition, and subtraction, while racing through the swamp and meeting interesting characters.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“My six-year-old and eight-year-old love these games and have for a while. They make learning fun. It has helped their reading and addition and subtraction.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
30. Hi Ho! Cherry-O
Product Price: $11.99
Spin the wheel to uncover how many cherries, blueberries, apples, and oranges you get to pick off the tree to fill your bucket. Be careful where you spin, because you may have to put the fruit from your basket back in the tree.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“This game is super fun and easy to teach kiddos to play. It is great for turn-taking, counting, learning colors, and much more!”
Purchase it on Amazon.
31. Sums in Space
Product Price: $25.00
Pick up this game if you’re ready to go on a space adventure to save the astronauts from a black hole. Use concepts such as ‘less than’, ‘greater than’, and other addition and subtraction skills to move through space. Switch it up every time by choosing between competitive mode, cooperative mode, and three difficulty levels.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“Our granddaughter loves this game. She wants to do all the adding and subtracting for us. We could not be any happier with the game as it helps her with her math skills!!”
Purchase it on Amazon.
32. Chutes and Ladders: Peppa Pig Edition
Product Price: $11.99
Anyone who loves Peppa Pig is sure to have fun playing this reimagined game of Chutes and Ladders. Climb, slide, and move around the playground while trying to be the first one to the end.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“Fun game for the entire family, kids love it and never get bored with it.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
33. Monopoly Junior
Product Price: $16.99
From counting money to buying a movie theater, this junior version of a beloved board game is perfect for teaching kids valuable skills while laughing with friends. It also has kid-friendly properties, like the zoo and video game arcade.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“We played this last night for the first time with my six and 8-year-old grandkids. We loved it! We played it once and immediately played it again.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
34. Clumsy Thief Junior
Product Price: $19.99
Uh oh – the clumsy thief snuck onto the farm and messed up the stacks of food. Players can help restack the food by adding numbers before the thief snatches their stack. It’s simple to learn and only requires 15 minutes of playing time per game.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“Bought this game to help my seven-year-old get faster with his (maths skills) … we loved this game!”
Purchase it on Amazon.
35. Mathswatters
Product Price: $17.99
Get kids excited about learning math with this hilarious game. Simply spin the wheel, add or subtract, and swat the bug with the correct number. Play alone or compete against a sibling.
Here’s What Reviewers Have To Say:
“My son is five and he absolutely loves this game! We play it together. It is a great way to get him excited about learning math.”
Purchase it on Amazon.
