5 Board Games 5-Year-Olds Will Love (and you will too)

My boys, ages 5 and 9, really like playing board games. We’ve found over the years which ones are more loved than others. Since we play with the boys it’s important for us, as adults to find ones that hold our interest as well.

Here is a list of 5 games for kids 5 and under that are also parent-approved…

Best Board Games for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners

This game is fun and no reading is required. Instead of Uno cards, colorful animal figures are used. It’s like Uno in that they match color and type. There are even little card stock hay stacks to block the other players from viewing your figures. Our boys love the action of knocking the figures into the barn. The object of the game is to get all your figures back into the barn.

ZINGO! – Ages 4 and up (although I think younger kids can play this too), 2-6 players

My sister introduced us to this game. Who doesn’t love Bingo? This is a version of Bingo, but it uses images instead of numbers. If your kids like hidden picture books this is a great one. Whoever first covers all the spaces on their Zingo card with matching tiles wins.

If your child is not used to playing board games this is a good one to start with. It’s simple and doesn’t take too long to complete. Reading is not required, but it can support early readers by associating the pictures and words.

Farm MiMiQ – Ages 4+, 2-6 players

Okay so this is not technically a board game but I had to include it! Our friends David and Kristen introduced us to this silly card game. It’s a version of Go Fish like you have never experienced! Instead of asking if another player has a card you must make the matching face. Instead of saying, “No, I don’t have that card!” you simply stick out your tongue. This is my boys’ favorite part, they have even added sound effects. It’s so funny to see your kids try to make all the silly faces. At a playing time of only 15 minutes, this one is sure to bring some laughs! This version also caught my eye.

SEQUENCE FOR KIDS – Ages 3 to 6, 2-4 players

This is a strategy board game that requires no reading. Brent, my husband, had a version of this game growing up and his parents got this game for our boys. It was new to me and I really like it. The first player to get 4 of their own chips in a row wins. It’s strategic in that the player has to choose from their hand of cards which animal to place where or by blocking their opponent. It helps kids in the skill of logical thinking. Beware of the unicorn and dragon cards they create chaos!

MONOPOLY JR. – Ages 5+, 2-4 players

Monopoly is such a great game and most of us know what it feels like as children when you are not old enough to play. This is a wonderful introduction to the game in a very simplified form. Plus, the playing time is much faster than regular Monopoly. It usually takes us 30 minutes or less. A feature I like is that the cash only comes in single $1 bills which make it much less confusing for little ones. The properties are all places kids love like pizza house, toy store, and swimming pool to name a few. The player with the most cash at the end of the game wins.

We own and play all of these games. If you have any questions please reach out. I’d be happy to help.

A couple games that are intentionally left off the list are Candyland and Hungry Hippos. I loved these games as a child and honestly, my kids love them too but as an adult, I get so bored playing them. I would rather play Sequence any day.

What board games do you love playing with your children?

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If you purchase from a link on this blog a small percentage of the sale may come back to me. You are never charged more for the product. It’s a way to keep this site going and I’m very selective about the things I list. It’s mostly things we already own and love or things I think you would enjoy. Thank you for reading!