Best Kids Board Games.
“Family Fun, Entertainment & Great Learning!”

“Wow! Mom this is just so much Fun”.

“Yeah! We did it this time pal”.

Kids board games are such fabulous things that you will also get accustomed to these sounds of joy very soon. I still rejoice the memories of playing Pictionary at my cousin’s place as a teenager. The game was so educational and absorbing that I recently bought one for my son (in fact for me…Lolz!).

Board games are considered as one of the oldest form of entertainment since ancient times. Be it generic games such as Chess, Ludo or Snakes and Ladders to more recent games, all have their own qualities and charm.

Following kids board games are especially handpicked and recommended for kids of the age group 3-12 years. All the games are fun to play and are laden with some unique learning qualities.

Last but not the least…

“Chess has Checks & Ludo has a Dice, Kids Board Games make the kids Smiley, Guiley n Wise!”

Cranium Bloom

Age Group: 3 years & above

Game Learning: Concentration, memory, image association, spatial thinking & fine motor skills.

No. of Players: 2

Game Time: 15 minutes

Versions Available: 6

• Cranium Bloom – Let’s play count and cook game.
• Cranium Bloom – Let’s play neighborhood memory game.
• Cranium Bloom – Let’s play neighborhood sound bingo game.
• Cranium Bloom – Let’s play sandwich stacker cookout game.
• Cranium Bloom – Let’s play sandwich stacker lunch time game.
• Cranium Bloom – Let’s play shop and match game.

About the Game:

• A learning kids board game for small kids, first published in 2008.
• The child has to make correct matching of two game pieces.
• For e.g. matching of a bird and a nest, puppy barking sound with a picture of the same etc.
• The above mentioned 6 version of the game are based on different themes, as stated.
• Let's Play Count & Cook Game includes the game board, 20 ingredient tokens, 4 chef movers, recipe book and a dice.
• Let's Play Neighborhood Memory Game includes 24 colorful, interlocking pieces.
• Let’s Play Neighborhood Sounds Bingo Game includes the bingo player, 4 double-sided bingo cards and 36 tokens.
• Let's Play Shop & Match Game includes the grocery store game board, grocery basket, 16 play food pieces, scanner, spinner, 8 reusable grocery list, batteries and an erasable pen.
• Let’s Play Sandwich Stacker Game includes a menu spinner, storage bag and 12 stackable play-food pieces.
• Let’s Play Sandwich Stacker Game includes a menu spinner, storage bag and 12 stackable play-food pieces.

Game Pros :

• This kids board game Helps the kids relate closely to neighborhood, daily routine life events, sounds, identifying and naming things etc.
• Encourage the kid to build up key skills like co-relating, counting, listening, role playing, bonding with friends and parents etc.
• Game’s overall quality is very good and safe for small kids.

Game Cons :

• No noticeable downside of this amazing kids learning board game. Just that an adult supervision and guidance is always required.

My Tip :

• Collect all the 6 versions of the game and every week allocate one day to each game. Just play with your kid for half an hour daily or let the little siblings play together and notice the level of awareness growing everyday.

Go Away Monster

Age Group: 2 to 5 years.

Game Learning:

No. of Players: Up to 4.

Game Time: 15 minutes.

Versions Available: 1

• Go Away Monster, Published by: Gamewright.

About the Game:

• A very helpful kids board game to weed out the fear of Monsters within kids in a fun and intuitive manner.
• A simple matching game in which kids have to reach into the bag to find a puzzle piece that matches the pictures on the bedroom game board.
• This kids board game contains bedroom boards, 16 bedroom puzzle pieces, 8 monsters, cloth monster bags and rules of play

Game Pros :

• Kids will learn shape identification, pattern matching & cooperation.
• Helps eradicate the fear from their minds and build self confidence and self esteem.
• Helps them to distinguish between the real and the imaginary.
• The overall quality of the game is satisfactory.
• Low price.

Game Cons :

• The game pieces are made up of thick cardboard that are bound to wear out over time. Need to keep them securely so that kids do not misplace them.
• Since the game is very simple therefore, it might get repetitive after some time. But by that time the purpose of buying the game would have been solved.

My Tip :

• Play the game with your child after dinner just before bed time. It will give him a feeling of affection and togetherness as well as banish the fear of his imaginary monster!

Click here to watch the video preview of Go Away Monster

Blokus Trigon

Age Group: 6 to 12 years.

Game Learning: Making Strategy

No. of Players: Up to 4 players.

Game Time: 20 minutes.

Versions Available: 1

• Blokus Trigon – Published by: Mattel.

About the Game:

• This kids board game is a great strategy game for kids as well as whole family.
• The game contains a hexagonal plastic board and 4 different colored plastic trigon pieces.
• Each player has to choose a color and has to make maximum trigon shapes following certain rules.

Game Pros :

• A fast-paced kids board game that will teach kids to think logically and make strategy.
• An interesting game that the whole family can enjoy.
• The game is such designed that the kids will never get bored of it.
• The game is 100% mind based and no chance or luck events are involved.

Game Cons :

• The colored plastic trigons are a bit fragile. Need to be handled and stored with care.

My Tip :

• The best part of the game is that when the parents are busy and tied up, the siblings can play it on their own. Seeing the learning quotient of the game would you mind that?

I Spy Bingo

Age Group: 3 to 6 years.

Game Learning: Recognizing alphabets, reading, correlation, verbal and visual skills.

No. of Players: 2 to 6 players.

Game Time: 15 minutes.

Versions Available: 1

• I Spy Bingo – Published by: Briar Patch.

About the Game:

• This kids board game has 2 play levels, Beginner and Advanced.
• The game is especially designed for little kids with some basic understanding of alphabets, pictures and sounds.
• In the game kids have to match the sound or picture on the card with the letter on the board.
• Each bingo board is two-sided – “Beginner” side with the letters in sequence and the “Advanced” side with randomly arranged letters.
• Each bingo card is also two-sided - the “Beginner” side features the letter to be called out and the "Advanced" side only contains pictures whose names are to be called out and the first letter of the word used.
• The game contains 6 double-sided Bingo boards, 26 double-sided cards & 50 tokens.

Game Pros :

• Simple and fun learning game for little kids helps them to identify and differentiate between letters, sounds, pictures and words.
• A very educative game for preschool kids, home schooled kids and kindergarten kids.
• The price of this kids board game is low and affordable.
• Game’s overall quality is satisfactory. The main game board and tokens are made of hard card board thus durable.
• 2 levels of play ensures that the child does not get bored with game early. Just flip the sides and the kids are on with the advanced level, thus enabling him deeper learning and understanding.

Game Cons :

• The cards are not laminated and requires care.

My Tip :

• The child can play this game all by himself also and if he has a company of a friend or a sibling, then, Match On!

Peanuts A Charlie Brown Christmas Game

Age Group: 5 and above.

Game Learning: Christmas theme kids fun game

No. of Players: 2 to 4 players.

Game Time: 20 minutes.

Versions Available: 1

• Peanuts A Charlie Brown Christmas Game – Published by: Sababa Toys Inc.

About the Game:

• Objective of this kids board game is to go through the course of the game and decorate Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree (all time favorite Peanuts comic character). The winner of the game gets the honor to light up the star of the Christmas Tree.
• Contains game board, playing pieces, spinner, game cards, Christmas tree (with 2 button cells) and instructions sheet.

Game Pros :

• A simple and fun board game for kids. No adult supervision required.
• Game’s overall quality is very good. The main game board is very colorful and attractive to kids. The game characters are also very finely fabricated to give a nice feel.

Game Cons :

• As the game is primarily a Christmas game so “Merry Christmas” would have sounded better, instead “Happy Holidays” and “Season’s Greetings” have been used.

My Tip :

• An ideal family Christmas fun game.

Click here to watch the video preview of Peanuts A Charlie Brown Christmas Game

Pictureka

Age Group: 5 and above.

Game Learning: Visual correlation & speed.

No. of Players: 2 to 7 players.

Game Time: 30 minutes.

Versions Available: 1

• Pictureka – Published by: Hasbro games.

About the Game:

• A very absorbing board game for kids in which the objective is to collect the maximum mission cards by finishing the task giving in it correctly.
• A game of visual hide and seek.
• This kids board game is a mixture of chance as well as child own visual and speed skills.
• Contains 9 two-sided game board tiles, 108 cards, dice, timer and instruction sheet.

Game Pros :

• This kids board game is designed in such a manner that it will never get repetitive and boring.
• The pictures in the game board tiles are very interestingly drawn.
• A very engaging game for a large group.
• Lots of learning.
• The manufacturing quality of the game is good. Cards have to be stored and handled properly.
• Ideal game for all ages, even grandparents!

Game Cons :

• The pictures on the board tiles are black and white and are drawn in close proximity to each other purposely (to maintain the game’s charm over the time). This may be get tricky for some elders as they have to stress their eyes to scan through the pictures to find the correct one. But for kids it’s just fun!

My Tip :

• This board game for kids is ideal to be taken out at family party time or any other family gathering.

Click here to watch the video preview of Pictureka

Maze Ways Cat & Mouse

Age Group: 4 to 8 years.

Game Learning: Logical thinking, problem solving.

No. of Players: 2 to 4 players.

Game Time: 15 minutes.

Versions Available: 1

• Maze Ways Cat & Mouse – Published by: Educational Insights.

About the Game:

• A Puzzle board game for kids in which kids have to form right connections to solve it. For e.g. for a dog to find his bone the player has to find its way through a maze of possible paths.
• 4 difficulty levels (starter, junior, expert, master) with 12 puzzles on each level for a total of 48 puzzles.
• This kids board game contains a plastic game board with built-in storage compartment, maze booklet with puzzles and solutions and 9 puzzle tiles.

Game Pros :

• The 4 difficulty levels of the game ensures that a kid doesn’t get bored with the game easily instead progress to higher level step by step once he/she gains confidence.
• Since this is a single player game hence it is ideal to keep a child constructively busy at home and travel.
• Game’s overall quality is very good. The main game board and the maze tiles are made of high quality plastic, thus very durable.

Game Cons :

• Only downside of the game is that only one child can play at a time. But that’s the beauty of the game!

My Tip :

• Two more games on similar lines can also be explore to add to the variety:

• Fire Escape.
• Air Traffic Control Tower.

Click here to watch the video preview of Maze Ways Cat & Mouse

Stare! Junior

Age Group: 6 to 12 years.

Game Learning: Visual memory, Imagination and Concentration.

No. of Players: up to 20 players.

Game Time: 1 hour.

Versions Available: 2

• Stare! Junior (for kids 6 to 12 years of age) – Published by: Game Development Group.
• Stare! (for kids from 13 years of age and above and adults, similar to junior version but with higher complexity and challenge))- Published by: Game Development Group.

About the Game:

• A winner of the National Parenting Center Seal and the Teacher's Choice Award for the Family.
• Objective of this kids board game is to observe the given play card with a certain picture and answer correctly the question related to that picture.
• The game contains 160 fun image cards with 960 questions, game board, sand timer, playing pawns and dice.

Game Pros :

• The game can be played individually among kids as well as 2 teams of 8 to 10 kids. Very flexible kids board game.
• In a fun way kids will learn some key skills as enlisted above.
• The game overall quality is very good. The cards have some interesting pictures.

Game Cons :

• The game might seem a bit slow to some restless souls.
• Some of the pictures may seem weird but that’s the fun part of the game.
• A bit lengthy game so cannot be played daily but perfect for kid’s parties, gathering and camping etc.

My Tip :

• This game is best enjoyed in a group of 2 teams. This ensures that none of the restless kids feel bored and would be involved and engrossed at all times.

Click here to watch the video preview of Stare

Pictionary

Age Group: 9 years and above.

Game Learning: Vocabulary, image recognition, drawing, visual correlation.

No. of Players: 4 or more.

Game Time: At least 1 Hour.

Versions Available: 1

• Pictionary – Published by: Milton Bradley

About the Game:

• This kids board game is played between 2 teams with players trying to identify specific words from their teammate’s drawings.
• The kids board game was first published in 1985.
• The game contains a game board, 324 cards (containing 2800 words), 4 pencils, 4 playing pieces, 4 pads of paper, card tray, standard die and dice.

Game Pros :

• The game is packed with lots of fun and laughter for kids as well as parents (imagine a cat drawn by you that looks like a tiger to your team mates!).
• The course of the game will make the kids learn the importance of team work and coordination.
• A perfect game for a family gathering as it can engage everyone in the house i.e. from a 6 years young to 60 years old!
• Game’s overall quality is very good. The main game board is fairly well laid out and simple. The durability to the cards is also good.

Game Cons :

• The game will take at least an hour to finish but no one complains as one is so engrossed in the game that you lose track of the time.
• Younger kids less than 8 years may not find this very interesting because the game’s concept per se is above their age level.
• The game may not taste that good when played in a very small group. Bigger the group, larger the fun!

Click here to watch the video preview of Pictionary

If Wishes Were Fishes

Age Group: 9 years and above

Game Learning: Planning and basic trading.

No. of Players: 2 to 5 players.

Game Time: 45 minutes.

Versions Available: 1

• If Wishes Were Fishes – Published by: Rio Grande Games.

About the Game:

• The players play the role of fisherman in this game trying to capture the fishes and selling them in the marketplace.
• Objective of this kids board game is to maximize one’s value through planned moves and keeping an eye on other players’ moves.
• Contains a game board, 75 wooden and different colored small fishes, 5 start fishes, plastic worms, event cards and rules.

Game Pros :

• This kids board game is good for older kids with basic understanding of money and making strategy.
• Allows kids to learn planning and logical thinking.
• Game’s overall quality is very good. The game board and other pieces are very durable.

Game Cons :

• The game’s rules are a bit complicated hence not suitable for younger kids. Once the rule are understood the game is fun to play.

Oodles Of Doodles

Age Group: 10 years and above

Game Learning: Deductive reasoning, problem solving & manipulative development.

No. of Players: 4 or more.

Game Time: 45 minutes.

Versions Available: 1

• Oodles Of Doodles – Published by: Think Fun.

About the Game:

• This kids board game was first published in year 2003.
• This kids board game has following achievements to its credit:

• Dr. Toy 10 Best Games - 2003
• Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products – 2003
• Family Fun Toy of the Year Finalist – 2003

• Objective of the game is to doodle (rough drawing) 8 pictures related to a given theme within a stipulated time while your team does the guessing.
• The game comes with a cards set with 400 categories of themes, write-erase board, a marker and eraser, 90-second timer and a score keeper.

Game Pros :

• If you have played Pictionary then this game is highly recommended. A very good family entertainment.
• A very good ice breaker activity for a kid’s party or a family gathering.
• Even the kids who does not like drawing much or have bad drawing will love this game as the game involves doodling and not drawing. Everyone in the world has done doodling in classroom!
• Game’s manufacturing quality is very good.

Game Cons :

• The game is tricky for younger kids to understand and play. That is why the game is recommended for kids above 10 years or age. Younger kids can still participate in the group and have a blast.
• The white erasable drawing board can become dirty after repeated usage over a period of time. In that case, a new one can be bought from the local departmental store.

Equate

Age Group: 8 years and above

Game Learning: Solving mathematics problems – from basic to complex equations.

No. of Players: 2 to 4.

Game Time: 1 to 2 hours.

Versions Available: 1

• Equate – Published by: Conceptual Math Media.

About the Game:

• This kids board game was first published in year 1996.
• The game is a Mathematics version of the popular word game “Scrabble” with similar layout and rules.
• The tiles have basic mathematic numbers, symbols (like +, -, x, % etc) and fractions printed on them.
• The game comes with a laminated playing board, 190 tiles, and 4 racks on which players keep their tiles.

Game Pros :

• Kids will learn the basic lessons of mathematics at home or classroom in a fun and interactive way.
• Parents or teachers can upgrade the game to a higher level just by buying a new set of tiles (the game board and other stuff remains the same).
• Best part is that a child can play the game alone also.
• A great brain game for the whole family.
• Game’s overall quality is satisfactory.

Game Cons :

• This kids board game is lengthy, will take time to finish. Compare it with chess, the more you think the better you get!
• The tiles are made of hard cardboard, plastic would have given it more durability.
• Have to buy new set of tiles for advanced level, but I feel it is more of an investment than expense.

My Tip :

• The set of tiles that comes standard with the game is of intermediate level of difficulty. It contains mathematics symbols like - addition, multiplication, subtraction, division signs, whole numbers between 0 and 9, and a bunch of easy fractions like 1/2, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4. There are some tougher ones like 5/6 and 2/6 also.
• For younger kids with basic understanding of math kindly buy the Junior tile set to go with this game board.
• For grown up kids having deeper understanding of mathematics like percentage, exponents, negative numbers etc one may buy the Advanced tile set.

Qwirkle

Age Group: 6 years and above

Game Learning: Problem solving, logical thinking and strategy development.

No. of Players: 2 to 4.

Game Time: 45 minutes.

Versions Available: 1

• Qwirkle – Published by: Mindware.

About the Game:

• This new generation kids board game was published in 2006.
• An all-out blockbuster kids board game winning following awards:

• Games Magazine Award: Best Family Game Runner-up 2007.
• Mensa Best Mind Game Award Winner 2007.
• Major Fun Award Winner 2007.
• German Game of the year award (Spiel des Jahres).

• The objective of the game is to score the most points by building horizontal or vertical lines that share a common attribute i.e. either color or shape.
• The game comprises of 108 wooden blocks with six different shapes drawn on it in six different colors.

Game Pros :

• The game is very absorbing, will keep the kids creatively busy. Grown up kids and elders can have more fun by out playing and out thinking the opponents.
• The game tiles/blocks are wooden therefore they are durable. Moreover, the game is not played on a specific board instead it is played on a table and the players have the freedom to stretch the game as much as they want.
• Definitely one of the best kids board game for kids.

Game Cons :

• No noticeable downside of the game.

My Tip :

• This game complements “Scrabble” and “Equate” board games perfectly. Go for all the 3 games and gift your child a complete package of tactical learning.

Click here to watch the video preview of Qwirkle

Similarly, find out some of the best Puzzle Games, Chess Games and Card Games for kids available in the marketplace.

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