The Best Board Games For 5-Year-Olds - 2021
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Our Picks For The Top Board Games For 5-Year-Olds
Classic Peg-Popping FunKids will love pushing the pop-o-matic bubble to roll the dice.
Find the CulpritPlayers have to work together to find the guilty fox.
Promotes Physical ActivityThis game is perfect for kids who love jumping around.
Encourages FocusThis game helps kids improve their critical thinking, memory and cooperation skills.
At the age of 5 years old, kids’ attention spans are growing and they are able to focus on doing one activity for an extended period of time. A great way to help your child improve their focus, while also working on their communication and social skills, is to play board games with them.
As an added bonus, board games can be enjoyed by the whole family, bringing together kids and adults of all ages.
When choosing board games for 5-year-olds, consider whether you want to get a cooperative or competitive game. Some young children have a hard time with the winner/loser concept and prefer a cooperative game where everyone works together to accomplish or defeat something. Other kids are more competitive and prefer to play against other players. Consider which kind of game your 5-year-old would enjoy.
Be sure to think about playing time as well. Most 5-year-olds likely can’t sit down and play a board game for two hours or more. Choose a game that takes less than 30 minutes to play from start to finish. If the game is a quick one and your child is still interested, you can always play the game again. However, if it is too long, they may not want to complete it.
The Best Board Games For 5-Year-Olds
Hasbro Trouble Game
To play this game, each player has to push the pop-o-matic bubble to roll the dice. They then compete with each other to race around the board. The winner is the first to get all four pegs into the finish zone.
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Gamewright Outfoxed! A Cooperative Whodunit Board Game
This cooperative game is a great way to get kids to work together and find the guilty fox. They have to reveal suspects and follow clues, and once they find the fox, they win.
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Endless Games The Floor is Lava
Kids have to jump from tile to tile in order to avoid falling into "hot lava." The game also comes with a set of challenge cards to up the ante. The tiles are slip resistant for safety.
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Ravensburger World of Disney Eye Found It Board Game
This cooperative game is a great way to build focus and critical thinking. Kids have to work together to find items with Disney characters they love. The game takes only 15 minutes to play one round.
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Mattel Kerplunk Classic Kids Game With Marbles, Sticks & Game Unit
This classic game is back with a new look. Players have to take turns removing sticks while trying to keep the marbles from falling. This game is perfect for two to four players.
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Our Board Game For 5-Year-Olds Buying Guide
At the age of 5 years old, kids’ attention spans are growing and they are able to focus on doing one activity for an extended period of time. A great way to help your child improve their focus, while also working on their communication and social skills, is to play board games with them.
As an added bonus, board games can be enjoyed by the whole family, bringing together kids and adults of all ages.
When choosing board games for 5-year-olds, consider whether you want to get a cooperative or competitive game. Some young children have a hard time with the winner/loser concept and prefer a cooperative game where everyone works together to accomplish or defeat something. Other kids are more competitive and prefer to play against other players. Consider which kind of game your 5-year-old would enjoy.
Be sure to think about playing time as well. Most 5-year-olds likely can’t sit down and play a board game for two hours or more. Choose a game that takes less than 30 minutes to play from start to finish. If the game is a quick one and your child is still interested, you can always play the game again. However, if it is too long, they may not want to complete it.
DWYM Fun Fact
One of the oldest known board games is called The Royal Game of Ur, which was played in 2650 BC. In fact, it may still be played in many parts of the world, such as Iraq, India, Egypt and other countries, which makes it the game that has been played longer than any other in history.
The game involves a geometrical board and two sets of markers each with seven pieces. The markers slightly resemble checkers, and one set of markers is white while the other is black. It is played with tetrahedral (four-sided) dice. The game is named after the Royal Tombs of Ur in Iraq where it was found by researchers.
The Board Game For 5-Year-Olds Tips and Advice
- Think about how complex the rules are for the games you’re thinking of buying for a 5-year-old. Ideally, the rules should have no more than two or three instructions so that young children can quickly grasp the details. If the game is too complex, they may become disinterested, and if it is too easy, it may not challenge them enough to proceed.
- How many players will typically play the board game you’re selecting? Choose a game that fits those parameters. Most board games work well with two or four players, though some can be played with more people.
- Consider your child’s personality and then find a game that will engage them based on their interests. For example, if they love physical activity, then a game where they get to jump up and down and run around is a good choice. If they love solving problems, go with a game that requires some detective work. For kids who are numbers-oriented, opt for one that requires dice so they can work on their counting and adding skills while playing.
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About The Author
Anam Ahmed is a copywriter and essayist based in Toronto. She has been writing on technology, travel, parenting, and business for over 10 years, and works with a number of high-profile organizations. She values finding the best products to make people's lives easier. Anam earned an M.A. from the University of Toronto and a B.A.H. from Queen's University. Learn more at www.anamahmed.ca.