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Original poster

Fantastic family game for small children

90 replies

grey12 · 02/12/2021 10:05

Hi!

I have small kids almost 4 and 5 (and a baby) and I'm looking for a fantastic family game. Board game, actions, whatever, super flexible with the type.

Let me be very honest: I am struggling with depression and would like something to help me have some nice fun time with the kids. I have been reading about new games that are really something fun and great and I wanted to try something new.

Ideally not something with lots of small pieces (because of the 1yo, she'll grab stuff....) but I would still like to hear about it if you know something really good.

I was going to get "frozen unicorns" but the reviews weren't good.....

Thank you!!!

OP posts:
FusionChefGeoff · 02/12/2021 10:12

The orchard games are great for that age. Mine loved Tummy Ache.

Dibble is amazing but maybe a tiny bit old for the 4 yo.

Doing jigsaws together - the 24/48 pieces probably about right.

I love crafting / colouring together with mine. YouTube / Pinterest has loads of really easy ideas. Colouring as an adult is very relaxing and kids love it if we're all sat down doing it together.

FusionChefGeoff · 02/12/2021 10:12

Not dibble - Dobble sorry

BonnyEm · 02/12/2021 10:16

Bugs in the kitchen

Annexlife · 02/12/2021 10:17

We are big fans of games in this house, but that age is a little tricky. Our first game at that stage was a card game, Donkey. It's all about pairs so easy for small children to grasp the concept. Ends in laughter more often than tears, which is a miracle in our house. Plus being cards less concern about pieces being shoved where they shouldn't! It's also small so can go in a handbag so ideal for meals out or a coffee. Amazon sell it as part of a pack of various card games.

BonnyEm · 02/12/2021 10:19

Sleeping queens

Comedycook · 02/12/2021 10:19

Pop up pirate! Nice and simple

FlickyCrumble · 02/12/2021 10:20

What a performance. Perfect for everyone and good fun.

herecomesthsun · 02/12/2021 10:21

Ours loved Uno.

languagelover96 · 02/12/2021 10:21

Cluedo
Anti monopoly
Dobble
Pictionary

Notstrongandstable · 02/12/2021 10:21

Shopping List..it's brilliant and just uses visual cards so great for small people. Also lots of other great games by Orchard Toys who make it

Marmite27 · 02/12/2021 10:21

We like Gruffalo donble and they LOVE uno.

Stompythedinosaur · 02/12/2021 10:26

Dobble kids is great - fits easily in a handbag for when you are out and about too.

Sally872 · 02/12/2021 10:31

Also like dobble.

And we have a game called dinosaur escape, which is a "cooperation game" basically work together and all the players win or lose together. Can be helpful at that age.

We like pairs and snap too (snap can be quite tough for my youngest to handle without getting upset though)

VoyageInTheDark · 02/12/2021 10:34

My 4yo likes the orchard toys ones called cheeky monkeys and loopy llamas

Original poster
grey12 · 02/12/2021 10:36

@FusionChefGeoff

The orchard games are great for that age. Mine loved Tummy Ache.

Dibble is amazing but maybe a tiny bit old for the 4 yo.

Doing jigsaws together - the 24/48 pieces probably about right.

I love crafting / colouring together with mine. YouTube / Pinterest has loads of really easy ideas. Colouring as an adult is very relaxing and kids love it if we're all sat down doing it together.

Jigsaws we have loads!! Grin they love those
OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 02/12/2021 10:37

I agree with Orchard games for that age. In a couple of years, the Exploding Kittens range will start to appeal but at that age, we stuck with Orchard games and some classics like Frustration, Hungry Hippos.

Original poster
grey12 · 02/12/2021 10:38

Thanks for all the ideas Smile I'll check those out!

OP posts:
whosaidtha · 02/12/2021 10:43

Mine love junior charades. It's fun to play with adults too if you've got lots of family round everyone can get involved. The clues have pictures so children don't have to read the words.
Also pictureka is a good one. Not too boring for adults.
Happy families or similar card games also. I bought a pack that had 4 different games in - happy family, donkey, jungle snap and something else.
Other games like hungry hippos/pop up pirate are fine but not great for adults too.

Goldbar · 02/12/2021 10:45

Don't drop the penguin/Don't drop Chase (the Paw Patrol version) is a hit here with just turned 4yo. Doesn't take too long either which is a plus!

Otherwise dominoes or memory matching games.

Ziggerty · 02/12/2021 10:53

Hungry hippos is the biggest hit with my 2 and 5 year olds. Also a fan of kurplunk. Bonus of that is the 2 year old thinks he wins if he gets all the marbles and the 5 year old knows she's not meant to have marbles. Everyone wins everyone is happy!

AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken · 02/12/2021 10:55

I’ve got mine that sausage game. It’s like a sausage version of bopit which I played with my cousins at their age and we loved it.

orinocosfavoritecake · 02/12/2021 10:58

Second the orchard rec. Cooperative games are also great with little ones - take a look at Mermaid Island or Dinosaur Escape.

Gearedtoyou · 02/12/2021 11:19

Dobble. We've even taken it on holiday and played it with non English speakers. Always fun.

BoredZelda · 02/12/2021 11:22

The orchard games are great for that age. Mine loved Tummy Ache.

Loved tummy ache! There was also a shopping trolley one we enjoyed.

Cluedo, Anti monopoly, Pictionary

For a 4 and 5 year old?

MeanMrMustardSeed · 02/12/2021 11:24

Outfoxed. It’s a brilliant cooperative game and has got a fun decoder element that children really enjoy.