Orchard Toys My First Snakes & Ladders review: the ideal first board game for preschoolers

Our verdict

If you're looking for a simple, engaging first board game for your preschooler, Orchard Toys My First Snakes & Ladders is an excellent place to start. With its colourful illustrations, chunky playing pieces and easy-to-follow rules, it's a brilliant introduction to traditional board games, with plenty of opportunities for learning along the way.

I first bought My First Snakes & Ladders for my daughter when she was three, and it's still a firm favourite now she's four. We play it a couple of times a month, and despite having plenty of other games to choose from, it's one she continues to enjoy.

One of the biggest selling points is how accessible it is for younger children. The large, brightly illustrated board has clear numbers and plenty of space for the character pieces. The board itself is made up of six large jigsaw pieces, which adds another fun element to setting up the game.

It's also a great way to practise counting, number recognition and turn-taking without it feeling like a learning activity. The games are relatively short, which helps keep younger children interested, although there's still plenty of excitement when someone lands on a ladder or gets sent back down a snake.

My only real criticism is that the jigsaw board can occasionally come apart during play, particularly if it gets knocked. It's also a relatively simple game, so older children may eventually find it less challenging. However, considering how much use we've had from it over the past year, I think it offers great value for money.

My four-year-old put the game through its paces after more than a year of playing.

How we tested

I tested Orchard Toys My First Snakes & Ladders at home with my four-year-old daughter, having originally bought the game for her when she was three. We've played it regularly over the past year, giving me a good opportunity to assess how well it's held her attention as she's grown and developed her counting skills.

I assessed the game on its ease of set-up, quality and durability, how straightforward the rules are for younger children, its educational benefits and overall replay value. I also considered whether it offers good value for money and how suitable it is for preschoolers playing with adults.

What's in the box?

• One six-piece jigsaw playing board

• Four character playing pieces (two parts each)

• Four matching character discs

• One dice

• Instruction leaflet

The board is made up of six large jigsaw pieces that slot together.

Is Orchard Toys My First Snakes & Ladders easy to set up?

Yes, and that's one of the things I really like about this game. Unlike some children's board games, there's very little preparation involved, so you can be ready to play in less than a minute.

The board is made up of six large jigsaw pieces that slot together to create one colourful playing surface. It's a lovely touch, particularly for younger children who enjoy puzzles, and my daughter likes helping to put the board together before we start.

Each player then chooses one of four characters and slots the two parts of their playing piece together. There are also four matching character discs, which players can place in front of them as a reminder of which character belongs to them. It's a thoughtful addition for younger children who might otherwise forget which piece they're moving.

The board is large, with bright, engaging illustrations and clear numbers that are easy for young children to identify. The playing pieces are also large, making them easy for little hands to pick up and move around the board. They're much easier to manage than the tiny counters you get with some traditional board games. Everything feels sturdy and well-made, which is particularly important for a game designed for enthusiastic preschoolers.

Because the jigsaw-style board can occasionally separate during play, especially if it's knocked or moved around, I’d recommend playing on a flat, hard surface to keep everything in place.

When it comes to storage, the game packs away neatly into its box, although the large jigsaw board and playing pieces make it less practical for taking on holiday or playing on the go. It's definitely a game that's better suited to playing at home around the table.

The four colourful animal characters are chunky and easy for little hands to hold and move around the board.

How do you play Orchard Toys My First Snakes & Ladders?

If you've played traditional Snakes & Ladders, you'll already be familiar with the rules. This version follows exactly the same principle but features a larger board, characters and a colourful, child-friendly design.

The aim is simple: be the first player to reach the finish. The youngest player starts by rolling the dice and moving their character the corresponding number of spaces. Players then take turns moving around the board, counting as they go.

Land at the bottom of a ladder and you get to climb up to a higher square, bringing you closer to the finish. But land on a snake's head and you'll have to slide all the way down to its tail, potentially undoing several turns of progress.

It's straightforward enough for three- and four-year-olds to understand with a little guidance, and once my daughter had grasped the concept, she was able to follow the rules without much help. Typically, game play for us lasted around 10 to 15 minutes. 

There's also no need to roll the exact number to reach the finish, which makes the game a little less frustrating for younger children who are eager to win.

Is My First Snakes & Ladders a good family game?

Absolutely. I think three and four is the sweet spot for this game, making it a brilliant choice for families with preschoolers. The rules are simple enough for younger children to pick up, but there's still enough excitement and unpredictability to keep the whole family entertained.

It's one of those games that's really easy to get out and play without lots of explaining, and my daughter still enjoys it just as much now she's four as she did when we first bought it.

When I first introduced the game to my daughter at three, it was a lovely way to practise counting the dots on the dice, recognising numbers on the board and moving her character the correct number of spaces. Now she's four, she's much more confident doing these things independently, but she still enjoys playing.

It's also an easy way to introduce some of the social skills that come with playing board games, including taking turns, following rules and learning that you can't always win. And because the outcome is determined by the roll of the dice, younger children can compete on relatively equal terms with adults.

Another advantage is that games are short enough to fit into a busy family routine, whether you've got a few minutes to spare after school or want something to play together at the weekend. There's no complicated set-up or lengthy explanation of the rules, making it an easy game to enjoy together. 

The main limitation is longevity. While my daughter has continued to enjoy it well into her fourth year, I can imagine that children who are confident with numbers and ready for more complicated games may outgrow it relatively quickly.

My First Snakes & Ladders is a fun way for preschoolers to practise counting, number recognition and turn-taking.

Is My First Snakes & Ladders good value for money?

I think My First Snakes & Ladders offers excellent value for money, especially considering the amount of use we've had from it. At £12, it's an affordable introduction to board games, and one that's provided us with plenty of entertainment over the past year.

The quality is impressive too. The large jigsaw pieces and characters feel sturdy enough to withstand enthusiastic preschoolers and, despite plenty of use, our game has held up really well.

Although the simplified format means it may not hold the attention of older children for as long, there's plenty of replay value during the preschool years. It's also the sort of game that younger siblings could enjoy as they get older, potentially extending its usefulness even further.

For me, its combination of quality, educational benefits and repeat play makes it well worth the money.

About the author

Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet. Mum to a four-year-old, she is fully invested in finding the best and most affordable products for families.

With 10 years’ experience as a full-time editor, including extensive experience writing, commissioning and editing product reviews and round-ups, Laura has developed particular expertise in baby and child products, from buggies and car seats to toys and games. She has a keen eye for what parents genuinely value and is passionate about delivering honest, practical reviews that help parents make informed decisions.

In addition to her work as a writer and editor, she has also appeared in a number of product review videos for Mumsnet's YouTube channel.