Board game recommendations for nearly six year old and three year old

[sugarlumpwasarockinghorse]

My children are (nearly) six and (just) three and wondering what board games they might like? I haven’t really played any with them before!

Does it have to be board games? Sleeping Queens is AMAZING!. It's a card game. When you first read the instructions, you want to poke your eyes out because it seems so complicated, but you can get the hang of it quickly once you've played a couple of go. (may be put everyone's hand of cards out for everyone to see while you're learning). One part of the game is to make sums, but your 3 year old can just give those cards to someone to do that part without upsetting the game.

I also liked Rat-a-Tat-Cat and Too Many Monkeys

In fact, most Gamewright games are very good.

Jeez, I don’t know @BrightLemonHam , I just haven’t. Maybe your three year old is a lot more advanced than mine. Or you’re just better, or something.

@Tablefor4 that does sound really complicated to be honest! It doesn’t have to be a board game, like I say we haven’t actually played any before, but I was thinking maybe now is a good time to start with something simple!

I did not expect the thread to go like this, I must admit. Anyone who has got some good recommendations would be welcomed, although it looks like I inadvertently asked for my parenting to be criticised.

My children love junior monopoly and any of the orchard toys board games

Gotta love a pile on eh? Hope you’re ok OP.

anyway I would second sleeping queens, Rhino Hero (is a card stacking game) is also a good shout. Any memory tile game - they come in vast arrays of choices so choose a pretty theme or you’ll be stuck with frozen for life :)

All the orchard games are fine (a bit monotonous for an adult, but you’ll get there), Shopping List and Smelly Wellies were my kids favourites.

My first message was not a criticism. It was polite shock, because how are there families out there that literally haven’t played board games with their children for years?

And I gave you plenty of suggestions. You’re welcome.

Hungry hippos was a hit age 3 for mine.
The 3 year old will understand connect 4

We like Haba first Orchard, Colorama and Snail race for a three year old.
Outfoxed is fantastic for a six year old, the younger one might need some help.
Also orchard games do some really good ones.
Uno for a child who recognises numbers.
Snakes and Ladders
Don't wake Dad
Sneaky snacky squirrel

What an unnecessarily unpleasant comment.

Dobble. Card game rather than board game.
Monster Bingo.

Junior game of life was a fun one for us OP.

Orchard toys do great games, pizza pizza was always a favorite!

@BrightLemonHam it wasn’t particularly polite, and there’s nothing to be shocked about. We haven’t played board games. That’s it. We aren’t hanging upside down naked by the fireplace, or sacrificing cats at midnight, we just … do other things, that evidently differ from what you do. And I don’t believe you are “shocked” at that.

You did indeed list off some things I presume are board games but without any surrounding dialogue or anything it’s not much of a recommendation. If you’d said something like ‘oh we play X and it’s a really good simple game with fun pictures’ that’s a bit more helpful, as I’m afraid I haven’t heard of the ones you’ve listed! But tbh I do think you’re trying to pull the thread in a different way to the one I’m hoping it will go. If they like board games I will look at some for a Christmas present.

Thanks @Danikm151 . We did have a mini connect 4 on holiday but lost it 🙄 she enjoys putting the counters in but not sure she actually got what she was supposed to be doing! I’ll have a look at hungry hippos - I don’t think I’ve ever actually played it!

Thanks @Noideawhatiam , they both recognise numbers so that’s helpful

Thanks @EarthlyNightshade , I do have a ‘poo snap’ (lovely) I was pressured to buy in Waterstones but we haven’t played it yet so thanks for reminding me. Although it’s disgusting!

Thanks @Myfridgeiscool , I haven’t heard of any of these apart from snakes and ladders and hungry hippos!

This thread got off track very quickly! We all do things at different ages and stages.

I agree with the above comment on Orchard games, the age recommendations on the boxes are pretty good so you can find ones which will suit both kids.

Jenga has been another favourite and bingo style games.

If going for card games can recommend this for small hands: amzn.eu/d/0iMfygrJ

Thanks @Tapsaffweather . My youngest only turned three last month and honestly I’m not sure many two year olds are able to play board games properly; even the box on most says 3+.

I second orchard games . Huge selection
shopping list by orchard an absolute classic for that age group
little grandson too wee as yet but can’t wait to get them out again !

Another vote for Orchard games, we had loads when mine were that sort of age. They also used to be my go to birthday present for parties!

snakes and ladders
orchard toy games including the ladybird game, chef game and shopping trolley.
uno
dobble
any memory card game

I’ll have to look into them, do they also do jigsaw puzzles? I seem to be thinking they are quite small.

We like Orchard Games in our house too.
Shopping list is my twos favourite. But they like the Christmas ones too. Not strictly board games but twister and Uno (I thought my 4 year old would struggle with Uno, but he picked it up fine). Frustration. Buckaroo. Ker plunk. Hungry hippos - although that one finishes too quickly for my liking.
Also, memory snap.

You can’t seriously be trying to convince me you have never heard of Jenga, Dominoes or Uno now. Come on 😆

And yes, I am shocked, because board games are incredibly important for young children. You don’t have to be a fanatic, but equally, having a six year old child who has never played one before is very unusual.

The majority of the boxes say 3+ because to say they were suitable for under 3s they would have to pay for additional testing.

Same reason there are many children’s toys out there perfectly suitable for under 3s which are labelled 3+.

@BrightLemonHam just … give it a rest, hmm?

If you are genuinely shocked, then perhaps go and do something productive with that shock, go and do some reading with children in a primary school or preschool in a deprived area or volunteer with family support or something. You won’t of course, because you don’t care about children, you want to make me feel bad that my very loved and well looked after children, who are read to extensively and taken out a great deal, haven’t played board games before. Behave yourself!

Lol my kids are way older and don't have the attention span to sit through turn taking board games, they'd rather be climbing trees or making dens. All kids are different.

Don't worry OP. I was thinking 3 feels very young to be playing games like this but of course all kids are different.