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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Save me more disappointments - board games for 4yr old

104 replies

SkyLarkDescending · 27/10/2021 18:07

I would love some suggestions for board games/turn taking games for my DC, 4yr old.

I bought pop up pirate recently as I never got to play it as a child and always wished I had it. Well it was most definitely a disappointment - both DC and me got bored very quickly. I'm looking at more classics like mouse trap and operation - all games I had and loved but I'm not sure. I don't want to commit if they are going to get shoved in the cupboard in January!

I have DC, 2.5yr old also so bonus points for anything that is suitable for both of them.

Please give me your suggestions!

OP posts:
Sleepystarbright · 27/10/2021 18:33

If cards is their thing then Dobble Kids was popular here from age 3+ Smile

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 27/10/2021 18:33

Pass the Pigs. Not sure on the official afe but mine enjoyed from quite young

TheYearOfSmallThings · 27/10/2021 18:34

Jenga us the only one my DS could play successfully at that age (he was actually pretty good).

We also played Orchard games like shopping list but...those games are not fun, if we're honest. Jenga is.

1309username · 27/10/2021 18:35

I’m yet to meet a child that doesn’t love Woolfy (by Djeco)

ODFOgrinch · 27/10/2021 18:37

Pie face. Do it on yourself or partner before either of the DC so they understand that it is funny and don't get upset the first time!

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 27/10/2021 18:38

Not a board game but mine loved Penguin Pile Up, and would still get it out occasionally as teenagers. Not sure that the 2.5 year old would be able to play without knocking the penguins off though.
(If anyone does buy it, check the box before wrapping it up - when we got it, you had to put two bits together for each penguin - didn't take that long but seemed like forever for the DCs wanting to olay it!)

Gizmo98765 · 27/10/2021 18:38

Guess Who, Connect4, Orchard Games my DC’s loved a shopping trolley game. I also taught my DC to enjoy and play Monopoly at a young but I think slightly older age.

MsJuniper · 27/10/2021 18:39

Mine likes:
Ladybirds
Pig Goes Pop
Fairy Snakes & Ladders (Orchard Toys)
Uno (with open hands to help)
Fishing Game
House that Jack Built (or any equivalent game where you have to spin or roll and collect pieces)

Phalarope · 27/10/2021 18:42

Not Hungry sodding Hippos, unless you like deafening noise and collecting all the balls up endlessly. And it doesn’t fit back in the box without grownup help.

Orchard games Tummy Ache is still a hit here, as is Penguin Pile Up. Also a v expensive worthy game called Orchard by a German company called Haba - it’s cooperative not competitive, and is genuinely good fun.

Ragwort · 27/10/2021 18:43

Don't get Mouse Trap ... my worse Christmas memory ever is DH taking hours assembling it and one tedious game played .. none of us enjoyed it. I can remember to this day sitting with a fixed grin on my face trying to be positive about Christmas'family time' Grin.
My DS loved Uno, Junior Monopoly etc.

SkyLarkDescending · 27/10/2021 18:43

@2020isnotbehaving that is cheating?! I thought that was just part and parcel of playing with tantrummy DC BlushGrin

Pleased to see lots of games coming up for multiple posters - hopefully will go down well here too. Xmas shopping sorted in mere moments - thanks all!

OP posts:
RandomMess · 27/10/2021 18:46

Puppy Races
Noddy merry go round if you can get it

BelfastSmile · 27/10/2021 18:48

We had one called Bunny Hop that was a bit similar to Pop Up Pirate, but worked better and was easier to play.

There's also a Peppa Pig game called Muddy Puddles or something that's good too, if you're looking for something "mechanical".

We love cooperative games - check out a company called Peaceable Kingdom who have a good range.

blaaablaaa · 27/10/2021 18:48

Snap or UNO are winners. And easy to store.

Noluthando · 27/10/2021 18:48

Orchard toys knicker bocker glory. The first game my kids didn't have meltdowns about and they still play now age 6 and 8.

craigsgirlfriend · 27/10/2021 18:49

Operation, Mousetrap and Buckaroo are not nearly as good as you remember - bitter experience - and I wouldn't recommend at all - definitely not for a 4 year old.

ShoesEverywhere · 27/10/2021 18:57

Haba games! We love First Orchard for a 2.5 year old - my four year old now likes games like Love Letter, Sleeping Queens and even stuff like Carcassonne and Ticket To Ride - but she is a big gaming fan. Haba games are great to start with!

Snooptheboot · 27/10/2021 18:59

We like dinosaur island from peaceable kingdom. We also have and love race to the treasure but might be a bit tricky for a 4 year old? Ds got it at 4 and a half and needed a lot of help at first!
Uno jr
Labyrinth junior
Orangutwang / buckaroo
Monkey business by elc
Orchard toys - dinosaur lotto, woolly jumpers and first sounds lotto are our faves!

Beach11 · 27/10/2021 19:01

Cludo and Junior Monopoly

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 27/10/2021 19:03

Guess who, junior monopoly would both be a struggle for my 4yr old!
I just stick with orchard games- the bus game especially is great as we make up characters and stories on the way round

babyboyHarrison · 27/10/2021 19:03

Ohhh get Muddles. Lovely little card game.

SausageSizzle · 27/10/2021 19:05

The gruffalo board game is quite popular here.

My DS also likes a weird Paw Patrol game where you hammer ice-blocks out from under one of the puppies - Paw Patrol Don't drop Chase. It's quite good for turn-taking and has had surprising longevity for something I thought was complete junk Grin.

Jenga or equivalent. We have Wobbly Worms which is quite good.

Connect4. DS has only recently started playing it, as opposed to just slotting the counters in (over and over again).

Matching games. DS will just about tolerate these but still cheats like crazy.

Dominoes

Snail race

Not really a board-game as such, but DS is getting The Floor is Lava for Christmas.

Christmas1988 · 27/10/2021 19:11

Jr. Monopoly
Orchard games shopping list or read and spell
Phil the fridge
Doggy doo (this one gets boring for me but the kids will play for hours)
Kerplunk

AdaColeman · 27/10/2021 19:16

We used to love Sorry! when DS was four to fiveish.

PatchworkElmer · 27/10/2021 19:20

Mine loves Junior Monopoly

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