Save me more disappointments - board games for 4yr old

[SkyLarkDescending]

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!

Jungle Bingo! I always give this one as a birthday present, secure in the knowledge that I am changing that family’s life for the better !

We like dobble, what's in the box, uno, jenga, Pictionary.

Agree with pp that mouse trap is a major disappointment. I loved as a kid but new ones are rubbish. The bits dont stay made and its so frustrating.

Enchanted Forest is excellent

Funny Bunny is fantastic

Don't Wake Dad is good too

All faves of my now five year old, he has been happily playing them since he was four.

Ooh yes like @imamearcat we love Dobble and Harry Potter Dobble too

Carcassonne Junior/ My first Carcassonne/ Carcassonne for Kids
it's been rebranded a few times.

Might get a sew on eBay.

It's good. And a gateway game to more adult stuff.

Another vote for dobble and uno - although the original uno says 7+, I find that 4 year olds can play it if they can recognise colours and numbers, I've never bothered with the junior version.

Dobble, any ‘my first games’ by Haba, the Muddles, Hiss by Gamewright. Might be able to enjoy Outfoxed with some help at that age. Mr Wolf by Blue Orange is a nice memory game. Q-bits junior, Bunny Boo and my first rush hour are also nice logic puzzle games.

The Sneaky snacky squirrel game, or any from that range. Mine have had it since eldest was about age 3 and still play it now (dc age 6 &3). Simple to play, uses lots of skills (fine motor, taking turns) and not to bothersome for adults. A great game.

Orchard Toys What a Performance. I bought it for DD when she was 5. She's now nearly 14 and still likes it. Odd child - I've had my fill now tbh

Hisss by Gamewright was popular in our house.

Uno, dobble and junior monopoly are a big hit for our game obsessed 4 year old. Also loves the games compendium, especially snakes and ladders, Yahtzee and drafts

My 4 year old loves crocodile dentist. Although they also love pop up pirate!

We bought guess who and a bucking dinosaur game.

Guess who is brilliant our DS loved it at 3 and still does at 4.

Great thread @SkyLarkDescending, I was thinking exactly the same for our DS, he's asked for connect 4 but I'm loving the other suggestions.

Guess who is no good until they can read as they need to be able to read the names to ask you "is it Geoff?", etc

Funny Bunny. Fantastic game. Bought on a whim when it was on sale and it’s still the most used board game in our family. Ideal game for a 4 year old and my 10 year old still plays it happily.

@InexperiencedDogOwner

Guess who is no good until they can read as they need to be able to read the names to ask you "is it Geoff?", etc

No, they ask is it a man? Do they have blonde hair ? Do they have blue eyes etc,

Then they get it down to one character they think it is, it's either right or wrong when they show you their character, they either match or they don't.

My DD absolutely adored the Magic Tooth Fairy board game as well as the Cinderella Glass Slipper game. Both very simple but fun.

Really cheap and not exactly a board game but mine have loved Happy Families card game since they were little.

Also connect 4
Snakes and ladders
Twister

Cooperative games are fantastic for young kids, and most also have turn-taking elements but within cooperative rather than competitive game mechanics. I second the recommendations for games by Haba, Peaceable Kingdom and Blue Orange - they’re not as cheap as Orchard games, but are absolutely worth it. Sneaky Snacky Squirrel was also mentioned and I second that, too - was a huge favourite with my DC. Other games my DC liked around those ages included: Mr Wolf, Outfoxed, Hoot Owl Hoot, Orchard, SOS Dino (although that’s maybe for slightly older kids), Rhino Hero Jr, Bugs in the Kitchen, Greedy Gorilla, Follow That Car, Smelly Wellies, Round and Round, Little Bus Lotto, Kerplunk (we have ELC’s version called Honey Bee Tree, which I think is a more attractive design for little ones), Hungry Hippos (again, we have ELC’s version).

Trolley dash. Kids loved it from age 3. They still love it age 10. (I hate it).
Don’t wake dad.

@Bimblybomeyelash

And not a ‘board game’ but if you are looking for a toy that both can play with, have you got a marble run?

Marble run with a 2 yo?

No thanks.

@SkyLarkDescending

Orchard games bus stop is good for teaching basic maths too!! It's really good for teaching the 'going around the board' type play.

Snakes & ladders

Cards for snap

Draughts

Frustration

Depending on the child 4 can be a goid age to start them on Rumikub.

Dobble, windy knickers, kerplunk, Uno junior (with a bit of help), hungry hippos are all ones my 4yr old enjoyed

My little girl is 6 and loves Uno
More a card game than a board game but good fun and the cards would make a nice stocking filler

Candy Land is really good for non reading kids

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.wikihow.com/Play-Candy-Land%3famp=1