Not long after your child turns three, there is a sweet time when she is READY to play games. This is an awesome way to spend fun and educational one-on-one time with your child…who has no idea how to read or follow rules, let alone how to lose gracefully.
These are some of our family’s tried-and-true favorite games for preschool-age kids that help them learn how to play a game and can be fun for adults and older siblings, too:
- Candy Land– It may seem like a no-brainer, but it really is the perfect game for kids who are just learning how to: take a turn, navigate picking a card, count spaces, and learn how to win or lose.
- Uno Moo– This cute, kid-version of Uno is set on a farm and uses colored farm animal game pieces instead of cards. It’s great for: using two different perspectives for matching by color or by animal.
- Memory– Any matching game will do for this age. It’s a classic for preschoolers for a reason! It helps kids learn to: recognize a match, remember card placement, recognize a set.
- Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel– In this super cute game, players use squirrel-tongs to collect acorns to complete a color set. This game will help your child: recognize a full set and practice fine motor skills.
- Twister—Great for: moving, stretching, learning to discern left from right, and giving or following directions. (This may not always be my personal favorite, but it is usually a hit with kids.)
I suggest you start out with low expectations for the first few months. Kids may take some time to navigate all that goes along with learning and playing a game. Begin with one game, play for a short time. Soon you will be having full-blown family game nights!
