Preschoolers are the perfect age group to introduce board games and what they offer. It’s another step towards picking up skills before they start their journey of education.
The main benefit preschooler board games must offer is fun, otherwise you’re doomed to fail in the quest of getting them to sit fairly still for 10 minutes. The cool side effects of these games, aside from fun, is the educational and of course the social aspects of playing.
Top 12 Board Games for 3 – 4 Year Olds
We considered the length of play, costs, themes, and a few other factors to come up with a bunch of the best board games for 3- 4 year old children. Let’s take a look!
ZooReggata – Best Animal Theme
ZooReggata is aimed at the age range of four and above, and it does have some light strategy to play, although each game should only play out for 20 – 30 minutes. This game has 3 game scenarios to choose from which plays with a two sided board that keeps it fresh, then if an aspect of a game doesn’t please a child, they can try another.
ZooRegatta at a Glance
| Game Type Educational Animal Theme Light Strategy | Play Time 20 - 30 mins | Skill/Complexity (1 - 5) Non Complex Light Strategy |
| Age 4+ | Publisher(s) Peaceable Kingdom | Published 2013 |
| Categories Educational - Kids Kids Game Family | Players 2 - 4 | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8.5/10 | Cost $19.99 + |
This animal themed award winning game will help develop strategic thinking, social skills, and the other educational aspects add to the fun of the game rather than taking the fun away with seriousness of play. It’s ideal for 4 year old children and above and it plays great with older siblings playing alongside a four year old, which helps to encourage them.
It does require more thinking skills than other games within the 3 – 4 year old board games category, however, it makes up in the replay value and fun.
Great introduction game into the world of board games.
Snug as a Bug in a Rug – Top Basic Math Cooperative
Perfect for kids on their first steps of learning to count numbers, ‘Snug as a Bug in a Rug‘ is loved by age 3 and up children and the parents guiding them. The fun theme, matching those cute little bugs and spinning the spinner are simple aspects of the game that please preschoolers immensely.
Snug as a Bug in a Rug at a Glance
| Game Type Animal Theme Co-Operative Learn Colors, Numbers, Shapes, Counting | Play Time 20 mins | Skill/Complexity (1 - 5) Non-Complex Basic Maths (counting) |
| Age 3+ | Publisher(s) Peaceable Kingdom | Published 2012 |
| Categories Kids Educational / Children's / Family | Players 2 - 4 | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 9/10 | Cost $15.00 + |
Snug as a Bug in a Rug is also a cooperative game so young players learn how to work together which can reward parents with less tears and tantrums during the game while encouraging social skills.
Make sure 3 of those critters are not on top of the board while there are still colorful bugs out, or you lose.
Vibrant, educational and colorful, Snug as a Bug is perfect for very young children of 3 years plus.
Candyland – Classic, Simple and still Fun
Candyland is a classic that was a first published in 1949 and is still a top selling game. Players pick cards and take their next move along the windy candy track until a player reaches the Candy Castle and wins.
Candyland at a Glance
| Game Type Kids - Get To The Finish Line Quickly | Play Time 30 mins | Skill/Complexity (1 - 5) Simple Kids Play |
| Age 3+ | Publisher(s) Hasbro | Published 1949 |
| Categories Children's Classic | Players 2 - 6 | Manual Official Rules |
| Our Rating 7/10 | Cost $12.99 + |
Candyland is a lot like Chutes and Ladders, just played with cards for each movement rather than rolling a die. If children land on a licorice space they will lose a turn whereas players go down a chute in Chutes and Ladders.
The colorful candy theme made this game a hit among children aged 3 and up, and the simplicity keeps the game going fast, making it straight forward and fun to play.
Sequence for Kids – Best Pattern Recognition Game
Sequence for Kids was first published in 2001, following the popular abstract card grown ups version of Sequence . This version is not as complex as the adult version of course, although it is very good for encouraging kids to learn pattern recognition, but not complex. It’s manufacturers recommended age of play is for kids aged 3 and up.
Sequence for Kids at a Glance
| Game Type Card Game, Luck Pattern Recognition | Play Time 15 mins + | Skill/Complexity (1 - 5) Light |
| Age 3+ | Publisher(s) Jax LTD and others | Published 2001 |
| Categories Kid's Game / Family | Players 2 - 4 (4 = more fun) | Cost $20.00 (approx) |
| Our Rating 8/10 |
Players simply choose a card that matches the cute animals on the board while connecting chips, and when 4 chips have been connected in a Sequence that player wins. There are Dragon, Unicorn cards and Free Spaces available on the board that players can take advantage of, then advance in the game which adds to the fun.
Sequence is a fun game and the aspect of kids on seeing patterns emerge was something we really liked.
The Ladybug Game
Apologies, there seems to be quite a lot of attention on animals within the 3 – 4 year old board games category. It’s what our once were babies and now just becoming kids love and for good reason, animal themes engage them. So, we must add a bug game to the collection and The Ladybug Game is perfect that was designed by a first grader in the USA.
Ladybug Game at a Glance
| Game Type Animal Theme Pathway Building Card Game Educational | Play Time 20 mins | Skill/Complexity (1 - 5) Non-Complex Basic Maths (counting) |
| Age 3+ | Publisher(s) Zobmondo!! | Published 2004 |
| Categories Kids Educational / Children's / Family | Players 2 - 4 | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 9/10 | Cost $14.00 + |
Quick and simple to learn and teach, this is a fast-paced game that’s fun to play with the youngest members of your family over and over again. Aimed at toddlers and preschoolers, its uncomplicated concept, easy-to-manage play pieces and cute characters will hold your child’s attention right from start to finish.
The wonderful thing about this game is that it was created by a young child so it really ‘speaks’ to kids and captures the imagination.
Chutes and Ladders – Doesn’t get any Simpler
Simplicity is not always a negative thing and that’s why Chutes and Ladders has kept itself going for so many years and has roots that go way back to Ancient India (2 AD), then became Snakes and Ladders in the UK within the 19th Century. Just roll the die and the first player to reach the end of 100 spaces wins!
Snakes And Ladders At a Glance
| Game Type Roll Dice & First To Finish | Play Time 10 - 30 mins | Skill Easy - No skill Counting |
| Age 3+ | Players 2 + | Published See Article |
| Publisher(s) Hasbro M.Y and many others | Our Rating 9/10 | Cost $3 + |
| Categories Kids Classics / Family | Child Hazards Small parts |
An aspect of the US Chutes and Ladders version rather than Snakes and Ladders we like is the landing on good deeds, as it seems to encourage goodness in a way, and kids do seem to get the hump for some reason going down a snake rather than a chute.
Kids of any age from 3 years old and up can enjoy a few rounds of Chutes and Ladders. It’s simple and fun!
Richard Scarry Busytown: Eye found It! – Best Town Theme
Little did we know before pulling the board out the box that it was 6ft long………the longest we’ve seen. Don’t let that put you off the game though as the length is there for the road in busy town and it makes it fun and ideal for preschoolers to have something bigger on the floor to play.
Richard Scarry Busytown at a Glance
| Game Type Cooperative Spin & Move Race against Game | Play Time 30 mins | Skill/Complexity (1.7 - 5) Object Identification Team Work |
| Age 3+ | Publisher(s) Wonder Forge and others | Published 2009 |
| Categories Children's Kid's Age 3 - 4 | Players 2 - 4 | Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8/10 | Cost Approx $24.99 |
Richard Scarry Busytown: Eye found It! helps children when developing observation skills and to hone their attention to detail when playing as they have to search for hidden objects while getting around the busy town. They must (as a team) get to Picnic island before those greedy pigs scoff all the food and win.
We loved how the kids have to work to get each other to the ferry and then continue on as a team. This game is a real treat for kids age 3 and above, and slips in that educational aspect in among all the fun. There’s not much to not like about Busytown.
Orchard Board Game – A Fruity Challenge
Orchard the board game is an excellent theme to engage three year old kids and up, and it’s been on the market for well over 30 years which gives it some credence in the preschoolers game world. The theme is within an Orchard of fruit trees.
Orchard at a Glance
| Game Type Cooperative Garden Theme Dice Game | Play Time 10 mins | Skill/Complexity (1.3 - 5) Team Work |
| Age 3+ | Publisher(s) Haba and others | Published 1986 |
| Categories Children's Kid's Age 3 - 4 | Players 1 - 8 | Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8.9/10 | Cost Approx $44.99 |
Apples, pears, cherries and plums have to be picked as quickly as possible by your team of players before the wretched raven beats you to it. Kids cooperate to collect all the fruit before the raven jigsaw in the center is finished, and if they do all players win.
This is such a fun game and very easy to understand, while helping kids to identify fruit and race against the crafty raven. We’re glad this classic continues to provide the little ones plenty of fun.
Count Your Chickens – Fun on the Farm Game
The object of playing Count your Chickens is for players (as a team) to help mother hen to round up all her baby chicks. Players must get to the finish before mother hen does to become the winners of the game, and if she arrives first the players lose to the game.
Count your Chickens at a Glance
| Game Type Cooperative Farm Theme Spin & Move | Play Time 15 mins | Skill/Complexity (1.3 - 5) Team Work Counting |
| Age 3+ | Publisher(s) Peaceable Kingdom and others | Published 2010 |
| Categories Children's Kid's Age 3 - 4 | Players 2 - 4 | Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8/10 | Cost Approx $15.99 |
Count your Chickens is another cooperative type game and helps encourage preschoolers with counting while cooperating with their team and counting aloud together. It’s a fun 15 minute game that occupies kids for a few rounds. Some of these simple counting games suit preschoolers best.
Go Away Monster – Easy Puzzle Game
Go Away Monster promotes shape identification and visual discrimination in a fun way. Players have bedroom boards, then bedroom pieces and 8 monsters which they have to pull out of the bag and identify by the feel of the puzzle piece rather than visual. It’s quite a unique way of playing a board game and suits children 3 years old and up, perfectly.
Go Away Monster at a Glance
| Game Type Cooperative Monster Theme Puzzle | Play Time 15 mins | Skill/Complexity (1.3 - 5) Team Work Pattern Recognition |
| Age 3+ | Publisher(s) Gamewright | Published 1997 |
| Categories Children's Kid's Age 3 - 4 | Players 2 - 4 | Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8/10 | Cost Approx $14.99 |
There are two ways of playing with the second being more competitive rather than cooperative……you or the kids choose. We did like the fact that the children was introduced to monsters as it does help them distinguish between real and imaginary, and if they relate monsters to playing board games that must be a good thing.
Another great option for 3 – 4 year old kids with unique mechanisms at play.
Hoot Owl Hoot – Best Strategy for Age 4+
The young owls have ventured out to explore the deep, dark forest at night but they’ve had fun and now it’s time to go home. Can you help them fly back to their nest before dawn breaks? The rules of Hoot Owl Hoot are perfectly geared towards teaching children to strategize, and the difficulty can be increased by adding extra owls to the board at the start of the game.
Hoot Owl Hoot at a Glance
| Game Type Cooperative Animal Theme Educational Pattern Recognition | Play Time 15 mins | Skill/Complexity (1 - 5) Light |
| Age 4+ | Publisher(s) Peaceable Kingdom and others | Published 2010 |
| Categories Kids Educational / Children's / Family | Players 2 - 4 | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8.5/10 | Cost $14.00 + |
With its beautiful illustrations and bright, bold colors it’s easy to see what makes this game so appealing. The requirement of some basic strategy is enough to stimulate children age 4 and up without overwhelming them and it’s fun for adults to play along too.
Snails Pace Race – Something Competitive
While most the games within this 3 – 4 year old board games section are based on cooperating and learning, the Snails Pace Race board game is all about betting on the right snail and winning. Here’s the fun part, it does not have to be the first snail, you can win with the first and last.
Snails Pace Race at a Glance
| Game Type Race Dice Rolling | Play Time 15 mins | Skill/Complexity (1 - 5) Non Complex |
| Age 3+ | Publisher(s) Ravensburger | Published 1985 |
| Categories Children's | Players 2 - 6 | Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8/10 | Cost Approx $17.99 |
These type of games are always evergreen as children love to roll dice and race to the finish in the hope of winning. I suppose there is a non-competitive angle on this game and it’s the fact that the last one also wins, so all 6 snails must finish at the finish line.
This simple classic from the popular publishing company Ravensburger is still sold and played since it was first published in 1985 and is worth checking out.
Quick Summary
There’s enough choices there to keep 3 – 4 year old preschoolers busy playing board games until they’re 5 or more years old. We’ve tried to keep the best options concise, otherwise too many choices does get confusing.
You’ll notice many of the board games are cooperative which works best when encouraging children to work together and develop social skills. Many also have an educational aspect which we found begins that process of learning with others before starting out at school.
We believe it’s also not a bad thing to include a little competitiveness as that’s the real world and learning to work with losing a bit and not getting our own way all the time is part of life, although easy does it with our precious 3 – 4 year olds makes sense.
