The 15+ Best Board Games for Preschoolers

Anyone else trying really hard to be mindful about what toys they bring home this year? As I’m shopping for Christmas presents this year, I’m trying to be really intentional about what we bring into our home.  The last thing we need is more JUNK that will get played with once and then never again!  If you can relate, then you are going to love this list of the best board games for preschoolers.

DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY TERMS OF USE POLICY FOR MORE INFO.

Board games are such a wonderful gift for kids!  Some of the benefits include the fact that board games…

• Enhance social skills – Board games teach preschoolers how to take turns, follow rules, and be gracious winners or losers.
• Encourage language development – Games with storytelling or word components help expand vocabulary, improve communication skills, and strengthen listening.
• Boost focus and attention – Following instructions and concentrating on the game can help preschoolers build their attention span and patience.
• Build math and number skills – Games with counting, number recognition, and basic math elements (like Hi Ho! Cherry-O or Zingo!) provide early math practice in a fun, low-pressure way.
• Improve fine motor skills – Games that involve moving pieces, rolling dice, or spinning spinners can help strengthen hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
• Develop critical thinking and problem-solving – Strategy games, even simple ones, require children to think ahead, make decisions, and solve small challenges.
• Promote emotional regulation – Learning how to handle winning and losing gracefully is not easy!  But it’s so important and really helps kids learn to regulate their emotions and handle frustration.
• Foster bonding and family time – Playing board games together provides a fun way for families to bond, creating lasting memories and strengthening family connections.
• Encourage cooperative play – Cooperative games like Hoot Owl Hoot! and First Orchard encourage teamwork, showing preschoolers the value of working together toward a common goal.
• Spark creativity and imagination – Many board games have playful themes or characters that inspire kids’ imaginations and creativity, adding an extra layer of enjoyment.  (When we play Hoot Owl Hoot!, my daughter, Ella, always tells a story about the baby owls flying home to their mommy and daddy, and we make cute little owl noises as they “fly”.)

Okay, so now that you know WHY board games, you’re probably wondering – which games ARE the best board games for preschoolers?  Fortunately, I’ve got you covered!  This list includes 9 games that we own and love to play at our house, plus 6 more that are on our list as possibilities for this Christmas! So without further ado – the 15 best board games for preschoolers!

Candy Land – I’m starting off with a classic!  Candy Land has simple rules that teach color recognition and counting, and doesn’t require any reading.  

Hi Ho! Cherry-O – Another classic, Hi Ho! Cherry-O is great for learning counting, basic math, and fine motor skills as players pick and place cherries.

Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game – We love this one! It feels a little like an updated version of Hi Hi! Cherry-O.  Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel is a colorful game that encourages color matching and fine motor skills.

Don’t Drop Chase – This is the Paw Patrol version of Don’t Break the Ice, which is fun for coordination and problem-solving as players strategically remove ice blocks.  Of course, it being Paw Patrol-themed just makes it even better!

Hoot Owl Hoot! – A cooperative game, encouraging teamwork as players work to help the owls get home.  This is the one where my five year old, Ella, tells a story about the baby owls getting home to their mommy, and we make cute owl noises.

Pretty Pretty Princess – Not surprisingly, this is probably Ella’s favorite!  Pretty Pretty Princess is a classic game that encourages turn taking and imaginative play. (The version I linked features Disney princesses – I better not let Ella see or she’ll want this one!)

Hungry Hungry Hippos – Perhaps not the most educational game on the list, but Hungry Hungry Hippos is fun, silly, and promotes hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes.

Perfection – Anyone else remember this game from their childhood?  The version we have is actually the one I played with 30 years ago!  Players race against the clock to fit all the shapes into their matching slots before time runs out, building fine motor skills, shape recognition, and focus.

Spot It! – Not technically a board game, this card game is SO FUN. Players race to find the matching symbol between any two cards, sharpening visual perception, focus, and quick-thinking skills. We have the original version, but there’s a Disney version and an animal-themed version too!

The Ladybug Game – Everything about this game looks so sweet.  It teaches counting, basic math, and introduces simple strategy concepts.  And it was invented by a first grader!

Pengoloo – A memory game with colorful penguins that strengthens memory skills and color recognition.  My girls would be obsessed with playing with the cute little penguins, too!

First Orchard – A cooperative game with an easy setup, ideal for introducing younger preschoolers to turn-taking and teamwork.  This one says it’s for ages 2 and up – younger than any of the others on the list!

Zingo! – A bingo-style game that teaches word recognition and matching skills.  There’s a sight word version available, too (it’s in my Amazon cart right now for my kindergartener)!

Count Your Chickens – A cooperative game that introduces counting and working together.  This one is from the same brand that makes Hoot Owl Hoot! – they’re really cute games!

Bluey Scavenger Hunt – An engaging game where players complete fun activities inspired by Bluey to find and collect items, encouraging movement, observation skills, and playful problem-solving.  It’s Bluey, so it’s sure to be a hit.

Looking for even more great gift ideas for kids?  Be sure to check out my list of The Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers, and The Best Books for One Year Olds!

Which of these games have you tried in your home?  Which are you thinking your kiddos need in their lives? I’d LOVE to hear about it!  Comment below or message me on Instagram to tell me about it!