Board games are a great way for preschoolers to learn while having some family fun! Most of the time, they don’t even know they are learning. If you missed my first board games for preschooler post, you can find it here or click on the image below:
In this post, we will talk about some classic board games that are great options for your preschooler.
Chutes and Ladders
Chutes and Ladders is a classic board game for kids! Many may think it is a simple game, but it can actually be a bit challenging for your preschooler. Read below to find out more.
How to Play: Spin the spinner and move your player square by square on the board. The goal is to be the first player to reach the Winner 100 square.
Game Benefits:
Number Recognition: The game board starts at 1 and ends at 100. Talk to your child about the numbers they land on and how many digits are in the number.
Sequential Numbers: This game helps students to understand the order of written numbers for example 5,6,7. The tiles go from left to right in the bottom row, but right to left in the second row and so forth. Children need to pay attention to the numbers on each tile so that they know which way to move their player. You can assist your child with this as it is confusing at first to a young learner just learning their numbers.
Resilience: Children learn how to be resilient as their luck can change very quickly. For some children it’s very difficult for them to slide down a chute on the game board or lose the game. Parents can model sliding down a chute or losing with a calm attitude. Parents modeling a calm response is a great way to teach children how to respond appropriately to a difficult situation.
Candy Land
I remember playing Candy Land when I was younger. It makes me so happy to play it again with my daughter. It is a great first board game to play with your preschooler as the main focus is on colors.
How to Play: Move your gingerbread man across the board and try to get to King Kandy’s castle first.
Game Benefits:
Color Recognition: Candy Land is SO colorful. It is a great “first game” for children since it is all about colors, no numbers. Your child will identify the color on their card and move to that color on the board.
Counting: There isn’t too much counting in Candy Land, but for a young learner, they will learn counting basis. One purple square means move one purple on the board. Two purple squares means move two purples on the board.
Social Skills: When a player is sent back during the game, it gives parents and their children a great (and not so painful) way to address and discuss being disappointed.
Memory Match
There are so many different versions of Memory Match. There is sure to be a version that sparks your child’s interest! You can even make your own Memory Match game if you really wanted to.
How to Play: Place all of the cards face down on the table in rows and columns. Each player turns over two cards when it is their turn. If they have a match, they get to keep the cards. Whoever has the most cards at the end wins.
Since my daughter is only 3, I only use a small amount of the memory match cards. We used 24 cards to make it less overwhelming and easier to play together.
Game Benefits
Critical Thinking Skills: Memory games are also good for visual memory aid. A child’s ability to store and retrieve memories is a critical aspect of reading, writing, spelling, including developing mathematical skills.
Spatial Skills: Playing structured games like memory match that involves a whole lot of rotating, moving, and positioning pieces improves spatial skills which are linked to great mathematical skills.
Visual Perception: Memorization games can help improve visual perceptual skills in a child, to a point where they are able to mentally visualize outcomes with little to no trial and error. Such games can also help improve language and vocabulary.
What classic board games did you enjoy playing as a child? I would love to hear your favorites!
