The Best Board Games for Preschoolers
by Heidi Hoff
Many of us have tattered boxes of board games from our childhoods in the attic
waiting for the day when our children are old enough to play. I have a vintage
Trouble game from the 70's that I play with my four-year-old daughter, even
though the bubble is coated on the inside with twenty years worth of dust,
making it hard to tell if she's just popped a 5 or a 6. This past Christmas,
Santa brought Emily a few board games and she plays them with enjoyment. Our
family is now addicted, and before heading out to the toy store to add to her
collection, I did a bit of research to find some of the best board games for
preschoolers:
Preschool Board Games
1. Goodnight Moon Game by Briarpatch: If the book is in your child's library,
then the board game will be popular too. It is a memory and matching game that
doesn't require the players to recognize letters or numbers. In this game,
everybody wins so if your Suzy isn't a very gracious loser, the Goodnight Moon
Game will suffice until she learns how to accept defeat. For ages 3-6 years.
2. Maisy's Counting Game by Briarpatch: Focuses on learning how to count by
matching puzzle pieces. This game can be adjusted according to age and skill
level and can be played three different ways. It won the Parents Magazine award
in 1997. For ages 3-6 years.
3. Franklin Goes to School - The Game by Pressman: This game has a wide age
range making it possible for siblings to play together. The questions are
divided into age appropriate categories and also touch on basic social values.
Various skills such as spelling, observation and counting are focused on. For
ages 3-8 years.
4. I Spy Preschool Game by Briarpatch: Good value for your money as this game
can be played five different ways. It is a visual matching game that requires
the players to find clues through rhyming and visual discrimination. It won the
Parents Magazine Award in 1998 and Parents' Choice Approved 1998. For ages 3-6
years.
5. Colorforms Silly Faces Preschool Game by University Games: A fun, goofy game
with no pressure of cards or dice to play. Spin and add the feature that you
land on to your blank face and watch the silliness appear! The first person to
complete a face wins. A great game for children to play on their own while the
siblings are in school. For ages 3-7 years.
6. Mouse Trap by Milton Bradley: When your preschooler reaches the age when
they're too old for some games and too young for others, Mouse Trap seems to
work as a good transitional game. My daughter doesn't exactly stick to the rules
and, instead, rushes through the building process because she finds the end
result so fascinating. I just view it as a great introduction to the world of
physics! Ages 6+ years.
7. Memory Games: I've always loved the "match the picture" type of memory games
and there are several on the market to choose from. Here are some of the more
popular ones: Original Memory Game by Milton Bradley
Pooh Memory Game by Hasbro
Barney Memory Game by Milton Bradley
Mickey and Friends Memory Game by Hasbro
I Spy Memory Game by Briarpatch
Arthur Memory Game by Milton Bradley
Busy Train Memory Game by Living and Learning
Maisy's Memory Game by Briarpatch
Pokemon Memory Game by Hasbro
You may already have a collection of games that your family likes to gather
around the table to play. Perhaps you also have a few classics lurking in the
back of your closet. The best thing about games is the way they bring families
together. Why not start a tradition and have a game night once a week, starting
tonight!
About the Author:
Author Heidi Hoff is editor of
Preschool Planet.
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