The votes are in and the winners are the following top 10 children's games. Our readers have chosen these bestselling children's games from toddlers through teens. Many of these winners have received prestigious awards and high rankings in the areas of entertainment, educational value, versatility and quality. You'll find some old classics in addition to favorite new games. Whether on family night, a playdate or a rainy day, playing games is always a great choice. So check out these fun-filled top sellers. (Games are ordered from younger to older age groups.)
See a complete list of recommended games:
Board Games For Younger Children (Toddler- Kindergarten)
Board Games & Card Games For Older Children (Ages 7- Adult)
1.
ThinkFun Zingo An award winning reading game! This exciting & educational variation of Bingo features 72 picture tiles which teach simple sight vocabulary and matching skills to pre-readers & readers ages 4-7. An instant favorite! For more info see Think Fun toy reviews.
2.
Cranium Hullabaloo A high energy game perfect for the preschool age group. Kids listen for commands that make them move, jump and dance on colored shapes and pads. Encourages listening skills, color & shape recognition and lots of giggles & fun! A little hard to find in stores, but well worth the hunt. They'll love it! Ages 4+.
3.
Candyland A memorable & classic "very first" game for non-readers. Young children use color cards to move gingerbread pawns through the winding path to Candy Castle. On the way they meet lovable characters and practice color matching skills. Simple instructions in both English & Spanish. Ages 3-6. A must "very first" game for households with little children. Also recommended: My First Games Set (Set of 4 Classics)
4.
Chutes and Ladders A wonderful follow up game to Candy Land in the beginners game series. This non-reader's game teaches numbers, counting and the rewards of good behavior. Children move their game piece from square 1 all the way to square 100 by using a numbered spinner. Along the way they are rewarded for good deeds by climbing up ladders to higher numbers, or receive the consequence of sliding down a chute to a lower number for bad behavior. Ages 3-7. Also recommended: My First Games Set (Set of 4 Classics)
5.
Don't Break the Ice All the classic "Cootie Games" are loads of fun for young players! Tap out ice blocks with plastic mallets one at a time, but you must keep the polar bear from falling through the ice. An enjoyable game that uses simple strategy and refines fine motor skills. (You can't hit the ice too hard or too soft.) Ages 4-6+. Also recommended: Ants in the Pants Games, Cootie and Don't Spill the Beans.
6.
Bananagrams Multiple-award winning, fast paced, educational word game for ages 7-adult. Addicting scrabble-like game that has requires no board and allows for numerous players.
7.
Blokus Classics Game Winner of over 20+ awards! Exciting brightly colored strategy game perfect for the whole family. Encourages spatial thinking & problem solving skills using simple rules. Ages 5-adult
8.
Quiddler This short word card game is fast paced, easy to play and loads of fun. Each card is beautifully designed with letters of the alphabet. Gain points by arranging your entire hand into small words using 2 or more cards per word. Award winning family game for ages 8+.
9.
Qwirkle Award winning wooden tiles game develops logic and strategy skills. This challenging family game has simple instructions that require players to match tile shapes and colors to earn points. Ages 8-adult.
10.
Apples to Apples Party Box – The Game of Hilarious Comparisons Multiple award winning family & party game! Players pick cards that best describe the judge's card. Humorous comparisons of people, places and things. Includes over 1000 cards. Ages 12+. Also available Apples to Apples Junior – The Game of Crazy Comparisons!
Check out our complete recommended children's games lists:
Board Games For Younger Children (Toddler- Kindergarten)
Board Games & Card Games For Older Children (Ages 7- Adult)
About Games for Young Children (Toddler-Kindergarten): For young children, playing games is actually a learning process. While children are having fun, they are being introduced to many new concepts such as following rules, taking turns, teamwork, and most importantly at this young age, the art of winning and losing graciously. These behaviors don't always come easy for children, and games are the perfect opportunity to practice some of these essential life skills. Playing games along with your children can be a great family activity, and allows adults to model appropriate game playing behavior. Choosing educational games have the added benefit of combining learning with fun. For this age group, playing educational games reinforces basic concepts such as colors, numbers, counting, money etc. Many of these games are designed for non-readers and have simple, easy to follow directions. Educational games also develop pre-reading/reading skills such as letter recognition, sight vocabulary, spelling and concentration. These children's games also strengthen fine motor skills and improve dexterity since players are required to balance or manipulate game pieces.
About Games for Older Children (Ages 7-Adult): You'll find that many of the games that younger children play rely simply on "the luck of the dice." However, as children get older, they begin to enjoy games which require some thought, creativity or speed. These types of games can be both enjoyable and educational.The educational games recommended promote critical thinking skills, logic and strategy development for older children. And even though these children are more "seasoned" game players, they still get to practice those basic game playing behaviors such as following the rules, taking turns, teamwork and most importantly, winning and losing graciously (a behavior that is still developing throughout much of childhood!)
Little Ones "Twelve Weeks Before Christmas" Holiday Toy Series: This holiday series is designed to help parents and grandparents make smart choices by featuring outstanding/award winning "toys that teach," accompanied by reviews which highlight and explain the educational benefits and specific skills children receive from these types of toys.
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