This category lists games that are either suitable for younger kids or could be played with both little and older children. As we started playing board games when my daughter was older, we don’t own all of the following games but I have browsed the Internet and visited forums of gaming communities for tips. These games are among the most popular with families with younger kids. The recommended ages are not by the manufacturers but by the community (families who actually played these games with their kids at that age).
I encourage you to read reviews online on Amazon and go to www.boardgamegeek.com where you can find more details, reviews, videos etc.
Ages 2 or 3 and up
The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game
ThinkFun Zingo
My daughter would beat my son every time they played when he was 3 and she was 5 but what made this game enjoyable for us was the fact that he was so proud of distributing the tiles! My husband, my daughter and I would compete but he was in charge of the tiles! You should have seen his face!
Ages 3 and up
Lucky Sock Game (3 or 4 and up)
Enchanted Tower
Little Orchard
Ages 4 and up
Ages 4 or 5
Ages 5 and up
Whoowasit It is a cooperative game, it is a perfect game to play with kids of different ages. It has a magic feel to it because the electronic treasure chest talks to you and gives you clues when you press buttons.
Happy Salmon (party game)
Ages 5 or 6 and up
Ghost Fightin’ Treasure Hunters
Ages 6 and up
Stuffed Fables (ages 6 or 7)
Here are some other suggestions copied off a forum:
My 4.3/4 year-old loves …
– Cube Quest (nearly competitive)
– Beastie Bar (nearly competitive)
– Dead Man’s Draw (yeah)
– Frank’s Zoo (not quite competitive, plus, open information)
– Get Bit (random play mode)
– Ugah Ugah (nearly competitive)
My five year old enjoys
Camel Up
Hula Hippos
LCR
Another list of games recommended for 4-year-olds is here.
When your kids turn seven, they can start playing many games so I could list tons of them here. Instead I will give you links to discussions or suggestions on Boardgamegeek where parents give you advice based on their experience with their kids. You can find many ideas in each list.
I only started researching and buying board games when my daughter was in 1st grade. We did not have a huge selection. But I know she enjoyed Magic Labyrinth, Ghost Blitz, etc. Ghost Blitz is awesome. I highly recommend it.
Growing Up with Games: Years 4 – 7
Top 10 “serious” games I play with my 7 year old
Looking for games for my 7-year-old
Games your 7-year-old can play
Recommend me some games for 7-9-year old
Kids on Board Games Geeklist – July 2017
If you have kids of different ages, I suggest you google something like this: “games for ?-year-old and ?-year-old boardgamegeek”. You will probably get a few results and links to discussions where someone asked the same question in the past.
Have fun!