Board Games for 3- to 8-Year Old Children

Children’s board games are often forgotten toys. Despite the lack of fancy technology, they facilitate an array of developmental and educational skills. This collection of board games for children 3 to 8 years old are some of my favorites from my years as a school-based therapist. They are all classics, having stood the test of time.

Games are typically played seated at a table. For variety, players can lay prone, propped on elbows.

Games reviewed in this hub: 

Candyland

Chutes and Ladders

Uncle Wiggly

Hi Ho Cherry-O

Monopoly Jr

Clue Jr

NUMBER OF PLAYERS:  2 to 4 players

AGES:  3 to 8 years old

BRIEF OVERVIEW:  Players advance along the rainbow path to find the kidnapped King Kandy.  No reading required.  Classic children’s first game.  Players draw color cards and advance to the next space of that color.  There are occasional obstacles, such as being stuck in Molasses Swamp until drawing a red card. 

SKILLS:  Visual perception, visual motor, fine motor, turn taking, matchmaking (1 to 1 correspondence of colors). 

VERSIONS:  Dora the Explorer

MODIFICATIONS:  For younger children, children with problems in above areas, or for time constraints, omit obstacles, play forward only.  For children who need to burn off excess physical energy, or when rain prohibits outdoor play, have children get up and walk around the table, then return to their seat to advance on the board path. 

NUMBER OF PLAYERS:  2 to 4 players

AGES:  4 to 8

BRIEF OVERVIEW:  Players spin to determine how many spaces to advance along the game board.  If they land at the base of a ladder, they climb up, advancing them along the path.  If they land at the top of a chute, they slide down.  No reading required, only counting. 

SKILLS:  Visual perception, visual motor, fine motor, turn taking, counting. 

VERSIONS:  Dora the Explorer, Super Heros, Sesame Street

MODIFICATIONS:  For younger children, children with problems in above areas, or for time constraints, omit chutes, play forward and up ladders only.  For children who need to burn off excess physical energy, or when rain prohibits outdoor play, have children get up perform 5 jumping jacks, push-ups or sit-ups, then return to their seat to advance on the board path. 

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NUMBER OF PLAYERS:  2 to 6 players

AGES:  5 to 10

BRIEF OVERVIEW:  Unlike the classic Clue game, there is no murder here!  Players must uncover who ate the cake before dinner.  Also, when, and what the culprit drank with the cake. 

SKILLS:  Visual perception, visual motor, fine motor, turn taking, reasoning and strategy. 

MODIFICATIONS:  For younger children, children with problems in above areas, or for time constraints, reduce the possible options in each area.  For children who need to burn off excess physical energy, or when rain prohibits outdoor play, see options above. 

NUMBER OF PLAYERS:  2 to 4

AGES:  4 to 8

BRIEF OVERVIEW:  Players advance Uncle Wiggly along a path in the woods, from his Hollow Stump Bungalow to Dr. Possum’s office.  Players draw cards to determine moves.  Cards have rhymes based on the 1949 book.  Players too young to read advance according to numbers and symbols, also on the cards. 

SKILLS:  Visual perception, visual motor, fine motor, turn taking, and matching numbers and symbols (correspondence), reading optional. 

MODIFICATIONS:  Built into game with reading or option for matching numbers and symbols.  Game play is longer for Uncle Wiggly compared to some of the other board game options.  You could have players draw 2 cards each turn, and use numbers and symbols instead of reading rhymes to speed up play.  Older players could add the numbers before advancing on the path. 

NUMBER OF PLAYERS:  2 to 4 players

AGES:  3 to 8

BRIEF OVERVIEW:  Game board for up to 4 players with “cherry trees”.  Each tree holds 10 “cherries”.  Spinner shows pictorially how many cherries to pick, from 1 to 4.  Landing on the dog or bird penalizes players 2 cherries.  Landing on the board on the spilled cherry bucket “spills” the player’s bucket as well, requiring the player to start over.  First player to pick 10 cherries wins. 

SKILLS:  Visual perception, visual motor, fine motor, turn taking, counting. 

MODIFICATIONS:  For younger children, children with problems in above areas, or for time constraints, omit penalties.  For children who need to burn off excess physical energy, or when rain prohibits outdoor play, have children get up and turn around 3 times, then return to their seat to advance on the board path.  This provides vestibular stimulation also. 

NUMBER OF PLAYERS:  2 to 4 players

AGES:  5 to 10

BRIEF OVERVIEW:  In this version of the classic Monopoly game, players set up ticket booths for amusement park rides instead of dealing in real estate and utilities.  Players have to buy tickets when they land on the ticket booths of other players.  Passing GO earns $2. 

SKILLS:  Visual perception, visual motor, fine motor, turn taking, basic math skills, strategy. 

VERSIONS:  Disney Channel, Toy Story

MODIFICATIONS:  For younger children, children with problems in above areas, or for time constraints, play until 1 player passes go 3 times.  Make all tickets and penalties cost $1.  For children who need to burn off excess physical energy, or when rain prohibits outdoor play, have children stand at a counter or taller table for game play. 

I hope I have motivated you to revisit the neglected toys, board games for children. You can choose any of the above boxed games for your 3 to 8-year old and feel good about the developmental skills you are facilitating.  Add board games back to your Christmas and Birthday lists for great gifts. 

Toys- Board Games for Children 3 to 8

Toys- Card and Dice Games for Children 3 to 8

Toys- Family Board Games for Children 8 and Up

Toys- Family Card and Dice Games for Children 8 and Up

Games That Promote Hand Skills for Ages 3 and 4

Games That Promote Hand Skills for Age 5 and Up

Family Games That Promote Motor Skills for Age 6 and Up

Family Games That Promote Motor Skills for Age 8 and Up

My Other Pediatric Topics

Pre-School Activities- Sorting by Color

Interacting with Your Premature Infant: Developmental Care in the NICU

Children’s Behavior- Sensory Regulation, A Different Perspective

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