Classic Games for 3- to 8-Year Old Children- Games with Cards and Dice

Children’s games are an often neglected toy option, shunned perhaps because they are technology-free. These card, dice and other games for children 3 to 8 years old facilitate developmental skills. I used most of these games in the school setting during my years as a school-based therapist.

These games are usually played seated at a table. Children also enjoy playing games laying on the floor on their tummies. Why not try playing games standing at a counter, or standing on “tall knees” at a table.

Consider incorporating physical activity into the games. This is good for burning off physical energy, including when rain prohibits outdoor play. You could have children jump, skip, do animal walks, or twirl individually or as a group between rounds.

Modifications are given for the youngest children, children with problems in the developmental areas, or for time constraints.

Games reviewed in this hub:

Memory

Boggle Jr

Picture Dominos

My First Uno

Picture Yahtzee and Yahtzee Jr

Picture Bingo

NUMBER OF PLAYERS:  1 to 4 players

AGES:  3 to 8 years old

BRIEF OVERVIEW:  There are 36 pairs of colorful picture cards, such as puppies, elephants, sun and other animals and familiar objects.  Mix cards up and turn face down.  Players take turns turning over 2 cards, trying to find matching cards.  The winner is the player that has the most matching pairs at the end of play. 

SKILLS:  Visual perception, visual memory, visual motor, fine motor, turn taking, patience, concentration, matchmaking (1 to 1 correspondence). 

VERSIONS:  Many versions, including Diego, Toy Story, Tonka, Spiderman and Friends, Backyardigins, Tigger and Pooh, SpongeBob, and Mickey Mouse. 

MODIFICATIONS:  Reduce the number of starting pairs of cards.  Some versions of the game are in board game format.  Play until the first person navigates down one entire side, corner to corner. 

NUMBER OF PLAYERS:  1 or more players

AGES:  5 to 8 years old

BRIEF OVERVIEW:  Spelling and reading game, with 30 color picture and word cards.  One side has 3-letter words with corresponding picture, and the other side of the card has 4- letter words with pictures.  There are 8 cubes with letters on each side.  Players must spell the words with the cubes before time is up. 

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

VERSIONS:  Comes in regular Boggle for older children. 

MODIFICATIONS:  Play without timer.  To add vestibular and gross motor component, place tray with cards on the floor.  Place letter cubes 10 feet away.  Have players roll back and forth to select and place letters. 

NUMBER OF PLAYERS:  2 to 4 players

AGES:  4 to 8 years old

BRIEF OVERVIEW:  Players lay cards vertically or horizontally to match pictures of played cards. 

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

VERSIONS:  Many versions.  Mickey Mouse, Dora the Explorer, Dinosaurs. 

MODIFICATIONS:  Reduce number of cards for play, or eliminate some of the card types. 

NUMBER OF PLAYERS:  2 to 4 players

AGE:  3 to 8

BRIEF OVERVIEW:  Simplified version for younger children.  Colorful numbered cards.  First player to run out of cards by matching colors and numbers wins. 

SKILLS:  Visual perception (visual discrimination), visual motor, fine motor, turn taking, matchmaking (1 to 1 correspondence), color and number recognition. 

VERSIONS:  multiple versions available. 

MODIFICATIONS:  Reduce number of cards for play, or eliminate some of the card types. 

NUMBER OF PLAYERS:  2 to 4 players

AGES:  4 to 8

BRIEF OVERVIEW:  Dice pictures of animals.  Players roll the dice and count the number of animals.  Add the points.  Player with the most points at the end of play wins.  Other versions match pictures.  Some have playing boards. 

SKILLS:  Visual perception, visual motor, fine motor, turn taking, number recognition and beginning counting. 

VERSIONS:  Many versions available including Animal Yahtzee, Mickey Mouse Club or Princess Jr Yahtzee. 

MODIFICATIONS:  Play can be limited to any time frame. 

NUMBER OF PLAYERS:  2 to 6

AGES:  3 to 8

BRIEF OVERVIEW:  Roll dice and match pictures to card. 

SKILLS:  Visual perception (discrimination), visual motor, fine motor, turn taking, color and picture recognition, number recognition and beginning counting, critical thinking. 

VERSIONS:  Many versions including Animal Bingo, Thomas Engine Bingo, Leap Frog Bingo.

MODIFICATIONS:  Some versions include 4 to 6 options for play. 

Let the games begin! Select one of these card, dice or other games for children 3 to 8 years old. These time-honored favorites will enhance your child’s developmental skills while they are having fun.  Games make great Christmas and Birthday presents. 

My Game Review Hubs

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

Interacting with Your Premature Infant:  Developmental Care in the NICU

Children’s Behavior- Sensory Regulation, A Different Perspective