Board games for preschoolers (ages 4 and 5)
Preschoolers can absolutely play board games. They just need short ones with simple choices and something to touch. These games are designed for small hands and short attention spans, and they’re a step up from games that are pure luck.
We pick games on their merits. Links go to Amazon, and we may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
1.Hoot Owl Hoot!
Players work together to fly the owls back to their nest before the sun comes up. Colour matching, no reading.
Parent tip: Perfect first co-op game. Nobody loses alone, which takes the sting out for little ones.
Check price on Amazon2.My First Carcassonne
Lay tiles to build roads and race to place your figures. A simplified version of a modern classic.
Parent tip: Kids pick it up after one round. Later they can graduate to the full Carcassonne.
Check price on Amazon3.Outfoxed!
A cooperative whodunit: gather clues and use a decoder to work out which fox stole the pot pie before it escapes.
Parent tip: Teaches deduction without reading. Older siblings enjoy it more than you’d expect.
Check price on Amazon4.Race to the Treasure!
Build a path together to collect three keys and reach the treasure before the ogre does.
Parent tip: A gentle introduction to planning ahead. Short enough for a bedtime game.
Check price on Amazon5.Rhino Hero
Build a wobbly card skyscraper and move the superhero rhino up the floors without knocking it over.
Parent tip: Great for building fine motor skills and for getting the whole family laughing.
Check price on AmazonTips
- Stop while it’s still fun, even halfway through.
- Let them win sometimes, but not always. Learning to lose is part of the point.
- Cooperative games are a great way to practise taking turns without the frustration of losing.
Looking for something else? Try the game picker to filter by age, players and time.