Board games are a great way to spend time with your family, but they can also be pretty expensive. With so many new board games being released each year, it can be difficult and overwhelming to find the perfect game for your 5-year old. We've put together this list of the best board games for 5-year-olds in 2021 that will make any parent's life just a little bit easier. Make sure you check out our reviews for these five great games before making your purchase!
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Category | Image | Product | Features | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best overall |
| * Children and adults love this game * Promotes strategic thinking, logic, focus * 60 min long * Easy to learn rules | ||
Best runner up |
| * Best as the first board game * Cooperative * 20 min long * Great for play dates | ||
Best budget |
| * Teaches counting and addition * Teaches about money management * Simple rules * Fun for all ages 5+ | ||
Best educational |
| * Promotes spatial thinking = School readiness * Great for purposeful play * Engaging for children and adults * 30 min long | ||
Best 2-player |
| * Chess-like, strategic * Perfect for travels * 20 min long * Easy rules |
Best Overall: "Ticket to Ride"
"Ticket to Ride" is truly the best family board game for 5-year-olds because it engages children of both genders, and most of the adults get really into it too. This is an excellent game for the whole family to enjoy together. Moreover, "Ticket to Ride" is a relatively short game, so kids do not get tired of it. It is a fun way to teach the concept of strategy and following the rules.
Game time: 30-60 min
Number of players: 4-6. Four people would be the perfect number to enjoy the game; however, even two people will enjoy playing it!
Rules: the aim of the game is to connect routes with the chain of trains to get points. The person with the highest number of points wins. This game has fairly simple rules that a typical 5-years-old can learn quickly, even though it is rated as 8+.
However, in the beginning, a 5-year-old will require some help from the adults to learn how to play. But once they understand the rules, most 5-year-olds will be able to play independently.
How to learn the rules?
After reading the rules one time, it might be better to play the game once or twice before they become clearer. With 5-year-olds, you might need to play a couple more times for them to get a sense of the game entirely. Also, there are plenty of Youtube videos teaching how to play the game. You can watch them together with your child and then practice the rules.
What does the game teach: "Ticket to Ride" game fosters logic, concentration, strategic thinking, creative problem-solving. Also, children learn the names of cities and towns and where they are located on a country map.
Rounds in the "Ticket to Ride" are very short, sometimes as short as 30 seconds. Such a dynamic game is a good prevention of smartphone use as there is simply no time to check your phone. Thus, the focus of all the players, even 5-year-olds, is totally on the game.
It's not only our best pick, but it also won many awards for being one of the best board games around the world!
Best Runner Up: "Outfoxed"
"Outfoxed" is a fantastic game for 5-year-olds; however, it is less engaging for adults than "Ticket to Ride" because it is based on luck. But it's the only drawback! "Outfoxed" will be especially beneficial to children that have never played any board games before. The rules are straightforward, so even most 4-year-olds would enjoy the game.
Game time: 20 min
Number of players: 2-4
Rules: even though the game implies turn-taking, all players still cooperate. Players work as a team to win the game by not letting the fox escape, looking for clues, and revealing suspects. This makes "Outfoxed" the best cooperative board game for 5-year-olds!
"Outfoxed" is marked for ages 5+; however, children might quickly outgrow it as most 8-year-olds will find the game boring.
What does it teach: analysis, theories and predictions building, cooperation and team work.
This is the type of game that every 5-year-old will love and will constantly ask for playing it. The only reason "Outfoxed" is not the top winner of this review is that the game will soon become pretty much boring for adults. We believe parents also deserve some quality time with their kids. But if you want a game that your 5-year old will love from the first play, this should be your go-to. Moreover, this is an excellent game for a play date with kids without prior board game experience.
Best Budget Game: "Monopoly"
"Monopoly" is one of the best board games for kids that teaches them the concept of money and investing. Even if your 5-year-old doesn't know addition yet, they can still enjoy or even win the game with a bit of help from you. The game comes with several tokens, where a car and a dinosaur are the most popular between 5-year-olds.
Game time: 2-3 hours with the little ones.
Number of players: 3-4.
Rules: the rules of "Monopoly" are pretty simple and easy to understand upon playing. So no prior learning of the rules is required. Sit down with your kids and start playing. Most 5-year-olds are capable of playing the adult version of the game with some help from your side, so there is no need to invest in the junior "Monopoly." The aim of the game is to buy as much real estate as possible to collect high rent from other players; in "Monopoly," wins the person who stays in the game the last, while other players go broke.
What does it teach: "Monopoly" is great to teach kindergarteners tens and hundreds because 5-year-olds usually readily grasp these concepts during the game. Moreover, children learn counting and simple addition and money management in this game and investing basics.
Best educational family board game: "Labyrinth"
"Labyrinth" by Ravensburger is a fantastic board game; although it is rated as 7+, but a 5-year-old child can quickly get the concept of the game.
Game time: this game lasts around 30 minutes, which is optimal for younger kids to stay focused on the game without getting tired.
Number of players: 2-4
Rules: you need to build a path through a maze to your treasure and collect it. However, each player makes his/her own path, which means that each turn changes and shifts the entire maze. Thus, before taking the next turn, players need to think strategically and shift the maze in their favor or try to disrupt their competitor's path.
What does the game teach: spatial perception and awareness and memorize left, right, top, and bottom concepts. All of these are essential skills for understanding math at school. By often playing "Labyrinth" with your children, you'll improve their school readiness in a fun and engaging game.
"Labyrinth" is a kind of game that can appeal to kids of different ages, so they can enjoy it together without the little ones being left out.
RELATED: Kindergarten Readiness: Check & Prep At Home
Best two-player game: "Hive"
"Hive" is a highly addictive game, it seems like an easier variant of chess. In addition, this game comes with a travel case and giving the fact that there is no actual board needed for the game, "Hive" is a perfect travel game. The game tiles are solid; they feel and weigh like pebbles giving players a pleasant sensory experience. The game is easy-to-learn, strategic, thought-provoking, and competitive.
Game time: around 20 min.
Number of players: 2
Rules: the goal of the game is to surround the enemy queen bee. The "queen bee" is the main piece of each hive, and she has to be surrounded by all tiles to win her enemy's hive.
What does the game teach: strategic thinking, planning, and problem-solving
Most 5-year-olds understand the rules from a couple of plays; moreover, adults fall for this game, and it truly becomes a household favorite.
FAQ
What are the best board games for 5-year-olds?
This question should be answered with at least four answers, ideally from each category: skill level, occasion, number of players, and time frame. For example, there are board games for a fun family game night, like "Ticker to Ride," that we recommend here. Or there are board games for playdates, where children of different ages and/or skill levels play together. Also, educational board games are intended to improve some skills, like strategic thinking, spatial orientation, counting, and addition skills. Others are brainteasers, where a child plays alone, solving puzzles and riddles.
Can 5-year-olds play board games?
Yes, a typical 5-year-old can play board games as at this age children have enough self-control and attention span to learn and follow the rules and build simple strategy. It is crucial, though, to choose not only age-appropriate but also skill-appropriate board games for your 5-year-old. A heightened sense of self and ego in five-year-olds is a normal developmental milestone. Still, they feel especially vulnerable to critics and losses at this age. That is why, when choosing a board game for your child, make sure that he/she has enough skills to play it. Or there is a high chance that he/she will refuse to play this and all other board games after his/her first loss. For example, do not expect your child to play "Labyrinth" if he/she has never solved any mazes before. Or to play "Hive" when your child is not familiar with "Tic-Tac-Toe" or "Checkers."
With 5-year-olds, it is essential to start with simpler games if you have never played any board games before and slowly move toward more complex strategies. By doing this, you'll exclude the risk of undermining self-esteem and complete rejection to play. At the same time, please do not give in to your child; let him/her try his/her strength and win in fair play. A well-deserved win will boost his/her self-confidence and trigger enough dopamine production to fall in love with this game.
What are the benefits of board games for 5-year-old?
First of all, board games help families connect and unite around a common interest. Family games are a few ways, together with sports and hobbies, where parents can learn more about their children and understand their feelings and characters.
Second, board games are one of the best ways to prepare your child for school: fill the gaps in his/her skills, like spatial thinking, visual attention, reaction speed, etc., and improve his/her executive control and theory of mind, which are all good predictors of the successful learning in school.
Third, board games are a great way to stimulate their imagination, creativity, communicative skills, and vocabulary. Shy kids can work on their social anxiety when playing charade-like games, such as "Activity" or "Alias." Moreover, kids below the age of ten can get deep into a game without even realizing that they're learning new skills.
Board games are a fun and easy way to connect with your child, educate him/her, and improve his or her social skills. If you haven't started playing board games with your kids yet, there is no time like the present! Trust us - it won't take long before they're hooked. So choose one of our favorite family-friendly board games now for some bonding time together. You'll be glad you did!