Advice and reviews for games targeted towards kids under 5 years old.
young children
Chip Theory Kids Independent Play Collection
Every once in a while, we find games that are so well suited to very young children that they’ll pull them out and play them alone, without an adult’s help.
» Read moreEpisode 417 – The Purge: How Do You Know You’re Done?
How do you know when you’re done with a game and it’s time to get rid of it? Your kids have aged out of it – are you sure?
» Read moreEpisode 416 – Growing As a Family with Board Games
Andrew & Anitra talk about their experience growing a gaming family, from toddlers to teenagers. Every kid is going to be different!
» Read moreMr. Postmouse’s Picnic
For most families, I think Mr. Postmouse’s Picnic is going to be frustrating – unless you modify it to make it easier. But for fans of the series, it can still be a fertile ground for imaginative play.
» Read more2025 Board Game Gift Guide
Board games make great gifts! We’ve compiled a list of great board games to help make your 2025 gift shopping a little easier.
» Read moreEpisode 403 – Taking the Pressure Off
We love the board game community, but it can lead to pressure to play MORE or HARDER games, to keep up with the newest games. What can we do to dial it back down and make games FUN again?
» Read moreEpisode 400 – It’s All About Families
Playing games with kids looks a lot different for us now than it did in 2015. Let’s talk about what family gaming looks like at different ages.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Micro Macro Kids: Crazy City Park
Our favorite seek-and-find game is back, with kid-friendly mysteries and new tools that will help older, more tired eyes, too.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Bear in Mind
I think this is a great step up from traditional memory matching games. The storytelling aspect is a nice twist, and when everyone feels invested in the stories, it actually makes it easier to remember what item was placed where.
» Read moreEpisode 396 – 5 Games that Surprise!
We’ve been reviewing board games for almost ten years. And sometimes, we run across ones that REALLY surprise us. Let’s talk about a few this week.
» Read moreWoodland Rush
There are lots of different kinds of tasks involved here – matching, dexterity, memory, logic, and following instructions. And the combination of the timer and group participation on the Hide-and-Seek task means that no one has time to get bored.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Octo Grabbo
Roll a die or flip a card, then use chopsticks to grab the right food in Octo Grabbo, a dexterity game that’s best for kids age 4-10.
EVERY kid under 12 years old that played this with me loved it and couldn’t get enough.
SNAP Review – Dodo
This is a gimmicky kids game. But I was honestly really surprised at how well Dodo works even for adults.
» Read more2023 Board Game Gift Guide
We’ve compiled a list of great board games to help make your gift shopping a little easier.
» Read moreCranium Big Brain Detective Game
Cranium Big Brain Detective Game is more of a seek-and-find activity than a game. Young players can solve mysteries on a colorful, large-scale game board.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Diced Veggies
“Diced Veggies” is a family board game for 2-4 players, designed by the Cappel family. While the game offers engaging mechanics and allows for strategic decision-making, it may take longer than the estimated 30 minutes playtime. Modifications for younger players are provided.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Stampfarm
Stampfarm is a roll-and-write game without the “write”. Instead, you’ll place stamps into your farm.
This fairly simple game is intended for kids, but is it fun?
Episode 344 – Top Games for Six Years Old
It’s time for lists again! We review our top recommendations for six year olds, after talking about the great games we’ve been playing this week.
» Read moreTop 10 Games for 6 Year Olds
Six year olds have strong opinions and a variety of interests. Our top ten games covers many different styles and themes: you’re sure to find one your child will love!
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