Advice and reviews for games targeted towards kids under 5 years old.
young children
SNAP Review – Inspector Mouse: The Great Escape
An unusual memory game for 1-4 players, ages 5+. Turn the Inspector and listen for criminals sounding the alarm as they try to escape! Can you figure out which criminal was last in the cell where the escape tunnel was dug?
» Read moreSNAP Review – Hedgehog Haberdash
The baby hedgehogs are playing dress up, but they don’t have spiky quills like mom and dad. How can they dress up and pretend to be adults? Maybe with this bag of pointy leaves?
» Read more241 – Beyond Board Games – Reading with Rajani LaRocca!
Once a quarter, we welcome a guest to the show who has NOTHING to do with board games, but is still awesome. This week, for our first episode of Outside Board Games, we welcome author Rajani LaRocca.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Snail Sprint!
The snails are racing through the garden and over the wall (and over each other!) Which snails will make it to the winners’ podium? A great game for younger kids to play with their whole family.
» Read more240 – Room to Grow: Roll & Write Games – The Family Gamers Podcast
We pick roll and write games that avoid arithmetic and sequencing, in four levels of difficulty. Which roll and writes give players room to grow?
» Read more236 – Babies and Boardgames – The Family Gamers Podcast
When did you start playing games with your kids? And how do you get started if you haven’t played with them before – no matter what age they’re at?
» Read more234 – Children’s Books as Games – The Family Gamers Podcast
This week, we’re talking about games inspired by children’s books – games that actually exist, and games we’d like to see!
» Read moreYarrr Har Hunt: X Marks the Co-op Spot
Friendly pirates cooperate, following clues to get the treasure. Collect as many treasures as there are pirates before the boat comes to the shore and pick them all up!
» Read moreSNAP Review – Color It! – A Coloring Roll and Write
Color It! is a very simple roll-and-color game. Use it to practice taking turns, or to begin to teach strategy. We also like it as a way to wind down before bedtime.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Dragomino: My First Kingdomino
Match land types to hatch dragon eggs. Can you find the most dragons in this “My First Kingdomino” game?
» Read moreGiveaway: My First Castle Panic
Our youngest gamer has outgrown My First Castle Panic – but our loss can be your gain! Enter the giveaway.
» Read moreHoliday Gift Guide 2020
It’s been a long year. Maybe you have a better idea of what your family likes in board games? Or maybe you need some different, more accessible games. We’ve got your back, with board game gift suggestions for any age, player count, and experience level.
» Read moreSNAP Review – In A Flash Firefighters
Race to match the hoses and put out the fire! Which firefighter can untangle the hoses and reach the fire first? In A Flash Firefighters is a speedy puzzle game from HABA, best for younger players.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Smoosh and Seek Treehouse
Smoosh and Seek Treehouse is a 10 minute cooperative game for players ages 3+. Corey and his daughter tell us about it in 5 minutes.
» Read moreParenting – Keep Helping Your Kids
SNAP Review – Bees: The Secret Kingdom
Gather pollen to make the most valuable honey in this set-collection game. We’re pleased to review a game that looks so “grown-up” while remaining accessible to pre-reading kids.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Valley of the Vikings
We don’t know why Vikings go bowling, but the goal of the game is to collect the most coins. You do this by… pushing other people off the dock? It doesn’t have to make sense.
» Read moreGiveaway – Monza
Monza: Race Ahead with Sequencing
At first glance, Monza from HABA looks like any other racing game – six cars and a multi-colored track. But there’s more going on there than meets the eye.
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