Candy Land, even my 2yr old can play it with a little help. We also love the Richard Scary board game - Busytown, I think it's called. We've also recently introduced Memory, and Chutes and Ladders is just waiting for a rainy day to try it
Mama to two sweet girls DD1 Feb 2010 DD2 Sept 2011
Most of the ones PP mentioned, but DD also loves this Tea Party Game she received for her birthday. She gets bored with Chutes and Ladders b/c it takes too long to win.
Zingo, Hi Ho Cheerio, Sneaky Snacky Squirrel (love this one), Ants in the Pants, Don't Break the Ice, Cootie, Candyland, The Little Engine that Could, Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. We have 2 bingo ones too - weather bingo and space bingo. My kids love games.
We have a lot of what was previously mentioned. DS also loves the Curious George Discovery Beach game. He also likes card games like go fish & old maid.
DS (almost 5) loves Memory. He will play that one by himself. He doesn't sit well for board games, or he will clear the pieces off the board each turn and try to start over from the beginning. That being said, we own most of the games mentioned above. Wishful thinking on my part. I noticed Operation has come out with a version that is a little younger than the classic one.
I know you have a lot of responses already and our games are pretty much all the same as those mentioned but I am not sure how old your LO is (like just turned 3 or between 3 1/2 & 4?)... I got really excited to buy games for my twins when they turned 3 and found that games like chutes & ladders and candyland did not work for them until much closer to 4, even DD who can sit & do things for extended periods and 'gets' rules & things pretty easily. DS didn't last 2 minutes with either one. They still struggle w/ chutes & ladders, it is a painfully long game if ppl get sent down chutes a lot... SO, I'd recommend board games like that closer to four.
Zingo was perfect at 3 and we also have I spy bingo which my kids love but they knew their letters before 3 so it depends on that. Uno Moo was ok but I really hate how it is basically set up to cheat when you pick animals, and they didn't get the 'wild' or the turn skipping w/ the skunk until slightly older so obvioulsy w/ a lot of them you have to just forgo rules or bend them. Busytown was a big hit at our house b/c we love the books and they love 'spying' things and also I like that it is a team game since I have 2 kids (vs. 1 of them winning, they both have to get to the end to 'win'). Hi Ho Cherry O is the easiest one for littler kids I think but more on the annoying side for adults. HA. GL!
We have the Spot It Jr. version and it's great -- very fast-paced. Also Uno Moo and Candyland are favourites around here.
I was going to say Spot It. We got the regular one when DD was 4.5 and I know a younger kid can do it. You can even change the rules for you in your head like if I am doing too good I find hers before mine so she has extra time.
Lucky Ducks is annoying but kids love it and it is easy. My kids did not play Candy Land until 4. Elefun was big with the kids at that age. Around 4 DD got really into Monopoly Jr and UNO.
Jen - Mom to two December 12 babies
Nathaniel 12/12/06 and Addison 12/12/08
only one we have and no one mentioned is the princess cupcake game. we don't actually play the game per se, but my daughter LOVES making the cupcakes to match the pictures. hours of entertainment. )
Re: Board games for 3-year-old
DD1 Feb 2010
DD2 Sept 2011
He doesn't sit well for board games, or he will clear the pieces off the board each turn and try to start over from the beginning. That being said, we own most of the games mentioned above. Wishful thinking on my part.
I noticed Operation has come out with a version that is a little younger than the classic one.
Good to know! I got that game for DS (he loves super why!). We're going to give it to him for his bday or Christmas.
Zingo was perfect at 3 and we also have I spy bingo which my kids love but they knew their letters before 3 so it depends on that. Uno Moo was ok but I really hate how it is basically set up to cheat when you pick animals, and they didn't get the 'wild' or the turn skipping w/ the skunk until slightly older so obvioulsy w/ a lot of them you have to just forgo rules or bend them. Busytown was a big hit at our house b/c we love the books and they love 'spying' things and also I like that it is a team game since I have 2 kids (vs. 1 of them winning, they both have to get to the end to 'win'). Hi Ho Cherry O is the easiest one for littler kids I think but more on the annoying side for adults. HA.
GL!
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Lucky Ducks is annoying but kids love it and it is easy. My kids did not play Candy Land until 4. Elefun was big with the kids at that age. Around 4 DD got really into Monopoly Jr and UNO.