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The game is one of the popular means of entertainment today. There are numerous products published every day. Many of them are for children and young people.
The target of games is kids, so game designers try to make games attractive for their young players. They tend to create appealing stories related to familiar characters. The graphics are colorful and sweet, and the games are simple and easy to play. All these characteristics draw children’s attention.
And, one of the most famous games among kids is board games for 5 year olds. This type of game has enough criteria to impress children.
Let’s find out more about them and decide which is the best fit for your needs and wants.
Board games: Are they worth it?
Besides being a favorite activity in free time, board games do offer children lots of benefits which encourage parents to let their children play these games. So, before discovering the list of popular picks, we will show you some of their main benefits.
1. Brain development
Children’s brains work differently. Their brains can make millions of neurons and connections every day in their early childhood. It happens when they develop their senses of the world.
It means that the more they are exposed to new and creative things, the more connections in their brains are established. So, with the diversity of board games, children can enjoy various types of content and graphics, which support their brain development.
2. Great way to pass time quickly and effectively
Solving board games for 5 year olds is also a good source of entertainment for not just these children but adults.
In addition to supporting brain development, it attracts your kids’ attention as well, so you do not even realize the time has already passed quickly. As for the grown-up, the games will help you turn all your attention away from any stressful thoughts.
3. Enhance confidence
One of the most important characteristics that children should have is confidence, and not many things are better than getting involved in the board game to build confidence.
With it, children have chances to make mistakes and experiment with their new ideas, and this process can lead them to the right idea. In other words, enjoying these games allows kids to make mistakes and still feel confident about it.
4. High educational tools
Kids often love colorful games. That is why engaging themselves in board games which are relevant to maps, animals, and letters will be a great way to raise their interests and passions on various subjects. In addition, these will help them develop visual, spatial, and social awareness skills, aside from building self-confidence in the children.
5. Create fine motor skills
Touch the board, plan and make moves, etc. All the activities require dexterity and coordination from kids.
And board games are so fun and interesting that kids want to play them over and over again. The more they get involved in these activities, the better their fine motor skills are.
6. Improve problem-solving skills
While playing board games for five year olds, the children have to find options, make a decision, and evaluate the possible result. This process is called problem-solving skills.
With different types of these games, children might do this process in various ways. And it is the key to their creativity. So, the more games they play, the more ideas they will have.
7. Learn to work well with the patience
The process of solving board games is quite a challenge, and if you want to overcome this challenge, it can take time along with patience.
Indeed, patience is also considered a specific skill that can improve when you are young. Get started now with the games and help your children learn how to persist until they reach their goals.
8. Help kids to connect
There are lots of games offering the multiplayer mode in which your child can share the game with his/ her friend(s). Through playing with others, your kids will have a chance to learn from their friends, and the most important thing is teamwork skills.
Overall, not only children but also parents reap lots of benefits from online art games. Kids can develop their fine motor skills, learn to build and hone skills, practice teamwork, and then some. Meanwhile, the parents will have time for themselves or join and play with their child to strengthen the parent-child bond and relieve their daily stress.
Best board games for 5 year olds
The Shortlist
| Age range | Number of players | Game length | ||
| Rhino Hero | 5+ | 2 – 5 | 5 – 15 minutes | Check Price |
| Treasure Hunt Game | 3+ | 1 – 4 | Half an hour – 1 hour | Check Price |
| Dragon’s Breath | 5 – 9 | 2 – 4 | 15 – 20 minutes | Check Price |
| Gamewright Outfoxed! | 5 – 10 | 1 – 4 | 10 – 20 minutes | Check Price |
| Bugs in the Kitchen | 5 – 12 | 2 – 4 | 15 – 20 minutes | Check Price |
| Enchanted Forest | 5 – 12 | 2 – 6 | Half an hour – 1 hour | Check Price |
| Blokus Game | 5+ | 2 – 4 | 20 minutes – Half an hour | Check Price |
| The Floor is Lava | 5 – 10 | 2 – 6 | 10 – 45 minutes | Check Price |
| Scrabble Junior Game | 4+ | 2 – 4 | 20 – 45 minutes | Check Price |
| Clue Junior Game | 5 – 12 | 2 – 6 | Half an hour | Check Price |
| Sums in Space | 5 – 7 | 2 – 4 | Half an hour – 1 hour | Check Price |
| Monopoly Junior Board Game | 5 – 12 | 2 – 4 | 45 minutes | Check Price |
| Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game | 5+ | 1 – 4 | 45 minutes – 1 hour | Check Price |
| Brain Freeze | 5+ | 2 | 10 – 20 minutes | Check Price |
When putting together the following options, we have thought about key factors (to be mentioned in the next section) and accounted for the games our children have cherished and not liked. Additionally, we have asked for advice from a board game shop owner who knows them inside and out.
1. Most favorite stacking board game: Rhino Hero – by HABA
- Age range: 5+
- Number of players: 2 – 5
- Format: Building, 3D
- Game length: 5 – 15 minutes
In this game, gamers take turns to stack walls and place roof cards on top to construct a tower. At particular, random points, the rhino needs your support to be able to climb the tower and not knock it down at the same time.
The first to leverage every one of their cards wins. On the other hand, all of you are the winner in case the tower collapses. Or become the loser.
What is more? It is worth mentioning that there are extra symbols on several roof cards to show a play direction change or notify that the following gamer skips a turn. Such added strategy element does make Rhino Hero stay engaging.
Better yet, for kids at five, HABA Rhino Hero Super Battle boasts the inclusion of additional cards, more animal heroes, as well as evil monkeys to fight with. You cannot go wrong with this option if you are fond of the basic game and looking for an upgrade.
What you may like:
- Budget friendly
- Simple to learn
- Short game time
What you may not like:
- Cards may get bent.
2. Best treasure hunt pick: Treasure Hunt Game – by Gotrovo
- Age range: 3+
- Number of players: 1 – 4
- Format: Strategy, physical activity
- Game length: Half an hour – 1 hour
Looking for treasure hunt board games for 5 year olds? The high chance is, your children and you will like this outstanding Gotrovo Treasure Hunt Game. Its interactivity is hardly doubtful and the game delivers an incredible playing experience.
The word ‘boring’ should disappear in your dictionary while you are engaging in this pick. You can be certain that none of any two trails are ever something similar. Above all, have a great time without gluing your eyes to gadgets.
What you may like:
- Award-winning choice
- Build/ Boost memory and patience
- Entertaining and interactive
What you may not like:
- A few people share that they cannot flatten the map. Yet, this concern is small and you can leverage heavy books to address it.
3. Most popular dexterity board game: Dragon’s Breath – by HABA
- Age range: 5 – 9
- Number of players: 2 – 4
- Format: 3D
- Game length: 15 – 20 minutes
To play the game, gamers take turns to get rid of rings and allow gems to release from the ice column. Please keep in mind that gems falling in specific regions are removed from play, and the remaining ones get divided between gamers based on color. The winner is the gamer who has the most gems after the last ring is eliminated.
As easy as the Dragon’s Breath sounds, there are sufficient factors to keep it enjoyable and fascinating.
Another plus point is, this HABA is playable on a platform on its box. When you play, gems enter the box. Hence, tidying up is a breeze, for sure.
What you may like:
- Combination of luck and skill
- Wonderfully made
- Many play modes.
What you may not like:
- Gems are small. So, the likelihood of losing them is higher.
4. Best cooperative choice: Gamewright Outfoxed! – by Gamewright
- Age range: 5 – 10
- Number of players: 1 – 4
- Format: Deduction, collaborative
- Game length: 10 – 20 minutes
For cooperative board games for 5 year olds, do consider Gamewright Outfoxed.
Here, gamers begin in the board’s center and move on the grid toward any path. All the while, the fox starts toward one side and moves along the way through the middle. To decide if the fox or the gamer moves, you need to throw the dice.
It is worth noting that when landing on a clue space, you have the choice to place the token into the decoder and uncover the hint. Hints get shared among every gamer, and you cooperate to tackle mystery fast before the fox gets to move over the board.
What you may like:
- Fosters reasoning abilities
- Empowers collaboration
- Playable solo
What you may not like:
- Instructions could have been better.
5. Most well-known action board game: Bugs in the Kitchen – by Ravensburger
- Age range: 5 – 12
- Number of players: 2 – 4
- Format: Fast response
- Game length: 15 – 20 minutes
This selection from Ravensburger is playable within the box. Two traps that deal with bugs are accessible at each end. There are barriers in the board setting as well. These obstructions have shapes of the fork and knife and can get turned in various directions.
To start, you get the HexBug out. It is the bug’s job to run around the maze. What about you? You figure if you turn a fork or knife by throwing the dice. The point of the Bugs in the Kitchen is to turn the kitchen devices and lead HexBug into a trap.
The trap’s owner gains one bug token. To win the game, you have to be the first to get five bugs.
What you may like:
- Easy to learn
- Fast-paced
- Extra fun through placing more bugs
What you may not like:
- Can become fast and energetic in a pretty wild way
- A few younger children may find it intense.
6. Top-rated memory board game: Enchanted Forest – by Ravensburger
- Age range: 5 – 12
- Number of players: 2 – 6
- Format: Memory, around the board
- Game length: Half an hour – 1 hour
Every one of the gamers starts in the town area on the board’s one side. There is a picture on each of the thirteen trees’ bases and the tree is set close to the thirteen blue squares. When arriving at a blue square, do not forget to look under the tree close to it and recollect which picture is in which place.
At the board’s other side is the king’s castle realm. Here you see the treasure cards. Turn over the card to uncover a treasure. Did you notice which tree had the treasure under before? Then, what are you waiting for but rush to the castle and be the first to uncover where it sits.
What you may like:
- Not ask for reading abilities
- Not the same every time
- Betters memory
What you may not like:
- Longer game playing time
7. Best-in-class strategy board game: Blokus Game – by Mattel Games
- Age range: 5 years old – adult
- Number of players: 2 – 4
- Format: Strategy, tile-laying
- Game length: 20 minutes – Half an hour
As one of the best board games for 5 year olds, Blokus Game has brought fascinating things to the table.
Here, shaped pieces are put onto a square grid. Each gamer receives the same amount of pieces; they are all somewhere in the range of one and five squares and configured differently.
Gamers take turns putting each piece on the board each time. Start in your corner. Then, proceed outwards. Though it is required for pieces to contact another whose color is akin, they can just contact at the corner.
A player having laid the entirety of their pieces will put an end to this Blokus Game. Else, it ends when you figure no more pieces to be able to get laid. The gamer with the fewest remaining squares or the first to lay every one of their pieces wins.
As easy as it seems, the game will keep your kids and grown-ups alike playing for quite a long time.
What you may like:
- Not many rules
- Easy-to-understand gameplay
- Super interesting
What you may not like:
- Best fit for four gamers to play
- Focus is necessary.
8. Most fantastic physical activity game: The Floor is Lava – by Endless Games
- Age range: 5 – 10
- Number of players: 2 – 6
- Format: Physical activity, elimination
- Game length: 10 – 45 minutes
In The Floor is Lava, you see stepping stones whose colors vary are here and there on the floor. A gamer will select a color through spinning the arrow. And it is the gamers’ task to jump onto a tile which has that color. The one who spins the arrow will decide who was the last to arrive on a tile and eliminate the stone from which this player jumped.
You lose in case you contact the ground between the stepping stones or you fail to track down a stone with the right color to jump onto. The winner is the last gamer in the match.
It is worth mentioning that there include actions on several stones – for example, dance like a ballet performer. In case you arrive at that title, you need to play out the action. Yet, you have the choice to leave the element out if you do not like it.
What you may like:
- Playable outside
- Great party game
- Physical
What you may not like:
- Children who get eliminated may become bored.
- Needs lots of room
9. Best-rated spelling board game: Scrabble Junior Game – by Hasbro Gaming
- Age range: 4+
- Number of players: 2 – 4
- Format: Race around the board, spelling
- Game length: 20 – 45 minutes
It is safe to state that the Scrabble Junior Game is one of the most beneficial spelling board games for 5 year olds.
On the board’s ‘simple’ side, a grid is available with words printed in advance as well as a pathway already numbered around the outside. This game is similar to the original Scrabble in how gamers take letter tiles. They do not make words but suit their tiles to letters in one word.
You receive points for various letters and finishing a word. Prompt your figure around the external pathway. And the winner will be the first to the finish.
On the opposite side, you engage in the game in the traditional fashion. Yet, do so with none of the double letter scores and other premium squares.
What you may like:
- Two-in-one offer
- Helps letter recognition
What you may not like:
- Cardboard letter tiles
- No tile stands
10. Best deduction game: Clue Junior Game – by Hasbro Gaming
- Age range: 5 – 12
- Number of players: 2 – 6
- Format: Race to the mystery solution, deductive
- Game length: Half an hour
What is cool is there are two distinct sets for the game. These are Case of the missing cake and Case of the broken toy. Both have identical gameplay and rules. They only differ in the mystery waiting for you to handle.
In this Clue Junior Game, it is the gamers’ job to find out the mystery’s ‘when’, ‘what’, and ‘who’ via moving about the board to see picture hints. Hint cards are placed with the face turned toward the board. Be quick to mark the hint off on your detective pad when you see a hint
What if you have got rid of everything except one likelihood for ‘when’, ‘what’, and ‘who’? Then, proceed with tackling the mystery.
Gamers have the choice to move any character, which makes playing with any number become simple. Still, collaboration does not apply when it comes to puzzle addressing.
What you may like:
- Playable with only two players or as many as six
- A mystery without any violent element
- Helps build and improve deductive reasoning
What you may not like:
- Instructions could have been clearer.
11. Highest-rated counting game: Sums in Space – by da Vinci’s Room
- Age range: 5 – 7
- Number of players: 2 – 4
- Format: Mathematics, against the clock, race to the end
- Game length: Half an hour – 1 hour
If you are looking for fun, reliable counting board games for 5 year olds, do not miss out on Sums in Space.
Here, gamers race about the board, travel past the dark hole, get away from the planet, return home. To do so, they must deal with single-digit subtraction and addition equations.
To be more specific, you roll the three dice and receive two numbers somewhere in the range of zero and nine and either a subtraction or addition sign. Organize the die to create an equation and tackle it. Follow with moving the resulting number of squares on the board. You will become the winner if you are the first to the finish.
There is one thing to note when you play in collaboration. In case a gamer rolls a 0, the rocket countdown will tick down a space. Everybody is the winner if they all reach the end before the rocket comes to 0. When the rocket arrives at 0, it is a game over.
What you may like:
- A decent choice for youngsters who are fond of space
- Be rivals or in teams
- Helps foster basic mathematics skills
What you may not like:
- Those who are too familiar with basic maths may not feel that interested.
- Outgrown fast
12. Best budget choice: Monopoly Junior Board Game – by Monopoly
- Age range: 5 – 12
- Number of players: 2 – 4
- Format: Elimination, purchase, and sell
- Game length: 45 minutes
While this version is quite like the adult one, instead of forty board squares, it has more than twenty. There are no railways, Community Chest, hotels, tax squares, etc. And as opposed to particular areas, the properties are boardwalk, zoo, and all that.
Gamers travel about the board purchasing properties, keeping away from jail, as well as getting Chance cards. Pay rent in case you arrive at a property possessed by another gamer.
Those who do not manage to take care of their bills will get removed. The gamers left resell their properties to the bank and tally their cash. The winner is the one who has the most amount of money.
What you may like:
- Helps boost mathematics skills
- Incredible value for money
- Gives a good playtime for adults as well
What you may not like:
- One-dollar greenbacks are the only money denomination, limiting mathematics learning.
13. Brilliant nature-based pick: Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game – by LearningHerbs
- Age range: 5+
- Number of players: 1 – 4
- Format: Collection, collaborative
- Game length: 45 minutes – 1 hour
For those seeking collaborative board games for 5 year olds who are curious about nature discovery, do consider the Wildcraft.
Here, you explore a mountain. While climbing, gamers are in charge of gathering over twenty consumable and therapeutic plant cards to heal more than thirty illnesses. After that, they go back to their grandmother’s home by sundown.
To guarantee everybody has a target and feels involved, every gamer needs to gather two huckleberries as well when they are at the highest point of the mountain.
You may like that the Wildcraft has no requirement for background knowledge. Just have an idea of what is within the game. Children can likewise take the cards all over town and leverage them to distinguish the plants they discover.
What you may like:
- A great resource for learning
- Printable downloads accessible
- 100% vegetable inks and recycled materials
What you may not like:
- Long game time
- Not every person’s interest
14. Award-winning two-player board game: Brain Freeze – by Mighty Fun!
- Age range: 5+
- Number of players: 2
- Format: Logic, deduction
- Game length: 10 – 20 minutes
This pick from Mighty Fun! comprises two wipe-off/draw-on game boards. Each of them comes with two pieces clipping together smoothly to generate an L-shape. The bigger section boasts the presence of a 10×10 grid; in each square, a frozen treat picture is included.
To start with, gamers select a target square. Also, on their board’s upward section, mark the picture, color, and square setting. Next up, take turns to pose each other questions to figure the position, color, and treat the other gamer has picked.
It is that straightforward and super interesting at the same time.
What you may like:
- Builds/ Improves logical thinking
- No worry over losing pieces
- Lightweight and compact
What you may not like:
- Sets aside time to learn inductive reasoning processes.
Key factors to consider before you buy
With a lot of options, how would you pick suitable board games for 5 year olds?
1. Your kid’s preferences
Consider what your kid likes doing and discover the best board game fit for their preferences – for example, animals.
Likewise, account for how your youngster loves to play. Is it true that they are amazingly active? Assuming this is the case, opt for a physical activity game and/ or one with whose game time is not too long.
On the other hand, in case your kid is the quiet type, the safe bet should be a more subdued game.
2. Number of players
You may not want to disregard the suggested number of gamers while picking a game for your child at five.
In case the quantity you have will change, search for games playable with an adaptable number of gamers and stay away from the choices just giving the option to play three or any other number of particular players.
3. Budget
In case you are uncertain about whether your youngster will be fond of board games or not, select the product at a more affordable price. By doing so, if you find that the game is not right up your kid’s alley, you will not be throwing away money.
Assuming they do appreciate the set, you may want to consider spending more on a greater game which will grow with the kid.
4. Educational perks
Not all board games for 5 year olds have to deliver an academic learning experience. Yet, on the other hand, an educational factor can be a major advantage of playing games. This particularly applies to youngsters who tend to stay away from anything that bears a likeness to learning.
5. Format
These games have different formats, so you have various choices for your needs and wants. For example, 3D games with many building elements or layers.
Some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1. Would I be able to change the game rules to assist my youngster with better comprehension?
Yessir. House rules are a typical approach to playing any game. Indeed, even with our teens and extended family, we enjoy various games in a fashion that addresses our family’s demands more seamlessly.
But please bear in mind that, modifying the rule often is not advisable. Stay with a set of adjustments and do not over-change. Otherwise, nobody will actually want to follow along. Ensure new gamers are at peace with family rules.
2. Can kids at five understand board games’ rules?
A lot of family board games come with straightforward rules that a child at five years old can, without much of a stretch, follow. Most of the picks mentioned above are particularly incredible beginner board games.
Their instructions are straightforward enough. And the number of players is about two. That is why it is simple for you to direct your youngster along while you play. Two-player choices will not confuse a kid who is a newbie to the board game world.
In a nutshell
A few people have affectionate recollections of playing board games for 5 year olds. Meanwhile, others just recall getting bored or discouraged by competitive grown-ups. It is a pity since board games are a fascinating approach to investing memorable time with one another, gain proficiency with something, and have a great time.
To curate the above rundown, we did our best to discover games that match various family cultures, game styles, and preferences. We do hope that there is something on the rundown to fit your kid and others who join the game with them.
