Best Kids Board Game Reviews 2018

There’s no better sight than seeing your adorable kid beaming with smiles while playing. It’s even more thrilling if learning is incorporated into this play, which is why it’s important to get a kids’ board game that piques their interest. There are lots of options out there and choosing one is quite a task. Relax now! We’ve gone through the bulk of the task for you and have chosen five of the best kids’ board games from trusted brands. These brands have other variants in this same category you can check out if you want more options.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Type

Suitable Age

No. Players

Aim

Pieces

Our Top Choice

Think Fun Roll and Play First Game

Over the years, Think Fun has consistently been offering educative and entertaining kids’ games that help them develop cognitive and social skills.

Colorful and engaging. Develops needed skills. Provides hours of fun. Quick and easy to learn.

Kids tend to outgrow it rather too quickly.

Cube and card

18 months and up

2 or more

Visual perception and reasoning

48 cards

Best Value

Hasbro Monopoly Junior Game

Responsible for some of the world’s most popular and entertaining board games, Hasbro shows passion for play and edutainment for people of all ages.

Quality and colorful game items. Helps kids develop real-life skills. Easy to play. Fun and engaging.

Does not come with a way to store the game items.

Monopoly

5 - 8 years

2 to 4

Get money

167 pieces

Wonder Forge Busytown Board Game

Since 2007, Wonder Forge has been designing award-winning games and toys for the entertainment and development of children.

Develops important skills. Quality materials. Great fun factor. Suitable for the family. Colorful and engaging.

You will most likely be playing on the floor, but the fun you’ll get is worth it.

Mystery

3 years+

2 to 4

Find items

58 pieces

Educational Insights Snacky Squirrel Game

As a group of people passionate about giving kids wonderful experiences that go with them into adulthood, Education Insights creates games that help kids learn while they play.

Easy to set up. Fun to play. Interactive and engaging. Promotes strategic thinking. Builds relationships.

Might quickly be outgrown.

Spinner; squirrel

3 years+

2 to 4

Collect items

26 pieces

Winning Moves Games Trouble® Classic Edition

Since 1995, Winning Moves has been offering wholesome and successful games that are enjoyed by kids and adults alike, helping kids develop needed skills and adults relieve stress.

Fun die roller. Colorful and attractive board. Easy to learn and play. Educative and entertaining. Has plastic base just like the original.

Great fun, but quite noisy.

Trouble

5 years and up

2 to 4

Race to finish

17 pieces

(Updated November 27, 2017)

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Watch Our Kids Board Game Review

How Do I Choose the Best Kids Board Game?

It’s a generation where most people have their eyes always glued to the screen, and kids are not exempted. They derive fun as well as get educated by programs they watch on TV. And when it’s not TV, it could be playing with something else such as a bubble machine. These don’t avail you the kid and parent bonding you so desire because it has your kid’s undivided attention. So, a kids’ board game is what you need. A kids’ board game is a great way to spend time with your kid, playing games in a relaxed and fun atmosphere, while they naturally open up to you about what’s happening to and around them.

A kids’ board game is designed to entertain kids of different ages while educating them. Some require them to mimic an instruction, match items, count, identify letters, colors, words, and so much more. And some are designed to teach them about teamwork, test their matching ability, etc., offering a fun way of learning. They’re age-specific as well, so it’s important to look out for the age bracket designed to play a game before purchasing. However, the age recommendation is not set in stone as there are some games older kids still find interesting. But it’s important to avoid buying a game designed for a 2-year-old for a 7-year-old; the look alone will let you know that you’ve got something wrong.

While an arcade basketball game or a ride-on toy will keep your kids physically fit, kids’ board games keep them mentally fit. The chronicles of shouting when trying to get your kids settled are over, as these games are very entertaining and will pique your kids’ interest. There’s no doubt your kids will enjoy playing with themselves and even with you every now and then.

Price

Kids’ board games are not expensive, and their prices are mainly influenced by the materials used. A good one with many parts can cost close to $50, while a simpler one with fewer parts might go for $10. However, you will come across the cheap ones too. They are mostly made with inferior materials and make you think the manufacturers don’t even care if they’re suitable for children or not. Stay away from them; they may appear attractive but are actually no good.

Features

A kids’ board game is one sure way for kids to learn through playing. To be sure that your choice of a board game excites their imagination, here are important features to look for:

Type
Suitable age
Number of players
Aim
Care

You’ll understand the importance of these features as you read further.

Construction and Design

The main things to consider when buying a kids’ board game are type, suitable age, number of players and of course, the aim of the game! Let’s take a look at these considerations in some more detail.

Type

Playing shouldn’t always happen without learning, and learning shouldn’t only happen in classrooms. A kids’ board game is a playful way to educate kids. There are loads of types; in fact, the internet wouldn’t contain it if we attempted to explain. The important thing to note is the theme of a game. Kids’ board games are always about something and require players to go through an experience. Knowing its essence helps you decide if it’s the best choice for your kid.

Suitable Age

“It’s a kids’ board game, so there’s nothing wrong with an 8-year-old playing a board game designed for toddlers,” you think? The above shows that kids’ board games are age-specified, so it’s important to note which age the game is designed for before buying. The ages appropriate to play a kids’ board game are written on the manufacturer’s product guide; it’s worth keeping an eye out for.

Number of Players

Games of all sorts require a specific number of people for the best satisfaction, and kids’ board games are no different. So, keep in mind the number of kids required to play a kids’ board game before getting one. Some are designed for one or two players, while others require two or more players. Buying such for an only child isn’t ideal unless the parents are willing to join the child every time he/she wants to play; then, by all means, go for it (on the bright side, it strengthens child-parent bond). If not, go for a game designed for one player. And if you have two kids or more, be sure to buy a kids’ board game that’s designed to be played by two or more. You need not worry about this as it will always be written on the manufacturer’s guide, and usually even the box.

Aim

Understanding the aim of a kids’ board game is a sure way to decide if it’s appropriate, educative, and entertaining. Some kids’ board games require the kid to find something, collect items, or identify something (color, shape, words, etc.). Some of these board games, in a playful way, inculcate team spirit in kids, help kids develop language skills, encourage paying attention to details, and subtly introduce them to what happens in the real world. For instance, in Monopoly, the terms buy, sell, rent, etc., are used; this shows kids what happens when money isn’t well-spent.

Performance and Ease of Use

There’s not much to consider when it comes to the performance and ease of use of your board game; the performance comes down to you! But you should consider how to take care of it to keep it intact for as long as possible!

Care

Because kids will always be kids, most kids’ board games come with extra pieces in case one goes missing. Kids’ board games are designed for kids. Hence, there are no complexities as long as it is the age bracket the game is designed for, or your kid is a genius. Simply go through the manufacturer’s guide and look at the pictures that are usually displayed on how to play it, then teach your kid—it’s that simple.

Of course, kids are thrilled by things and will want to go everywhere with it, including the bathtub. But some of these kids’ board games are not designed to come in contact with water, so it’s best to keep an extra eye on your kid. On a second thought, it’s safer to leave it in their playing area, seeing as “it’s always better to be safe than sorry.”

What is the Best Kids Board Game?

Now you have enough information to know what to look out for in kids’ board games. Go ahead and read our review on individual products to decide the best kids’ board game for your child.

Our Top Choice

Give your child a good head start with the Think Fun Roll and Play Board Game which develops their visual perception and communication skills while giving you some quality time. If you have older kids, you can step up their logic with the Think Fun Rush Hour, which has 40 mind-challenging cards and 4 difficulty levels.

Think Fun Roll and Play Board Game

Think Fun Kids Board Game 1800-A

Features

Think Fun is a kids’ brand that is dedicated to building their minds. Since inception, it has had the goal to holistically develop children into well-rounded adults with educative, yet entertaining, products. Its wide array of kids’ toys include board games, puzzles, and brain teasers to help develop children’s cognitive, motor, and social skills. Over the years, Think Fun has been consistently doing a wonderful job of educating and entertaining children, which is why it has been recognized many times with awards.

As one of the earliest toddler games ever that’s still in use today, the Think Fun Roll and Play Board Game surely has something for the kids. Aside from the entertainment factor, which it is great at, this board game also helps your baby develop the skills required to blossom. Colorful and engaging, it stimulates your child’s visual perception and enhances their communication skills. It is recommended for kids 18 months and above.

It consists of a large, multicolored plush cube with cards (48 of them with 8 in each category), a storage pocket for the cards, and of course, a parent’s guide. The idea behind the game is to roll the cube like a die, pick out a card matching the color shown on the cube, and then play out the activity on the card. These are all fun and engaging activities that will surely put a smile on your toddler’s face and consequently yours too.

How sweet will it be to hear your baby attempt to sing a song or roar like a lion, or identify a color? It will make you a proud parent, no doubt. Well, that’s what you will be if you get the Roll and Play Board Game for you and your baby. Those are some of the activities you will be playing out with your child, and you’ll agree they will help build your baby into a happy and intelligent kid with all the learning opportunities and cognitive activities you’ll be exposing them to early in life. This is the goal of every parent; this is a chance for you to deliver.

If this isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, Think Fun has many other kids’ board games you can check out.

Best Value

Set your kid up to be a business mogul with the Hasbro Monopoly Junior Board Game and let them acquire decision-making and financial competence at an early age while having massive fun. If you’d like a less-expensive but super-fun option, try out the Hasbro Sorry! 2013 Edition Game which is a mystery-solving guessing game and is available in multiple configurations.

Hasbro Monopoly Junior Board Game – Available in 2 Configurations

Hasbro Kids’ Board Game A6984 – Monopoly Junior

Features

Hasbro is a global entertainment company responsible for some of the world’s most popular and entertaining board games. Its products span from toys and games to movies, cartoons, digital gaming, novelty products, etc. Founded in 1923, it has since been expressing its passion for play and edutainment for people of all ages. Monopoly, the famous real estate board game, is one of its most popular products which is played worldwide and is available in many different languages. There are even several customized versions for different countries—that’s how popular it is. The kids’ version we are featuring is a success story, just like many of its numerous products.

There’s nothing wrong with letting your child become a real estate mogul at a tender age. The Hasbro Monopoly Junior Board Game will surely set them up for that. It follows the same concept as the original version, but the contents are made for kids. There are 4 tokens, 20 chance cards, 90 bank notes, 48 sold cards, 4 sets of character cards, and a die. The currency is in one Monopoly dollar denominations to keep things nice and simple. The game is recommended for kids 5 years and above.

Playing is quite simple; the die is rolled and tokens are moved. You either buy the property you land on, candy shops, swimming pools, skateparks, etc., or you pay rent. Since kids don’t have detailed financial awareness, it is as much fun for them to pay rent as to receive, so it’s fun all the way. When a player does not have enough money to pay their dues, the game is over. Typically, a game will last about an hour and it’s guaranteed your kids will stay focused as they’re engaged counting slots and moving their tokens, making decisions, and enjoying their sense of ownership.

Even though this version is themed for kids, adults too will have a swell time reading the cards and helping the kids make decisions. This board game will help children develop social skills, logic, cognitive decision-making, and financial competence. The Junior Monopoly is a great way to engage your kids at once, sparing you the cacophony of having them all over the place. Who knows? Your kid just might give you valuable advice on where to buy your next property.

Hasbro has tons of kids’ board games you can choose from if you need more options. Check them out!

Bring out the Sherlock Holmes in your kids by improving their mystery-solving abilities and attention to detail with the Wonder Forge Richard Scarry's Busytown - Eye Found It Game. If you’d like a less-expensive but fun variant, go for the Wonder Forge Curious George Matching Game which develops memory skills and provides hours of fun.

Wonder Forge Richard Scarry's Busytown - Eye Found It Game

Wonder Forge Kids’ Board Game 01017

Features

In 2007, Jacobe Chrisman founded Wonder Forge along with a group of creative minds who are similarly passionate about kids’ entertainment and development. Since then, they have been designing and creating quality and interactive preschool and family games that have become popular everywhere. Its products are not aimed just to entertain; they are also designed so that they will develop the social, cognitive, and physical skills your children need. It partners with many of kids’ favorite brands to develop licensed novelty games that enhance the entertainment factor of its products. This brand has been recognized with many awards for the ingenuity of its products at child entertainment and development.

The Richard Scarry's Busytown, Eye-Found-It game from Wonder Forge is a game filled with lots of activities and fun. It’s aimed at kids from 3 years and above, and requires 2 to 4 players, but can be enjoyed by the whole family. The game trains your kids to enjoy and appreciate teamwork, identify objects and match them, and to focus and pay attention to details.

This 6-foot-long game, which joins in 3 parts, consists of many items to play it with. It’s about journeying from the starting point through the “Busytown” to the ferry at the endpoint. The idea is to help Huckle Cat and Lowly Worm get to the ferry before Pig Will and Pig Won’t finish the food on the picnic island—while helping Goldbug locate hidden objects all over town. The game is set up by connecting the path and placing items on their positions on the board.

Playing the game is quite easy. Every player starts from the same position and take turns advancing according to the number shown on the spinner. If the spinner stops on PIGS EAT, you will take a food item off the picnic island; every player should get to the ferry before the food finishes. If the spinner stops on GOLDBUG, all players team up to solve a mystery while timing with an included hourglass. The game comes with instructions that are easy to understand so your kids can quickly get along with it. This is a great way to have some quality family time while helping the kids develop the skills they need to function ideally.

If you’d like to see more options, Wonder Forge has many other kids’ board games for your perusal.

The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game from Education Insights will help build your kid’s strategic thinking and other skills with the gaining-and-losing approach this game adopts. Would you prefer a solo game that’s as intriguing but less-expensive? We recommend the Educational Insights Kanoodle.

Educational Insights The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game – Available With or Without the Board Book Combo

Educational Insights Kids’ Board Game EI-3405 – Without Board Book Combo

Features

Education Insights is a group of play enthusiasts who come together to create awesome experiences for children of all ages for a memory that will stay with them into adulthood. Its products enhance social skills, imagination, creativity, and curiosity in kids. It has a host of brands such as, Hot Dots, GeoSafari, IllumiCrafts, etc., through which it offers its numerous fun and educative games. It is a recipient of many awards including the Parents’ Choice awards and NAPPA Games Honors.

The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game from Educational Insights is one of the coolest ways you can teach your preschoolers colors, matching, and counting. It will also help develop their motor skills and movement coordination. Even older kids who have learned these skills will still be engaged while playing it with their younger siblings. This is a fast-paced card game that will surely get the attention of your kid and keep him/her focused.

This game is about helping hungry squirrels get colorful acorns. You’re supposed to pick a colored acorn by squeezing the squirrel and dropping it in a hole in your log that matches the color of the acorn. With the aid of a spinner, you either get to “pick an acorn”, “steal an acorn”, or “lose an acorn”. That way, your kid is encouraged to think before making a move.

This game is recommended for kids aged 3 to 5 and is designed for 2 to 4 players. It includes a squirrel squeezer, 20 colored acorns, 4 logs, 1 game spinner, and the game board which doubles as the packaging. Your kids will learn to wait their turns, match and sort, and increase their memory and attention. They also stand a chance of improving their hand-eye coordination, strategic thinking, etc.

Educational Insights has many other variants you can check out for more options.

Give your family a much-needed entertaining quality time with the Winning Moves Games Classic Trouble Board Game which helps kids learn and adults relieve stress while having some fun. If you’d like to teach your kid to play chess, go for the Winning Moves Games No Stress Chess, which is a simple, fun, and precise way to learn and play chess.

Winning Moves Games Classic Trouble Board Game – Available in 3 Pack Sizes

Winning Moves Games Kids’ Board Game 1176 – None

Features

Winning Moves is a leading American brand in making card games, board games, and puzzles for the entertainment of kids and adults alike. It started operations in 1995 and has since then been in partnership with global brands such as Hasbro, Milton Bradley, and Seven Towns, owners of Rubik’s Cube. It markets some of these brands’ most successful toys and games.

The Winning Moves Trouble Board Game is a classic game parents will probably remember from their kids’ days as engaging and notoriously fun. This game can be enjoyed by both adults and kids during family quality time or a get-together. It’s easy to understand and much more fun to play.

The idea behind the game is to move all your designated colored pegs around the board to the finish line first. That sounds quite easy, yeah? But that’s where the Trouble starts. If another player’s peg meets you in the same slot, your peg gets to start all over! The pegs are moved around the board according to the number shown on the die, which is rolled with the aid of the pop-O-matic bubble at the center of the board.

This game can be played by 2 to 4 players. The board is segmented into four and separated by colors, and comes with a total of 16 pegs, 4 for each color, with English and Spanish instructions. A typical game averages between 25 to 35 minutes. This board game teaches kids color-matching, counting, and taking turns while it helps adults have fun and release stress.

If this isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, Winning Moves has many more kids’ board games you can check out.

Get the Best Kids Board Game of 2018!

Enjoy that parent-child moment you desire by purchasing the kids’ board game you opted for. Your child will be fascinated by the games, while you get a chance to spend time with him/her—it’s a win-win situation. And in case you need more options to choose from, these brands have other kids’ games you can check out.

Our Top Choice

Think Fun Roll and Play First Game

Best Value

Hasbro Monopoly Junior Game

Wonder Forge Busytown Board Game

Educational Insights Snacky Squirrel Game

Winning Moves Games Trouble® Classic Edition