• Home
  • ABOUT
    • About the Authors
    • Top Posts for Working Moms
    • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
    • Product Reviews
  • Shop
    • Maternity Basics for Work
      • Maternity Stores
    • Registry
    • Sales
    • Recent Recs
      • Everyone
      • Machine-Washable Work Clothes
      • Maternity
      • Nursing
      • Pump-friendly
    • Kids’ Shopping
  • Lifestyle
    • Pregnant
    • Postpartum
    • Money
    • Parenting
    • Gear
    • Household
  • Career
    • Childcare
    • Family Planning
    • Work-Life Balance
    • Maternity Leave
    • Working Mom
  • New Working Mom? Start Here
  • Corporette

CorporetteMoms

10 Comments · by Kate Antoniades

8 Best Family Board Games For Kids 4–8

Lifestyle | posts· toys

In the coming long winter months of continuing to social distance, at-home family activities will be key, so today we’re rounding up 8 board games to play with young children — specifically, games that won’t make you cringe when your kid takes them off the shelf!

When I asked for input in one of my mom Facebook groups, I got a ton of suggestions — and it was interesting to see the differences of opinion around a few games, including the classic Candy Land (which has gotten an “interesting” redesign since I first played it 30+ years ago). Some said they enjoy it, while others were definitely not fans — I am in the latter group.

What are your favorite board games to play with young children? Least favorite?

The games below were all well recommended by more than one mom, and the few of them that I’ve played with my family (e.g., Race for the Treasure), I’d vouch for, too! If you’re looking for last-minute gift ideas, some of these games will arrive by Christmas; otherwise, you can often order online and pick up in-store.

If you have older kids or teenagers, click on over to Corporette, where a few years ago we suggested six great games for grown-ups — some would be appropriate for them, too. If you’re looking for some solo wintertime indoor activities for yourself, check out our Corporette posts on coloring books for adults, how to write a novel, how to get started with digital photo books, and subversive cross stitch!

This post contains affiliate links and CorporetteMoms may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

The Best Family Board Games For Kids 4–8 (They Don’t Suck, Promise!)

Zingo!

Age: 4 and up (2 or more players)

Zingo is marketed as “Bingo with a Zing” — it’s a very basic game that helps kids learn, spell, and use words (simple ones like dog, bird, and clock), and helps improve their memory, too. Once you get a full card, you yell “Zingo!” It’s $19.99 at Amazon and Target.

Race to the Treasure

Age: 5–6 years 

We have this game, and it was definitely one I didn’t mind playing when my son was younger. The object is to beat the ogre to the treasure by building a path and collecting keys. Cooperative games like this can be a nice option, especially if your kids are still learning to lose, er, gracefully. It’s $15.95 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Hoot Owl Hoot!

Age: 4 and up (2–4 players)  

Another cooperative game, Hoot Owl Hoot is a color-coordinated matching activity (no reading required). Players work together to help cute owls fly back to their nest before sunrise. It’s $15.99 at Amazon and Target. 

Sorry! 

Age: 6 and up (up to 6 players)

Most of you probably played this game growing up, so I don’t think any explanation is necessary! I think many people have a love/hate relationship with this game, since you can be winning handily and suddenly have your luck turn on a dime. It’s $7.97 at Amazon and Target. 

Ticket to Ride: First Journey 

Age: 6 and up (2–4 players)

Ticket to Ride is a really popular game for adults with several versions (I’ve been wanting to try it!), and this is a version for younger kids. Players use cards to claim train routes across the map and also collect tickets — you need six to win. It’s $29.99 at Amazon and Target. 

Connect 4

Age: 6 and up (2 players)

Here’s another game that probably needs no explanation — I, for one, definitely played this a ton as a kid! I’ve had fun playing it with my son, too — sometimes it’s nice to have a game with a very simple concept. It’s $7.88 at Amazon and $7.99 at Target.

Hungry Hungry Hippos 

Age: 4 and up (2–4 players)

Definitely a classic! If you’re looking for a not-so-quiet game to help your kid burn off some steam (without running around) and have fun, this is perfect. We always ended up laughing when we played this when my son was little. It’s $17.84 at Amazon and $19.99 at Target.

Outfoxed 

Age: 5 and up (2–4 players)

In this cooperative game, players work together to try to find the guilty fox (he stole a pot pie!) by revealing suspects, finding clues, and using the clue decoder — don’t let the fox escape and get outfoxed! It’s $19.53 at Amazon.

Which do you think are the best family board games for kids 4–8? What are your LEAST favorite? What games do you like that can be played virtually with family members right now?

Facebook0Tweet0Pin0LinkedIn0Print0Email0

About Kate Antoniades

Editor of Corporette and CorporetteMoms since 2014, Kate Antoniades lives in her hometown of Rochester, NY, and has one son (born June 2010). A cat person and Oxford comma loyalist, she enjoys Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food, superhero movies/TV shows, and photography. One of her prized possessions is her Hello Kitty Converse.

« Make My Life Easier Thursday: Single Serve Coffee Maker
Work-From-Home Friday: Cropped Wool Cardigan »

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    12/17/2020 at 1:47 pm

    I have had good luck with Life and Monopoly, they are classics for a reason. My kids like Hoot Owl Hoot, but they do not understand the strategy involved, and do not play it cooperatively. I have had some like with games geared towards adults played with teams, especially cooperative games. Pandemic especially was a success.
    We have played a lot of Candyland, but it is not enjoyable for me.

    Reply
  2. anon says

    12/17/2020 at 1:56 pm

    I’d add Trouble to this. My 6-year-old is obsessed.

    Reply
  3. SC says

    12/17/2020 at 3:03 pm

    My 5 year old really enjoys Race to the Treasure and Outfoxed. Santa is bringing Ticket to Ride: First Journey for Christmas. He also loves Memory games and My First Carcassonne.

    Reply
  4. Anon says

    12/17/2020 at 3:14 pm

    Magic Labyrinth. The kids will play several rounds on their own, and I don’t mind being pulled into a few rounds myself.

    Reply
  5. CP says

    12/17/2020 at 3:19 pm

    This is better for the upper end of the age range but we love Prime Climb. Super straightforward rules, 2-4 players, and they get to practice simple math.

    Reply
  6. Spirograph says

    12/17/2020 at 3:57 pm

    Monopoly Junior is a hit in my house. All the properties cost $1-5, and the rent is the same. Only $1 bills to pay with. It’s very easy math and counting, and my kids love it.

    Reply
  7. DLC says

    12/17/2020 at 5:09 pm

    We play a lot of Uno with our kids (3.5 and 8). We give the 3.5 year old a lot of hints. I.e. “Do you have a red card?”.

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    12/17/2020 at 5:14 pm

    Technically card games, but we loved Sleeping Queens, maybe more for the upper end of the age range, and Uno.

    Reply
  9. Allen W Leonard says

    12/18/2020 at 11:00 am

    Kinda surprised about this list with all the great games out there. Challenge your kids with some thought filled games. Maybe Century Golem, Sonar, King of Tokyo, High Society, Parks, Azul, Secret Labyrinth, Blokus, Dr. Eureka, Dixit just to name a few. Hungry hippos teaches nothing and will simply be a mess on your floor in 3 minutes.

    Reply
    • Kag says

      12/21/2020 at 6:28 am

      I definitely agree, though the games you’ve mentioned are for the upper age range, i.e. 7-8 years old (together with Jamaica, Splendor and chess). For younger players I suggest Ticket to Ride Junior, Catan Junior, Stone Age Junior, Ghost Blitz Junior, any memory game.

      Reply
« Make My Life Easier Thursday: Single Serve Coffee Maker
Work-From-Home Friday: Cropped Wool Cardigan »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

New to our Blog for Working Moms? Start Here!
Machine-Washable Workwear
Week in the Life of a Working Mom
Maternity Workwear
What to Put On Your Registry

Connect With Us!

Never miss an update -- sign up for the CorporetteMoms newsletter!

Recent Threadjacks of Interest

  • What should I know about pregnancy after a COVID vaccine?
  • Can anyone recommend resources on raising bilingual children?
  • What can I do with a 3-year-old extroverted only child right now?
  • What are y’all doing for stress reduction these days?
  • When should I tell clients about my pregnancy?

Check out more working mom questions!

RSS recent posts on corporette…

  • 7 Brands That Offer Eco-Friendly Clothes to Wear to Work
  • 5 Ways to Organize Under the Sink
  • The Best Short Makeup Routines
  • Coffee Break: My Mini-Review of the Sweat App
  • Open Thread: Which Foods Did You Think Were “Fancy” As a Kid?

ABOUT

  • About
  • Contact Kat

WORK WITH US

  • Advertise
  • Product Review Policy

Serious Stuff

  • Copyright 2014-2021 Katfry LLC.
  • Corporette® is a Registered mark in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2014–2021

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!