Existing Childrens Board Games

The Ladybug Game ::  For Children Ages 4 and Up 

The Ladybug Game is near and dear to my heart because it was actually invented by a first grader (the grade that I taught before staying home with my two boys)!  I love how this game blends fun with learning about ladybugs (what they eat and who preys on them) as well as lots of counting practice.  The box says it is appropriate for ages 3 and up…but I would suggest it for kids 4 or older as there is quite a bit of components to this game that could get confusing.

It is a typical board game with various colors of ladybugs for the markers.  Each player must draw a ladybug card and then follow the directions on that card (either move a certain number forward or a certain number back).  Some cards even have a little ladybug at the bottom that means you get another turn, which you have to be paying close attention to notice (oops).  Then there is another component of collecting aphid cards to use just in case you land on a certain spot.

The only downside?  The Ladybug Game can take a while to finish (still not anywhere near as bad as Chutes and Ladders) and can get confusing if you don’t pay close attention to each of the components.

Bug Trails ::  For Children Ages 5 and Up (or modified for younger children)

Bug Trails is a domino game with a twist!  We really enjoyed playing this game and I think it is one that will easily grow with our family!  We modified the game slightly to make it simple enough for Big Brother to play.  As the boys get older, however, we’ll be able to modify it to make it more challenging.  This would also be a fun game to play with another family!

What I really like about Bug Trails (rather than just plain old dominoes) is the fact that there is more strategy involved.  Each bug has six legs.  You have to try to match the color of at least one of the legs of your bug to one of the bug pieces already played (if you have older children, there will be “flag” that you’ll use so that the next player can only play on that particular bug…we skipped that to simplify the game).  If you only match one leg, you have to draw another bug from the bag.  If you match two legs, you don’t have to draw another.  If you match three legs, you get to put one of your bug pieces back into the bug bag.  The first player to run out of bugs wins!

 Chutes and Ladders

Best for ages 3 to 5

What kids learn: To take turns, count spaces, and accept rewards and consequences.

The basics: Spin the wheel to move your pawn up the board. Land at the base of a ladder and you get to climb up. But if you stop at the top of a chute, you'll slide back down.

Keep in mind: At this age, games are more about the journey than the destination. Your kid may actually want to go down the ladder. Let him.

Game tip: "For a preschooler, this game could evolve into an elaborate fantasy, or he may get bored and quit in the middle," says Parents advisor Kathleen McCartney, PhD, dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Cariboo

Best for ages 3 to 5

What kids learn: Letter, number, color, and shape recognition.

The basics: Players take turns picking cards and unlocking doors in search of colorful balls. Whoever finds the last ball gets to open the treasure chest.

Keep in mind: There's no reading required, and a round takes less than 15 minutes -- perfect for a preschooler's short attention span, says William Coleman, MD, professor of pediatrics at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

Game tip: The balls are easily lost, but you can order more by visiting hasbro.com.

Hoot Owl Hoot!

Hoot Owl Hoot! is an award winning color-coded cooperative matching game where players must help the owls fly back to their nest before the sun comes up. Play a color card and fly to that space. Draw a sun card and you’re one step closer to daylight. Help all the owls get home before the sun rises and everyone wins! Two levels of play allow this game to grow with your child.

• Players work together to help the owls fly back to their nest before the sun comes up; if they are successful everyone wins!
• Children learn simple strategy and social development skills with no reading required
• Winner of seven awards including Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award and Dr. Toy Best Green Product Award
• For 2 to 4 players ages 4 years and older; Peaceable Kingdom packaging is all designed to be frustration free - naturally!

Promotes: Collaboration, Problem Solving

Ages: 4+

Richard Scarry Airport Game

• Learning fun, picture identification and matching, physical movement, imaginative play and strategic thinking
• For 2-4 Players
• Product contents 4 airplanes, 1 dice tower, 16 passenger tiles, 16 souvenir cards, 4 destination mats, 2 dice and 1 game rules manual
• Learning fun, picture identification and matching, physical movement, imaginative play and strategic thinking
• Product contents 4 airplanes, 1 dice tower, 16 passenger tiles, 16 souvenir cards, 4 destination mats, 2 dice and 1 game rules manual
• Age 3+, number of players 2 to 4
• The wonder forge features family games designed to bridge generation gaps and build family bonds
• Its preschool sub-brand, i can do that, games, is designed to celebrate the "can do" in every kid, with games that engage children physically, socially and creatively

Robot Turtles Game is the game for little programmers a very fun way to learn to code! The most backed board game in Kickstarter history sneakily teaches preschoolers the fundamentals of programming, from coding to functions, while making silly turtle noises! Before you know it, your little one will be writing computer games rather than just playing them!

• Cardboard, Cardstock
• Made in USA and Imported
• Robot Turtles is the most-backed board game in Kickstarter history
• It sneakily teaches programming fundamentals to kids ages 4 and up
• Inspired by the Logo programming language, the game lets kids write programs with playing cards
• For 2-5 players

Promotes: Programming Skills, Logic, Problem Solving

Ages: 4+