Playing board games has a range of benefits for four-year-olds.
At the age of 4 children start to develop the ability to cooperate, such as sharing and taking turns. Additionally, they are beginning to be more creative and imaginative. Board games help develop these essential growth milestones for your wee one.
But beware, four-year-olds can also be prone to having a meltdown or temper tantrum. When playing, offer praise and reassurance. There will be times when your child loses a game. When that occurs, let your wee one know it was fun playing with them.
Treat the time as an opportunity to bond with your child. Because that is what it is. A chance for your and your kids to spend together.
Here are a bunch of games loved by four year olds.
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Our Top Picks
Chutes and Ladders
A take on the classic Snakes and ladders game. With Chutes and Ladders your child can learn how to count up to 100, as well as opposites (up versus down). It also teaches good from bad. Good deeds get rewarded while bad deeds have you riding the chute downwards.
Number of players: 2 – 4
Age: 4+
Playtime: Around 30 minutes.
The Ladybug Game
A simple game in which the players try to get their ladybug back home. Look out for the praying mantis which will have you heading back to the start.
The Ladybug Game develops numeracy and reading skills. The game cards are easy to understand, which allows younger players to enjoy playing. It’s a great way to introduce your child to the world of insects.
Number of players: 2 – 4
Age: 3+
Playtime: 20 minutes
Candy Land
The race is on to the castle. Find King Kandy as you move your gingerbread-shaped pawns around the board. The colors are sure to delight young ones. You can use the illustrations on the board to teach counting skills.
As there is no reading required, it is a good game for those children who haven’t developed this skill yet.
You can get the standard version or choose from a Disney Princess edition as well as a Unicorn version. Oh, and then there is a Giant edition available, too which you can play inside or outside.
Number of players: 2 – 4
Age: 3+
Playtime: 15 – 21 minutes
Feed the Hungry Caterpillar Game
The beloved children’s book has been transformed into a board game. Players move their 3D sculpted caterpillar around the board and collect butterfly puzzle pieces. The number of moves you make is determined by the player picking a card from off the board.
It’s a fun way to learn to count. The game also encourages decision-making as the players choose which way to move around the board. Fine motor skills are enhanced due to having to build the butterfly puzzle.
Number of players: 2 – 4
Age: 3+
Playtime: As long as it takes for the first player to build their butterfly
Sequence for Kids
A fast-paced game that is designed for children. Players take turns playing a card and then placing a chip on the matching animal. The first player to get four chips in a row wins.
It encourages planning and strategy while teaching recognition skills. Use a unicorn card to add chips to the board. Dragon cards allow you to remove another player’s chips.
An exciting game that will have your child wanting to play another round.
Number of players: 2 – 4
Age: 3+ (There is a letters version that encourages phonics learning. The age for this version is 4+)
Playtime: Around 30 minutes
Barnyard Bunch
Barnyard Bunch is created to develop cooperative skills among the players. The animals have escaped from the barn and you have to get them back. Each roll of the dice will determine if the animals get closer or farther away from the barn.
It’s a game in which you either win or lose together. Get one animal back to the barn and everyone wins. Have one animal that manages to escape and you all lose.
Number of players: 4
Age: 4+
Playtime: As long as it takes to either go through all the cards on the board or an animal escapes. A note of caution: young kids could get easily bored if the game drags on.
Hi Ho Cherry-O
Here is a game that combines mathematics with imagination. Players have to either collect or put back fruit from the various trees around the board. Each twirl of the spinner will have your child adding or subtracting as they count along their journey. The winner is the first one to fill their fruit basket.
You can ask your child to describe what the fruit tastes like. That’s where the imagination side comes in. After you have played, you could take your kids out to do some real fruit picking at an orchard.
An enjoyable way for children to learn basic mathematic skills.
Number of players: 2 – 4
Age: 3+
Playtime: 10 minutes
Hungry Hungry Hippos
A classic game of chomping hippos. It’s quick and exciting as each player tries to be the one whose hippo has munched the most marbles. Whoever eats the golden marble is the winner.
It develops hand-eye coordination as your child presses down on their hippo’s lever to catch a marble. Math skills are also built through counting after a round has finished. Fine motor skills can also be encouraged by putting together and pulling apart the hippos at the start and end of the game.
Number of players: 2 – 4
Age: 4+ (Though children as young as 2 could play as long as they are supervised)
Playtime: 10 minutes
Don’t Spill The Beans
A game that requires strategy and skill. Each player takes turns placing their beans on a wobbling jar. The winner is the one who gets rid of all their beans.
Be careful as you put the beans in the jar as you could be the one who causes them all to fall out. You may find that your child takes a unique approach to how to play the game. Let them do it as it enhances their creativity, imagination, and problem-solving skills.
Number of players: 2
Age: 3+
Playtime: As long as it takes for the beans to spill over or a player gets all their beans in the container.
Little Astronauts Board Game
If your kids are starting to show an interest in space, then this is a game worth getting. It feeds their imagination as they learn about the solar system.
Each player is an astronaut who is traveling around space, trying to be the first one to make it back to earth. Themed game cards allow for the creation of interesting stories as you travel around the board.
Counting skills as well as strategic thinking are also developed throughout the game.
Number of players: 2 – 4
Age: 4+
Playtime: Around 20 – 30 minutes
Developing Skills Through Play
Board games may seem just something to pull out on a rainy day. A means of keeping the kids occupied. Yet, the games are designed to offer more than simply a way to offer entertainment for 30 to 60 minutes.
Four-year-olds will be learning social skills such as sharing and cooperation. Math skills are developed and some games encourage strategic thinking. All valuable abilities that will serve your kids well in the future.
On top of that, board games are a great way to spend time together.