How Board Games Support Early Education
Do you have a 3, 4, or 5-year-old? Do you play board games with them? If not, it is something you may want to start because of all the benefits that come with it. We play board games every Friday for tradition and sometimes even more! As an early childhood educator who has a master’s degree in special education, I can tell you how much board games benefit students in math, reading, and language skills. I have had many students improve so much by making learning fun and using games to reinforce what they have learned. These are a list of games we have played with our kids, and they love them! Start while they are young to get kids excited for learning and family time.
1. Candy Land
Candy Land is a classic and for good reason. It’s simple enough for young children to understand, as it doesn’t require reading or complex strategies. The game teaches kids about colors, taking turns, and following instructions. Moving their pieces along the colorful candy-themed path also helps with their fine motor skills and introduces them to the concept of winning and losing in a fun, pressure-free way. Plus, the numbered cards subtly reinforce number recognition and sequencing, while the act of drawing cards and interpreting their meaning introduces basic language skills like understanding simple instructions and associating symbols with actions. Reading the board names can also spark early literacy skills.
2. Yeti in My Spaghetti
This hilarious game involves balancing a yeti figurine on a pile of “spaghetti” noodles and removing noodles one at a time without letting the yeti fall. It’s excellent for hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and teaching kids patience and focus. The counting involved in how many noodles remain can also help develop early math awareness. Additionally, describing their actions or explaining why they chose a specific noodle fosters language development and builds confidence in expressing themselves. Asking children to predict what will happen next can encourage critical thinking and problem-solving.
3. Ants in the Pants
In this energetic game, kids flip plastic ants into a pair of “pants.” It’s a great way to improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. The competitive yet simple nature of the game keeps kids entertained, while also helping them practice patience as they take turns. Counting how many ants make it into the pants reinforces basic math skills. The game can also spark storytelling and language development as kids describe their “ants’ adventures.” Encouraging them to use words to explain their strategies or how their ants jumped can build vocabulary.
4. Don’t Break the Ice
This game challenges kids to tap out ice blocks from a grid without letting the penguin figure fall. It’s perfect for developing strategic thinking and motor skills, as well as teaching kids about cause and effect. Counting how many ice blocks have been removed and predicting the next move introduces concepts of problem-solving and basic numbers. The turn-based nature of the game also encourages conversational skills as kids announce their moves and discuss strategies. Describing how the penguin “stands” or “falls” adds a storytelling element that supports language development.
5. Cooties
Cooties allows kids to build their own colorful bug by rolling a die to collect body parts. It’s fantastic for fostering creativity and improving fine motor skills as they assemble their bugs. The game also teaches turn-taking and counting, while the die introduces the concept of recognizing numbers and following numerical instructions. As kids describe their bugs or talk about their favorite colors and designs, they naturally build vocabulary and storytelling skills. The game also subtly reinforces concepts of body parts and spatial awareness (e.g., “Where does the head go?”).
6. Hungry Hungry Hippos
This fast-paced game involves trying to gobble up as many marbles as possible with hippo figures. It’s an exciting way to enhance hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and fine motor skills. Counting the marbles at the end introduces kids to early math skills like addition and comparing quantities. The chaotic nature of the game provides an opportunity for kids to practice self-regulation as they learn to stay focused and manage their excitement. Naming their hippos or describing the action also fosters language skills, and you can incorporate early math by asking, “Who got the most? Who got fewer?”
7. Trouble
The Pop-O-Matic dice roller in Trouble is always a hit with kids. This game introduces counting, turn-taking, and the basics of strategy as players race to get their pieces home. The numbers on the die also reinforce numerical recognition and simple addition. Talking through their moves or explaining their strategies helps build language skills, while handling setbacks when pieces are sent back to the start teaches emotional resilience. Recognizing patterns on the board and planning moves supports early math and reasoning skills.
“Game-based learning has been shown to motivate and engage students in the domain of learning, knowledge and thinking skills, such as problem-solving and decision-making.” (Chang et al., 2021)
8. Chutes and Ladders
Chutes and Ladders is a classic game that teaches kids about numbers, counting, and consequences. Climbing ladders and sliding down chutes introduces basic concepts of ups and downs in life. The game’s numbered squares provide an opportunity for practicing number recognition and sequencing. As kids describe their progress on the board, they practice using directional language (up, down) and storytelling, which enhances both vocabulary and comprehension. It’s also great for learning about patience and perseverance.
9. Operation
For kids ready for a bit more of a challenge, Operation is a fun way to work on fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Removing the tiny pieces from the patient without setting off the buzzer encourages focus and precision. The game introduces basic anatomy in a playful way, and kids can practice identifying and naming the body parts, which supports language development. Counting the pieces they’ve successfully removed adds a layer of math practice. Using descriptive words to explain their moves (e.g., “I’m taking out the butterfly bone!”) reinforces language and creative thinking.
10. Memory Match Games
Whether it’s a specific brand or a DIY version, memory match games are excellent for cognitive development. Kids practice memory and concentration by flipping over cards to find pairs. These games also help build patience and critical thinking as they strategize which cards to flip. Matching pictures to words or concepts can enhance vocabulary and early reading skills, while discussing the images or categories can foster conversational and classification skills. Counting pairs and comparing how many each player has collected can introduce simple addition and comparison skills.
Incorporating these board games into your child’s playtime can have a lasting impact on their development. Each game offers unique benefits, from teaching social skills like turn-taking to boosting cognitive abilities, language development, and early math skills. Plus, playing together is a fantastic way to bond and make cherished memories. So grab a game and enjoy watching your little one grow through play!
