10 Best Board Games for 4-Year-Olds
Updated 28 October 2020
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It can be tough for active four-year-olds to have fun when the weather is bad. Keeping them entertained is a job in itself. It’s time to bring out the board games. They’re fun, educational, and teach kids valuable lessons in teamwork and sharing. But which board games will keep the little ones engaged and away from the screens?
Fear not, we’ve looked into recommendations from real people to compile our list of the 10 best board games for four-year-olds in 2020. By ruling out products with fake reviews, we rolled the dice on old classics and new adventures that will keep kids and adults alike amused time and again. Taking different budgets into consideration, we’re confident you’ll find the perfect gift among our picks.
1Candy Land Kingdom of Sweet Adventures Board Game for Kids Ages 3 and Up (Amazon Exclusive)
A great introduction to board games for kids, the Candy Land Kingdom of Sweet Adventures has players racing each other to reach the castle. It can be played by up to four kids and throughout the game, children will encounter a variety of delicious surprises.
What we love
- Color-matching gameplay so no reading is required
- Plenty of vibrant artwork
What We Don't Like That Much
- Some of the pathways are too similar for kids to distinguish among without help
2Chutes and Ladders Game (Amazon Exclusive)
Chutes and Ladders is another one of the best board games for four-year-olds that serves as an introductory game. Recommended for two to four players, the game requires kids to go up the ladders and down the chutes as they scramble to reach the top first to win. Landing on good deeds gets them up while landing on bad ones has the consequences of sliding them back down.
What we love
- Good introduction to colors and counting
- Uncomplicated rules so it's easy to learn
What We Don't Like That Much
- It's best to hold onto the spinner as the arrow turns or it may move around
3Don't Wake Daddy
In Don't Wake Daddy, two to four players must navigate around obstacles to sneak past the sleeping dad and reach the kitchen for that incredible late-night snack. If you land on the wrong thing, you must tap the alarm clock for as long as stated and hope that dad will sleep through it. Otherwise, he'll spring up from the bed.
What we love
- Simple game that's fun for various ages to play
- Vibrant game board can help teach colors
What We Don't Like That Much
- Might have to be gentle snapping the dad piece in place
4HABA Little Orchard - A Cooperative Memory Game for Ages 3 and Up (Made in Germany)
The Little Orchard is a co-op board game that can be played in around 10 minutes with up to four players. Children develop a sense of teamwork as they work together to beat the crow trying to steal all the cherries. All kids have to do is prove they have a good memory by collecting the cherries before the raven reaches the tree.
What we love
- Cooperative gameplay that doesn't take too long to finish
- Clever way to develop memory skills
What We Don't Like That Much
- Young kids might grow out of the game fast
5Educational Insights The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game for Preschoolers & Toddlers, for Boys & Girls, Ages 3+
One of the best-selling preschool games, The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel helps children develop in a number of ways. It teaches them about colors and matching and how to hone their strategy skills. It can be played by up to four people and the first one to collect five acorns wins.
What we love
- Does well at improving fine motor skills
- Easy and fast to set up
What We Don't Like That Much
- The acorns are tiny so it's best to take care not to lose them
6Peaceable Kingdom Hoot Owl Hoot - Cooperative Matching Game For Kids
Hoot Owl Hoot is one of the 10 best board games for four-year-olds that encourages teamwork and develops color-matching skills. Kids work together to get all the owls home in time before the sun rises. It opens children up to social skills as they discuss how best to get the owls home and make sure no one falls behind.
What we love
- Excellent cooperative structure
- Balanced well between strategy and luck
What We Don't Like That Much
- The cardboard cards might benefit from being thicker
7Pizza Pizza
This fun game is meant for two to four players and it features some common ingredients as well as disgusting toppings that will gleefully gross kids out. It aims to entertain while also helping children with recognizing both shapes and colors as they set out to create the perfect pizza.
What we love
- Cardboard pieces are sturdy
- Fun family game that's fast to learn
What We Don't Like That Much
- The spinner might get stuck from time to time
8Hasbro Gaming Elefun & Friends Hungry Hungry Hippos Game
Hungry Hungry Hippos is a classic and one of the 10 best board games for four-year-olds as it's straightforward to play. Players must race against each other to chomp on the most marbles. Kids can choose from four different colored hippos, and there are 20 marbles and a golden marble up for grabs.
What we love
- Easy to assemble
- Quality container under the game board to store the marbles
What We Don't Like That Much
- Hippos might come off if played with too hard
9ZONXIE Wooden Classic Snakes and Ladders Board Game Traditional Children Fun Game for Kids Toddlers - 11.4 Inch
This two-in-one board game includes a classic snakes and ladders game similar to Chutes and Ladder, while the other side features a flying chessboard. This gives the family multiple games to experience and each can be played fast to keep a young child's interest.
What we love
- Lightweight and easy to carry around for the sake of travel
- Wooden material feels durable and long-lasting
What We Don't Like That Much
- Color of the pawns and their chess board placement may not match
10Orchard Toys Build A Beetle Mini Game - Fun Educational Game
Build a Beetle is a compact and travel-friendly board game that can help young children develop memory and matching skills. It can be played by two to four people and kids must race to see who can complete their beetle first by collecting the right parts in the right order.
What we love
- Brightly colored, child-friendly artwork
- Engaging and educational enough that kids can play by themselves
What We Don't Like That Much
- Some of the pieces might benefit from being a bit thicker