20 Best Classic Board Games for Kids

Big Boggle is a fun and simple game made for two or more players. It's known as a three-minute word game as you're given that amount of time to find and write down as many words as you can. Since there is reading and writing involved, this may better suit older kids or as a way to help younger kids learn to read and write.

A good way to develop dexterity and teach fine motor skills, Operation is a timeless game kids of different ages can enjoy. One child can play or the whole family can join in. A great point about this game is that there's no real limit on who can participate since everyone takes turns to pick out the most pieces and money. It's exciting and unpredictable as you never know when to expect that buzzing noise or light-up nose to flash.

The No-Stress Chess is a wonderful learning tool to teach kids about the thought-provoking game of chess. There are guides to help kids understand the pieces, how they should be set up on the board, and how they should move. It's also played at various levels of difficulty so children work their way up as they learn.

A strategy game that the whole family can enjoy, Blokus is made for two to four players. It helps kids learn their colors and help them set up patterns so they can properly paint the board with their chosen color tiles. This also shows them how to think strategically as they learn how to block their competitors.

Among the best classic board games for kids is this vintage edition of Sorry! that's similar to the original made back in the 1930s. The objective is the same: you get four pawns that you must move from "START" to "HOME", and with the "SORRY!" card, you can move your opponent’s pawn back to the beginning. Made for one to four players, this a fun game that can go on for quite some time depending on the cards drawn.

The classic Battleship turns electronic with this cool version that includes sound and light effects. As a one to two-player game, you still must make the right guess to sink all five of your opponent's ships. There are two different modes as well: classic and advanced. Classic can be played solo against a computer or with a friend and does the traditional Battleship experience, while advanced mode offers additional weapons and three attacks per turn.

A kid-friendly version of the historic game, Monopoly Junior keeps the heart of the game while making it easier for younger children to play along. The four tokens are designed to suit the younger crowd, and there are fun properties to buy such as a candy shop or arcade. Anywhere from two to four players can take part in the game to learn the ropes before graduating to the main game.

Celebrating the anniversary of the classic Candy Lane game, this features traditional artwork and pieces. There are four plastic gingerbread characters to move around so two to four players can use the game. It can show kids how to take turns, learn colors and counting, and how to properly follow along with directions. What's fun is that it can be played and understood by various ages.

Connect 4 goes portable with this smaller version of the game, but the concept is the same. With 21 red checkers and 21 yellow checkers, two kids play against each other to connect four first to win. As a grab-and-go version, they can take it with them to a friend's house or in the car during long trips.

Take Trouble on-the-go with this compact, travel-friendly version of the game. It can bring some excitement to an endless car ride or even let kids bring the fun to their grandparents' house. This comes with 16 pegs, four of each color for each player, and includes the traditional Pop-O-Matic die roller. Once the game's over, it's quick to pack everything back up and close the cover to store for later.

Made for two to four players, Scrabble Junior makes things easier yet still challenging for young kids. There are cute character pieces to use, and it's a great way to introduce letter and word recognition. Once kids are ready, you can flip the board over so they can learn to create their own letters and develop spelling and reading skills.

The Game of Life Junior is an easier, yet just as fun, version of the classic Life board game. Made for two to four players, this features various colored 3D cars for players to use and travel through "life" in the game. The images on the board are bright and kid-friendly, and the action cards are simple for children to understand.

Guess Who is a favored two-player game that encourages kids to pay attention to detail and skills of deduction as they guess the opposite player's character. Each person gets 24 characters, so there are plenty of opportunities for a child to guess people with an assortment of features. This is also a great way to open kids up to asking more creative questions.

Yahtzee is an exciting, fun, and loud game playable by two or more players. It's straightforward to learn, but this does come with a good guide and 100 scorecards. With its size, this version is the perfect travel-friendly version so kids can bring it out at a relative's home or a friend's house for fun at a sleepover.

The game of Clue is an everlasting mystery game people of various ages can love. It's among the 20 best classic board games for kids that introduce them to the thrill of problem-solving and the process of elimination. Made for two to six players, the game encourages kids to think critically and fast to be the first one to solve the murder.

This retro edition of Chutes and Ladders allow parents to take their kids back to the '70s. On the full-sized game board is vintage artwork, and there are the usual four playing pieces for one to four players. It can bring excitement to family game nights as each player races to climb to the top without sliding down.

Trivial Pursuit takes a fun turn with this Harry Potter edition. There are 1,800 total questions from all eight of the films as well as various categories. Two or more players can take part in the trivia game that goes by faster than expected. There's a good variety between easy and challenging questions too.

A modified version of Pachisi, Ludo is best played by kids who are 6-years-old or older. It isn't overly difficult, but there's enough going on to keep children pleasantly challenged. Up to four players can enjoy the game. The pieces are large and easy to grip and the colors are bright and bold.

Kids can take on their parents with this Taboo Kids board game. There's a "kid" deck and a "parent" deck so the family can be on opposing teams, though it can also be played with a small group or with more than four people. It has over 1,000 guesses using 260 cards. This is fast-paced and a great way to get everyone laughing as they race against the clock.

Risk Junior is a good way to introduce kids to a highly challenging game. Played with two to four players, this game features four different colored boats for each player, and it sends kids on a journey to conquer various territories and control their treasure. It does well at teaching children how to strategize.