Best Board Games For 3 Year Olds
Are you on the hunt for ways to keep your energetic toddlers entertained, especially on those long, rainy days or during those never-ending afternoons?
Or perhaps you’re trying to find ways to keep your toddlers entertained that don’t involve a screen and remote control.
In this blog post, I will list the best board games for 3-year-olds!
These games are not just fun; they’re packed with sneaky educational benefits that help develop tiny minds while keeping adorable hands busy.
Here’s a quick sneak peek at the games included. (If you click on one, it will jump you to that section of the blog post!)
- Monkey Around
- Snug As A Bug In A Rug
- Feed The Woozle
- The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel
- Count Your Chickens
- Friends And Neighbors – The Helping Game
- Chutes And Ladders
- Ants In The Pants
- Memory Match
- Don’t Break The Ice
- Hi-Ho Cherry-O
- Elefun
- Twister Junior
- Reel Big Catch
- Lucky Ducks
- Disney Enchanted Cupcake Party
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you. Please read the disclosure for more information.
16 board games for three-year-olds
Let’s dive into the list of the best board games you can get for three-year-olds!
1) Monkey Around
If you’re looking for a game to get your toddler moving, look no further!
The cards in this game have literally been designed to get your toddler moving around, and you too!
Movement helps toddlers develop their motor skills and coordination and can also boost their mood and mental well-being.
This game has everything from hugs to high-fives, balancing to jumping, and everything in between.
Oh, and did I mention this is the perfect game to break out at a play date?
The other moms will be so eternally thankful that their little ones are wiped out for a restful sleep.
2) Snug As A Bug In A Rug
This game is more than just fun—it’s a sneaky way to teach your toddlers about colors, numbers, and shapes while they help hide the bugs before the stink bugs start stinking up the place.
And, let’s be honest, any game that promotes a bit of quiet time for us moms is a win in my book!
I also like that this game bridges the gap between the games they’ve been playing up until now and the games they will play as they grow older.
What I mean by this is that the game has multiple components, including cards, rolling dice, etc., which can help them learn the skill of following more complex rules and engaging in sequential play.
It’s a great stepping stone that introduces them to traditional board game elements in a way perfectly tailored to their developmental stage.
Plus, it’s adorable to watch them strategize about where to hide those pesky little bugs—like a mini-game of hide-and-seek on a board.
3) Feed The Woozle
The name of this game alone got my three-year-old excited.
The game makers make feeding the Woozle, whatever that is, so much fun!
Plus, watching your 3 year old’s face as they feed the Woozle these wacky snacks – is priceless!
This game has many positives, like:
- Helping to improve your little ones’ motor skills;
- Fostering creative problem-solving skills;
- Shared decision-making;
- And more.
But, I also love that this game is quick – I’m talking 15 minutes or less, quick.
That means you don’t have to worry about your kid growing bored of the game halfway through.
Another fantastic element the game developers thought about was how this game can grow with your child.
The game rules come with three levels that make the game more and more difficult with each passing level, meaning your kids won’t grow bored of it right away.
4) The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel
I love a game that gets kids thinking and playing simultaneously, and this board game doesn’t disappoint!
And what kid doesn’t want to feed the squirrel?
But this game isn’t just fun.
It will also help your three-year-old learn about color recognition and matching and develop their fine motor skills with the cute squirrel squeezer that’s included.
*Pro tip: Make sure the squirrel squeezer makes it back in the box! I can easily see how it would get “misplaced” if your child decides to use the fun toy to pick up everything in sight!
Another bonus is that this game doesn’t require any reading.
That means you can set the kids up to play without you, and you can go and do other things!
5) Count Your Chickens
All the chickens have flown the coop, and it’s up to your little ones to help the mother hen bring them back in.
One thing I love about board games for three-year-olds is the bright and engaging designs.
This game is no exception!
It’s filled with visual things to look at, which keeps it exciting for your little ones.
But that’s not all – this game is one of the best options out there when you’re looking for something to help teach cooperation and teamwork.
Because players have to work together to win the game – and spoiler alert, everyone wins!
This will help improve your three-year-old’s feelings about teamwork, sharing ideas and communicating, winning together, and more.
6) Friends and Neighbors – The Helping Game
Who said learning empathy and compassion can’t be fun?
So far, there have been plenty of games on this list that work on fine motor skills and movement.
But what about emotional development?
Well, look no further than Friends and Neighbors.
This board game for 3-year-olds is a beautiful way to help toddlers understand emotions and the importance of helping others.
Like a few other games on this list, it’s also a short play-time game, so your toddler won’t grow bored!
Plus, you’ll never match the proud feeling you’ll experience when they make the right choices to help out their game friends!
7) Chutes and Ladders
No offense to anyone, but if you didn’t grow up playing Snakes and Ladders, where were you?
You’ll be taking a trip down memory lane with this board game as it’s a revised version of that classic game we all know and love.
It’s simple, nostalgic, and oh-so-fun for the little ones.
Plus, they don’t need to be able to read to play, which means you can set them up to play with their sibling while you do other things, like cook dinner or close your eyes for a few minutes!
It’s a win-win.
8) Ants In The Pants
Is it nearing the end of the day, but your child still has too much pent-up energy to possibly start getting ready for bed?
Don’t worry, mama – I’ve been there! We’ve all been there!
But this board game might offer a solution to this age-old problem.
In this game, toddlers try to launch their ants into the panda’s pants.
Not only is it hilarious, but it’s also a game that gets everyone moving.
And honestly, tiring them out is just as much fun for you as it is for them, especially when you don’t have to do creative work yourself to get the job done.
9) Memory Match
Watch your toddler’s memory bloom with ‘Memory Match’!
Boosting your toddlers’ memory skills is super important.
It can:
- Make learning things easier.
- Help develop problem-solving skills.
- Boost confidence and independence.
- Encourage social skills and interaction.
It’s kind of like their superpower for growing up!
The setup is straightforward, so your toddler can get right down to it without losing interest.
Plus, it’s a quiet game, which makes it golden for those moments when you need a peaceful coffee break.
10) Don’t Break The Ice
This game is a fun and chilly twist on the classic I grew up with, Jenga!
The objective is to remove ice blocks without knocking over Phillip the Penguin.
This is not only a fun game concept for your three-year-old, but it also helps develop fine motor skills and strategic thinking.
Plus, the look of concentration on their faces will be priceless!
Even if your toddler doesn’t quite understand the game’s strategy, they will undoubtedly have fun hitting the ice blocks with the hammer.
11) Hi Ho Cherry-O
If you have a toddler who loves to organize things, you’ll definitely want to check out this game!
The objective is simple: go through the game, pick the fruit, and organize it into the correct colored basket.
Not only will this help them practice their counting skills, but it also comes with a bonus puzzle as part of the gameplay to help them learn puzzle-building skills.
I’m sure many kids will love the puzzle, so you can’t miss out on this one!
12) Elefun
This game features a skill-building opportunity that the others in this blog post haven’t yet, and that is their hand-eye coordination!
Hand-eye coordination is an important skill to develop as your toddlers continue to grow, and this game makes it fun and easy.
The Elefun character will use his trunk to blow butterflies into the sky, and it’s your toddler’s job to catch as many as they can with their net.
Sounds easy, right?
Well, it is!
Plus, it gets your three-year-old moving around – a nice bonus!
I love to break this game out when my kid needs to burn off some pent-up energy before a nap or bath time.
13) Twister Junior
Another twist on the classic we used to play growing up, Twister Junior, is a must-have game in any household.
It’s a fun, colorful way to teach your toddlers about their lefts and rights while getting everyone down on the mat.
I liked this version because it has two gameplay options, which means your toddler won’t get bored.
And this mat is bright and colorful, perfect to amuse your little one!
14) Reel Big Catch
Grab your fishing rods, folks!
Reel Big Catch is the perfect game for our little anglers at home, turning your living room into a virtual pond.
It’s a calm game that sometimes turns surprisingly lively, especially when they reel in a big one!
Plus, it’s a sneaky way to teach patience and coordination.
And let’s face it, any game that keeps both their hands and minds busy is a keeper in my book!
15) Lucky Ducks
This game is a quacking good time!
It’s all about finding the right color and shape as the ducks swim around the pond.
It’s super cute and challenging enough to engage your toddler without fuss.
Occasionally, you may even find your kid just wants to turn the game on to watch the ducks swim around – which is still a win at keeping them engaged and busy!
16) Disney Enchanted Cupcake Party
Last on the list of the best board games for three-year-olds is this Princess Cupcake Party game.
This is not exactly a board game, it’s a cards and toy game. I had to mention it because it’s my 3 year old’s favorite!
I learned about this game when I brought my 3 year old in for speech therapy. The communicative disorders assistant played this game with her.
My toddler attended many sessions of speech therapy, playing a different game each time including many of the board games listed above.
Her absolute favorite game was this one (interestingly, the communicative disorders assistant said she thought this game was the best as well amongst the ones for 3 year olds).
If you have a 3 year old girl, this princess game will probably be a favorite of hers too.
In this game, you put cupcakes together including the cake, frosting, topper, and wrapper.
Each princess has a different cupcake.
It’s a game for cupcake lovers and princess fans, which is probably every 3 year old girl in the world!
And there you have it—a treasure trove of board games perfect for our three-year-olds!
Whether it’s raining outside or you’re just looking for a fun way to spend some quality family time, these games are sure to be a hit.
From improving memory and motor skills to teaching patience and teamwork, these games do more than entertain—they help our kiddos grow.
So next time you plan a playdate or a family game night, whip out one of these gems and watch the magic happen.
Now that you have the list, here are some frequently asked questions about board games for 3 year olds including how to help you select the game that’s best for you and your situation.
At what age can toddlers start playing board games?
Okay, let’s tackle a big question—when is the right time to introduce our tiny tots to board games?
While every child is different, most little ones are ready to start simple board games by the age of three.
That’s when they really begin to grasp taking turns and following basic rules.
And honestly, it’s the cutest thing ever to see them get into the spirit of a game, even if they need a bit of help at first!
Plus, if they don’t understand the rules right off the hop and you have to make up games with them instead, it’s still teaching them fundamental skills they will use.
I also think introducing kids to board games at a young age has additional benefits, such as getting them moving, reducing screen time, allowing time for family bonding, and more.
All these positives make it worthwhile to start playing board games with your little one!
How is playing board games good for your toddler’s development?
As a kid, I loved playing games simply because they were so much fun!
Little did I know I had fallen for it, too!
Because games aren’t just about having fun; they’re also about learning essential life skills.
Board games are like secret little teachers for our toddlers.
Playing these games helps them boost their brain power (hello, problem-solving and memory!), improve their fine motor skills (those tiny hands have to move pieces around, after all), and learn how to wait patiently for their turn.
Plus, it’s a fun way to help them understand and follow the rules.
Some games even promote things like teamwork and cooperation to play.
Watching their little minds grow while they think they’re just having fun is amazing!
What kinds of board games should you be looking for?
When it comes to picking the right board games for our little ones, I’ve got a few tips.
1. Look for short games!
As many of you can attest, three-year-olds tend to have short attention spans.
So, expecting them to sit at the table and play a game for an hour might be asking too much of them.
That’s why I recommend looking for games that take 15 minutes or less!
This will ensure they enjoy the game time, so they want to keep playing in the future!
2. Keep it educational!
Okay, not every game needs to be educational, but it can’t hurt!
And I’m not just talking about educational games in the sense of reading or counting.
I’m also talking about games that help teach problem-solving, teamwork, fine motor skills, and other essential life skills.
Opt for games that teach counting, color recognition, shape identification, or simple strategic thinking and requires your child to manipulate pieces, use cards, or move objects.
This combination enhances cognitive development while simultaneously improving fine motor skills, making learning both interactive and hands-on.
3. Get them moving!
Games that involve physical activity are great for burning off that endless toddler energy.
You know, the energy that makes it nearly impossible to get them to sit still long enough to eat some food or take their nap that they so desperately need!
That’s why I always kept games on hand that encouraged actions like jumping, dancing, or even simple tasks like standing up and sitting down.
These kinds of games are also perfect for those afternoon play dates!
4. Have them play with others!
Up to now, your toddler has only had to worry about themselves.
But now that they are three, it’s time to start learning the value of things like teamwork and cooperation.
And what better way to teach these skills than with the use of fun games?
Certain board games for three-year-olds are great at teaching kids how to work together.
These games often focus on achieving a common goal rather than having a single winner, which can help develop social skills and the concept of shared success.
5. Look for simple rules.
Lastly, select games with straightforward and clear rules.
I promise, your three-year-old doesn’t need to know how to understand complex game strategies.
Right now, it’s much more important to help cultivate the skills following the tips above.
Games that are easy to understand and play right out of the box are ideal for toddlers.
Don’t worry; your child will play more complex games in the blink of an eye.
Instead of rushing it, enjoy this phase while you can!
Related Articles on this Best Board Games For 3 Year Olds:
- Best Picture Books for Kindergarten Children
- Best Playroom Ideas on a Budget
- How to Teach My Child About Money: Financial Education Tips for Children
- Unique Gifts for 3 Year Olds
Enjoyed this post?
It would be great if you could share it and follow me on Pinterest or Facebook.
