Are you searching for the best board games for 4 year olds? If so, you may be having a hard time due to the sheer number of options that are available online.
That’s why we decided to research what the top games for 4 year olds have to offer. We’ve put all of the information into an easy-to-read post so that you can take a look and same time discovering the one that you think your child would love the most.
To ensure that you have absolutely everything you need to go ahead and make a selection, there’s a buyers guide section available at the end too!
Our Top Picks
Our List of the Top 4 Year Old Games
Hi Ho! Cherry-O Board Game
Summary
The Hi Ho! Cherry-O Board Game is an exciting way to improve your child’s ability to count. There are fake fruit on the trees which kids can use to fill up their buckets as they travel around the board.
Due to the spinner that’s available, kids are able to know whether they need to pick up pieces of fruit or put them back. This game is a fantastic way to develop a 4 year old’s basic math abilities, which includes subtraction, addition, and counting.
Pros
- Fun spinner available
- Develops basic math skills
- Exciting fruit design
Cons
- Playing pieces may be too small for some
What makes this game stand out?
We liked how this game encourages children to improve their basic math skills, without even knowing it due to how much fun they’re having.
Shelby’s Snack Shack Game and Book
Summary
This game and book combo is great for preschoolers since the game helps kids improve their counting and fine motor skills. The game is designed for 2 to 4 players and consists of 40 bones, 4 bowls, a double spinner, game board and a Shelby squeezer. Players spin the spinner and then use the squeezer to pick up the same number of bones and put them into the bowl. Once all the bones are found the person with the most bones wins. One of the spinners gives you the number of bones to choose and the second spinner tells you whether to add those bones to your bowl or take those bones out of your bowl.
There is also a flip flap board book that is great for 4 year olds to read or have read to them.
Pros
- Helps kids develop their fine motor skills
- It also helps children improve number recognition and counting skills
Cons
- The squeezer can be difficult for some children to use
What makes this stand out?
This game is fun for younger kids and even slightly older siblings as they help Shelby the dog find the bones he buried on the beach. It also comes with a book that will further promote the adventures of Shelby.
Candy Land Kingdom of Sweet Adventures for Kids
Summary
The Candy Land Kingdom of Sweet Adventures Board Game involves each player trying to reach the castle with whoever getting there first be the winner.
We like how the design of the board is vibrant and colorful as it makes it more exciting for kids to play with. The set comes with a deck of cards, instructions, 4 pawns, and a game board.
Since it’s a game that involves multiple people, it can be a great way to improve your child’s social skills from an early age.
Pros
- Vibrant board design
- Improves social skills
- Easy to learn how to play
Cons
- Too many pieces on the board than some would prefer
What makes this game stand out?
The bright and colorful design of this board game is something that gets kids super excited. It also improves their social skills when they’re playing it in groups.
The Ladybug Game
Summary
The Ladybug Game involves kids trying to help the ladybugs find their way back home. There’s a praying mantis which they need to try and avoid to add a more challenging element. As they travel around the board, kids are also able to collect aphids to feed the ants.
We were impressed with the design of this board as it makes it more fun for kids to play with. Moreover, there are playing cards available which help children to develop their reading abilities.
The various counters and numbers that are available are also effective at improving your child’s basic counting skills.
Pros
- Improves counting skills
- Develops reading abilities
- Fun board design
Cons
- Games don’t last as long as some were hoping
What makes this game stand out?
This is a fun board game which helps kids to develop their ability to read, as well as their basic counting skills.
Wonder Forge Richard Scarry’s Busytown, Eye Found It
Summary
This Wonder Forge Richard Scarry’s Busytown, Eye Found It Game can be played by 2-4 players. As a result, it’s a fun group game which is effective at improving your child’s social skills. This is largely because it involves the player saying “I found it!” when they think they’ve reached the objective of the game.
We also liked how this game has various objects for kids to identify. Moreover, their ability to match things visually is improved.
Pros
- Develops social skills
- Improves teamwork abilities
- Helps with matching things visually
Cons
- Cardboard pieces could be more durable
What makes this game stand out?
This is an exciting group game which encourages children to improve their social skills. It’s also great for their ability to recognize and match various objects.
Pete the Cat the Missing Cupcakes Game
Summary
Pete the Cat the Missing Cupcakes Game involves players working collaboratively with Pete to retrieve the cupcakes from the Grumpy Toad. Therefore, it’s an excellent game for improving your child’s social skills and ability to work in teams.
We also liked how it involves identifying various foods, animals, and words. So, it can be effective at improving your child’s reading skills too.
Pros
- Improves reading skills
- Develops social skills
- Helps with visual identification
Cons
- The spinner could be stronger
What makes this game stand out?
Kids have a blast playing this game in groups with friends and family. It develops their social skills and ability to work collaboratively.
The Learning Journey: Match It!
Summary
The Learning Journey: Match It! is a highly effective game at improving your child’s reading skills, as well as their ability to spell. It involves putting certain cards together in an order that makes a word. We liked how there are pictures available as a visual aid to help out.
There are various puzzles available that included 3-4 letter words. We found this to be an effective way to improve your child’s problem-solving abilities. Moreover, the game involves a lot of concentration. Therefore, it’s a great way to improve your child’s ability to focus for longer.
Pros
- Improves focus
- Develops reading skills
- Helps with problem-solving abilities
Cons
- Some find the puzzles are bigger than they’d prefer
What makes this game stand out?
This is a superb game for improving your child’s reading skills, as well as their problem-solving abilities and attention span.
Soggy Doggy Board Game for Kids with Interactive Dog Toy
Summary
This Soggy Doggy Board Game for Kids comes with a super fun interactive dog toy. The game involves each player taking it in turns to go around the board and bathe the Soggy Doggy. However, the toy shakes itself randomly which can get the players wet.
Whoever is the first player to get all the way around the board and back is the winner. If the dog toy shakes itself dry on your turn, you have to go back to the start.
This is a super fun game for kids to play in groups with family and friends. As a result, it’s excellent for improving their social skills. Not to mention, using the die to get around the board helps with their basic counting skills too.
Pros
- Improves counting skills
- Develops social skills
- Fun & interactive shaking dog toy
Cons
- Pieces are smaller than some were expecting
What makes this game stand out?
The shaking dog toy that’s available with this board game is a unique element which kids have a blast with.
Curious George Matching Game
Summary
This Curious George Matching Game comes with a range of 72 picture tiles which provides you with plenty to play with for a while. We liked how this game is a fantastic way to teach your child patience. This is because each player takes it in turn.
Moreover, since it’s a group game, your child’s social skills and ability to work in teams will be improved. Not to mention, children are able to develop their memory skills while playing too.
Parents have been liking how this game is lightweight and easily portable. This makes it a great game to take around with you while traveling.
Pros
- Travel-friendly
- Improves memory abilities
- Develops social skills
Cons
- Cards aren’t as large as some were hoping
What makes this game stand out?
This is a fun game which kids have a blast playing with friends and family. We were impressed with how it develops their memory skills too. Boys especially love Curious George so we are certain this would make a fun toy for a 4 year old boy.
ThinkFun Zingo 1-2-3 Number Bingo
Summary
ThinkFun Zingo 1-2-3 Number Bingo is an exciting game that comes with clear instructions, as well as 72 double-sided tiles and 6 double-sided cards.
As kids are playing this game, they’re given the opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills, as well as their basic math ability. In addition to this, their knowledge in recognizing different words is also developed.
Pros
- Improves critical thinking
- Develops basic math skills
- Helps with word recognition
Cons
- No extension pack for the words available
What makes this game stand out?
This is a fun game which encourages kids to improve their basic math skills, word recognition, and critical thinking skills.
Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game
Summary
Wildcraft! An Harbal Adventure Game involves players working cooperatively to win. Therefore, it’s an excellent chance for your child to develop their social skills and ability to work in teams.
The game is also educational as it teaches 4 year olds to be more about medicinal plants and herbs. Moreover, there are die and counters which kids can use to travel around the board. Therefore, their basic counting ability can be improved too.
Pros
- Improves counting skills
- Develops social skills
- Educates kids about medicinal plants
Cons
- Game time is longer than some would prefer
What makes this game stand out?
Kids have fun playing this game in groups and develop their teamwork abilities. This game is also great for teaching children about various medicinal herbs.
Peaceable Kingdom Dinosaur Escape
Summary
This Peaceable Kingdom Dinosaur Escape game involves players trying to help the dinosaurs escaped from the volcano which is about to erupt. It’s another game that involves teamwork, which means kids are able to improve their collaborative and social skills.
In addition to this, we were impressed with how the game involves a tremendous amount of strategy. Not to mention, your child’s memory skills will be put to the test as well.
Pros
- Improves teamwork abilities
- Develops memory skills
- Helps with strategic thinking
Cons
- Game may be a little too easy for some
What makes this game stand out?
Kids have fun playing this game together in small groups and trying to get the dinosaurs to safety. During the game, their social skills, memory skills, and strategic thinking abilities are able to develop. This is an all around great game for boys since nearly all boys love dinosaur toys.
Sequence
Summary
This is a beginning strategic game for younger children. The object of the game is to play a card from your hand and then place a chip on the matching picture on the board. If you get 4 chips in a row you win. However, there are wild cards that can help improve in your game or can allow another player to set your game back.
Pros
- Teaches kids to take turns and to follow rules
- Games are short so kids don’t lose interest
Cons
- Takes some time for kids to play strategically
What makes this stand out?
The cute animal cards and board makes this game appealing for 4 year olds and the game allows parents to teach their child about rules and taking turns.
Our Top Picks
Buyer’s Guide on the Best Board Games for 4 Year Olds
Finding the top board games for four year olds can be tricky, even with the options that we’ve reviewed for you above.
If you’re looking for some additional information on how to go about picking the board games suitable for 4 year olds that your child will love the most, take a look at this buyers guide section.
Top Game Types for 4 Year Olds by Gender
Selecting children’s board games for 4 year olds may be a little different depending on the gender of your child but aren’t typically much different for boys vs girls.
Boys
Out of the children’s board games for 4 year olds that we’ve reviewed here, the number one choice for boys is the one that includes dinosaurs.
This is because boys at this age often have a fascination for dinosaurs and being able to play with them is a ton of fun.
Girls
Some think good games for 4 year olds who are girls are options that are vibrant and have pink colors but this is not true. The colors and theme of the board game are generally the same for boys and girls so don’t feel confined to getting something like Candyland for your girl!
Types of Good Board Games for 4 Year Olds
After reading through our review, you will have seen that there are a number of different types of fun board games for 4 year olds. To help you distinguish the differences between them all, we’ve created this section which takes you through the different kinds.
Educational
Educational board games for 4 year olds are a great way for kids to improve their knowledge on a range of topics. Many of the board games that we’ve reviewed here are fantastic for improving your child’s basic math skills and reading abilities.
Teamwork
Among the best games for little kids in this review are ones thatrequire all the players to work together. As a result, it’s an effective way to improve your child’s teamwork abilities.
In addition to this, there social skills are given the opportunity to develop too.
Board Games that Improve Matching Skills
The board games that involve children to match various things are incredibly effective at improving their matching skills. As a result, their visual learning skills are able to develop well.
Interactive
The Soggy Doggy is the most interactive board game in this review. This is because of how the toy moves and shakes the water off of itself. Kids find this highly entertaining and it can make for some super fun family game nights.
Final Thoughts on Popular Board Games for 4 Yr Olds
Now that you have a better idea of the kinds of board games for 4 year olds that are currently available, you can use our review to begin narrowing down your search. Everything you need to find the best board games for four year olds can be found, right here.
Be sure to use our buyers guide section if you’re not feeling completely confident on your choice!
Popular Games
