Update: Board games or other games for 2-4 year olds?

[mudder17]

Okay, I've searched and searched and I think I'm just not putting in the right key words. I'm looking for one or two games that I can start teaching Kaya (who is 2.5). She learned the word "game" recently and now she has been asking me about playing games, but I want to find something that is appropriate for her age. I know I've seen some posts in the past about board games for younger kids, but now I can't figure out how to find them.

If it helps, Kaya is very much into the manipulation part of things. Memory? Not so much, although I suppose if it requires some memory, it would be good for her. She likes to build towers and has quite a steady hand, but I'm not sure what kinds of games might be appropriate for that. She can count to 20, but when it comes to objects, she forgets which objects she's already pointed to after 10. Oh, and she can recognize most of the alphabets. But I'm not necessarily looking for anything along those lines. Just something that she will have fun with and maybe learn some different skills while she's at it.

Thanks!

Okay, DH and I went to Target today because we were in the area and we ended up getting Caraboo and Don't Spill the Beans. We thought about the wooden memory game with the animals, but decided that Kaya might do better with the others. She's playing with Caraboo right now and while she doesn't QUITE get it, she is willing to follow the directions. She needs to be reminded to pick up the cards and look before opening, because once she opens one, and doesn't see a ball, she heads for another one. :) Still, she went through an entire game and had fun finding the treasure. Then afterwards, we've been letting her explore the game and putting the balls back and trying to find them again so she can get the treasure. It's rather fun, so I think she'll be able to grow with this game. We haven't tried the beans one yet, but I think she'll like that one--it's her type of game I think. Oh, and we also picked up a $1.99 travel version (you wind it up, so no batteries) of the go fishing game. Yeah, I know, don't let a child under three play with it because of the choking hazard (is that one "z" or 2?), but we'll be playing with her on that one anyway.

LOL, DH just put the Beans game together and she can easily put the beans on the kettle, but she doesn't want them to fall down. So when DH and I tried to demonstrate the game, she decided to not let us put it on the kettle because she didn't want them to fall off. ;) Ah well, I'll give it a few months. In the meantime, she's having fun putting the beans IN the kettle (which she can open on her own) so they don't get lost. Hee, hee.

Thanks everyone--I'll be playing with these games with her for a while and that'll give me a better idea of what she might be ready for come Christmas or birthday time. I'm also going to pull out some regular cards and practice "memory" type games to see when she's ready for the wooden one with the animals (which actually seemed like fun, but I don't think she's ready for it yet).

Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 30 months...

http://www.tickercentral.com/view/6wrn/1.png

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev317pp___.png

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah

[egoldber]

Almost every kid I know LOVES Hungry, Hungry Hippos.

Another good one is Cranium Cariboo (you open a door with a key while looking for hidden objects).

And don't give up on Memory, because she's a bit young for it other than manipulating the cards. Its generally a game most kids like after they are 3. (There are always exceptions of course.)

Maybe start with one or two and see how she does with them. My DD didn't really get into "board" games until she was 3 or 3 1/2.

[AmyZ]

Hi Eileen -- I had this thread bookmarked... I can't wait to start with games!! Let me know what Kaya likes!!

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=12&topic_id=54871

Amy Z

Eliana 2/04
Baby #2 on the way! EDD 1/25/07
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]

[MarisaSF]

I was going to suggest Memory until I read your post.
F WIW,I don't think 2 is too young for Memory. We just use 12 cards instead of the whole set and DD loves it. I would have thought it was too young, but she got it as a gift and wants to play all the time.

[brittone2]

Logan has been VERY into games for a few months now. He doesn't always have the attention span to last a whole game, but he enjoys the whole experience.

We have Hi Ho Cherry Oh, which is a little tough for him overall, and he doesn't last a full game. I also have to help him count, but he's getting the general idea and he often requests to play. That might be one to grow into.

He LOVES Memory. Like Marisa, we started w/ just a small number of cards. He can now play with 20ish cards or so without any problem. I really like Eboo's sets. We have Life On Earth, and the cards seem thicker and nicer than regular Memory, and the pictures are beautiful.

We also have Don't Spill the Beans. He likes spilling them in typical 2 year old fashion, but he gets the turn-taking aspect, which is cool.

We have Snail's Pace Race, but I need to make/buy the dice for it as we found ours at a consignment sale, but it is missing the dice. I think he'd have no problem playing this one.

Zingo is on our to-buy list. It is like picture bingo, and a few mamas here have said that their kids could play a bit by 18-24 months in some cases.

For the manipulative kinds of games, I've seen some really cool ones recently. I'll look around and edit my post w/ some links in a bit.

ETA: not sure how hard these are, but Kaya also seems like she has pretty advanced fine motor skills:
http://magiccabin.com/magiccabin/product.do?section_id=1&bc=1004&pgc=818&sv=333348&cmvalue=MCD|1|TOYS%20%20GAMES%20DEPARTMENTS|333343 |COLLECTION|333348|333348-P4
http://www.maukilo.com/product+haba-2467.html
http://www.willowtreetoys.com/product/ER42290
this is listed as 18 months and up:

http://www.hearthsong.com/hearthsong/product.do?section_id=1&sc=1005&bc=1005&pgc=1609

There are also a lot of Haba games listed for 2 and up if you want to look through and see if there's anything Kaya might like.

HTH.

[mattysmom]

DS loves Hullabaloo (probably since he was about 3). It's a little more active - sort of like Twister, but a lot simpler. But it teaches shapes, colors, picture identification and what's best (at the end of a very long day) is that he can play by himself! DH love to lie on the sofa and "play" with DS (DS is the only one really playing...)

He also sometimes enjoys Candyland, Gobblit and some of the Haba games (especially Harvest).

[kristenk]

Eileen, this is a memory game, but has a little bit of manipulation in it. It's Who Lives Where? and I found it at Target. Here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/ocpl9 DD really likes playing with it although we play a very modified game and most of the animals end up talking to each other and going to a "party" instead of finding their homes, but it is a game and DD likes it!

We also have Hi Ho Cherry-O, Candyland and Chutes & Ladders. DD isn't into any of those as actual games, but enjoys playing with the board for Chutes & Ladders and letting the little figures climb up and slide down as they wish. Hi Ho Cherry-O is a great game and she likes taking all of the cherries and putting them in the tree and taking them off again.

Zingo and Don't Spill the Beans are on my to-buy list.

[DAKnits]

I have heard that "Lucky Ducks" is a great game for 2-3 year olds ... I don't have personal experience though. My DD got it for her 2nd Birthday a few weeks ago, but we haven't opened it yet.

http://www.hasbro.com/default.cfm?page=browse&product_id=17597

[kcimato]

Zimbbos is also a great stacking game. You balance elephants. I think it may be a Dr. Toy award game.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0009ICKCO/ref=pd_sl_aw_flat-hi_newtoyso_15600732_1?tag2=amd-google-20

[the mommy]

ETA: links and explanation of game.

I listed/reviewed a bunch of games in the link to the earlier game thread posted earlier, but I wanted to add one that your DD may like since she likes to move and manipulate things, etc., Don't Break the Ice, it is the old classic with the little hammers and ice cubes. She loves it.

http://www.hasbro.com/default.cfm?page=browse&product_id=8632


She also likes Go Fish by Fisher Price (uses a fishing pole with suction cups to catch fish).

http://www.fisher-price.com/us/products/product.asp?id=3344


I'll try to think of any others and edit later. :) Happy Shopping!

Heather
dd 1/04

[CiderLogan]

My dd got Candy Land, Memory, and Chutes and Ladders for her 3rd birthday. She adores CL and will play C&L but doesn't really get it yet. We also play some other card games (matching games - you can use any set of cards like Go Fish or Old Maid for this) as well as some homemade games. It's nice to read all the recommendations here!
Jenny
Julia, 8/03
Clara, 5/06

[kboyle]

i was going to suggest don't break the ice, i used to LOVE that game when i was little, i guess i was about 5 or so, but i'm sure at 3 ds would love it :)

thanks to beth (egoldber) i think i might have to invest in cranium cariboo, sounds like tons of fun and easy enough for ds

we also have memory and at first we just started with a few cards and face up and he would have to find the matches, now we can do about 1/2 the cards face down...he loves it, but i get bored with just watching him search, he won't let me play :(

[californiagirl]

At 2.5, DD still doesn't really "get" games, but the one she comes closest with is "Hiss", which is a snake-making game. It also has good, solid cards (very important for her, otherwise she accidentally folds them. And then purposely folds them.)

[the mommy]

Yeah, we just got Don't Break the Ice a few weeks ago and it has been a big hit. My only problem with it is that it takes a long time to set up. It is a good game to teach turn taking though, and one tip is at the beginning to play with just one hammer so you have to pass it back and forth. It makes the whole turn taking thing a little easier to control.

I just ordered Haba grab bag, but we haven't got it yet. I have decided no more games at least until Christmas or my husband may kill me. :)

Heather
dd 1/04

[Corie]

Other threads with board game information! :)


http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=37&topic_id=288605&mode=full

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=37&topic_id=266659&mode=full

[mudder17]

THAT'S the link I was looking for! Thanks, Amy!

Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 30 months...

http://www.tickercentral.com/view/6wrn/1.png

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev317pp___.png

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah

[mudder17]

What is the Haba grab bag?


Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 30 months...

http://www.tickercentral.com/view/6wrn/1.png

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev317pp___.png

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah

[mudder17]

Wow, this was really helpful! It looks like we have a lot of variety to choose from. Don't break the ice sounds like it might be a fun thing for Kaya, but I think I'll give the memory thing a try. I think she'd like the Duck house one because she loves ducks and it would be a chance for her to use her memory and manipulate the little ducks inside.

I think I will take a trip to Target and see what they have available first (since I like looking at these things IRL if I can) and then start doing a search. Thanks for all the great ideas and links! I'm bookmarking this thread and the previous thread for sure!


Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 30 months...

http://www.tickercentral.com/view/6wrn/1.png

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev317pp___.png

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah

[lizamann]

Since she likes building towers, you might try Jenga. The age recommendation is something crazy like 7, but my 3 yr old dd loves it. We sometimes help her find the loose blocks, but she is getting good at that, too. At least it will have ageless appeal and you'll still be able to use it in 10 yrs, as opposed to some of the other games.

[the mommy]

Hi sorry I forgot to add the link for Grab Bag above!

http://www.maukilo.com/product+haba-3115.html

It has had some great reviews here on this board and I think won some sort of parent choice award too.

Happy Shopping!

Heather
dd 1/04

[mudder17]

Funny thing--I was thinking of Jenga, but the tiles have some pretty raunchy sayings on them (at least some of them do), so I decided not to go with it. But yes, Kaya would likely enjoy it. I may try pick-up sticks with chopsticks one of these days, though. ;)

Do they have a Jenga type game with no sayings on them at all?

Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 30 months...

http://www.tickercentral.com/view/6wrn/1.png

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev317pp___.png

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah

[mudder17]

Ah, that does sound like a fun game! I'll have to check it out one of these days...

Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 30 months...

http://www.tickercentral.com/view/6wrn/1.png

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev317pp___.png

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah

[etwahl]

Favorites:

- grab bag (haba)
- orchard (haba)
- Hullabaloo (cranium)
- Balloon Lagoon (cranium)
- the other cranium game but forget the name (has the balls)
- go fish card game

Tammy,
mom to Lauren (March 2003)

[Ceepa]

Eileen,

I believe the original has nothing but Jenga printed on the pieces.

http://www.hasbro.com/jenga/

-Ceepa

[mom to little e]

I found the "classic" version on Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, and Hi Ho Cherry-O at Target today and picked these up. I prefer these to the new "animated" drawings (kind of sponge bob-ish to me) I've seen on the Candy Land.

Maryann
Mommy to Ean & Mia!

[Corie]

We have the original Jenga with no raunchy sayings on
the pieces. :) Darn it! I bought the wrong set!

Carson loves playing this game!! She started playing when
she was 3 years old.

[kochh2]

don't open LUcky ducks!! take it back for something else!!I had it for the kids i worked with when i did Early intervention, before I had Aiden, and I can tell you it is sooooo annoying!! The noise will drive you insane!!!!
just my 2 cents!!

[kijip]

T is a Hi Ho Cherrio addict. I have nightmares with that spinner and those little plastic cherries. Actually it is a fun, simple game and great for once they are counting objects.

I second Marisa's suggestion to start memory games with 6 pairs and work up. That is what we did and T is really quite good at memory now.

[kitmama]

I am just starting to look into games for Littleman, too. I'm glad for the suggestions in this thread!

I recall loving 'Rivers, Roads and Rails'- it's sort of a puzzle game. I looked it up ( http://www.amazon.com/Rivers-Roads-and-Rails-Game/dp/B00001OX05 ) and it says ages 5 and up, but I distinctly recall my little sister having a great time with this game, and she was probably about 2. Younger kids don't necessarily follow the rules, but it's a blast to just match the pictures on the tiles to build long networks of rivers, roads and rails. We all loved this game for a long time. It's at my Mom's now, and this thread reminds me to get it out for Littleman next time we are there! I'd still enjoy it.

[egoldber]

Just a note about Rivers, Roads and Rails. We got this last week and DD does like it a lot. BUT. Its HUGE! The networks you build can be very long, and maybe its just us, but it takes absolutely forever to play!! We now play using only half the cards and that goes much faster. We also play on the floor now since our table was nowehere near big enough. And maybe it would go faster with more people, but with just the two of us, the first night it took almost an HOUR!

So its definitely a game that you may need to experiment with to see what works.

[zoestargrove]

I bought a raunch free jenga at Target. This is actually the FIRST game that I played successfully with my 3 year old and 22 month old. Like a pp said, I needed to help my youngest identify the loose blocks, but they surprised me with how steady their hands were and how well they took turns.

I also bought the who lives where game from target and came up with an alternative way of playing that is really popular with my kids. (we usually only use half the blocks at a time.)

I hide all the animal inserts in a cloth bag. Then, I deal out the wooden blocks that each animal fits into evenly to all the players. We all take turns reaching into the bag (no peaking) and try to identify by touch the animals that match the puzzle pieces that are in front of us. My 3 year old gets it and is really good at feeling for a unique characteristic, like an elephant's trunk to know that it is an elephant. My 22 month old is thrilled with pulling out an animal, calling out its name and fitting it into the puzzle piece. This really holds their attention for a long time. and like Kristen...our animals end up talking to each other and going to a party too! LOL!

thanks for the thread. I needed some good game ideas.