• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

What Do We Do All Day logo

  • Start Here
  • Books
    • Classics
      • 20th Century Classics
    • Early Chapter Books
    • Easy Readers
    • Folktales
    • Holiday Books
    • Middle Grade (8-12 years)
    • Nonfiction
    • Picture Books
    • Read Aloud Chapter Books
  • Games
    • Traditional Games
  • Kids Activities
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Literacy & Writing
    • Math
    • Playful Activities
    • Science
    • Toddler
  • Parenting
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Books for kids
  • Games
  • Indoor activities for kids
  • Parenting
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Games / The Best Award Winning Games for Kids for Each Age

     

    The Best Award Winning Games for Kids for Each Age

    1186 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    A brand new game makes an excellent gift. Why? Because it can be shared with others, played again and again and offers a brain-boosting experience every time it comes out of the closet! However, a 3 year old will enjoy a different game from a 7 year old and from an 11 year old. So what is the best game for every age?

    Best games for kids ages 2-11 and up

    Based on our extensive experience as a family of board game nerds, I've collected a list of what I think are some of the best games for kids by age. Of course it is not a hard and fast guide, but you are sure to find a great new game to give to your child! (Note this post contains affiliate links. Some games may have been received as review copies. All opinions mine.)

    Best Game for 2 Year Old

    Move and Groove game for toddlers

    Roll and Play

    Buy it: Amazon

    Roll and Play (previously "Move and Groove") from ThinkFun is the absolute best game for toddlers ages 18 months and up. This game gets toddlers doing what they do best: moving and acting silly! Players roll the giant plush die to determine a color, then pick up a matching color card and follow the visual instructions to perform an action. Move and Groove introduces the concept of game play to young kids in a fun and creative way. Be sure to check out our other recommendations for games that get kids moving!

    Awards: Parents Choice Silver, Toy Insider Top Summer Toys

    Best Game for 3 Year Old

    I Never Forget a Face memory game from eeboo

    I Never Forget a Face Memory Game

    Buy it: Amazon

    Memory is a classic game that is perfect for honing a 3 year old's patience, memory and visual perception skills! Classic games stick around because they offer a universally enjoyable and satisfying experience I adore this version of Memory by eeBoo. The sturdy cards feature faces from all around the world, and kids will love to talk about what they see, building global awareness.

    Awards: Oppenheim Gold Award

    Best Game for a 4 Year Old

    Hoot Owl Hoot cooperative game

    Hoot Owl Hoot

    Buy it: Amazon

    Hoot Owl Hoot is one of our absolute favorite cooperative games and a terrific game for 4 year olds. Cooperative games teach kids the benefits of working together. Kids learn problem solving, simple strategy, taking turns and all around good sportsmanship. Unlike Candyland, which depends solely on the luck of the draw, Hoot Owl Hoot requires strategic thinking and basic logic, making it much more fun for the grown-ups who play with their kids!

    Awards: Disney FamilyFun Toy of the Year Award, Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products Award, Major Fun Award

    Best Game for 5 Year Olds

    Rivers, Roads and Rails matching game

    Rivers, Roads and Rails

    Buy it: Amazon

    This game requires kids to use their visual perception skills to match cards together and create pathways of an ever changing network of rivers, roads and rails. It's like a puzzle and board game in one! The game can be played either competitively or cooperatively for endless variety and to suit the temperament of each child.

    Awards: Parent's Choice Gold Award, Creative Toy Award

    Best Game for 6 Year Olds

    Quirkle

    Buy it: Amazon

    Quirkle is one of those rare games that a 6 year old and an adult equally enjoy and find challenging. Players put their strategy, problem solving, and visual discrimination skills to the test while they work to create sequences of colors and shapes.

    Awards: Major Fun Award, Mensa Select Award, National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval, Parents' Choice Gold Award, Spiel des Jahres Award

    Best Game for 7 Year Olds

    Two card games for 7 year olds

    Card Games

    Buy it: Sleeping Queens | Dragonwood

    I couldn't decide between these two favorite card games so I'm leaving it up to you to choose which one best suits your 7 year old! Both games have been well loved at our house. Both are easy to learn and require a combination of strategy and luck to win. Family members of all ages will want to join in the fun.

    Awards: Parent's Choice, Family Fun | Oppenheim Platinum, Mensa Select, Major Fun, Parent's Choice Silver and more!

    Best Game for 8 Year Olds

    Logic Puzzles

    Side by side logic puzzles

    Buy it: Domino Maze

    You all know we adore single player logic puzzles, and 8 years old is the perfect time to get your child hooked on these types of games because they can play them for hours, working through all of the challenging levels. Best of all, because each game has levels ranging from basic to expert, logic games like Domino Maze grow with your child, so they are an excellent investment! Choose a puzzle that challenges your child to use critical thinking skills to build creative domino mazes that boosts fine motor skills as well as logical reasoning! (Note: Thinking Putty Puzzle no longer available)

    Awards: Parent's Choice, Astra Best Toys and more!

    Best Game for 9 Year Olds

    Quarto game

    Quarto

    Buy it: Amazon

    I only recently discovered this marvelous game, although it has been around for decades. This unique and challenging abstract strategy game will entice your 9 year olds and engage their deductive reasoning and spatial perception skills. The superior construction of the game makes it an excellent gift!

    Awards: Toy Award, Spiel des Jahres-Game of the Year, Mensa Select, Parent’s Choice Gold, Best Bet of the Toy Testing Council and more!

    Best Game for 10 Year Olds

    Settlers of Catan

    Settlers of Catan

    Buy it: Amazon

    This European style board game requires a different type of strategic thinking from the other games on this list. Players act as settlers in an attempt to acquire land and buildings by hoarding resources and trading with others. Game play lasts longer than typical family games but 10 year olds love this type of game that mixes strategy with role play and will love playing it with their friends.

    Awards: Spiel des Jahres Game of the Year, GamesCom Vegas Game of the Century and more.

    Best Game for 11 Year Olds and Up

    Exploding Kittens card game

    Exploding Kittens

    Buy it: Amazon

    Older tweens and teens love games that make them laugh hysterically and maybe have a little bit of–gross-out humor–shall we say? Exploding Kittens fits the bill exactly. Honestly it is so fun. There's also a wonderful randomness to the game that keeps players on their toes, and keeps the laughs coming!

    Awards: On of the biggest Kickstarter campaign of all-time. (Okay, not an award but you get the idea.)

    More gift guides with games for all ages:

    • Single player logic games
    • Non-board board games
    • Best games for families
    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    « Middle Grade Books with Jewish Protagonists
    Ultimate YA Book Gift Guide: Books that are Teen Approved! »
    1186 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Erica! I believe parents can stay sane without giving their kids an electronic device. Learn how!

    More about me →

    Newsletter

    Join over 15,000 subscribers who said "Yes! I want to unplug my kids!" We'll send you 10 waiting games your kids can play anytime, anywhere. Join here -->

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About the Site

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and join over 15,000 other families finding ways reduce screen time.

    Other Stuff

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2023 What Creative Media LLC

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want More Free Activity Ideas?
    Join our email list and as a thank you gift I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games that will make your kids smarter.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want your kids to love being unplugged?
    Join our newsletter and as a thank you, I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.