mathmarm Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) So, I'm bumping this thread because of all the great suggestions in it because I hope that someone looking for holiday ideas will find something here. Also, we can add on to it. OP There has to be something besides Candy Land. Maybe there are newer toddler/prek games that I have not heard of. Please, enlighten me O great and wise Hive Members. I need something for a 3 year old and a 6 year old. Edited November 29, 2016 by mathmarm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJoy Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Hi-Ho Cherry-O is a classic that is shorter and painless ;) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJoy Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 What age/skill level? My son started enjoying Sum Swamp around 4. It uses the concepts of odd/even, going forward/back with +/-, and addition and subtraction up to 6+6/6-6. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I like cooperative board games like Stone Soup for that age. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathmarm Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 2 years old and 5 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 My preschooler loves games. Loves them. We like Peaceable Kingdom cooperative games. Snail's Pace Race has been a favorite since she was 2. The newest love is Lost Puppies. But all of their games for that age group are winners. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arctic Bunny Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 We have a Lego game with a wolf and sheep that was great! Not a board game technically, though. I have a game called Harvest that was perfect, but don't know if you can still get it. Memory? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Sneaky Snacky Squirrel is cooperative (if you search that, others come up on Amazon) Busytown (Based on Richard Scarry book) Memory type games (Eeboo makes some cute, nicer versions my older kids loved) 2 and 5 is a tough combo. I think you'll have to help the 2 yo on most for a bit. My 3 yo is still too nuts for games though bright enough. Maybe if I had a tranq dart... ;) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ailaena Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) A good variation (for your little) on candyland is allowing each player to draw two cards. You could totally expand that to 5 or 6 cards. Idk how old your preschooler is, but Snakes and Ladders, Hi-Ho Cherry-o, sequence for kids, Blokus, dominoes, Memory, Set, that math scrabble game I can't remember the name of, scrabble (I totally played this with dd when she was 4/5)... Oh! 2 and 5. You want games they can do together? There's a game that has you roll a die and do silly things? Like dance or sing. How about Twister! Edited January 5, 2016 by Ailaena 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathmarm Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 Great suggestions so far. I am looking for games that I can play with them 1-on-1 and/or games that we can play together (to various levels of ability of course.) and games that they can play together to some degree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runningmom80 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Monopoly jr! We played it so much that my 5 year olds are now ruthless Monopoly moguls. :lol: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathmarm Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 2 and 5 is a tough combo. I think you'll have to help the 2 yo on most for a bit. My 3 yo is still too nuts for games though bright enough. Maybe if I had a tranq dart... ;) LOL, Jr spent a few days in the hospital and isn't back up to his usual manic pace just yet, but he's definitely bored. He's got the fine motor and social skills/attention to play simple board games though and I thought that it would be a good time to introduce them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Go away monster 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) Sneaky Squirrel is like "Hi Ho Cherry-O" only your kids get fun squirrel tweezers to play with. :) We like the Dr. Seuss games... "Horton Hears a Who--You To The Rescue" and "Cat and the Hat I Can Do That". We have a Pancake Relay game that is fun, too. Monopoly Jr. is fun as well. When my son was four, he liked to play Uno (with a little help.) Oh...and Junior Yatzee. I think we had a Disney version. Most of these I got either on sale on Amazon or at Target. Edited January 5, 2016 by umsami 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Goodnight Moon game It's a memory/matching game, very gentle. All my dc enjoyed it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Uno mancala (Assuming the 2 year old is past putting stuff in their mouth) go fish old maid 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AppleGreen Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Hoot Owl Hoot, by the above named Peaceable Kingdom, is sweet. At those ages, mine loved Max the Cat, Harvest Time, Round Up and Secret Door, all by Family Pastimes and all cooperative. There is a small amount of strategy involved in all those games, so it isn't just the random, poke your eye out-ness of say Candy Land. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellifera33 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 We like Haba games for those ages--Orchard, Animal Upon Animal, Ghost Blaster, etc. Bugs in the Kitchen is fun too--I think it's by Ravensberger. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 What's that one where you pile up the elephants? It was from Blue Orange - Zimbbos. Those ages could totally play that together. My boys also loved the one where the frogs were watching the kids - Froggie Boogie. They might be able to do that one together. The one that was most loved here was called Bzz Out by Gamewright. It's out of print now, but if you can find it, it was great, though maybe not quite yet for the 2 yo. In a year it'll be a little easier. Most 2 yos really struggle with games but there will be a few more for 3 yos. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 So many good ones have already been mentioned. I would add Hiss. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I will add to the recommendations for the co-operative game Ravensburger Snail's Pace Race. It will be a great first game for your youngest to play. No reading required, and it's the snails who win or lose NOT the child. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) There has to be something besides Candy Land. Maybe there are newer toddler/prek games that I have not heard of. Please, enlighten me O great and wise Hive Members. I need something for a 2 year old and a 5 year old. My son got Haba Orchard for Christmas when he was 2 years old 2y4mo and started playing it that VERY day. He is now 8 and getting a bit old for it, but still plays it with his 4 year old sister. Other good ones in the 2-3 year old range: Snail's Pace Race by Ravensburger Games (Both kids still play) It's a card game -- but Hiss by Gamewright DD played Spot It (Frozen) at age 3. (NOT by normal rules. I put out two cards and she had to find the image that was the same between them. If she missed, then I got a chance to claim the card by finding the match. -- so taking turns) DS has been playing Tsuro since age 4. DD since age 3. Haba Animal Upon Animal Richard Scarry's Busytown: Eye Found it http://smile.amazon.com/Wonder-Forge-Richard-Scarrys-Busytown/dp/B002V3RCE6/ref=pd_sim_21_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=51Sn0bWpMvL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1TXZAYFK71SZ0RNJXXCP DD got Gobblet Gobblers for Christmas this year (age 4) -- good for the 5 year old anyway. Fast short games. We had Go Away Monsters with DS at age 2 too! I forgot about that one. Great fun. We lost too many pieces so DD didn't get to play it. Yaghtzee Jr works by age 3 with some adult help. We have been doing that one for over a year now. Edited January 5, 2016 by vonfirmath 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsWeasley Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I really, really love board games, and I really, really hate playing board games with my two year old. Board games weren't fun with my second born until he was almost four. My eldest, starting at about 2.5, liked to play board games with me. Some of my favorites were Pengoloo, Hoot Owl Hoot, Busytown, and CooCoo the Rocking Clown Game. Really, though, I'm mean. We play board games with the toddler is napping. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovinmyboys Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Hiss Busytown Zingo Smatch Ladybug game One fish, two fish game by wonder forge Froggy boogie Don't wake Daddy We have had good luck with most of the preschool games from Wonder Forge, Gamewright, Thinkfun, Cranium, Ravensburger, and Blue Orange 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arctic Bunny Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 What about cards, and Fish? Uno? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Before I had a child I remember being disgusted by a story of a parent rigging the Candyland deck so their child would win quickly and get the game over with. When I started to play Candyland with my child, it was so mind-numbly boring I had to institute the rule of 'Draw from the cards face-down in the lid spread randomly" to keep myself from doing the same thing. There have been some good ones mentioned. We also liked the Ladybug game. It is so cute, and it was designed by a kid as a class project. There is a path with two obstacles. To get past the first you either need to get a "Bug Off Mantis" card or land on the bridge which takes you past. The second you need 10 aphids to get past. To move you draw cards with large font numbers on them. There will be a number from 1-4, whether you move forward or back, and if you should draw again. It isn't too long, so the attention scan isn't a problem. Uncle Wiggly is good too once they can count up to about 15. The little rhymes on each card is pretty cute. One thing I like is that every space is numbered so sometimes I can point out addition possibilities. How could I have almost forgot the Lego game! Depending on the color you roll, the game changes. So, one person might make a little lego thing that everyone else has to copy, or people try to bowl over some little lego pins. One thing we do, whenever one piece passes another, they go "kiss kiss kiss" to each other. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Upward Journey Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Another vote for Froggy Boogy. My kids also loved Ravensburger's Colorama at that age. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmvaughan4 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 We played Don't Break the Ice last night for 45 minutes. DS 2 loves it. Eye Found It might be good. My two year old tries to play it. My older two especially love it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 If your 2yo is on the older side of 2 and/or starting to count maybe consider Sorry! You could use just 2 game pieces per person and take out the Sorry cards--those might be a bit much for a little one. Ds1 loved this game when he was little and by the time he was 3yo it was his favorite game everrrrrr! YMMV, of course. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeking Squirrels Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) I agree with Peaceable Kingdom games. We have several and love them all. Stone Soup Race to the Treasure Hoot, Owl, Hoot Dinosaur Escape Fish Stix (a little more advanced, my 3yo hasn't tried it yet so I'm not sure) Except Fish Stix those are cooperative games. Discovery Garden is my 3yo's favorite game ever. Speedy Diner (green eggs and ham) - Not a board game, a jump up and run around game. Both girls LOVE this one. It's a team game. 2yo could do one of the two roles if s/he knows some colors. Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel ( I saw someone list this as cooperative, maybe there's different rule sets but it's not cooperative the way we play) Labyrinth (Still a bit above my 3yo, so probably not for your 2yo yet, but your 5yo would probably like it) Race to the Treasure, Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel and Discovery Garden would be the easiest of those for a 2yo. Edited January 5, 2016 by Whovian10 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJoy Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Whatever you do, don't buy Hungry Hungry Hippos. OMG that game tries a parent's nerves. The noise! *shudder* I learned that lesson recently! I loved it when I was 6 and my 6-year-old had been asking so when we found it at a thrift store I bought it. I'm so glad I only spent $2 because it's gone now! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer132 Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Raccoon Rumpus Feed the Woozle I Spy mystery cards Bear in Underwear game 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuzu822 Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 My 2.5 year old looooves Whoowasit. Not what you'd think of first for that age, maybe, but he can follow the game and participate. It's cooperative with three levels of play, so also a favorite with the other kids (9, 7, 5). http://www.amazon.com/Whoowasit-Award-Winning-Board-Game-Electronics/dp/B004UKNJCM/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1452045336&sr=1-1&keywords=whoowasit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Catch the Match! Playroom Entertainment makes that one and several others that have been big hits with our preschoolers. Gamewright has several too, like Moose in the House, but I think more of theirs are for older kids. I know there are several Dr. Seuss games out there. Chutes and Ladders. Hi Ho Cherry-O! Lots of memory games -- sequential, standard, Pooh, trucks, etc. Richard Scarry has a very basic card game that requires no skill, and for some reason, my kids love it. Little ones can probably play Tenzi. Even if they can't count much, they can tell if all the dice are showing the same number of dots. (Maybe not a 2yo.) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Oh, and Cootie! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 chuts and ladder is the non-sugar version of candy land. I can't remember what other board games we did. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Go away monster This is what you're supposed to say when they beg you to play Candyland one more time, right? I am probably the one who disgusted a previous poster by admitting that I'd rig the game to be over quickly because I haaaaaaated that game. :D We liked many of the Ravensburger games. Amazing Labyrinth, especially, had a pretty long life, as the boys liked playing it until they were late elementary age. Sorry, also. My kids also really enjoyed Chutes and Ladders and Uncle Wiggly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammi K Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 (edited) Ravensburger has several beautiful pre-school games. I bought ours in Germany so the names aren't in English or I would give you specifics. But, if you look on Amazon and search Ravensburger you will find several tha might spark your interest. ETA: Also look at Selecta. We have several of their pre-school games as well. Our favorite is Grief Zu ( in German) I'm trying to find it in the American market. I'll let you know if I locate it. It's good fun. Even my older kids liked to play with the littlies. Edited January 6, 2016 by Tammi K 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Catan Jr. Curious George Discovery Beach Richard Scarry Busytown 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junie Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 The I Spy Treasure Hunt Game It has terrible reviews on amazon because the magnetic shovel really does.not.work. We just play without the shovel. I hate games, but I can tolerate this one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Lots of great ones mentioned...but for your particular kiddo I would recommend Sum Swamp. Alex loved it at that age. Very basic addition/subtraction, and a bit of even/odd identification. Also, basic card games like go fish and RS math's version Go to the Dump where you make pairs that equal 10 (big friends). For tiny hands, a tip: we took two plastic lids like those from round butter containers. Turn them back to back and insert a metal brad through the center. Now you have a card holder that even the littlest hands can manage:) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 (edited) chuts and ladder is the non-sugar version of candy land. I can't remember what other board games we did. My son had the hardest time with Chutes and Ladders before he could read the larger numbers reliably just because they had to go different direction on different rows. He'd get confused and move his piece the wrong direction. It seemed completely random to him which way to go after sliding down a slide/going up a ladder. It was GREAT for learning how one number followed another -- so ages 4 or 5. Not age 2. Edited January 7, 2016 by vonfirmath 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Seconding Catch the Match - great first game that won't make Mom want to poke her eyes out. The older kids like playing, too - bonus! and Ravensburger games are great, too. We liked this one - 4 First Games. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 (edited) Kerplunk, Jenga, and Fishing (not sure the actual name) were great early games at our house. All are at Walmart or Target. Mancala is a good early game too but I'm doubtful a 2 year old would understand what was happening, you could create your own game from the board and marbles though. While my children liked the idea of playing a game at 2 or 3 they really didn't appreciate them until they were a bit older. They did better with I Spy or Find the Button type games at the younger ages. Corrected grammar Edited January 7, 2016 by Rach 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Oh and Memory is wonderful for little ones. I start out using just a few cards (maybe 10) until they get the hang of the game then start using more. My kids can legitimately beat me at this game now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 ...and Ravensburger games are great, too. We liked this one - 4 First Games. We also had that set in addition to Snail Pace Race. It's a good set of games. Regards, Kareni 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellifera33 Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 I just remembered--my 2 and 5 year olds play My First Carcassonne. The 2 y/o doesn't really understand the idea of closing off the path, but she likes to lay tiles and play her meeples when we point out a finished path. :) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathmarm Posted November 29, 2016 Author Share Posted November 29, 2016 (edited) Bumping! Thought that some of us might find this thread useful at this time of year. :) Edited November 29, 2016 by mathmarm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purpleowl Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 One that I didn't see mentioned is Jungle Jive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 Monopoly Jr. is a new favorite in my house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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