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Do your children spend way too much time in front of a screen? An easy and fun way to spend quality family time with your young ones is as easy as getting a board game. Board games can provide many positive benefits to your young child like boosting their language skills, sharpening their focus, teaching them the value of teamwork, and can help soothe anxiety. But there are so many children’s games on the market it’s easy to get overwhelmed and it can be hard to figure out which ones are good for your five-year-old. Here is my list of the best board games for 5 year olds.
Quick Peeks
Are you in a hurry? Here are the Top Picks for you!
Best Detective
Best Fast Paced
Best Balancing
Best Word Learning
Best Physical Activity
Best Overall
In my opinion, out of all the best board games for 5 year olds, these would be the best overall based on the fun factor, cost, easily learnable gameplay, and popularity.
Outfoxed!
2-4 Players |
Play Time: 20 minutes |
Age: 5+ |
Outfoxed is an exciting and fun cooperative whodunit game for 5 year olds! In this thrilling game, Mrs. Plumpert’s prized pot pie has gone missing… and it’s up to you to crack the case! Outfoxed takes you around a charming board, with players gathering clues while they build teamwork skills. With a special evidence Scanner to eliminate suspects, you’ll need to act fast as the sneaky fox tries to outrun justice at every turn!
Your mission? Uncover the culprit before they can fly the coop! It’s an exciting journey full of detective work that will leave your little ones on their toes as they try to beat the clock and get ahead of their furry foe. Designed with plenty of laughs and fun for all ages, Outfoxed is the ultimate way for 5 year olds to flex their problem solving muscles in a friendly and cooperative team environment. Join in on all the puzzling excitement as you outsmart your opponent – if you can – with Outfoxed today!
OranguTwang
2-99 Players |
Play Time: 5-15 minutes |
Age: 4+ |
OranguTwang is a fun and exciting board game that is one of the best board games for 5 year olds!
Now you can get your little ones away from the tablet and bring them something truly fun. With OranguTwang, they are guaranteed hours of laughter-filled play. Hang the orangutan from his vine and watch as he gets ready for his cargo. Then roll that die to see which piece is coming up next. Could it be a gecko, a banana bunch, or something else? It’s time to decide where to hang it on your friendly guy without making him jump up too quickly! Kids will have fun trying each new piece with careful placement – not too close together!
At any given moment during game play, someone might make OranguTwang ‘go twaaang!’ That’s when everyone starts laughing from ear to ear as he suddenly leaps forward. There’s no better way to get your little ones to join in family game night than with OranguTwang – you’ll all be having so much fun that you won’t want to stop playing! Get ready for some serious silliness and plenty of laughs with this must-have board game!
Shark Bite
2-4 Players |
Play Time: 3-15 minutes |
Age: 4+ |
Shark Bite is a perfect board game for five year olds! This game brings so much fun and excitement to your little one’s playtime. With colorful and unique sea creatures, all you need is a fishing rod, a die, and friends to start playing.
Your child can take turns rolling the die and using their fishing rod to try and catch as many of these creative sea creatures as possible. But watch out! You never know when the shark might just decide to bite! Not only does Shark Bite bring hours of entertainment, but no batteries are necessary for this unique gameplay experience.
So what are you waiting for? Invite your child’s friends over and let them join in on all the fun with Shark Bite – the perfect board game for five year olds!
Best Budget Under $15
If your finances are tight, I’ve included the best board games for 5 year olds in this section that don’t cost very much but offer a huge fun factor.
Yeti In My Spaghetti
2-99 Players |
Play Time: 15 minutes |
Age: 4+ |
Yeti In My Spaghetti is one of the best board games for 5 year olds! This adorable game is sure to be an instant hit for kids and adults alike. With an eye-catching Yeti character, entertaining premise, and exciting gameplay, it’s the perfect addition to family night.
In Yeti In My Spaghetti, players take turns carefully removing noodles from the bowl to get rid of all of them before the yeti falls in! As you pull each strand out, think fast: each movement matters as you try to keep the yeti balanced on top. It’s a fun game that improves hand-eye coordination and encourages problem solving skills. Plus, it’s easy to set up – just lay out your noodles over the bowl with the yeti on top and get ready for some good old fashioned fun.
Bring your family together with this exciting board game that will provide hours of laughter and competition. Check out Yeti In My Spaghetti today – it’s super fun for everyone in the family!
Candy Land
2-4 Players |
Play Time: 30 minutes |
Age: 3+ |
Welcome to Candy Land, the sweetest classic board game on the block! Perfect for your 5 year old, Candy Land features fun card illustrations and delicious destinations that little ones just can’t get enough of.
Do you remember playing this when you were a kid? Now it’s time to introduce a new generation to this favorite beginner game. Let their imaginations run wild as they guide their cute gingerbread man pawn around the path in a race to the castle!
This game is great for kids ages 3 and up – no reading skills required. With colorful cards, delightful scenes, and exciting surprises along the way, your child will be sure to enjoy conquering Candy Land in no time!
Let’s Go Fishin!
1-4 Players |
Play Time: 10 minutes |
Age: 4+ |
Let’s Go Fishin’ is the perfect board game for 5 year olds and beyond! A family favorite that is sure to bring hours of fun and laughter, Let’s Go Fishin’ is the perfect way to sharpen those fine motor skills while developing hand-eye coordination.
Featuring a rotating pond with mouthy fish who are ready and waiting to be caught, this fast-paced game also takes its players on a wild ride as they use mini fishing poles in an attempt to catch the most fish! Plus, as an added bonus, this top-selling classic game comes with Lucky Ducks make-a-match card game too – making it one of THE best board games for youngsters.
So if you’re looking for a fun way to spend time with your little ones, then look no further than Let’s Go Fishin’ – the ultimate friendly family favorite!
Hi Ho! Cherry-O
2-4 Players |
Play Time: 10 minutes |
Age: 3+ |
Hi Ho! Cherry-O is the fun, classic game for kids ages 3 and up. With this children’s board game, little ones will learn counting, addition and other basic math skills while having a blast picking fruit from pretend trees!
Hi Ho! Cherry-O is an amazing way to engage your child in math practice, helping kids hone skills like counting that are essential for kindergarten readiness. Watching your little one count out apples, oranges and cherries off their tree is so much fun. They’ll love filling out their bucket with all this pretend fruit as they work towards being the first one with a full bucket – on their way to winning the game!
Introducing new generations of young minds to this classic board game is a great way to cultivate a sense of nostalgia – while creating plenty of family-friendly entertainment at the same time. So grab your little ones and start counting – because it’s time to pick some fruit with Hi Ho! Cherry-O!
Best Board Games for 5 Year Olds Runner Ups
These didn’t make it to the top spot in my best board games for 5 year olds list, but they were close runner ups!
Scrabble Jr.
2-4 Players |
Play Time: 30 minutes |
Age: 5+ |
Introducing the engaging and fun board game, Scrabble Junior! Designed specifically with kids in mind who are 5 years old and up, Scrabble Junior brings educational value as well as entertainment. The board is easy to play, but jam-packed with options to challenge kids and make it fun. The two-sided gameboard has kids matching letters to form words on one side and building their own words on the other. There are even colorful picture clues for a helping hand. And of course, you can keep track of your score through the character tokens included in the set. This is an excellent way to spark your child’s interest in word games while keeping them entertained—all without having to worry about frustration levels or boredom! With Scrabble Junior, you’re sure to have an afternoon or evening (or even weekend!) filled with learning and laughter—the perfect combination for family time!
Trouble Game
2-4 Players |
Play Time: 45 minutes |
Age: |
Trouble is the perfect board game for five-year-olds and the whole family! Enjoy hours of fun as you race around the board, trying to be the first player to get all your pegs home. With Trouble, you never know what will happen next as a roll of the dice can send you racing around – or even bumping back!
This updated version of Trouble includes two dice — a standard die and a symbol die. Unlike regular games, this symbol die does more than just move you around — it also gives players a power boost for faster play. If you land on a shield symbol, then you’ll have total protection against being bumped back in the game!
Everyone loves the excitement of Trouble and its iconic Pop-o-Matic bubble. The easy press action helps keep those dice from getting lost and makes every turn exciting. It’s also helpful that at nearly every age level, everyone can play! Get Trouble today and find out why it’s one of the best board games ever invented.
Don’t Break The Ice!
2-4 Players |
Play Time: 20 minutes |
Age: 3+ |
Hey there family gamers! Looking for something fun that both kids and adults can play together? Look no further than Don’t Break the Ice! Perfect for 5 year olds (and up!) this classic board game is a great way for the whole family to have some fun.
The goal of Don’t Break the Ice is simple: tap out the ice blocks one by one, while keeping Phillip the Penguin from going ‘Ker-plop’! As more and more blocks start falling, you’ll need skill and strategy to win. Play 1-on-1 or with a team of two, who can keep Phillip safe from becoming an icy mess?
Don’t Break The Ice! is full of heart-pounding tension as time starts running out. You’ll be holding your breath until the end! So come on family gamers – let’s get ready to make some waves in your neighborhood and break (or try not to) some ice!
Disney: Eye Found It!
1-6 Players |
Play Time: 30 minutes |
Age: 4+ |
Welcome to the amazing and magical world of Disney: Eye Found It! The ultimate family game for 5 year olds and up. Gather your friends and family and join Mickey Mouse and the magical cast of Disney characters for a race you won’t soon forget. With a colorful, six-foot long game board overflowing with whimsical artwork, this game will become your favorite go-to activity!
Explore twelve astonishingly illustrated realms, including Radiator Springs, Alice’s Wonderland, Peter Pan’s Never Land, and Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood — as you work together to discover hidden treasures. Keep an eye out for the iconic Disney objects throughout the game — you’ll want to be the first one to exclaim “I found it!”
On top of being endlessly entertaining — Disney: Eye Found It! Promotes cooperation and teamwork, strengthens observation skills, heightens attention to detail, reinforces object identification and matching skills. What more could one ask from a board game? We promise this will become one of your favorites in no time at all! So make sure to get your copy today!
Pop Up Pirate!
2-4 Players |
Play Time: 20 minutes |
Age: 3+ |
Pop Up Pirate is one of the coolest, most exciting children’s game you’ve ever seen! Is your five-year-old in search of a fun, family game that will really make them jump? Look no further! Pop Up Pirate is bursting with fun and excitement – taking turns sliding the colorful swords into the barrel is suspenseful and thrilling. But be careful when it’s your turn; one wrong move and… watch out! The pirate leaps out of the barrel with a wild POP and your kid will be knocked out of the game until next time. Kids love this popping action so much, they won’t mind if their turn ends just a bit earlier than expected.
Pop Up Pirate also has another great feature built in – since the slot that will make the pirate pop changes every time you play, there’s plenty of replay value here. That means hours of unlimited entertainment for your entire family again and again. Don’t miss out on this unique board game experience – grab Pop Up Pirate today!
Elefun
2-4 Players |
Play Time: 10 minutes |
Age: 3+ |
Get your 5 year old excited and having fun with Elefun! This best-selling board game is perfect for those looking for active, energetic play. As the motorized Elefun elephant begins the game with a trumpet call and music throughout, kids will have tons of laughs as they use their butterfly nets to chase around colorful butterflies that fly out of its long trunk. With 20 butterflies included, kids can run in every direction, competing to get the most butterflies and win the round! Get up and get silly as you watch your little ones join Elefun on this butterfly chasing adventure. With its festive music and sounds, Elefun will bring hours of imaginative playtime for children of all ages!
Best Board Games for 5 Year Olds Under $25
If you’ve got around $25 to spend then these games are really good options to get!
Zingo!
2-8 Players |
Play Time: 5 minutes |
Age: 4+ |
Looking for the perfect game to help improve your 5-year-old’s language and matching skills? Look no further than Zingo! This exciting game is designed to make learning fun, as it takes young players on a captivating journey that builds critical skills in a fast-paced and enjoyable way.
For parents and educators alike, Zingo offers clear instructions to get playing in no time. Perfect for pre-readers and early readers, Zingo puts an entertaining spin on education while teaching children to recognize regularly occurring words. The high quality pieces are made to last and make it easy to focus on playing without worrying about durability. Plus, with its great visuals and fast paced action, children will find it hard not to keep coming back to this truly engaging experience!
From classrooms to homes all around the world, families are discovering the power of words with the help of Zingo! Get ready for a fun filled adventure with this highly entertaining game – because learning just got more interesting!
The Floor Is Lava!
2-6 Players |
Age: 5+ |
Step right into the action with The Floor is Lava!, one of the best board games for 5 year olds! Kids and adults alike can use their active imaginations, embrace physical activity, and have lots of fun while spinning the color wheel to jump onto foam pieces in order to reach safety. Perfect for a party or sleepover, these cushioned, durable, slip-resistant foam stepping stones are ready for all ages – and skill levels. Challenge your agility as you leap from stone to stone, improving strength and balance along the way! Plus, anyone can get involved in this quick and easy game since it’s designed for fun no matter your age or gender. Step out of your comfort zone today with The Floor is Lava! And get ready for some really cool fun.
Perfection Plus! Duel Mode
1-2 Players |
Age: 5+ |
Perfection Plus! Duel Mode is one of the best board games for 5 year olds! Challenge your kids to a friendly race in this fast-paced puzzle game. In Duel mode, two kids can compete against each other to see who can fit the most pieces into the tray before the timer runs out. It also comes with 50 pieces—25 red and 25 yellow shapes—so kids have even more options to play with.
Set up is easy and storage is even easier: keep one set of pieces in the game unit, and store what’s left in the shapes box! For 1 or more players aged 5 and up, Perfection Plus! Duel Mode offers double the fun for hours of shape-popping gameplay. Beat the clock to win—it’s sure to be an adventure every time you play!
The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game
2-4 Players |
Play Time: 15 minutes |
Age: 3+ |
Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game is a great board game for 5 year olds! This exciting game provides an engaging way to develop key early learning skills, such as matching, color learning, fine motor skills, and strategic thinking. With easy set up and no reading required, this game will have your little squirrels ready for a fun-filled adventure in no time.
Each turn calls for players to spin the spinner and pick up the matching acorn with their Squirrel Squeezer before placing it in their log. The first player to collect all five colors of acorns wins – but watch out! The spinner could spin “lose an acorn” or “steal an acorn”, so be strategic while scurrying around. Not to mention the box doubles as both a game board and storage, so when you’re done creating memories around the table you can easily store away this keepsake until next time.
Get your family and friends together for some sneaky fun! With the Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game your kiddos will have hours of excitement as they build important social emotional skills such as taking turns, sharing and winning (or losing!) gracefully. Plus, with all this sneaky snacking fun come valuable building blocks that are sure to last a lifetime!
Pretty Pretty Princess
2-4 Players |
Play Time: 20 minutes |
Age: 5+ |
Pretty Pretty Princess is the perfect board game for five year olds that’s sure to bring some serious fun! Give your little ones a chance to explore their imaginations with imaginative dress-up play. Each player takes turns spinning the spinner and moves in clockwise order around the gameboard, on a quest to collect a complete set of vibrant and sparkly jewelry pieces. But watch out for the black RING – once you get it, you’re stuck with it UNLESS another player lands on that space! Be the first one who completes their collection plus snags the crown, and you’ll be deemed victorious! So what are you waiting for? Get this playful board game now and be amazed at how your little girl puts on their royal show!
Pass The Potato
2-6+ Players |
Age: 4+ |
Pass The Potato is a hilariously interactive board game that gets your kids up and moving with lots of laughs! Perfect for kids ages 5+, this fun-filled game is full of spudtastic sound FX and puns that the whole family can enjoy.
Pass The Potato is easy to learn – simply pass a potato around while the music plays faster and faster. Don’t get stuck with the potato when it “explodes”! With its smart sensors, this potato recognizes when you toss, shake or tap it. Enjoy silly phrases like “Smashed Potato” and “Tater Tots” as you play!
Play with two to six people, or more! Get everyone in on all the fun and laughter as they laugh their way through our classic game. Pass The Potato even has a special surprise – Potato Tornado! Shake up the spud for some extra tater time fun.
Gather your family for active play filled with loads of laughs – only with Pass The Potato! Try it today for some good, old-fashioned; family fun at home.
Honeybee Tree
2-4 Players |
Play Time: 20 minutes |
Age: 5+ |
IHoneybee Tree is a perfect board game for 5 year olds who love having fun with their friends. With strategically placed leaves, players must find the best way to remove the leaves without waking all the sleeping bees – the player with the least number of bees in their tray wins!
Each turn is an exciting challenge that requires patience and smart thinking to keep all those busy bees safe. It’s a great way for your little ones to learn hand-eye coordination, strategic thinking, and dexterity while also bonding with their peers or siblings. Plus, it’s a real buzz when they finally make it through round after round and release only a few sleepy bees into their tray!
Break away from screens and have some family time around the table with the Honeybee Tree. It’s sweet fun at its best!
Frequent Asked Questions
Here are a few of the most common questions that have been asked.
What is the best board game for 5 year olds?
Well, that’s pretty much exactly what this post is about and I’d consider all the games I mentioned to be what you are looking for. If I could only pick one, then it would have to be Outfoxed.
Can a 5 year old play Operation?
On all the boxes I’ve seen for Operation they have all said 6+ for the age. On average a 5 year old doesn’t quite have the fine motor skills to be able to play the game of Operation. It’s possible that there is a “younger kid’s version” of Operation that 5 year olds can play, but I don’t know of one. However, there is no hard rule that says a 5 year old can’t join in on the fun if you’ve already got the game! I say let ’em play if they want, but you may want to wait until they are a year older before you go out and buy the game.
What are games for 7 year olds?
Typically most 7 year olds will enjoy the majority of these games on my list, but some of the highlights would be: Orangutwang, Honeybee Tree, Pass the Potato, and Shark Bite.
Conclusion
Playing a few board games with your children is a good and fun way to spend some quality time bonding! I hope my list of the best board games for 5 year olds has helped you with some ideas you can enjoy with your family! I guarantee that if you play these games with your 5 year old there will be lots of Board Game Smiles!
Check out some of my other posts!
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The 20 Best Board Games for 6 Players