· FitFab Momma · Activities · 4 min read
The Fit Fab Mom Holiday Guide: Best Board Games for Little Players (Ages 3-6)
In our house, board games are a huge deal. We play them almost every single day.
It’s not just a way to pass the time; it’s a core part of our routine. And honestly? It’s a lifesaver. While my kids are just having fun, I know they’re learning. We’re practicing counting, colors, matching, and the all-important skill of not having a meltdown when things don’t go your way.
But finding a game that my 3-year-old loves and my 6 and 9-year-old will still play is a challenge. The 3-year-old’s attention span is short, and the two other are ready for real rules.
This list is the best of the best—our tried-and-true, “Fit Fab Mom” approved games for the 3-6 age group (maybe older) that are actually fun, teach valuable skills, and are perfect for holiday gifting.
Our Family’s “First-Timer” Favorites (Ages 3+)
These are the games we’ve had the most success with for both our 3-year-old and 6-year-old. They are fantastic for initiating little ones into the world of gaming.
- Our Fave: Monopoly Jr. (Bluey Edition)
My 3 girls all love this one. YAY! It uses single-dollar bills(dollarbucks), the rules are super simple, and it captures the fun of Bluey perfectly. A huge thumbs up in our house.
Our Fave: Yahtzee Jr. (Princess)
Another huge winner for my 3-year-old. It’s a great introduction to dice rolling, counting, and matching. The big, chunky dice roller and the Princess theme (or any fun character!) make it an easy “yes” for them.Our Fave: Croque Carotte (Funny Bunny)
This one is pure fun. It’s a race to the top of the hill, but you have to watch out for the traps! My daughter laughs every single time a bunny falls in a hole. It’s fantastic for teaching turn-taking and just having a silly, good time.
The “No-Meltdown” Cooperative Games (Our Sanity Savers!)
My personal favorites are cooperative games. This means all the players work together as a team against the game. If you win, you win together. If you lose, you lose together. It’s the #1 way to avoid “I lost!” drama.
Any Game by HABA
Honestly, all HABA games are winners for this age. They are beautifully made, use high-quality wooden pieces, and are almost always cooperative. Our personal favorite is The Orchard Game, where you work together to pick fruit before the raven gets it, but you can’t go wrong with any HABA game.
Hoot Owl Hoot!
This is another go-to in our house. All the players work together to get the little owls to their nest before the sun comes up. It’s a wonderful, simple game for teaching colors and teamwork.
Outfoxed!
We love mystery games. Clue is a favorite amongst the older kids. Outfoxed is my top pick for a “my first ‘whodunit’” game. A fox has stolen a pot pie, and you have to work together to find clues and catch the guilty fox before he escapes. It’s super engaging, the clues are given in a clever and fun way. It makes kids feel like real detectives!
The “Get Ready to Giggle” Game (Ages 4+)
Greedy Granny (or “Don’t Wake Up Granny!“)
This game is all about silly suspense. You take turns trying to steal treats from Granny’s tray while she snoozes. But watch out—you never know when she’ll wake up and send her teeth flying!My Mom Hack: The game is fun, but the real magic is the drama. When she wakes up, I make a huge deal of it. “Oh my god! Her teeth almost hit my nose! Ohhh nooo!!! She got us!!! Ahhhh granny… sleep granny. We won’t take any more of your cookies… shhhhhh.” My 3-year-old finds it absolutely hilarious, and the giggles are 100% the point.
A board game is more than just a gift; it’s an invitation to connect. It’s a way to put the phones down, sit on the floor, and just be together.
Stay tuned for my next post: The “Big Kid” Holiday Gift Guide for ages 6-9!
