We’ve previously talked around here about our favorite Disney themed board games. Those are all still good choices, but I realize not everyone loves Disney as much as our family. We forgive you, and still like you. For the most part.
For the third day of our “12 Days of Gift Guides” series, we’ve rounded up the best board games for the whole family —
Preschool-friendly (but not oppressively boring)
Hi Ho Cherry-O – One of my favorite games growing up, I have thoroughly enjoyed this as one of each of my kids’ “first games”. It helps with one-to-one counting as well as teaching the littlest family members how to play games in general (taking turns, following instructions, etc).
The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game – We don’t have this one, but I have looked into it this year as an alternative recommendation to Hi Ho Cherry-O. I still have to include the former for nostalgia and quality game play, but this is an incredible little game, too. With a similar premise to Hi Ho Cherry-O, it also helps teach a few small strategic moves, color recognition, and manual dexterity (as you pick up the acorns with your “Squirrel Squeezer” tweezer tool).
Candy Land – Both Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders have come out with branded versions such as Disney Princess, Spiderman, etc but I’m a sucker for the old, classic games. My kids have loved this one as much as I always did, and we enjoy playing it with them!
Chutes and Ladders – Chutes and Ladders is another classic favorite that you probably played growing up, too! It’s just as entertaining for today’s kids, and I love that it still includes reinforcement of good choices and the possible consequences of poor choices 
Go Fish! – Unlike the last two, I’m not convinced there is a “definitive version” of Go Fish! Pick one, play it with your kids, and have fun. Or, you could always buy this Bicycle six-pack of classic card games for kids, and introduce them to two of my other childhood favorites: Old Maid and Crazy 8’s!
Connect Four – My son lovingly refers to this as “the coin game”, and mostly enjoys creating patterns with the tokens before watching them crash to the ground. This is still good learning in my opinion, and as preschoolers get bigger they can actually learn how to play, too. (And now, children of the 80s/90s, I apologize if you have, “Go for it – Connect Four!” in your head…)
Shopping Cart Dash – Pick your shopping list and try to be the first to fill your cart and purchase the correct items. My mom picked this up for my kids several years ago, and though I’ve never seen it in stores around us it has long been a favorite in our house. It’s very straightforward so young kids can play, but just unique enough that my bigger kids really enjoy it still, too.
Where is Sock Monkey? – Another gem found by my mother, my kids got this as a gift to play at her house but it came home with us almost immediately. We have played it dozens of times, and it’s still as much fun as the first. “Twenty Questions” type clues and a race against the clock meet hide and seek and an adorable plush sock monkey. I can’t recommend this one highly enough!
Elefun – This was another one of my favorites, and all three of my kids have loved it. The elephant inexplicably sneezes out some butterflies (or now, fireflies, though they look strikingly similar) and kids have to catch them with their nets. It’s one I gave as a gift to several other kids before having mine, and one we pull out and play often. Admittedly, I’m a little relieved they’re big enough to work it themselves while I sit and laugh
at
with them.
Cranium Hullabaloo – This one is ever-so-slightly reminiscent of Twister in the game-play, except that instead of contortion, kids learn vocabulary and direction following skills, and everyone gets a little exercise. It’s a fun game of learning, hopping, spinning, and dancing that my kids have loved for years!
Uno Moo – You’ll learn shortly my love for
all
most things Uno. This was the last edition to our Uno collection, but is one of our favorites. It’s for the preschool set – and it’s absolutely adorable. This was the first game my daughters learned to play by themselves.
Fun for Kids & Adults Alike
Disney Eye Found It – So a few caveats about this game: First, it’s a team quest. For us that’s good, for some it may be less than ideal. Second, it’s nearly freaking impossible to “win”. We have played it a dozen times and won once. That said, trying to get the whole team to finish before Cinderella’s clock strikes midnight is legitimately fun. For Disney fans, the collision of animated worlds on the beautiful, giant game board is reason enough to own it. (also available: Journey Through Time, Dreamworks, and Richard Scarry’s Busytown)
Spot It! – When we first received this game, I marveled at the math that went into making sure every pair of cards, no matter which two were chosen at random, had exactly one matching set of images. I still marvel at that, but it’s while having a really good time playing. We’ve played with kids and adults of all ages; it really is anyone’s game, and everyone has fun. Be the first to spot the matching images, collect the most cards to win! This also makes a really great travel game because it takes up virtually no space. (also available: Alphabet, MLB, On the Road, Animals, and many more)
Pass the Pigs – While we’re talking about travel-friendly games, this one had to be mentioned! I first played Pass the Pigs with a friend in elementary school and was thrilled to come across it again as an adult. Roll the pigs, score based on how they land. A little strategy is involved too, as you decide when to stop and score your points before you “Pig Out” and lose them all!
Clue Though the age recommendations say 8 and up, my girls have enjoyed this one for a year or two. It took a little help to get the concept, but as soon as it clicked it became an instant favorite. They like the mystery angle, the fact that it is just challenging enough to make them feel like it’s a “grown up game”, and that anyone can win!
Uno – I grew up playing Uno like it was my job, and it wasn’t until I was married that I learned we had added extra rules in my family. They made the game better though, and have stuck even into our new, merged families <img src="http://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/72x72/1f609.png" alt="