Six Educational Games for Preschoolers

Family enjoying board game in Spartanburg, SCEarly learning, including head start programs and other educational initiatives, has a dramatic impact on a child’s overall cognitive development. One of the primary ways this learning takes place is through play. That’s why it’s our mission to provide caregivers with resources to promote early learning. Parents can support this development by selecting fun, age-appropriate games with educational value. These are six of the best educational games for preschoolers and kids starting kindergarten.

1. Uno

Even kids as young as four can master this classic card game. Uno helps children learn skills like paying attention and recognizing patterns, letters, and numbers. Kids who are already adept at those early learning skills will benefit from the logic involved in determining which card to play.

2. Max

This cooperative game is designed to help those of different ages and abilities work together toward a common goal. Appropriate for children ages four and up, Max requires players to plan and execute strategies to help small woodland creatures find their way home before Max the cat finds them. Key skills include cooperation, consultation, and decision-making.

3. Bingo

Another adaptable early learning classic, Bingo can incorporate letters and numbers or drawings and designs depending on the skill level of the players. Little ones will sharpen their listening skills, attention spans, memory, and ability to visualize. Daycare teachers will love this game since it can be easily adapted to different class sizes and kids of mixed abilities.

4. Richard Scarry’s Busytown: Eye Found It Game

Kids as young as three will love this colorful matching game with familiar characters from Richard Scarry’s classic storybooks. This game supports attention to detail, object identification, matching skills, and teamwork—all important skills for kindergarten and beyond. The various settings, including city streets, a farm, and a busy harbor, will keep children interested.

5. Where Is Sock Monkey?

With this fun game, one child hides the sock monkey and the others must use clues and deductive skills to find its location in the house. The question cards feature both words and pictures, allowing kids to practice early literature skills such as decoding and listening, asking questions, following directions, and making decisions based on evidence.

6. Harvest Time

This cooperative game for children ages three through seven requires players to work together to complete the harvest before cold weather arrives. This is an ideal game for mixed groups since the rules can be adjusted to be easier or harder depending on the skill levels of the players. Kids will quickly realize that for players to win the game, they have to support one another.

Parents can make early learning fun by picking up these educational games for preschoolers. Explore more ideas in our online resources!