Card and Board Games for Prereaders

This list will be using amazon links for simplicity in sharing, but I highly suggest getting games from thrift stores or small businesses.

Letter/Reading Games

Peaceable Kingdom Alphabet Go Fish
A durable alphabet go fish! It does have both upper and lower case at the top of the cards, but uppercase is more prominently featured. They do make a bingo edition as well, but I have NOT played this one.

ThinkFun Zingo Bingo
I had no interest in this one, but saw it at the thrift store for a few bucks and decided to try it. Honestly I was majorly surprised about how much my kids enjoyed it. I plan on getting the sight word version too!

Number/Math Games

Peaceable Kingdom Hoot Owl Hoot – Cooperative Matching Game For Kids
Tired of Candy Land? Try this one! It’s the same principal (matching colors) but you’re working together to get the owls to their next before the sun comes up.

Educational Insights The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game
This one is NOT cooperative, but is similar to the older Hi-Ho-Cheerio. It’s an adorable concept with the extra bonus of fine motor skills!

Peaceable Kingdom Mermaid Island 
This is one of my kids’ favorite games. It’s simple to learn and entertaining.

Rack-O Jr + Rack-O
You might recognize this one from your childhood! I know I did. I picked both of these up at a thrift store and have been pleasantly surprised by them. The junior edition is colorful and has three different levels of hardness to choose from.

Dominos
Linking a random set here, but I would check thrift stores, dollar tree, or places like Five Below. This is a wonderful game to work on subitizing (knowing how many without counting).

Uno
I personally prefer our “Pride Uno” because you know more rainbows.

Hasbro Gaming Chutes and Ladders
Another classic, but for good reason. It’s a giant 100s board! Best advice for number sense development is to have them count the numbers instead of the dice. If they’re on 73 and need to move three, count 74-75-76

Qwirkle
This is not specifically a kids game, but I absolutely love playing it with my kids. You’ve got shapes, you’ve got counting/addition, and you’ve got a LOT of strategy. They do make a color blind friendly version!

Learning Resources Sum Swamp Game Addition & Subtraction Board Game
This one is more “obvious” about the math involved, but it’s still a fun game.

Rat A Tat Cat Card Game (linking their site)
This is a simple game, but can include a lot of math and strategy. It says 8+ but it does not require reading. My kids have always played it younger.

Sleeping Queens (linking their site)
This is my youngest favorite game to the point that I actually mildly dislike it, but honestly it’s a great game.

Strategy/Critical Thinking

Peaceable Kingdom Race to the Treasure! Cooperative Path Building Game
This one is best for about 5 and up. I legit enjoy playing it with my kiddo! You’re making paths and racing the ogre’s to the end.

Peaceable Kingdom Narwhal Waterfall Cooperative Game
This was intimidating for me because of the unusual board format, but I absolutely loved it! It is a bit “fragile” so I don’t leave it down for the kids to play on their own.

Peaceable Kingdom Dinosaur Escape Cooperative Memory Game
Perfect for your dino kid, but still cooperative!

Outfoxed, A Classic Who Dunnit Game that’s Cooperative
This is another that I genuinely enjoy playing! Think Clue, but cooperative.

ThinkFun Gravity Maze
This one can be a challenging game, but is fun to play cooperatively!

Other

Hasbro Gaming Cootie Mixing and Matching Bug-Building Game
I’ll be honest. This one is NOT my favorite, but I’ve yet to meet a kid who doesn’t enjoy it.

PicassoTiles Magnetic Expression Puzzle
There are a lot of different versions of this one and I have not technically played the PicassoTile version, but the one I have isn’t made anymore! Not only is it fun, but it’s a good way to discuss emotions and facial expressions in a fun way.

Matching Games
Spidey matching game linked because my kiddos love this one, but honestly I recommend any matching game. There is SO MANY skills you can incorporate into this. I wrote a blog article about it here.

Spot it! (linking the bluey version!)
Tons of versions of this one. Pick a version where your child will not struggle to name any of the pictures.

Want a way to keep track of your gameschooling? This is what I’m trying! I made a simple google form linked to a google sheets and then I just fill it in everytime we play games together! Get a copy of mine here and edit it for your own family’s games!