There are thousands of different board games for kids for sale in toy stores and online, so finding the right one for your child can be challenging. Most games are too complicated for young children to follow, and many have small, fiddly parts which can be dangerous for toddlers. At the age of around 2 years old, most children can start to follow the rules of simple games. Here, we have chosen a selection of easier board types which are ideal for two year old boys and girls to learn to play with their parents.
10 Awesome Board Games for Toddlers Aged 2
Here we have 10 different types of board games that are all slightly different, some educational and others more playful, but one thing they all have in common is an educational aspect to them.
1. Lucky Ducks Game
The Lucky Ducks matching game is ideal for helping children improve their memory and concentration skills. The format of the game is simple enough for young children to pick up quickly. There are 12 ducks, with four different colored shapes printed underneath. The object of the game is to find all three matching ducks before the other players. To add to the fun and the challenge, the ducks move around at the touch of a button!
The educational board game can be used to help children learn the names of shapes and colors, as well as helping develop matching skills. The game is easy for little ones, as the ducks are easy to grab compared with other memory matching games which often use cards instead. Over 10 million copies of this game have been sold – so it’s tried and tested and loved by parents and children alike!
2. Orchard Toys Dotty Dinosaurs
Dotty Dinosaurs is a great preschool board game which helps children learn to recognize and match shapes and colors. Two games can be played with the set, which gives even more opportunities for fun learning. On one side of the dinosaur game cards are a range of different shapes. Players have to match all their shapes in the same color. On the other side are different colored circles which have to be correctly matched too.
The Dotty Dinosaur game is suggested for children over the age of three years, but we feel it would be great for two year olds as well. It’s never too early to start getting children used to learning shapes and colors, and this is a great place to start! The game requires players to take turns rolling dice in a shaker – but parents can help out with this if necessary.
This is one of the best games for older toddlers, as it can teach children so many important skills. It can help with manual dexterity, as well as matching and observation skills. Children also learn how to play along with others and take turns with this game. And, virtually all preschoolers love dinosaurs which is an added bonus!
3. Seek-a-Boo Game by MindWare
The seek-a-boo game is a fun way to get children learning, practicing memory and vocabulary skills. There are 6 categories each with brightly colored and laminated cards – easy to keep clean with sticky toddlers! They are sure to learn some new words when playing this game, and can learn how items fit together to belong to a wider category.
The aim of the game is to try and match concepts, it starts with toddlers matching items with appropriate labels, colors and pictures. It’s a simple concept, but lots of fun for younger children! Parents can also join in with their toddler with this game. Simply follow the parent instructions and get the most out of the game whilst enjoying play time together.
4. Orchard Games New Baby Lotto
The New Baby Lotto game is ideal for toddlers who are expecting a new baby sibling. It is fun for parents and children to enjoy together, and it’s a great way to help your child understand how things might be different when their brother or sister is born. Between two and four players can play the game, and it is ideal for children aged 2 years old and above.
Orchard games are great for preschoolers. They are always made with high quality pieces which can stand up to some rough handling by young children and they are educational. This game is ideal for helping children talk about the things a new baby might need. Parents can also use the game as a tool to help new siblings learn which tasks they can help with when the baby is born.
The object of the game is to find the cards which match all the pictures on your game card. It is simple enough for two year olds to understand, and is a great way to develop language skills. Overall, this would make a great first board game for young children.
5. Crazy Toaster Game
Little Tikes Crazy Toaster is a fun family board game for everyone to enjoy together. Parents or older siblings will love joining in with their children, and children can play without help when they get a little older. The game is recommended for children over the age of 4, but with help it can be fun and exciting for younger children too.
The object of Crazy Toaster is to load up the toaster with the bread, then try and catch as many as possible using your pan. Players then have to match their sandwiches to their place mats – but if they catch the smelly fish they have to give up one they’ve already matched! This is a great game for active kids who don’t enjoy sitting still to play – they can stand and jump around as they try to catch the most pieces!
This preschool board game includes enough pieces for four players to play together. It is excellent for improving hand-eye coordination skills, and can also help with matching skills. It’s great to help increase vocabulary in younger children, too.
6. Falling Monkey Game
The Tumblin Monkey game is one of the best games for children aged 2. The game involves inserting the sticks through the tree, then dropping the monkeys in the top. Players then take turns to throw the die, then they have to remove one stick which matches the color they have rolled. The object is to try and make as few monkeys fall as possible – the winner is the person who has collected the fewest monkeys once all the sticks have been removed.
This family board game is fun for everyone to play together – toddlers will enjoy playing along with mom and dad or older siblings, whilst older kids can play by themselves. The game will provide years of fun and won’t get boring – no two games are alike! Tumbling Monkeys is great for helping toddlers develop concentration and motor skills. It’s also useful for color matching and recognition, and children can learn how to count when adding up how many monkeys they have collected.
7. Count Your Chickens Cooperative Board Game
Cooperative board games are one of the best types for toddlers, as everyone must work together and there is no one winner or loser. This one involves spinning a spinning and moving around the board to round up baby chicks and get them back into the chicken coop! The game is ideal for 2-4 players, and is suggested for children over 3. Two year olds can also enjoy the game if parents join in – it’s great for helping them learn how to play a game as well as improving counting skills.
The Peaceable Kingdom make great cooperative games for children, which are ideal for helping social skills and even emotional development. Because everyone works together, game-play is not stressful, which is beneficial for toddlers. The game is ideal for preschool aged children, as there is no reading involved, simply matching pictures.
8. Zobmondo The Ladybug Game
The Ladybug game is great for helping 2 year olds learn how to count, as well as basic math skills. The cute design is sure to appeal to young children, and the simple gameplay makes it a great choice for little ones. There is no reading required either, meaning even the youngest players will be able to follow the game.
This is one of the best board games for 2 year olds as it is both educational and fun, and also simple to follow. After playing for a while, children might even be able to play with friends, without the help of mom or dad. So, the game will keep children amused for many years as they learn more and become able to play independently. The game is suitable for 2 – 4 players, and there is no die involved, so it’s ideal for toddlers who haven’t yet mastered how to use one!
9. Eye Found It Busytown
The Busytown Game is great for toddlers who love problem solving. The game is great for encouraging teamwork and playing cooperatively with others. It is also perfect to help promote object identification and matching skills, as well as improving focus and concentration. The game is ideal for playing on the floor, as the board measures over 6 foot long. There are hundreds of mysteries to solve, meaning toddlers will never get bored from playing this game.
Eye Found It is a cooperative game, meaning players work together to achieve their goals. This is ideal for younger children as they won’t have a meltdown about losing and instead every gets to celebrate together! The game is also ideal for helping toddlers improve their vocabulary and learn some new words as they talk about what they can see.
10. Pop Up Pirate
This classic game Pop Up Pirate is a must have for any young child! It’s recommended for children over the age of 4, but we feel it is great fun for everyone. The pirate is placed inside the barrel then players take turns inserting a sword into one of the slots. The player who makes the pirate pop out loses, but you never know when he’s going to pop! It’s a great, fun family board game which is sure to get everyone excited! The Tomy game is ideal for between two and four players.
It is one of the best games for 2 year olds because there is no skill required, and kids don’t have to know how to read to be able to play. All that’s needed is a bit of hand-eye coordination. Slightly older kids will be able to play the game with their friends without the assistance of parents – it is sure to provide years of entertainment. Parents will love the Pop Up Pirate game too – there are no batteries required! The game can help children learn the names of colors, and can be used to help counting skills too.
Considerations When Choosing Board Games for 2 Year Olds
Childrens board games vary a lot, so it’s important to choose the right one for your toddler. Pay attention to the age range suggested on the box, although as we’ve discussed above sometimes kids can use a game earlier with a bit of help from parents. Make sure the game is simple enough for young children to follow, otherwise they will get impatient trying to learn.
Educational games are best for toddlers, so they can learn and develop new skills whilst having fun with friends and family at the same time.
What are the Benefits of Games for Children aged 2?
Playing games has a lot of benefits for toddlers and young children. Each game offers different learning opportunities. Games help children learn about taking turns and interacting with others. They can also practice being patient, concentrating and focusing as well as physical skills such as hand-eye coordination.
Many games designed for preschoolers help with counting skills, color and shape recognition and language development. In fact, games are often used for children with additional learning needs to help advance speech. Games are also a great way for parents and children to spend quality time together, especially on days when it’s too wet to go out and about. Children of all ages benefit from playing face to face with others, away from screens and technology – a fun family game is a perfect way to do this!
Board games are ideal for giving toddlers the chance to sit down and play quietly. As a parent, you probably know that toddlers have endless energy and struggle to sit still. So, playing board games with them is a great way to help them learn to sit down and focus on a task.
Best Board Game for 2 Year Olds – Our Pick
There are loads of great board games for kids but the one which stands out as being the best for 2 year old toddlers is Dotty Dinosaurs. This game is simple enough for kids aged 2 to learn and understand, and it can help teach them loads! Orchard Toys make some great toddler games, each made from high-quality pieces – you can choose any Orchard game and be sure it will be perfect for your toddler.
We really do love this game!
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Top Pick
I was looking for a game more educational than snakes and ladders!!
Found it in this Dino game..