2 Perfect Board Games to Play with Your 5–7-Year-Old
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Between the ages of 5 and 7, children are full of curiosity, energy, and rapidly developing skills in communication, logic, and empathy. What better way to support all that growth—and build closer bonds—than through a great board game?
Here are two well-loved games that are fun, age-appropriate, and backed by early childhood development research.
🐔 1. Hoot Owl Hoot! (Peaceable Kingdom)
Players: 2–4
Playtime: 15–20 minutes
Best for: Cooperative play, color matching, turn-taking
In this cooperative game, players work together to help owls fly back to the nest before the sun comes up. It teaches kids that winning doesn’t have to mean beating others.
📚 Backed by science: Cooperative play has been linked to increased empathy and emotional regulation, as found in Early Education and Development (Ramani & Brownell, 2014).
✅ Parent tip: Great for siblings and sensitive kids who struggle with losing.
🧀 2. Outfoxed! (Gamewright)
Players: 2–4
Playtime: 20–30 minutes
Best for: Logic, teamwork, memory
Outfoxed! is a “whodunit” style game where players work as a team to solve the mystery of the stolen pot pie. Using deduction and clever clue-checking tools, children sharpen their problem-solving and collaboration.
📚 Why it works: According to a study in Child Neuropsychology (2020), logic-based games improve executive function and working memory in young children.
✅ Parent tip: Kids feel like detectives—without needing to read fluently!
🎯 Final Thoughts
The best games for this age group are the ones that build skills while building relationships. Whether it’s teamwork, emotional growth, or just shared laughter, playing a game together is one of the most powerful ways to stay connected as your child grows.
So dim the lights, clear the table, and let the game night magic begin.