Parent-Tested Board Games for 6 Year Olds (That Kids Want to Play)

The best board games for 6 year olds were the ones that actually got my son off the couch and excited to play with us, without begging for screen time.

At this age, we were trying to balance fun with focus. He still wanted silly surprises and quick wins, but he was also finally ready for games with a little more strategy and structure.

Some nights were a total flop, others turned into laugh-out-loud marathons we kept coming back to.

This list includes the board games that worked best for us, plus a few others that came up again and again when I asked friends what their kids loved. If you’re looking for something your 6 year old can enjoy now, and still grow into, these have been the biggest hits.

Collage of the best board games for 6 year olds, including Ticket to Ride Jr., Guess in 10, Monopoly Junior, and Scrabble Junior.

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Board Games for Six Year Olds That Are Fun

At this age, we found that the games that looked fun didn’t always hold his attention.

What worked best were ones with quick turns, easy-to-follow rules, and just enough challenge to keep him thinking, but not frustrated.

Some of these made him laugh out loud, others gave him a real sense of winning by figuring something out. That mix made all the difference.

Scrabble Junior

This was one of the first educational board games where my son felt like he was “doing real words.” The board has two sides, one for matching letters and one for building words, so we started with the easier side and grew into the other. It’s surprisingly fun to watch your kid light up when they realize they just spelled something on their own. We still pull this out for low-key learning days.

Ticket to Ride First Journey

If your kid loves maps, trains, or pretending to go on adventures, this one’s a win. The rules are much simpler than the original game, but it still feels like a big-kid strategy game. My son got a kick out of planning routes and connecting cities, and we liked that the games stayed under 30 minutes.

5 Second Rule Jr.

This fun family board game is loud, fast, and always ends in laughter (and sometimes shouting). My son loves the pressure of the five-second timer, even when he blurts out the silliest answers. It’s great for vocabulary, but honestly we play it just for the fun of seeing who can think on their feet the fastest. Best played when everyone’s a little hyper.

Hasbro Gaming Sorry!

We got the Disney Villains version for a twist on the classic, and it quickly turned into a go-to weekend game. It’s easy to learn and gives kids a real sense of competition. My son definitely learned the joy of sending someone back to start, and the frustration of it happening to him. Good practice for handling wins and losses.

This is one of the best Christmas gifts for 6 year old girls.

Pictureka!

This one is perfect when my son’s full of energy but still wants to play a game. It moves fast, keeps him scanning the board nonstop, and gives that little burst of excitement when he finds the right image first. It’s chaotic in the best way, and great for building focus without needing to sit still for long. We usually play a few quick rounds back-to-back before switching gears.

The Genius Square

My son treats this like a puzzle race—he rolls the dice, sets the blockers, and then challenges me to see who can finish first. It’s one of the few games that keeps him focused all the way through without needing reminders. The tactile pieces and quick rounds make it feel like play, but there’s a lot of quiet problem-solving going on too.

Kids Create Absurdity

This quickly became a favorite for pure silliness. The combos kids come up with are wild, and my son laughs harder with each round. It’s great for creative thinking, but we mostly play it when we just want to be goofy together. Think of it like a younger, more family-friendly version of a party game for adults.

CATAN Junior

We brought this out when my son wanted to play the “grown-up” version of games we played. It introduces some light strategy, trading, building, managing resources, but in a way that’s easy to grasp. The pirate theme helped too. He didn’t need much help after the first game, and it’s one we keep coming back to for family nights.

Guess in 10 Animal Planet

This one’s great for car rides or quiet time. My son loves being the one to know the animal and watch me guess wrong. It helped him think more about how animals are different and what clues to give without giving too much away. Fun, simple, and educational without trying too hard.

Monopoly Junior

We hesitated with Monopoly because it felt too long, but this version is much faster and less frustrating. The smaller board, simple math, and bright properties kept him engaged. He especially liked collecting money and getting to act like the banker (until it was time to count change). It’s a nice intro to basic money concepts without the usual Monopoly drama.

Beat The Parents

This game brings out the competitive side, in a fun way. My son loves the idea of trying to beat us with “kid questions,” and we like that the trivia is genuinely engaging on both sides. It turns into a bit of a showdown, but the back-and-forth keeps everyone involved. It's one of the few games where we all feel equally challenged.

Cards Vs Reality Party Card Game

We save this one for weekends when everyone’s in a silly mood. The prompts get a lot of laughs, especially when my son throws out a totally unexpected combo. It’s more of a casual card game than a structured board game, but it works well for family gatherings when you just want something lighthearted and quick.

Connect 4 Spider-Man Edition

This version of Connect 4 has been a hit just because it’s Spider-Man. Same classic gameplay, but the character-themed pieces made it feel like a brand-new game to my son. It’s great for teaching strategy and planning ahead, but the superhero twist is what keeps him reaching for it over and over.

Operation Game: Star Wars The Mandalorian Edition

The mix of Star Wars and the old-school Operation setup was an instant win. My son loved “fixing” Baby Yoda, and we used it as a sneaky way to work on fine motor skills. He gets totally focused trying not to trigger the buzzer, and it’s one of the rare games that’s quiet and intense.

Related: Perfect to play on Star Wars Day

Train of Thought

This one ended up being more thoughtful than I expected. The questions lead to real conversations, sometimes silly, sometimes surprisingly deep. We don’t always follow the official rules, but we use the cards to spark talks during dinner or bedtime. It’s a nice way to connect when the day’s been hectic.

Related: Older children will love these best board game for 7 year olds

Qwirkle Board Game

This is our go-to when we want something calm but still competitive. The matching colors and shapes make it easy to learn, but it still gets your brain working. My son likes figuring out how to get the highest score, and I like that it doesn’t rely on reading, just focus and planning. We’ve played this one with grandparents too, and it works across ages really well.

Related: Free printable memory games

The Floor is Lava

This one gets everyone moving. We clear a bit of space, toss down the “safe zones,” and suddenly the living room becomes a full-on obstacle course. It’s not your typical sit-down game, but it’s great when the kids are restless. No one’s sitting still, and it’s a fun way to burn off energy before dinner or bedtime.

Last Updated on 11 July 2025 by Clare Brown

Board Games for Six Year Olds That Are Fun

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