"We played Monopoly for three hours on Saturday and they didn't get tired." Nothing teaches like board games. They're fun, social, calm, and contain more maths per minute than any other child activity. Counting, probability, strategy, money — all sneaked into something that doesn't feel like school.
This article lists our favourite board games sorted by age and what they train. At Kluriko we see board games as the perfect complement to the Learning Games — screen games + board games = good balance.
For 3–5-year-olds
1. Dice-counting games
Classic "first board games". They roll a die, move that many steps. Train:
- Counting to 6
- Number recognition
- Turn-taking
Examples: Hi Ho Cherry-O, Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders.
2. Memory
Matching pairs. Trains:
- Visual memory
- Classification
- Turn-taking
3. Colour games
They move to the next square matching the colour shown. Trains:
- Colour recognition
- Turn-taking
Examples: Junior Pictionary, Mole Hill Mystery.
4. Jigsaw puzzles
Not board games but great geometry trainers.
For 5–7-year-olds
5. Dice addition games
Two dice. They add. Trains:
- Addition under 12
- Quick mental maths
Examples: Yatzy Junior, Zooloretto Junior.
6. Counting tower
They build a tower to 20. Each turn adds. Trains:
- Number range to 20
- Strategy
Examples: Carcassonne Junior.
7. Probability with dice
They learn certain numbers are commoner than others. Trains:
- Number sense
- Probability (intuitively)
Examples: Catan Junior, Risk Junior.
8. Math-strategy games
They think a step ahead. Trains:
- Planning
- Subtraction
- Strategy
Examples: Yahtzee, Bohnanza Junior.
For 7–10-year-olds
9. Monopoly Junior
Money, counting, strategy. Trains:
- Addition and subtraction under 100
- Money
- Strategy
10. Chess
Chess is the deepest board game. Trains:
- Spatial sense
- Planning 3-5 moves ahead
- Logic
- Pattern recognition
Start with "No Queens" or "Just Pawns and King" beginner versions.
11. UNO
Not a board game, but related. Trains:
- Colour and number
- Matching
- Strategy
12. Yahtzee
Classic. Trains:
- Probability
- Addition
- Strategy
13. Phase 10
Card game. Trains:
- Counting
- Sorting
- Strategy
For 8–12-year-olds
14. Settlers of Catan
Strategy classic. Trains:
- Probability
- Resources
- Negotiation
- Multiplication (counting resources)
15. Carcassonne
Tile placement. Trains:
- Geometry
- Strategy
- Planning
16. Ticket to Ride
Train game. Trains:
- Geography
- Counting
- Strategy
17. Splendor
Resource management. Trains:
- Counting
- Strategy
- Efficiency
What board games give that digital games can't
Face-to-face time. With you, with family. The screen doesn't give this.
Slowness. No instant feedback. They have time to think.
Turn-taking. They learn to wait. Incredibly valuable.
Loss and win. They learn to handle both in a safe environment.
Discussion. "Why did you do that?" They explain their strategy.
How often?
Twice a week is ideal. Not every evening — burnout. Not never — you miss the value.
45-60 min per session is right. Long enough for depth, not so long that everyone tires.
When they never win
Common cause of reluctance: they always lose.
Strategies:
- Play team games — them and you vs family.
- They get a handicap — extra points at start.
- They pick the game — pick something they're good at.
- You remove the win-focus — "we play because it's fun".
When they get obsessed
Sometimes they get obsessed with a game. Play daily. OK! It's good. They train more than 30 minutes of maths per session, some days. Incredible for their development.
Where to buy?
Game shops have the widest selection.
Big book shops have basic games.
Second-hand is often cheapest. Marketplace, charity shops.
Libraries lend games! Many libraries have game shelves.
Investment vs experience
A good board game costs 300-700 kr. Used over 5-10 years, 50-200 times. Do the math: 2-15 kr per session. One of the best investments you can make.
How Kluriko helps
Kluriko Learning Games train maths digitally — but board games give the physical, social dimension. They complement each other. 15 min Kluriko + 60 min board game per week = strong maths build-up.