Games We Love Playing with Our Five Year Old

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There's something about this age that makes me want to soak up every minute with her. Five is so fun — she gets the rules, she's competitive, she's funny about it. Sitting down to play a game together has become one of my favorite ways to just be with her, especially with a newborn and toddler also demanding every ounce of my attention. It doesn't have to be a whole production. Just a game on the kitchen table and some time that's just ours.

Here's what we've been loving lately.

Pass the Pigs — You roll two tiny rubber pigs and score points based on how they land. It sounds silly and it is, but it's also genuinely hilarious and she asks for it constantly. Small enough to throw in a bag, quick enough to play before bed. Simple enough to just start playing.

Farkle — A dice game that's simple to pick up but has just enough strategy to keep everyone on their toes. Our five year old loves deciding whether to push her luck or bank her points — that little moment of suspense is everything.

Trash (the card game) — Fast, easy to learn, and impossible to play just once. You're filling your layout from King down to Ace and the rounds move quickly enough that little ones stay engaged the whole time. This one has kept us at the table way longer than we planned on more than one occasion and it's a great way for your child to learn counting.

Puzzles — Technically not a game, but it counts. There's something about a puzzle that slows everyone down in the best way — no turns, no winners, just sitting together and figuring it out. Our five year old will stick with a puzzle longer than almost anything else and honestly, so will I.

If you have a five year old and you're looking for something to do together that isn't a screen, any of these are worth it. Would love to hear what your family is playing right now — drop it in the comments!

xo

Kelsey