educational games for 3 year old boy

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34 Fun and Creative Games For Three-Year-Olds

October 23, 2023 //  by  Seda Unlucay

By age three, most preschoolers can sort objects by size and can understand longer sentences. They are ready to ride a tricycle, kick a ball, or play catch. They are also able to play simple board games, develop sight word vocabulary, and practice typing skills.

We’ve gathered a list of 34 games, creative activities, painting and drawing ideas, engaging memory puzzles, and fun physical activities you can use to help sharpen their growing literacy and numeracy skills while keeping their energetic bodies moving. Read on and pick out a few to try with your kiddos!

Related Content:

• Games for Kids
• Games for 1-Year-Olds
• Games for 2-Year-Olds
• Games for 4-Year-Olds
• Games for 5-Year-Olds
• Games for 6-Year-Olds
• Games for 7-Year-Olds
• Games for 8-Year-Olds
• Games for 9-Year-Olds
• Games for 10-Year-Olds

1. Count Your Chickens Board Game

Get everyone settled down with a counting board game! Count Your Chickens is a classic board game that challenges your young learners to gather all their chickens into a coop. What a fun way to teach counting and cooperation skills!

Learn more: Amazon

2. Play Follow The Leader

Follow the leader is a classic game that’ll teach your kiddos many skills including following directions, sharpening concentration, and developing cooperative skills. It’s also a super way to strengthen physical skills such as speed, balance, agility, and motor coordination.

Learn More: Empowered Parents

3. Make Sparkly Slime

Most of your kids are probably slime and glitter-obsessed, so why not combine the two with a simple recipe? You can help them jazz up their slime by letting them add magical unicorns, trucks, or any toys of their choice for hours of fun playtime!

Learn More: See Vanessa Craft

4. Make a Lego Table

Although made up of small pieces, LEGO is safe for three-year-olds and provides hours of enjoyable playtime. Playing with LEGO gives your preschoolers a fantastic way to develop their problem-solving and logic skills while expressing their creativity. What will your little builders create?

Learn More: Sunny Day Family

5. Felt Cookie Busy Bag

This activity is inspired by the hilarious children’s book “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” and is sure to have your preschoolers hooked. They’ll have plenty of fun getting creative with patterns and inventing colorful designs for their cookies. You may need to have some real cookies on hand though, as this craft could have them working up a bit of an appetite! 

Learn More: Views From A Step Stool

6. Have Fun With a Fishing Game

Who knew fishing could be educational? This engaging game combines sensory play and fine motor skills and is an easy way to develop your kiddos’ color recognition, counting, and memory skills. They’ll love this water play activity!

Learn More: 7 Days Of Play

7. Matching Bug-Building Game

Your preschoolers will want these Cooties in their classroom! This matching bug-building game challenges your kids to build a Cootie bug, making for hours of creative playtime. They’ll each take turns to spin the spinner which will tell them which color and body part to add to their bug next.

8. Rainbow Counting Game

Bring some color to your math lesson with this sweet game! This bright printable activity will give your kiddos plenty of practice with number recognition, counting, estimating, and simple addition. Grab some cotton balls and dice, and let them have a go!

Learn More: Pickle Bums

9. Make a Jello Dig

It’s time for your kiddies to get their hands dirty! This slimy, squishy, and super fun activity requires nothing more than Jello and some toys or loose parts. You can mix up the jello and add in the toys before leaving it to set. Then it’s for your toddlers to discover! 

Learn More: Busy Toddler

10. Construct a Bubble Pop Road

Build a recycled road! Create this reusable activity by laying out strips of bubble wrap on the floor, using boxes to simulate hills. Then it’s your preschoolers’ turn to test out different cars and trucks and see which ones will pop the bubble wrap!

Learn More: Hands-On As We Grow

11. Counting and Matching Online Game

Grab your preschoolers’ interest with an interactive online game! Letting them play this free educational game provides them with plenty of counting and matching practice that they’ll find super fun! With lots of examples of using ten frames, counting up, and number recognition practice, they’ll soon be experts in all their numbers up to 20!

Learn More: Top Marks

12. Play Peek-A-Boo with Farm Animals

What three-year-old doesn’t love animals? This free farm animal printable makes for a fun game of peek-a-boo! Your preschoolers are sure to love playing hide and seek with their choice of pigs, sheep, cows, or horses, as they practice their cutting and sticking skills!

Learn More: Buggy and Buddy

13. Play a Cooking and Baking Game

Why not let your young learners get creative by helping with easy recipes such as fruit kebabs or decorating cupcakes? It’s a great way to sharpen their cooking skills for later in life as well as being a fun family game. 

Learn More: C oo k Republic

14. Sort Apples and Oranges

Combine your math and healthy eating lessons with this fun sorting activity! It’s a great way to develop math skills such as sorting and counting as well as discussing the concept of same and different. Other items like blueberries, cereal, small crackers, or even items from nature such as pebbles and leaves, will work just as well for this super activity.

Learn More: Carrots Are Orange

15. Develop Geometry Skills With a Fun Learning Game

What better way to learn about shapes than making silly faces? Let your kiddies’ imaginations run wild, combing bananas, pizza, and candy corn to make the funniest faces they can come up with! 

Learn More: Education

16. Loose Parts Play

Loose-part play is a brilliant early development activity. Parts can be anything from recycled items to tile pieces to rocks, pebbles, and beads. It’s a great way to expose your preschoolers to different textures and materials. You’ll be surprised at all the fun and imaginative ideas they come up with!

Learn More: My Teaching Cupboard

17. Bubble Wrap Learning

Lean into the addictive qualities of bubble wrap by using it as a learning tool! Write letters or numbers onto colored stickers, and place each sticker on a bubble. Then let your preschoolers’ take turns popping the bubbles that correspond to the letter or number you’ve called out. 

Learn More: Meaningful Mama

18. Cotton Ball Fun

Hone your kiddies’ fine motor skills with this simple activity! Grab some cotton balls and an empty container and have them place the balls into the container. This is a fantastic way to develop their fine motor skills as well as discuss relevant vocabulary such as ‘soft, squishy, and white’.

Learn More: The Stay-At-Home Mom Survival Guide

19. Make a Block Tower

There are so many ways to incorporate learning with blocks. You can challenge your kiddos to match base colors, practice their counting skills, or just let their imagination run wild while developing color recognition and matching skills. The possibilities are endless!

Learn More: No Time for Flash Cards

20. Try Painting With Rolling Pins

Experiment with bubble wrap and paint! Have your kiddies combine rolling pins and bubble wrap to create a fun, inventive, and super-engaging painting project. The final effect is textured and vibrant, making for a beautiful display or keepsake.

Learn More: Teaching 2 and 3-Year-Olds

21. Animal Sound Game

Engage your little ones’ senses and memory with this Animal Sound Game. You can play the sounds of various animals and have them guess which animal it is. Not only does it familiarize them with different animals, but it also develops their listening skills.

Learn More: Educagaming

22. Sock Puppets Show

Create easy sock puppets using old socks! Encourage your kiddos to get creative by attaching buttons and yarn, and using fabric markers to create their puppets. Then let them create stories and perform a little puppet show! This boosts creativity and storytelling abilities, providing endless entertainment.

Learn More: Children’s Museum of Sonoma County

23. Shadow Puppets on the Wall

Turn off the lights, grab a flashlight, and let the fun begin! Show your preschoolers how to make hand shapes to project fun shadows on the wall, sparking imagination while developing their fine motor skills. From barking dogs to fluttering birds, the shapes you can make are endless!

Learn More: Drama 4 Kids

24. Hide and Seek with Soft Toys

Ready or not, here I come! Play a whole-class game of hide-and-seek by hiding various toys around the room and guiding your kiddos to find each one. This game enhances their observation skills and develops their positional vocabulary of words like under, above, and behind.

Learn More: Find Me Friends

25. Musical Bumps

Play some music and encourage your kids to dance around and burn off some of that energy! When the music stops, they have to sit down as quickly as possible. This energetic game helps to refine their reaction times and gives them a fun dose of physical activity. Let’s get dancing!

Learn More: Party G a mes 4 Kids

26. DIY String Bead Necklaces

Get creative with this necklace-making idea! Give your kiddies large, colorful beads and string, and have them thread their own necklaces. This super creative activity promotes fine motor skills and pattern recognition while giving them the chance to make something they can actually wear!

Learn More: Thimble and Twig

27. Nature Scavenger Hunt

Take the fun outside! Lead your little learners on a walk outside and give them a list of items to find. As they collect leaves, pinecones, and flowers, they’ll be honing their observational abilities and learning all about the great outdoors! 

Learn More: Green Child Magazine

28. Bubble Blowing Fiesta

Challenge your kiddos to build a tower of bubbles! Mix some soap solution and let them use bubble blowers and straws of various shapes and sizes to try and create their bubbly creations! Who will be able to create the tallest tower?

Learn More: Happy Hooligans

29. Dress-Up Relay

On your marks, get set, go! Lay out various clothing items and challenge your preschoolers to dress up as fast as they can. It’s a fun way to improve their self-dressing skills and understand different types of clothing. As a bonus, they’re sure to find the resulting wacky outfits hilarious!

Learn More: Healthy Kids

30. Jump the Stream

Practice jumping with this fun, play-pretend game! Place two ropes or strings a short distance apart on the floor, to create a “stream.” Then, encourage your kiddos to jump across without falling into the water. You can adjust the distance for difficulty, helping them develop their gross motor skills and sense of distance. 

Learn More: YouTube

31. Feather Balance

Give your kids a feather each and challenge them to stand it upright and balance it on their hands. They’ll need to focus and move around to keep the feather from falling over! This fun game is a super way to teach patience and concentration.

32. DIY Sensory Bins

Spark curiosity with a sensory bin! Start by filling a container with items like rice, beans, or sand, then hide small toys inside for your little ones. They’ll spend hours digging to discover and play with all the hidden toys. These are a fantastic way to introduce a new theme or topic!

Learn More: Little Bins for Little Hands

33. Sticky Spider Web

Let your kiddos practice their aim with this sticky spider web activity! Create your web with painter’s tape, then give them lightweight balls or paper to throw and stick to the web. What a great game to develop their motor skills and hand-eye coordination!

Learn More: My Baba

34. Paper Airplane Challenge

Introduce your littlest learners to basic physics and aerodynamics concepts with this simple activity! Show them how to fold paper planes together and then hold a competition to see whose can fly the furthest or highest! Have them decorate their planes to make things even more exciting! Learn More: Science Friday

Parent Portfolio

40+ Board Games for 3 Year Olds: Learn, Play, and Have Family Fun!

Board games aren’t just play; they’re the building blocks of learning for your little ones! 

Our guide to board games for 3-year-olds is packed with options that turn giggles into growth, strategy into skills, and family time into lifelong memories. 

We’re here to help you sift through the top picks that promise to deliver fun and a feast of learning and development tailored to your toddler’s curious mind. 

So, get ready to roll the dice on learning, laughter, and much love! 🎲👪

40+ Board Games for 3 Year Olds

1. animal upon animal.

• DEVELOPMENTAL STACKING GAME: These classic wooden kids games offer hours of fun as kids stack wooden animal pieces, enhancing hand-eye coordination. These games for kids ages 4-8 are ideal early development animal games & fine motor skills toys.
• FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN: Perfect family games for kids and adults, these juegos para niños are designed for 2-4 players. Be the first to place your wooden animals upon the animal pile. One of the best family games for all ages to enjoy together.
• HIGH-QUALITY MATERIALS: Crafted from durable, high-quality sustainably-sourced wood and non-toxic water-based stain, this beloved juego de mesa by HABA is a must-have among party games. Includes 29 wooden animals and a wooden die. Made in Germany.
• Playtime: 15 minutes
• Skills Learned: Dexterity
• Number of Players: 2-4 players
• Minimum Age: 4

Think of Jenga plus Safari animals. You and your child will take turns balancing different wooden animals on top of one another. The goal is to stack all animals from your provision and be the first one done. Honestly, I’m surprised there isn’t an adult version of this game.

2. Banana Blast

• This monkey is too greedy and wants all the bananas for himself
• Can you steal from him Roll the die to see how many bananas you can pick and try to collect as many as you can
• Be careful, one of the bananas will make Joe jump but it’s a different banana every time!
• Playtime: 10 minutes
• Skills Learned: Addition and subtraction
• Number of Players: 2-5 players

With a roll of a die, kids pick one or two bananas from the banana tree. However, players have a chance to gift or take a banana from other players. The game has a fun little surprise where the money can jump out. Whoever catches the monkey can add two bananas from each player. The player with the most bananas is, well, bananas.

3. Wonder Forge Richard Scarry’s Busytown, Eye Found It

• What you get – The game includes 1 game board, 4 movers, 4 mover bases, 1 spinner, 1 ferry tile, 10 magnifying glass tokens, 6 food tiles, 30 goldbug cards, 1 sand timer, and instructions
• Fun play experience – Eye Found It is a ton of fun for 2-4 players and makes a great gift for kids and families. It’s a cooperative game for preschoolers where you race across Busytown along a game board that’s more than 6 feet long
• Clear instructions – The game is easy to learn with clear instructions, so you can start playing right away!
• Playtime: Varies
• Skills Learned: Matching, Observation, Teamwork

Kids move around a six feet long game board (yes, six feet long), taking turns looking for specific items on the board. After a minute of searching, everyone gets to forward the number of spaces equal to the number of items found. It’s a win-win situation!

4. Candyland

• CLASSIC BEGINNER GAME: Do you remember playing Candy Land when you were a kid. Introduce new generations to this sweet kids’ board game
• RACE TO THE CASTLE: Players encounter all kinds of “delicious” surprises as they move their cute gingerbread man pawn around the path in a race to the castle
• NO READING REQUIRED TO PLAY: For kids ages 3 and up, Candy Land can be a great game for kids who haven’t learned how to read yet
• Skills Learned: Color recognition, Matching 
• Minimum Age: 3

Hasbro has refreshed this classic sweet adventures board game has with new illustrations, but the gameplay hasn’t changed. Little ones take turns moving their gingerbread man around the board in a race to the candy land kingdom.

5. Chutes and Ladders

• CLASSIC BEGINNER GAME: Do you remember playing Chutes and Ladders when you were a kid. Introduce new generations to the classic gameplay of this kids’ board game for 2 to 4 players
• NO READING REQUIRED TO PLAY: For kids ages 3 and up, Chutes and Ladders can be a great game for kids who haven’t learned how to read yet
• CLASSIC UP AND DOWN GAME FOR PRESCHOOLERS: Spin the spinner and move the pawn up the ladders and down the chutes. Chutes and Ladders is a classic game that children enjoy playing over and over
• Skills Learned: Counting, Number recognition

Chutes and Ladders is another classic board game for 3 years olds. The goal is to get to the top with the help of ladders. However, watch out for the chute! Players can slide back down if they land on a chute. No reading required; just go ‘ole fun.

6. Color Go Fish Card Game

• COLOR GO FISH A new take on an old game involves fish-shaped cards and color matching, with bold colors like hot pink and chartreuse. A great first card game that is easy to play. Illustrated by Julia Gorton.
• For ages 3 and up.
• Cards are 3.25 x 4.5 inches. Cards are durable and easy to use.
• Skills Learned: Color recognition
• Number of Players:   2-4 players

This game mixes the card game’s simple rules of “Go Fish!” and uses colors instead. Some parents have concerns that colors are not base colors, such as red, blue, green, etc. Rather, the colors in this game are buttercup, jade, and apricot.

7. Colorama

• ENGAGING LEARNING GAME: Colorama brings together fun and learning with its unique pattern and shape recognition gameplay, ideal for children aged 3 and up
• QUALITY COMPONENTS: This game includes 40 game pieces, 1 color die, 1 shape die, and comprehensive instructions for immediate play
• FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN: Perfect for 2-4 players, it offers a fun play experience that lasts about 30 minutes – a great gift for families who treasure game nights
• Playtime: 20 minutes
• Skills Learned: Matching, Shapes, Colors
• Number of Players: 1-6 players

Kids roll a color and a shape die to determine which colored shape a player needs to place on the board. For instance, a kid rolls a red color and a circle shape. They need to match a red circle piece to its place on the board. There is no score, and it’s not a race. The goal is for everyone to match the pieces to the board.

8. Count Your Chickens

• FARM FUN: The baby chicks have flown the coop and Mama Hen needs help to bring them back. Spin and count numbers to travel and collect chicks while working together. Gather all the chicks and everyone wins!
• COOPERATIVE COUNTING: Remove competitive stress, empower young learners and teach kids that playing together can be fun! A counting game to help kids learn at a young age how easy it is to cooperate!
• EDUCATIONAL GAME: Cooperative games cultivate emotional development, shared decision making, positive self esteem, creative problem solving and develop a sense of community in a non-stressful play environment.
• Skills Learned: Counting
• Minimum Age:  3

If you’re looking for a game where everyone works together and teaches, Count Your Chickens is a great pick. Players spin a spinner that indicates which square the mother hen moves to next. For each square they move, players collect the same amount into the chicken coop.

9. Create and Tell Me a Story Cards

• ANIMAL VILLAGE A Create a Story card set lets you join the animals in this village as they dance, sing, and play. Recurring characters, locations, and props encourage linking the cards in endless combinations for fresh, new stories every time it’s played. Use this beautifully illustrated visual card set by Stephanie Graegin to create your own stories! Can be played individually or in a group, make up your own way to play!
• PROVIDES GREAT INTERACTION, CREATIVE AND IMAGINATIVE PLAY! This playful collection involves recurring characters, locations, and props allowing the cards to be linked in endless combinations for fresh, new stories every time it is played.
• Cards are perfectly sized at 3.75 x 4.75 inches. 36 cards in the set. Instructions included.
• Skills Learned: Imagination, Storytelling
• Number of Players: 1+

These story cards allow parents to create unique stories every time they play. Parents make up a new part of the story based on the card drawn, leading to endless stories. Over time, kids can start to tell their own stories when playing independently.

10. Wonder Forge Disney Classic Characters Matching Game

• FUN LEARNING TOOL: This Disney Classic Matching Game offers a fun and engaging way for kids, aged 3-5, to enhance their focus, memory, and matching skills
• EASY TO UNDERSTAND: Comes with a clear and concise instruction manual – have your little ones playing and enjoying the game within five minutes
• LOVED DISNEY CHARACTERS: The game features delightful illustrations of favorite Disney icons, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Dumbo, The Incredibles, Donald Duck and more
• Skills Learned: Matching

Lay all the cards facedown and take turns finding the match. Adding familiar Disney characters, such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy adds excitement to the game. This card game works well for families and allows solo play.

11. Don’t Break the Ice

• FUN KIDS GAME: This Don’t Break the Ice game is an exciting preschool game that has players tapping out ice blocks one by one, as they imagine helping Phillip the Penguin make a new igloo
• INDOOR GAME FOR AGES 3+: The object of this game for kids is to keep Phillip the Penguin on top of the ice, but as the game goes on, the ice blocks start falling. One wrong block and he’ll go ker-plop.
• FAMILY GAMES FOR KIDS: Get everyone together for family game night with the Don’t Break the Ice game. Players will be on the edge of their seats just waiting for the moment that the penguin falls through
• Playtime: 15  minutes
• Skills Learned: Strategy

In this game, players attempt to tap out blocks of ice with a small mallet. The goal is not to let the penguin fall through. This tabletop game will make the kids scream in excitement each time they successfully remove a block of ice.

12. Dragon’s Breath

• AWARD-WINNING KIDS BOARD GAME: HABA’s Dragon’s Breath is a top-rated kids board game, making it one of the best family games for kids and adults that brings the magical world of dragons to life.
• PERFECT FAMILY GAMES FOR KIDS & ADULTS: Considered one of the best board games for kids, Dragon’s Breath offers hours of entertainment for the whole family, fostering teamwork & strategic thinking.
• DEVELOPS KEY SKILLS: Looking for fun kid games? Dragon’s Breath is not only fun but also educational, helping children enhance their counting, color recognition, and strategic planning skills.
• Skills Learned: Color matching
• Minimum Age: 5

This inventive game allows children to pretend to be dragons. Players act to melt an ice column by taking turns to remove rings. Any freed crystals that fall within a dragon’s color are up for grabs.

13. Elenfun and Friends

• FUN MUSIC AND SOUNDS: The motorized Elefun elephant begins the game with a trumpet call. Then it plays music throughout the game while it blows butterflies out of its long trunk
• INCLUDES BUTTERFLY NETS: In this lively and active game, kids can chase the butterflies that come out of the elephant’s 3 foot trunk. The game includes 20 colorful butterflies and 3 butterfly nets
• GET UP AND GET SILLY: This game gets kids up and about, running around in all different directions as they try to catch the most butterflies to win
• Skills Learned: Gross Motor skills
• Number of Players: 1-3 players

This motorized elephant (batteries required) shoots butterflies in the air—the game tasks kids to catch the falling butterflies with their nets. Kids will have a blast playing. Parents will have to cherish the laughter while they pick up the mess.

14. Feed the Woozle

• SILLY SNACKS: The Woozle loves to eat hairy pickles and fuzzy donuts. Can you help feed him 12 crazy treats before all the snacks are gone? A monstrous game of mixed up fun!
• GROWS WITH YOUR CHILDREN: Comes with three levels so it grows with your child. Kids ages 3 and up work together to help feed the Woozle. No reading required, so even the smallest can participate!
• LEARNING AND GROWING: Kids learn dexterity, fine motor skills, body awareness, and counting all while having fun and cooperating. Kids learn about taking turns and develop valuable social skills.
• Skills Learned: Dexterity, Fine motor skills

Kids take turns rolling a die to determine how many snacks to feed the Woozle. They’ll have fun trying to balance as many snacks on their spoon. I wish I can use the same strategy to make them finish their dinner.

15. First Orchard

• EXCITING PLAYTIME: These toddler board games for 2+ year olds have been enjoyed by families for over 30 years with over 3 million copies sold. The First Orchard toddler game is a perfect cooperative learning game for 1-4 players.
• DEVELOP SKILLS: Our First Orchard toddler games ages 2-4, help develop social skills such as taking turns and following directions. These excellent toddler board games also reinforce color recognition, counting, and fine motor skills.
• FAMILY TIME: Designed by educators, these board games for 3 year olds are ideal for family time. In these games for toddlers 2-4 years, kids can work together as a team to roll the dice and pick the matching fruit from the orchard before the raven!
• Skills Learned: Color recognition, Counting
• Number of Players: 1-4 players
• Minimum Age: 2

Kids take turns harvesting specific fruits into their baskets. But, they better hurry! A raven slowly moves closer to their basket. Everyone wins when everyone gathers all the fruit.

16. Franke’s Food Truck Fiasco

• GAME AND BOOK COMBO: Bundle this award-winning board game with an adorable board book for hours of foodie fun and learning
• GAME INCLUDES: colorful game board, 1 Frankie squeezer, 20 food game pieces, 1 game spinner, 4 placemat player boards, and instruction guide
• HOW TO PLAY: Spin the spinner to place your order. Then use your Franke Squeezer to follow the directions on the space. The first player to deliver a five-course meal is the winner. NO READING REQUIRED
• Skills Learned: Practical shapes

Are you looking for the next Master Chef Junior? With this Educational Insights game, players use a spinner to place an order. The first player to deliver a five-course meal wins! Maybe this game is the beginning of your kids preparing their own.

17. Ravensburger Snail’s Pace Race

• Fun play experience – You can play a game in 15 minutes, and it’s perfect for 2-6 players ages 3 and up, which makes this a perfect gift for families who love to play games together.
• High quality components – Contains 6x wooden snails, 2x colored dice, 1x playing board and instructions.
• Easy to understand instructions – High quality, easy to understand instructions make it possible to start playing right away.
• Skills Learned: Counting, Color matching, Memory
• Number of Players: 2-6 players

Kids move snail game pieces down the board to reach the end. Although it is a snail-themed game, it doesn’t take more than 15 minutes to play.

18. Hi Ho Cherry-O

• CLASSIC BEGINNER GAME: Do you remember playing the Hi Ho. Cherry-O game when you were a child. Introduce new generations to the classic gameplay of this kids’ board game for boys and girls ages 3 and up
• FUN COUNTING BOARD GAME: Kids ages 3 and up can have a blast picking pretend fruit from the trees on the game board, and filling their buckets. The spinner lets them know the number of pieces to pick — or put back
• SIMPLE GAMEPLAY FOR PRESCHOOLERS: Players take turns picking pretend cherries, blueberries, apples, and oranges from their trees to fill their baskets. The first to fill their basket wins
• Skills Learned: Counting, Addition, Subtraction
• Number of Players: 2-3 players

Another board game for 3 year olds is the Hi Ho Cherry-O board game. Kids take turns picking fruits from their trees to fill up their baskets. And whoever picks all the fruits from their tree wins!

19.  Peacable Kingdom Hoot Owl Hoot!

• HURRY LITTLE OWLS: In this color coordinated matching game, players cooperate to help the owls fly back to their nest before the sun comes up. Help all the owls home before sunrise and everyone wins!
• LEARNING AND GROWING: Kids learn simple strategy, following directions & taking turns. Two levels of play allow the game to grow with your child and lets older kids play with younger ones too.
• BENEFITS: Cooperative games cultivate emotional development, shared decision making, positive self esteem, creative problem solving, and develop a sense of community in a non-stressful play environment.
• Skills Learned: Strategy, Teamwork

In this Pre-School board game, players attempt to help owls get to their nest before sunrise via a sun token. Everyone has to work together to reach their goal. Now, if I can use the same logic to get my kids to bed early, that would be great!

20. Caterpillar Matching Game

• A matching game featuring Caterpillar construction vehicles and equipment
• Officially Licensed Caterpillar Product
• Includes: 18 sets of cards
• Skills Learned: Memory, Matching
• Number of Players: 1

This game is another matching card game and is for construction equipment enthusiasts. Or, this is a good introduction for kids to learn more about construction. Even as an adult, I didn’t know what an excavator was.

21. Let’s Feed the Very Hungry Caterpillar Counting Cards

• Fun, colourful and educational board game starring Eric Carle’s renowned storybook characters
• Collect puzzle pieces to transform your caterpillar into a unique, beautiful butterfly
• A fun game of counting, collecting and puzzle building
• Skills Learned: Strategy, Decision making
• Number of Players: 2-4

Kids move the hungry caterpillar around the board collecting puzzle pieces, which create a butterfly. The first person to collect all the pieces and move to the center of the board wins!

22. The Little Orchard

• A co-operative memory and color dice game for 1-4 players ages 3-8. Playing time about 10 minutes.
• The pesky crowwants to steal the ripe cherries from the orchard. Can the children harvest them before the raven reaches the tree?
• Children learn about team work and cooperation as they rush to beat the greedy crow.
• Skills Learned: Memory, Color recognition
• Number of Players: 1-4 player

Kids roll a die and pick a tile with a matching flower. The goal is to get five cherries before you hit too many crows. This board game for 3 year olds is similar to another favorite, Hi Ho Cherry O.

23. Math For Love Tiny Polka Dot

• Sixteen easy-to-learn games help kids fall in love with numbers!
• Playfully teaches counting, arithmetic, and logic
• Vibrant, colorful designs
• Skills Learned: Math

This game is perfect when you’re on the go or when waiting with your child at an appointment. It also offers different kinds of games with cards, allowing you to have more options with your kid.

24. Monkey Around

• GET READY TO MOVE: A wonderful first board game for kids that was created specifically for you and your two year old. Kids love getting to move about while playing a game!
• LETS MOVE TOGETHER: From hugs to high fives to simple skills like balancing, hopping, and marching, the cards in the game will prompt you and your toddler to get on the move! The included beanbag banana adds to the fun!
• LEARNING AND GROWING: Monkey Around improves gross motor skill development, coordination, understanding spatial concepts, recognizing matching body parts, listening, and building vocabulary.
• Skills Learned: Motor skills, Hand-eye coordination
• Number of Players:  
• Minimum Age: 2 

The game offers solo and partner play. Depending on the card, kids have to imitate the actions described on the card. There isn’t a designated winner in this game. Instead, it’s a good reason to act silly and monkey around.

25. My First Castle Panic

• Mythical Marvels – Bring home a cooperative game for little kids that offers a fantasy-filled challenge. Defend your castle from misbehaving monsters in an immersive and captivating game.
• Quest Together – Avoid sore losers and team up to oust any monster you find! Fire up game night with cooperative board games for kids 4-8 years old. Teach teamwork and strategy through adventure.
• Grabbing Goblins – In this kid’s board game 3-6 year-olds will enjoy catching monsters with special abilities and throwing them in the dungeon.
• Skills Learned: Matching, Strategy

If you’re looking for board games for 3 year olds that have action, check out My First Cast Panic. Kids battle monsters that approach a castle. A kid can only battle a monster in a space with a matching shape held by the kid.

26. Pengoloo

• COLOR MATCHING PRESCHOOL MEMORY GAME: This fun board game is designed to develop memory, teach young children about colors and strengthen social skills. Easy to understand and play – no reading required.
• HOW TO PLAY: Roll two colored dice and lift two penguins to search for colored eggs that match the dice. Collect six penguins on your iceberg to win!
• KID FRIENDLY: Pengoloo makes the perfect first board game with easy to follow instructions for children and parents alike. Reinforce color learning, help develop matching skills, strategic thinking, turn-taking, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills with this fun, fast board game for kids. For 2-4 players, perfect for ages 4+.
• Skills Learned: Color recognition, Memory,

Pengoloo is a new take on playing the memory game. Unlike other matching games where you usually flip over a card, this game requires you to lift a penguin to discover a colored egg. The goal is to find the colored egg that matches the rolled die color.

27. Pete the Cat: The Missing Cupcakes Game

• Pete the Cat Adventure: Embark on an exciting adventure with the Pete the Cat Missing Cupcakes Board Game, inspired by the New York Times best-selling book series. Let Pete the Cat guide preschoolers through a delightful gaming experience full of fun and learning.
• Preschool-Friendly Board Game: Tailored for preschoolers aged 3 and above, this board game is thoughtfully designed to capture the attention and imagination of young players. It provides age-appropriate challenges and entertainment.
• No Reading Required: Enjoy hassle-free gameplay as no reading is required for kids to play. The game is accessible and engaging, allowing even the youngest players to participate in the excitement without any literacy barriers.

This game is another matching card game but with Pete the Cat. If your kids are fans of Pete the Cat, they’ll enjoy this simple card game.

28. Pick Me Up, Piggy!

• TELL A STORY: Tell stories about Piggy’s friends as you drive the toy car around the board in Peaceable Kingdom’s Pick Me Up Piggy! Can you remember each of the stories at the end? No reading required.
• GAMES THAT GROW: This creative memory game is an educational learning tool for kids to practice cooperation and vocabulary. It’s also a great tool for teachers: use it in a class demonstration to encourage turn taking, storytelling and memory.
• COOPERATIVE GAMES: Peaceable Kingdom’s Cooperative Games cultivate emotional development, teamwork, creative problem-solving and a sense of community. They are fun for families and perfect for classrooms.
• Skills Learned: Memory, Cooperation, Storytelling

The game begins by hiding the characters in different locations. A player creates a story to help everyone remember where the characters. It’s a fun way to play a memory game using imagination.

29. Race to the Treasure!

• COOPERATIVE GAME: Build a path with your team and collect 3 keys on a race to beat Ogre to the treasure! It’s a game where everyone plays together, no one is left out, and everybody has fun!
• FUN CHALLENGE: Kids love working together to beat the Ogre. Players strategize, cooperate and build the path together. Building onto a path encourages kids to think 2 steps ahead and examine options.
• Skills Learned: Strategy, Cooperation
• Number of Players: 2-4 posts

Players work together to build a path to the treasure. As part of their mission, they also need to collect three keys. However, if the ogre gets to the prize first, everyone loses. Thus, race to the treasure!

30. Rat-A-Tat-Cat

• Children’s card game that helps develop timing and basic mathematical concepts
• Teaches strategy, memory building, and addition
• Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Best Toy Award; Mensa 1996 Best New Mind Game Award
• Skills Learned: Math, Memory

In this game, the lowest score is better. The idea is to get rid of the highest card by peaking and trading with other players. Although the recommended age is high, the concept is simple for three and four year olds to grasp.

31. Robot Turtles

• EDUCATIONAL & FUN: This game seamlessly blends education with entertainment. It’s designed to introduce programming principles to preschoolers in an engaging, easy-to-learn manner. Perfect for kids 4+ and adults to enjoy together
• KICKSTARTER SUCCESS: Conceived by programming expert Dan Shapiro, this game made history as Kickstarter’s most-backed board game. Trusted globally, ThinkFun is a leader in brain and logic games
• CRITICAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: Gameplay offers a ‘stealth learning’ experience, where players unknowingly learn key programming principles. This game is inspired by the Logo programming language, letting kids write programs with playing cards
• Playtime:  Varies
• Skills Learned: Basic programming logic

This game originated from Kickstarter, and developers created this game to teach kids the basics of programming logic. Kids must guide a turtle to reach a target location. Children accomplish this goal by giving instructions to the robot turtle. The instructions are on the cards, such as turn or move forward.

32. Sequence for Kids

• The classic game of SEQUENCE made just for kids!
• Play a card from your hand, and place your chip on the corresponding character on the board – the first with four chips in a row wins!
• Exciting strategy game helps develop logical thinking skills

The name of the game is to create a row (or sequence) of chips on the board. Kids play a card with a picture of an animal on it. The child then places the chip on the matching animal on the board to create a sequence of four chips.

33. Shopping List

• Race to collect your groceries and fill your shopping cart in this fun game.
• Develops matching and memory and literacy skills.
• Features fun and engaging gameplay.
• Skills Learned: Matching, Memory, Literacy

Each player gets a shopping cart and a shopping list. Each player flips over face-down cars to reveal a grocery item. If the item is on the list, the player gets to put it in their cart. Whoever completes their list first wins!

34. Spot It! Jr. Animals

• EXCLUSIVE ANIMAL THEME: Dive into an exclusive animal-themed version of Spot It! designed to captivate and entertain younger players.
• MULTI-VARIANT GAME: With 55 cards, each featuring 8 symbols, enjoy 5 exciting variants of the game that can be played in any order or repeatedly.
• QUICK AND ENERGETIC: Spot It! is a fast-paced family card game that sharpens reflexes and observation skills.
• Skills Learned: Develops attention, Visual perception, Motor skills
• Number of Players:   2-5 players

This game offers various modes, such as “Hide and Seek” and “The Tower.” Depending on the rules, kids have to match animals that are found commonly between the cards.

35. The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel

• SPARK MORE TOGETHERNESS! Perfect for spending quality, unplugged time together as a family, The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game also builds key early learning skills and develops social emotional skills including taking turns, sharing, and winning and losing gracefully
• BEST-SELLING PRESCHOOL GAME 5 YEARS RUNNING! Reinforce color learning, develop matching skills (a key early math skill!), encourage strategic thinking, and build hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills with this engaging, quick-play board game for kids
• A SWEET STRATEGY GAME FOR PRESCHOOLERS: Easy to set up, understand—no reading required!, play, and clean up (box doubles as game board and storage!)
• Skills Learned: Motor skills, Hand-eye coordination.

In The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game, kids spin the spinner to find out which colored acorn they pick up. The fun part is getting to use a Squirrel Squeezer to pick up the acorns and store them in their log.

36. Stack Up!

• Skills Learned: Balance, Color matching

The premise of the game is to stack 12 blocks. However, this game includes challenges that kids have to perform. Also, part of the game is intentionally knocking down. Once you finish the stack, a smasher comes to knock down the tower.

37. The Yoga Garden

• Playtime:  
• Skills Learned: Yoga

A yoga teacher created this game to help teach children yoga. The game encourages cooperative play versus competition. Depending on the space where a player lands, the player will have to imitate a yoga pose or even invent one.

38. Uno Moo

• Hooray, it’s UNO MOO!, a preschool version of the beloved UNO game!
• Farm animals come out of their barn to play, and younger players round them up by matching their colors or types.
• Kids will have a blast playing with cows, pigs, skunks, chicken, dogs, sheep or farmer figures and putting them on the barn door and pushing others into the barn.
• Skills Learned: Matching colors, Learning animals

This game takes the basics of Uno and puts a Pre-School spin on it using farm animals. The player with one more critter remaining yells, “Uno Moo!”

39. Yeti in my Spaghetti

• OODLES OF NOODLES—Lay out the noodles over the bowl with the Yeti on top!
• PULL THE NOODLES—Remove the strands of noodles from the bowl, but don’t let the yeti fall!
• ADORABLE GAME—Fun concept and adorable Yeti character make this game extra fun!
• Number of Players: 2+

Players carefully remove spaghetti noodles from under a Yeti. Watch your kids go crazy as they remove a noodle one by one. However, all it takes is one noodle to let the Yeti in your spaghetti.

• PRE-READING BOOSTER: Engage pre-readers with this fun, fast-paced game that develops language and matching skills, perfect for early learners
• AWARD-WINNING GAME: Zingo has garnered multiple accolades, including an Oppenheim Gold and Parents’ Choice Award, making it an ideal gift for kids age 4 and up
• AMAZON EXCLUSIVE: This exclusive version of the beloved Zingo game includes an extra Zingo card, allowing up to 7 players for more fun
• Skills Learned: Language, Reading, Matching

This award-winning game is beloved by parents and teachers, which is a twist on the game Bingo, is the perfect board gaThis award-winning game is beloved by parents and teachers, which is a twist on the game Bingo. Players slide a Zinger that shows two different cards. When a player first correctly identifies the picture on the card, they can pick up the card and match it to their board’s image. The first person to cover all the squares on their board wins. Zingo!

41. Thinkfun Heads Talk Tails Walk Game

• ENGAGING AND EDUCATIONAL: ThinkFun’s Heads Talk Tails Walk is a fun and silly matching game that enhances visual perception and reasoning skills while keeping kids entertained
• HIGH QUALITY COMPONENTS: The game includes 10 large body tiles and 10 small head tiles depicting different animals- ensuring endless fun and variety in gameplay
• FAMILY FUN: Not just a game for kids, it’s a hilarious family activity that parents will enjoy too- making it a perfect gift for both kids and adults
• Skills Learned: Visual perception, Reasoning

This game is entertaining and lets kids be silly. Kids take turns flipping over a card to see if it matches with the body of an animal. If the card does not match, then everyone imitates the animal. Whoever gets the most matches wins!

When Can a Child Start to Play Board Games?

Board games provide a minimum age or age range for children to play. However, not all kids are the same. I take the recommended age as a general suggestion . Kids are like sponges, constantly absorbing the world around them. 

So, don’t sell your kids short . They may be more intelligent than you think. You won’t know unless you try new games. The best toddler board games may work well for one family and differ for another.

As always, with all parenting, what worked one week doesn’t necessarily mean it will work next week. So, if one board game doesn’t work one day, maybe give it another try a few months later . 

You will know your child best and understand what does and doesn’t work. You’ll soon find which is the best game for your next family game night.

What Makes a Good Board Game for a 3 Year Old?

The term “good” is relative, but there are common attributes in board games for 3 year olds: the time it takes to play, skills learned, number of players, minimum age, and any reading requirement.

• Playtime: A toddler’s attention span around this age is limited. A good length of time for a game is no more than 15 minutes . The less complex a game is, the higher chance your little one will enjoy it, and the time will be a breeze. However, when they start to show frustration, there is always “ next time. ”
• Skills Learned: One of the motivations of board games for 3 years olds is that they help toddlers learn a new skill. These learned skills can be motor skills, counting, matching pictures, identifying shapes and colors, discover new animals, etc .
• Number of Players: The number of players will let you know how flexible a game can be with more or fewer players. 
• Minimum Age: The minimum age on the box is a recommendation. Each kid may learn how to play sooner rather than later. 

Final Thoughts

Did you find your best board game in this long list of best family games? Each game offers a new skill level to learn or improve. Also, at least one family board game offers three different levels, such as cooperative game play.

The essential thing is to enjoy the time with your little ones helping them grow along the way with a fun game. Whether it’s just the two of your or four players, everyone, from younger kids to adults, can have a great time!

So, are you ready to play?

Jacqueline is a wife and a loving mother to two lively kids. Alongside taking care of her family and working full-time in healthcare, she is a real estate investor and a personal finance blogger. She manages the finances for her household and her small real estate business. Also, she has been featured in Grow from Acorns + CNBC, CNET, Business Insider, USA Today, and Ladders.

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Play free online toddler games and games for babies!

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Happy Clicks features a collection of free interactive online educational activities designed with the most beautiful drawings for babies , toddlers , and preschool kids , with brightly colored effects that will keep them delighted. Here, you will find interactive online activities that parents can enjoy playing with their babies and toddlers. These free toddler games are simple to play, and preschool kids can enjoy playing them on their own. Fun and free, our games make learning more enjoyable for your baby, toddler, and preschooler. Our activities are a great way to learn new skills. Additionally, Happy Clicks provides an opportunity for you to spend quality time playing with your toddler or baby.

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Games for 3-Year-Olds

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• Kindergarten
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• Logic and Early Math

Introducing our enchanting collection of games specifically designed for 3-year-olds! Our interactive and soon-to-be web-accessible games are crafted to captivate the young minds of toddlers, offering them a world filled with fun, learning, and adventure. These games are perfect for parents and educators seeking engaging content that not only entertains but also aids in the developmental milestones of 3-year-olds. With vibrant graphics, easy-to-navigate interfaces, and themes that resonate with preschoolers, our games promise hours of joy and enrichment. Dive into our playful universe, where every click brings a smile to your toddler's face. Welcome to our world of games for 3-Year-Olds – where learning meets fun!

In today's digital age, the question of how screen time can be beneficial for children is more relevant than ever. Specifically, for parents of 3-year-olds, navigating the vast sea of available content to find something that's not only engaging but also educational can be quite the challenge. Our games, designed with this particular age group in mind, stand out as exemplary tools for early development, combining fun, interactivity, and educational value in a unique blend that appeals to both parents and children.

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Kindergarten Games Online

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✅  Educational games for 3 year olds online. Free online learning activities for teaching and learning. These free games for kids are computer games, interactive in nature and online to play, no download needed! PC Games are ideal to be used with children as a complement in learning, to reinforce the dynamics of teaching, by parents and teachers in the classroom or at home.

COLOR BY LETTER Game for Kids

CAILLOU RESTAURANT Game

FARM ANIMALS Jigsaw for Kids

CHILDREN and SCHOOL PAINTING Online

TAP THE RAT Game

FIND ME: Where’s the Different One?

ZOO MEMORY Matching Game

DINOSAURS COLORING BOOK

MOVING MAZE Game for Kids

MONSTER BRAINS: Alphabetical Order Game for Kids

BABY PUZZLE: Jigsaw Puzzles for Babies and Toddlers

MATH DOODLE: Matching Pairs Game

Shadow Challenge: SEA ANIMALS

Autumn Vertical Jigsaw Puzzle

CLEAN OCEAN Game for Ki

ANIMAL SHAPES Puzzle Game

COUNT ANIMALS Up to 10

SHADOW GAME: Visual Perception

THE SOUND: Guess the Sound Game for Kids

ENGLISH ALPHABET GAME: Listening

Coloring Transports for Kids

PRESS THE LONGEST STICK

WHAT IS? Select the Object that Fits

SPOT THE ODD Object One Out

SHAPE PUZZLES with TRAINS to Fit’em

LABYRINTH ONLINE Game for Kids

SNOW SANTA Potato Head

SHAPES MATCHING PUZZLE Games for Christmas

LOFYS: Number Game for Kids

ONLINE COLORING for KIDS

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5 Piece Animal Jigsaw Puzzle

GARDFIELD ABC Tracing

CATCH THAT CAT: Identical Cats on Halloween

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SHADOW MATCHING: Transportation Game

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TRANSPORT SHADOW Matching Game

MAGIC SHOW: Find the Rabbit in the Hat

Free online educational activities for 3 year old boys and girls in preschool education, also called kindergarten. Young children stop being babies and begin to think creatively to solve problems at this age of three years. Although one of the most important senses at this age is touch, we can take advantage of these interactive activities to stimulate this creativity, in kindergarten or at home. Enjoy these virtual children’s games for 3 year olds, or include, as a teacher, these games in your classroom dynamics, online, without the need to download materials to your students’ computers or tablets. And they are free.

- KINDER MATH Games Online

Educational topics for 3 years.

• Hidden Object
• Same and Different
• Jigsaw Puzzles
• Animal Sounds
• Geometric Shapes
• Numbers 0-10
• Transportation
• Occupations

FUN GAMES for KIDS

• Car Games for Toddlers
• Dino Games for Kids
• Kids Board Games

What do children learn at age 3?

• Language: By age 3, children can speak in complete sentences and understand the meaning of basic words. They can follow simple directions, ask questions and participate in simple conversations. They can also learn new words and build their vocabulary. In the classroom, they can learn letters, starting with vowels.
• Math: At this age, children can begin to understand simple math concepts, such as counting to 10, identifying colors and shapes, and understanding the idea of “more” and “less”. They can also begin to learn about sequence and pattern.
• Visual discrimination: 3-year-olds can begin to distinguish between different shapes, sizes and colors. They can also begin to understand the idea of one-to-one correspondence, which means that an object has a partner or equal.
• Attention: 3-year-olds can focus on a task for a short period of time and can follow a sequence of activities. However, they can still be easily distracted and need guidance to maintain focus on an activity.
• Society: 3-year-olds can begin to understand the idea of social rules and expectations, such as appropriate behavior in public and the importance of sharing. They can also begin to grasp the idea of social relationships and how to interact with other children and adults.
• Science: 3-year-olds can begin to explore the natural world and learn about nature and animals. They can also begin to understand simple science concepts, such as gravity and cause and effect.

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Parent Resources for Learning > Core Skills > 7 Play-Based Learning Activities for 3-Year-Olds

7 Play-Based Learning Activities for 3-Year-Olds

by Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos | Aug 10, 2023 | Core Skills

Pop quiz: What’s a better way to get a 3-year-old to learn, pop quizzes or playtime? 

If you guessed playtime, you’re right! Play-based learning activities for 3-year-olds help them develop the skills they need for school and life by tapping into their natural love of play . It’s a lot easier to get a toddler to play a learning game than to sit down and study—plus, they’ll actually learn more!

The Short Cut

• Learning activities for 3-year-olds can help them develop Core Skills , Creativity , Critical Thinking , and the other 5 C’s that help them thrive
• Play-based learning activities work well because kids learn more when they’re doing something they’re interested in
• Many of the best activities are simple and use everyday items from around the house

We’ve put together instructions for seven of our favorite play-based learning activities for 3-year-olds, plus some general tips, to get you started.

Why Learning Activities for 3-Year-Olds Work

Three-year-olds have a lot of energy, and they’re often eager to have new experiences. You can take advantage of their natural Curiosity (one of the 5 C’s) to help them learn valuable skills and see where they are in reaching their developmental milestones .

When kids do an activity they’re interested in, their brains literally light up on researchers’ scans. They learn more and retain more of what they learn, including important abilities.

For instance, hands-on activities —in which your child molds, cuts, sticks, sorts, or manipulates objects—help them develop motor skills. They also help them learn to follow directions for precision and accuracy, improving their Critical Thinking. Similarly, activities like putting puzzles together and playing with building blocks help develop reasoning skills and Creativity (another of the 5 C’s).

All of these abilities will help them as they get older and start working on more complex skills like writing and tying shoelaces.

The first six years of a child’s life are a critical time for brain development. The things they learn in this period help them perform well in school, excel in work, build healthy relationships, and live happy, fulfilling lives.

How Should I Teach My 3-Year-Old?

Keep It Simple

Parents sometimes think early learners need an elaborate game or flashy toy to hold their attention. But three-year-olds are fascinated by lots of simple things—different colors and shapes , how these colors change when you mix them (e.g., red and blue make purple), kicking a ball, storybooks about dinosaurs, baking cookies, and so on.

You don’t need anything complicated to create engaging learning activities for 3-year-olds. In fact, you’ll often be more successful if you keep it simple and use everyday items you already have.

Allow for Creativity

Life is full of right answers for 3-year-olds (and a lot of them, like “Can I hit someone when I’m mad?” are important!). But focusing on process over the finished product when you’re playing helps kids maintain their natural Creativity. If they decide to paint a blue dog, that’s OK! And if they choose to create a 10-legged cat, that’s great too. 

Give them time to play with no “right answers” to strengthen this important skill.

Be Flexible and Patient

Not every activity you try is going to be a hit with your kids. That’s OK!

At this age, your child is learning who they are and what they’re comfortable with. Exploring their likes and dislikes (which can change quickly!) is part of their development.

7 Top Learning Activities for 3-Year-Olds

1. number hunt.

What You’ll Need

• A set of fun items—from teddy bears to building blocks to balls, anything goes!
• Hide the items around a room
• Ask your three-year-old to find a set number of an item or a group of items (for example, ask them to find one teddy, two socks, and three balls)
• If this is too easy and they lose interest, try turning it into a race against the clock (can they find the items in just one minute?)
• If they find the game a little tricky, ask your child to search for one item at a time (e.g., one teddy, and then one sock, and then one ball) and progress from there

We love this activity because it helps develop working memory and numeracy, important areas of both Critical Thinking and Core Skills.

2. Pasta Necklaces

• Dry, uncooked cylindrical pasta
• Sealable plastic bags
• Food coloring
• A cotton thread or string (you can also use an old shoelace)
• Paper towel
• Beads (optional)
• Place the pasta into the plastic bags, then add a few drops of food coloring to each bag
• After adding the coloring, seal each bag and let your kids give it a good shake
• Line the trays with paper towels, pour the colored pasta on top, and allow it to dry
• While the pasta dries, cut the string so it’s the right length to make a necklace for your child and tie a knot on one end
• Once the pasta is dry, your child can slide the pasta (and beads if you use them) onto the string to make a necklace. When they reach the end of the string, tie the two sides together and you’re done!

This is a fun way to help your child practice counting (“How many pieces of pasta are you adding?”), develop fine motor skills, and explore Creativity.

3. Trace Yourself

• Have your child place part of their body (like their hand) on a sheet of paper
• Show them how to trace around it using a crayon
• Let them take over tracing and finish
• Encourage them to decorate their tracing however they’d like—maybe their hand needs eyes and a mouth!
• The simplest body part to start with is your child’s hands. Once your child has mastered tracing out their hands, they can progress to their feet.
• For even more fun, use a very large piece of paper and trace your child’s whole body. They can then add features and clothes.

This activity requires little prep and can be great for an easy afternoon when you’re in the mood for low mess levels. And it’s an excellent way to help your child practice their fine motor skills!

4. Make an Ocean

• HOMER Sail the Sea printable coloring page
• Crayons, markers, or colored pens
• Help your child color in the printable and discover the interesting creatures that live in our seas
• As your child colors, point out the letters and say their names, the sounds they make, and creature names that start with them (“S” makes a “sssss” sound, for “seahorse”)
• Try to get your child to make the letter sounds too
• Lean into process over perfection. The goal is to introduce your child to letters, sounds, names, and the links between them—if all they want to do is say “sssssss” and color, they’re still learning!
• To make things even more fun, give the creatures silly names and make up stories about them

This is a great activity for developing Core Skills like letter-sound recognition and fine motor skills!

5. Build a City

• Building blocks
• Get out the blocks and start making things, giving each building a name (“This is a candy store. This is an apartment building. This is a playground.”)
• Invite your child to name their own creations as they build alongside you
• If they’re enjoying the game, ask them to copy buildings you’ve made (“This is a candy store. Can you make one too?”)

This quick, simple activity helps develop Critical Thinking (copying your buildings), Core Skills (fine motor skills), and Creativity, all at once!

6. Watch It Grow

• HOMER printable seed growth tracker
• Crayons or pencils
• Large jar (glass or clear plastic)
• Fast-growing seeds (e.g. peas or beans)
• Paper towels
• An old milk or juice carton
• A ruler or measuring tape
• Ask your child to fill the jar with paper towels, then pour water onto the paper towels until they’re slightly damp
• “Plant” the seeds in the damp towels, positioning them close to the jar’s edge so you can watch them grow
• Use the printable to decorate the “watering can” (the milk or juice carton) and add a tag with the plant’s name
• Each day, make a fun moment of checking the jar and asking your child to note any changes you can track in the field notes (“Oh! We finished breakfast! Time to check the jar!”)
• If the paper towels dry out, add water

This activity introduces kids to how plants grow, stoking their Curiosity (another of the 5 C’s) as they explore the way the seed changes day by day!

7. Create Your Own Color Hunt

• Five objects that match each color of crayon, located in or around the house
• Optional: HOMER Make a Color Hunt printable
• Draw a square in the center of a piece of paper (or use the optional Make a Color Hunt printable)
• After drawing the square, use just one color to color it in
• Hand your child the paper and ask them to find five items in or around the house that have the same color
• For kids who aren’t counting yet , you can place items in a bucket or box and ask them to find all the items inside that match the color on the paper

This is a great activity to help with sorting, learning colors, and counting!

Continue the Adventures with Begin!

There are lots of ways to help your child stay entertained, engaged, and learning at home! These activities should help your 3-year-old develop a wide range of important skills.

And if you need more, don’t worry—we’re here to help. Sign up for our emails or check out our award-winning products, from kid-safe learning apps to hands-on activity kits , or try our Early Learner Bundle to see how it all comes together to give your child their best start to achieving their fullest potential.

Jody has a Ph.D. in Developmental Science and more than a decade of experience in the children’s media and early learning space.

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Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos

Chief Learning Officer at Begin

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15+ Best Learning Activities for Your 3 Year Old Preschooler

2. Listen to Fun A-Z Alphabet Songs

5 indoor activities for 3-year-olds, 5 engaging art activities for 3-year-olds, how educational activities transform kids’ lives.

Toddlers are very active and always on the go! As a parent, it can be tough to keep up with their energy levels. However, it’s important to find ways to keep your toddler occupied and engaged and learning!

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Here are 15 activities for 3-year-olds that are both fun and educational:

6 Fun Developmental Activities for 3-Year-Olds

1. Recognizing Letters and Sounds

Learning activities for 3-year-olds are most fun when they are dressed up as family games, pretend plays, or become parts of our daily activities and observations. Recognizing letters and their sounds is one such activity that can be done in several ways.

Things you need:

A whiteboard or chalkboard, some colored markers or chalk. You can also use letter cards, board games, or online games for kids .

How to play:

You can play games where you write a letter on the board and teach your child to read it. Preschoolers can start learning both uppercase and lowercase letters . If they get it right, give them a point. If not, give them a clue and let them try again.

You can also play the “sound it out” game. Write a letter on the board and ask your child to make the sound it makes. Again, if they get it right, give them a point. If not, give them a clue and let them try again.

Pointing to letters written somewhere as you go about your day—a cereal box, a signboard, a magazine, etc.—is also an easy activity to help your child learn to read them. Children can also trace letters with their fingers on the sand, match uppercase and lowercase letters, erase letters on a chalkboard, etc. 

If you are busy, play some alphabet songs for your toddler to dance or let them play some online English games .

Skills your preschooler will learn:

Letter recognition, phonemic awareness, letter sounds

Introduce your little one to the magical world of letters with A-Z alphabet songs! Sing along to catchy tunes that make learning the alphabet a fun and engaging experience. These songs help children recognize letter shapes and sounds while building their phonemic awareness. Perfect for car rides or playtime, alphabet songs turn learning into a joyful sing-along adventure!

3. Reading with Your Child

Reading books with your child is one of the best things you can do for their development. Not only does it improve language skills, but it also helps them learn sight words, develop their imagination, and understand the world around them.

Books that are appropriate for your child’s age and interests, such as picture books, easy readers, etc.

Sit down with your child and read a book together. You can take turns reading the pages or have your child read the whole book to you.

Books for toddlers should be short and have many pictures supporting the story. This will help keep their attention span, and they will be more likely to understand the concepts in the book.

Read word by word, pointing to each word with your finger, and ask inferential questions based on how, why, what, when, and where to encourage the thinking skills in kids .

Language skills, sight words , attention span, comprehension, memory, imagination

4. Making Up Stories

Children love to listen to and tell stories, and this is an activity that can be done anywhere, anytime. It’s the perfect thing to do in a car while traveling, at bedtime, or even while waiting in line at the grocery store.

None! Just your child’s imagination

Have your child make up a story, either on their own or with your help. Encourage them to use their imagination and be as creative as they want. If they get stuck, you can prompt them with questions or ideas. You may also correct their grammar along the way, but it’s important to let them be creative and have fun with this activity.

If your child is stumped, set an example by asking them for three or four words and make a story that uses all of them. For instance, if they give you the words “cat,” “green,” “ball,” and “tree,” you could make up a story about a green cat that climbs a tree to fetch a ball.

Eventually, you can give words to your child and have them make up a story using those words.

Creativity, imagination, storytelling, communication

5. Playing a Number Game

Offline and online, math can be fun for kids if it’s taught interactively and creatively. Playing the number sense games is one such activity that will help your child learn numbers, counting, and basic arithmetic operations in a fun and engaging way.

A whiteboard or a chalkboard, some colored markers or chalk. You can also use games focusing on numbers and counting, such as board games, card games, etc. Online math games are also available.

There are many games that you can play with your child to help him learn numbers and math concepts. One such game is the “guess the number” game. Write down a number between 1 and 10 on the board, and ask your child to guess it. If he gets it right, give him a point. If not, give him a clue and let him have another try.

You can also play the “greater than or less than” game. Write down two numbers on the board, such as 3 and 5, and ask your child which number is greater. If he gets it right, give him a point. If not, give him a clue and let him try again.

Numbers , counting , and basic arithmetic operations include addition , subtraction , multiplication , and division .

6. Sorting Activities

Sorting is a fun activity that helps children learn about different attributes such as size, shape, color, etc. It also helps them develop problem-solving skills.

Various objects can be sorted according to size, shape, color, etc. You can use blocks, balls, toy cars, berries, buttons, etc.

Let your child choose a few objects and ask him to sort them according to size, shape, color, etc. For example, they can sort blocks by size or toy cars by color. As they sort the objects, help them identify the attribute they use for sorting.

Sorting, categorizing, and problem-solving.

Check out the best sensory activities for 3-year-olds you can try!

One of the favorite preschool activities for 3-year-olds is drawing. At this point, the artistic skills of a child are not really important. Drawing is a fun activity for toddlers to express themselves, work on their fine motor skills, and have fun!

Paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils

Sit with your child and encourage them to draw whatever comes to mind. You can also give some drawing ideas to kids , such as “Draw a picture of your family,” “Draw a picture of your favorite animal,” etc. You may make a drawing and ask your child to trace it or copy it.

Creativity, fine motor skills, imagination, attention span

7. Building with Blocks

One of the easy, no-mess activities for 3-year-olds at home is to let them build with blocks. It is amazing how much fun and creative they can be with this simple activity.

Blocks are also a great way for children to learn about shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns.

Blocks of various shapes and sizes

Let your child play with the blocks freely or give him or her some challenges, such as “build a tower as tall as you can,” “make a house for your favorite stuffed toy,” etc.

Creativity, imagination, problem-solving, eye-hand coordination, shapes, colors, patterns

8. Paper Cutting with Safety Scissors

Children feel empowered with a tool in their hands. And they are so proud of themselves when they can cut the paper!

Paper, safety scissors, craft supplies like pom poms, googly eyes (optional)

Give your child a piece of paper and let him or her cut it any way they want. If you like, you can also give some challenges, such as “cut out a circle,” “make a snowflake,” etc. You can help your child decorate the cutouts with craft supplies if desired.

Fine motor skills, creativity, imagination, attention span

*Please note that only safety scissors should be used for this activity. Regular scissors are too sharp for little ones.*

9. Doing Daily Chores

You’ll be surprised at all the things your toddlers can do if only you let them try. Giving them some simple chores to do not only helps them learn some valuable life skills but also makes kids feel proud and accomplished.

Chores that are appropriate for your child’s age and abilities, such as making their bed, dusting furniture, setting the table, etc.

Choose a chore that you would like your child to help with. Then, show them how to do it and let them try it themselves. Some of the chores that a 3-year-old can do may require some assistance or supervision, but it’s important to let them explore their capabilities and try new things.

A toddler can easily be overwhelmed with too many chores, so it’s important to start small. Choose one or two simple tasks that you know your child can handle. As they get older and more capable, you can give them more chores to do. Remember to praise them for a job well done!

Daily living skills, responsibility, independence, pride, satisfaction

10. Role-playing

What’s funnier than seeing a tiny toddler acting like a fat aunt or an old grandpa? Role-plays are one of the best activities for 3-year-olds as they help them learn about different emotions, people, and situations.

None! Just your child’s imagination. A few props like a walking stick, a hat, a lady’s purse, or a wig could come in handy to help set the scene.

Have your child choose a character that he or she would like to play. It could be anyone—a family member, a friend, a cartoon character, an animal, etc. Then, encourage them to act out the part. They can speak differently, use props, and do whatever they want to bring the character to life. Children learn to observe people around them and understand their emotions in this way.

Creativity, imagination, emotional intelligence, communication, problem-solving

Check out the best outdoor activities for 3-year-olds here!

11. Playing Dress Up

Dress-up games are not gender-specific. Most children love them! This activity helps 3-year-olds use their imagination, learn about social norms and roles, and have lots of fun!

Old clothes, hats, scarves, jewelry, etc., can be used as dress-up items. You can also use old sheets or towels to make capes or skirts. You can also use actual costumes if you have them.

Let your child choose what they want to be, and then help them get dressed in the appropriate clothing. If you like, you can also act out a play or story together with your child in their new costume.

Creativity, imagination, role-playing, problem-solving

12. Making Music with Household Items

This is one of the fun activities for 3-year-olds that can be done with items that you already have around the house. It’s a great way to introduce your child to music and help them develop a sense of rhythm.

Household items that can be used as musical instruments, such as pots and pans, plastic containers, wooden spoons, etc. You can also use actual musical instruments if you have them.

Let your child choose what he or she wants to use as an instrument. Then, encourage them to make music with it however they want. You can also sing along or dance to the music!

Music skills, sense of rhythm, gross motor skills, creativity, imagination

13. Making Art with Thumb , Hand, or Foot Impressions

Most toddlers do not know how to go about making an art piece. But they love to play a role in helping make one! This activity allows them to do just that, resulting in a beautiful piece of art that you can hang on your fridge or wall.

Non-toxic paint, paper, and something to use as a stamp (such as potato, carrot, or eraser)

Let your child choose what paint color he or she wants to use. Then, help them make a thumbprint, handprint, or footprint on the paper. You can also make patterns with stamps by carving a shape into a potato, carrot, or eraser. Once the paint is dry, you can hang up the artwork!

Creativity, imagination, fine motor skills, color recognition

14. Creating a Collage

A collage is a great way for toddlers to express their creativity. They can make amazing birthday cards with photo collages, make wall-hanging art, or have fun tearing up paper and gluing it back together!

Paper, safety scissors, glue, and any other materials you want to use for the collage (such as tissue paper, construction paper, feathers, buttons, ribbons, etc.)

Let your child choose what they want to use for their collage. Then, help them cut out the paper or other materials into small pieces. Once they have a good pile of pieces, they can glue them down onto another piece of paper. You can help them with this if needed.

Creativity, imagination, fine motor skills, color recognition, pattern-making

15. Drawing with Chalk on the Sidewalk

If you live in a safe neighborhood, your children can display their artistic skills outside the home by drawing with chalk on the sidewalk or driveway. This activity is great for gross motor skills and allows you to teach your child about shapes, colors, and patterns.

Chalk in various colors

Let your child choose what color of chalk he or she wants to use. Then, help them draw a picture or make patterns on the sidewalk. You can also join in and create your own chalk masterpiece!

Educate children about different cultures where making art to decorate entrance gates and doorways is a tradition. Indians make rangoli, Chinese make a dragon or zodiac animal drawings, while in the Philippines, it is common to see people painting on bamboo mats called banig . In this way, you can introduce your toddlers to other cultures.

Creativity, imagination, gross motor skills, shapes, colors, pattern-making

A study on Chinese children found that organized extracurricular activities (EAs) are strongly associated with early reading, math, and social skills. Another study indicated that the involvement of parents in preschool children’s learning activities at home during the COVID-19 pandemic was beneficial to kids’ learning behavior and emotional health. 

These studies seem to suggest that any activity that encourages learning, socialization, and creativity would benefit our little ones and shape them into more confident, woke, and aware individuals. 

Some benefits of educational activities for 3-year-olds are:

• They help develop cognitive skills, including problem-solving, memory, and attention span.
• EAs also nurture social skills such as cooperation, empathy, and communication.
• These activities can also boost self-esteem and confidence in children.
• Fun and educational activities are also great for developing gross and fine motor skills.

So go ahead and try out some educational activities with your 3-year-old today! You might just be surprised at how much they enjoy it—and how much they learn from it too.

Explore more online educational resources for kids to aid their learning experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to choose a good educational activity for my 3 year old.

When choosing an activity for your 3-year-old, it is important to consider their interests, abilities, and attention span. You also want to ensure the activity is developmentally appropriate and safe. If you are unsure whether an activity is appropriate for your child, you can always consult their pediatrician or a child development expert.

How can I get my toddler to sit still and focus on an activity?

This can be a challenge for many parents! One tip is to try to find activities that your child is interested in and that they enjoy doing. Also, make sure you provide plenty of breaks during the activity so that your child doesn’t become overwhelmed or frustrated. Finally, praise your child when they display good behavior so that they know that you are pleased with their efforts.

How to help my toddler express their creativity?

There are many ways in which you can help your toddler express their creativity. One way is to provide plenty of opportunities for them to explore different materials and mediums, such as crayons, paint, clay, etc. You can also encourage them to sing, dance, or act out stories. And finally, make sure to praise their efforts and creativity, no matter what the outcome may be.

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10 Brain-Boosting Activities for Three-Year-Olds

• Family Time Tips & Tools , Preschool
• May 1, 2018

Support Your Preschooler’s Development with These At-Home Activities

These ideas expand upon what your preschooler is learning in their classroom. Activities are adapted from the Ages and Stages Questionnaire Learning Activities by Elizabeth Twombly and Ginger Fink.

1. Muffin Tin Geoboard

Using rubber bands, encourage your child to make shapes like squares and rectangles on the backside of muffin tins. Or they can create letters and numbers on the geoboard.

2. Coin Exploration

Gather loose change and count them together. Sort the coins by size and color, and talk about which one is bigger or smaller. Create a coin toss game with cups. Have fun and be creative in exploring coins.

3. Interactive Reading

As you read with your child, invite them to look at, point to and talk about what they see on the page. Interactive reading helps your child stay interested in a book and learn. Give your child time to ask questions about the book.

4. Create a Face

Talk about the parts of a face as your child creates one using different shapes cut out from paper or foam pieces. Your child’s self-image will strengthen as they learn how to create a likeness of themselves.

5. Move Like an Animal

Talk about what is happening as you and your child run fast like a cheetah or gallop like a horse. Your child will learn words at the same time they learn to coordinate their body and control their actions.

6. Two-Step Directions

Give your child directions that ask for two or more actions. Two-step directions give your child practice in understanding and completing all the parts of a task.

7. Searching For Sounds

Find various objects around the house and describe the sound your child can make with each object. Your child becomes more familiar with their environment when they have the chance to hear and classify sound.

8. Matching Pictures

Let your child look for one matching pair among several pictures of the same kind of thing, for example, among several pictures of cars. Your child will notice which pictures are nearly alike and which are exactly alike.

9. Pack My Own Picnic

Invite your child to pack a picnic lunch and decide what to include. Packing a picnic allows your child to act independently and learn from their choices. Talk about where they will be eating and what foods might be easy to eat there.

10. Props for Pretending

Stock a box or basket with supplies that encourage your child to imagine themselves in different roles. Your child’s thinking may expand as they dress up to play various parts.

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21 Games For 3-Year-Olds They'll Play Over And Over Again

You may even remember some of these classics from when you were a kid.

BuzzFeed Staff

1. A Ladybug's Garden Memory game  that redefines the matching game genre since it ditches the classic card-flipping style and instead teaches memory with cute ladybugs instead!

For ages 3+, and if you like this, you should check out these parenting toddler products .

Promising review: "We gave this to your 3 1/2 year old granddaughter for Christmas. She has played it frequently at home but we were able to play it with her today when she brought it to our home. It is a fun take on a memory game and our granddaughter was very engaged in getting memory matches and collecting ladybugs. Highly recommend for children who enjoy playing games." — Audrey

Get it from Fat Brain Toys for $19.95 .

2. A Feed the Woozle  board game that teaches problem-solving and counting, as the kiddos try to land snacks inside the mouth of a mysterious creature called a Woozle. Who's hungry...for fun??

For ages 3+

Promising review: "We love the 'woozle game'! It was our very first board game that we bought for our three year old and it's been a favorite ever since. The instructions are easy for a three year old to understand and keeps their attention for at least 20 min (which is not easy to do!). We have a great timing playing together as a family and always end up laughing together." — Jessica

Get it from Amazon for $23.95

3. A motion-sensing Red Light Green Light game  to take parents back to those classic recess games — except now, they can share that fun with their small tot as they quickly race to make it past the toy car before it says "Red light!"

For ages 3+ and make sure to check out more ways to keep your kids busy for hours .

Promising review: "Our 2.5 year old and 5 year old were familiar with playing Red Light, Green Light, so we’re able to play with the 'real' traffic light immediately. It is definitely a hit!" — sylvialynn

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 .

4. A "Silly Poopy's Hide & Seek" game (from the makers of What Do You Meme?) that actually involves hiding a fake plastic poo that talks and gives clues to its whereabouts.

Here's BuzzFeed editor John Mihaly to give you all the dirt on this poop...

"You know as a parent when your brain tells you, 'This might be a bad idea!' but your gut tells you 'Nah, this is going to be hilarious! Maybe.' Luckily, my gut was right this time. Silly Poopy is beyond silly and not poopy at all. It is indeed a poop-ton of fun for the whole family, thanks to its infectious song that sounds like it was taken straight from a 1970s game show. Best of all, my kid loves it and hopefully, this is the only poop he tries to hide around the house. — John Mihaly 

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 .

5. A Whack A Frog game  to keep your toddler from smacking (or throwing) anything and everything they probably shouldn't be. Instead, they can refocus that energy on whacking each frog that lights up, for a ribbiting  time .

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Promising review: "My 3-year-old niece and almost 5-year-old daughter love to play this game. It's super cute and the kids enjoy playing together or on their own." — Samantha Smithingell

Get it from Amazon for $29.99  (clip the coupon on the product page to save 10%).

6. A RaboSky Beanbag Toss  because beanbag toss isn't just a fun yard game for inebriated adults — your child can take turns tossing these beanbags while it low-key teaches them colors and motor skills.

For ages 2+

Promising review:  "I needed something that would keep my 3-year-old busy while I cooked dinner in the kitchen. This thing is amazing. It fits nicely in my small kitchen, and I can even toss the bean bags with him while I cook. We are interacting and he's entertained and not tugging on my leg every few seconds. It also provides him something that he can do on his own. You can stand it up or lay it down, and it provides two different levels of difficulty. It folds up really small and comes with a carrying case, so we can easily take it with us on vacations and such! " — Jose Martinez

Get it from Amazon for $23.99+  (available in two styles).

7. A game of Honey Bee Tree  to get your kiddo buzzing with excitement as they pull each leaf out carefully, in the hopes of not dropping any of the adorable bumble bees. 

Promising review:  "This is a fantastic game. Reminds me of Kerplunk, but we prefer the Honey Bee Tree because it's more appealing to my 3-year-old — especially because he loves bumble bees. We like that the sticks have leaves, which makes it easier to grasp. The wings on the bees sometimes help to catch their fall through the sticks, which makes it fun. It's a very cute game, has an easy set up, and really helps my 3-year-old practice taking turns and working on playing gentle. Plus dexterity. He caught on really quickly and regularly asks to play." — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 .

8. A Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel game  for creating a totally nutty play time with your loved one — especially as they work to collect five acorns by spinning the spinner and picking up the matching acorn with the special ~squirrel squeezer.~

Promising review: "Our family LOVES this game. It’s fun for both of our 9-year-old and 3-year-old to play together. It helps with fine motor skills, is easy enough for the 3-year-old to know the rules, helps with knowing the colors, and how to take turns. All of that yet it’s still fun for the 9-year-old too. This is going to be so fun to gift to friends." — Angela Fleming

Get it from Amazon for $22.99 .

9. An Elefun and Friends game  so energy-filled kids can chase butterflies launched from an inflatable elephant (which will hopefully drain them of some of that seemingly limitless energy supply). 

Promising review: " My kids (now adults) had this game, and now the grandkids play it. It's really cute, makes an elephant sound, and lightweight plastic butterflies fly out the top. The game has four nets and the goal is to catch as many butterflies as you can. My grandkids even tore up small pieces of paper to make more butterflies, and that worked well. Both my 11-year-old and 3-year-old grandchildren have fun with Elefun." — Marlee

Get it from Amazon for $27.98 .

10. A game of Hi Ho! Cherry-O  for bringing your toddler's favorite snack to playtime, while also introducing basic math through counting and sorting the fruit-shaped game pieces.

For ages 3+. With a simple set up, playing a round of this only requires using the spinner to collect the fruit and build the included puzzle.

Promising review: "We've been looking for cooperative games for our 3-year-old so we ordered this. She LOVES this game! It combines counting and turn-taking, which she is now doing really well with. The directions are easy to follow and when we have guests over, she even teaches people how to play the game." — B. Peadro

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 .

11. A classic game of Candy Land  that's too sweet not to play a round (or two) of. And since it's simple to play, it won't take long for your kiddo to pick up on the rules — just pick a card and move the gingerbread to the color.

Promising review:  "This game brought me back to my childhood. I’m very much enjoying playing this game with my kids as I remember playing it when I was younger. I love that the game has remained simple and nostalgic. My 3-year-old loves playing this game because he can play all by himself without having an adult help him and I’m all for him feeling independent!" — Gigi0802

12. A mix and match game of  Cootie  that makes it actually acceptable to tell a child that they have, well, cooties. They'll unleash their creativity as they put together the different accessories on the colorful bugs, while learning about colors, too!

Promising review: "I bought Cooties for all my children and grandchildren. Now I bought it for my great granddaughter and she loves it. She doesn't even have to play the game, she loves putting the different variations on the bodies all by herself." — Amazon Customer

13. An Ants in The Pants game  your toddler will be antsy  to play, as you and your kiddo attempt to put as many "ants" as possible into the panda's bottoms. 

Promising review:  "This game is an old time favorite that’s been around for many years, (I played it in the '70s!). This was purchased as a gift and didn’t disappoint! It’s pretty much as I remembered from my childhood. My granddaughter loved it and while it’s a challenge getting the ants to flip exactly where you want them to go, it teaches patience and takes practice. Once again, an old time favorite that ALL ages can play, family fun!" — Chinchopper79

14. A  Family Bingo  card set to put aside for some rainy day indoor fun and learning (counting, colors, and animals) — the littles ones will be squealing with delight, especially once they get their first BINGO!

Promising review: "So much fun! I love that the my 3 year old can independently do the green cards and my 5 year old can handle the more challenging ones!" — Lindsay

Get it from Target for $14.99 .

15. A game of  Lucky Ducks  that the little tykes will be quacking to play, as they try to match the ducks by moving around the pond and looking at the bottom of each one.

For ages 3+ and requires two AA batteries (not included).

Promising review: "My kiddos love playing with this game. It took about five minutes to place all the stickers on and it does require batteries. But it's a super simple game they enjoy for about 10–15 minutes until they want the next one (typical for us, haha)." — Mariana

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+  (available in two styles).

16. An interactive Let's Feed The Very Hungry Caterpillar  board game inspired by the classic Eric Carle children's book. The object of the game for the kids to transform their caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly as they collect puzzle pieces along the way! 

For ages 3+ — also teaches kids basic motor skills and encourages decision making.

Promising review: "My 3 year old grandson loves the little caterpillars and is learning a lot with the process of playing the game. I recommend just allowing free play at first, then introduce the 'rules'!" — Rigs

Get it from Walmart for $12.99 .

17. A Barrel of Monkeys  ideal for the toddler who enjoys some good ~monkeying around.~ They can create their own games, or ee how many monkeys they can string together — don't be surprised if you find these hanging all around your house!

Promising review: "I had this game when I was little, these are the exact same ones that I had. Good quality and cheaper than I've seen in store. I bought it for my 2-year-old and she loves them." — Arianne Little

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 .

18. A game of Gator Golf  your kiddo can play indoors or outside while learning colors, counting, and taking turns — it's so entertaining you won't be saying "later gator!" to this activity anytime soon.

Promising review:  "I got this game for my niece to play while she is here for the summer. Best decision ever. This fun game comes with four colored balls, a putting stick, and a cute gator head. The object of the game is to be the first to get your ball into the gator's mouth three times. I thought it was fun to play with my niece and I loved we could make up our own rules. It is also a great way to teach color and numbers. The game is made of really nice quality plastic. It has a moving part where when the ball hits the back of the gator's mouth it pops back out. Plus, even adults can have fun with it. I have had many game nights where hubby and I battle it to be the supreme titleholder of hole-in-one with this game. Definitely, a must-buy item for kids to play indoors or out." — Rebecca Bryant

Get it from Amazon for $14.69

19. An interactive magnetic fishing puzzle  to help your tots distinguish letters, numbers, and colors. They'll use a lil' fishing rod to catch a hold of a fish-shaped puzzle piece, and move it into the correct spot using some agility and brain power!

Promising review: "Absolutely in love with this puzzle! My toddler spends HOURS playing with this! Mom win 🙌🏻!  She loves using the magnetic fishing rod to fish for each letter and number, and has so much fun matching the cutest little fishies back to their “home”! I love how colorful and smooth the pieces are! This puzzle will provide many hours of fun, entertainment, and education for my little girl!" – Mommy2Be

Get it from Amazon for $8.49 .

20. A  toddler scavenger hunt that'll keep their little selves busy while they complete tasks and hunt for "treasure" (clothes, furniture, knickknacks, and other items) around the house!

Promising review: "This is a fun little game! My 3-year-old really enjoys it. He has a speech delay and this game has helped him learn new words and to follow directions. It’s nice that it’s all together on one ring so I don’t have to worry about losing pieces. And the cards are sturdy, so it will still be in good shape when my younger son is ready to play." – Amy E

Get it from Amazon for $12.99  (also available in Spanish and outdoor editions)

21. A Snug As A Bug In A Rug board game so kids can learn their colors, numbers, and shapes while helping the bugs the get under the rug . Plus, it offers three levels of play, so the game can grow with your kiddle.

Promising review : "10 STARS! Oh my gosh. This is the most amazing board game for kids . My son will be 3 in two months and he did so well with this. We started off by only matching colors and after two games, he was ready to try shapes! We haven't gone past that YET but that's truly the beauty of this game, there are so many levels you can achieve. And if your child needs to start off slower, the game allows for that without confusion. I want to buy this game as a Xmas gift for all the little toddlers in my family (nieces, cousins, etc) at Xmas time. I plan to buy more in this brand. I'm so grateful I chose this as a first board game for my son." — Dominique S.

Your kiddos waking you up to play *another* game:

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity. 

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18 Fun and Educational Toddler Apps to Help Kids Learn

Download these apps and turn screen time into learning time.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

We updated this article in March 2023 to add new picks based on recent testing.

In a perfect world, we would all have no trouble keeping our toddlers away from screens until they're a bit older. But if you're a parent, you know the struggle of simply needing to finish a chore or eat out at a restaurant without a screaming two-year-old demanding all of your attention. But screen time doesn't have to be devoid of educational value. The best apps for toddlers can help keep your tiny tots entertained while challenging their brains at the same time.

Our top picks:

Best Overall

Pbs kids games.

Best Educational

Abc mouse abc mouse.

Best Personalized

Homer learn & grow.

The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test and review all kinds of apps, from workout apps to dating apps . When it came to finding the best apps for toddlers , our on-staff parenting experts and real-life parent and child testers got hands-on with dozens of popular apps to evaluate them for ease of use, age-appropriateness, ability to engage and more.

Here, we review our favorites — some feature your toddler's favorite TV personalities, like Elmo and Daniel Tiger, some will get them up and moving so screen time isn't also sedentary time and many of them are even free. But the good news is that all of them should keep your kids' attention long enough for you to get something — anything! — done.

PBS Kids Games should be a staple in any house with a toddler. GH Chief Technologist Rachel Rothman and her little ones use this app daily in their house. "PBS Kids Games is great because it covers a lot of popular titles with content and games you can feel good about ," she says. You'll find Daniel Tiger, Arthur and all the other popular characters come together to create games so fun kids won't even realize they're educational, making it a great app for kids and students alike . The app is also constantly updated with new games so your kids won't run out of content to explore.

Make learning fun with this educational and exciting app that uses stories, quizzes, games and videos to get kids started on a path to learning about reading, math, science and art. Our testers said they loved and used this app even before they began officially testing it for GH, and our experts appreciate that you can follow your kid's progress on a virtual map that outlines their learning progress so you can both see how far they've come in real time (and celebrate their victories).

Homer Learn & Grow

This app earned itself a GH Parenting Award in 2022 for its exciting way of teaching a variety of important topics like math, reading and social-emotional awareness. Our parent testers like the personalization options that let families with more than one kid customize their learning for each little one, and appreciate the diverse offerings for those of different ages and education levels. Our kid testers liked that the app gave them the chance to record their own voices so they can show off their mastery of each skill.

Elmo Loves 123s

Learning your 123s can be difficult for toddlers, and this app will help get them on the path to becoming a math wiz. The free preview lets little ones learn 123 and you can download the full version to get games, videos and more on all numbers 1-20 . In fact, all of the iOS apps and Android apps by the Sesame Workshop are great, putting all the Sesame Street friends to good use helping kids do everything from learning their letters to using the potty. But Elmo Loves 123s is one of our favorites because of the cute ways Elmo helps kids learn their early numbers.

Daniel Tiger's Grr-ific Feelings

You can never have too much Daniel Tiger, and kids and parents will adore this app that helps them explore and understand emotions . This fun pick features games, sing-alongs, art exercises and a "feelings photo-booth" that lets kids take pictures of themselves to better understand expressions. We're fans of all things Daniel Tiger, and appreciate how this app helps little ones get more in touch with recognizing feelings, expressing themselves in positive and valuable ways and understanding social-emotional cues.

Ring ring! It's Elmo. Your kid can learn valuable social skills while making important phone calls to their favorite Sesame Street character. Like FaceTime but with Elmo, this app helps little ones get used to talking over video chat , and lets them practice for those long distance calls with Grandma. Rothman notes that her kids were particularly enthralled by this app during their early toddler years. Aside from video calls, this app also lets you receive voicemails and listen to messages from your furry friend at any time.

Khan Academy Kids

Kids can learn reading, writing, math, social-emotional skills and more when they hop on the Khan Academy Kids app. Just like the regular Khan Academy app, which kids can graduate to once they turn four, this toddler-friendly app will help them learn the important skills they'll need once they enter preschool. It allows you to create a personalized learning path for your child , plus, you don't need to worry about paying a subscription fee or slogging through ads since this app — and all the educational content that's constantly being updated — is completely free.

Beck and Bo

This beautifully animated app lets kids put characters in different scenes, from everyday locations like the grocery store to exotic locales like the jungle. T hey can place characters and objects in the scene, or tap on items to find out what things are called and learn new words . It's a great introduction to pretend-play and online gaming, letting kids play games like matching and ball, learn logic by building each scene and manipulating characters and objects to different areas, expand their vocabulary and more.

Epic! will inspire and encourage early readers to fall in love with books. With more than 40,000 bo0ks on the platform that are ready to read, it's easier than a trip to the local library, and you can search through them by age or interest. Plus, there's even books and quizzes in foreign languages to help introduce your little ones to Spanish, French or Chinese at a young age. You get a free month-long trial before being charged a monthly fee; check with your school, though, because sometimes they can set up free subscriptions for their classrooms.

2-3.com Baby Games

Your baby gamer will adore the games found on this app that tiny tots won't be able to get enough of. Using sounds, animations and numbers, this app makes it simple to introduce a variety of topics to your kids. Created by a dad who wanted to give back, these free and simple interactive games for the littlest of kids include balloon-popping games, virtual instruments to play and even fireworks so that the youngest members of your family can join in the app fun, starting as early as six months.

Hungry Caterpillar Play School

Nostalgic parents probably remember the Very Hungry Caterpillar from Eric Carle's beloved books from their own early reading days. Not only has this books stayed a staple in the nursery for decades, but its app version helps introduce kids to educational themes with one of their favorite literary characters. This app lets kids take the Caterpillar through games that tackle very basic math, problem-solving and science .

Starfall ABCs

There are a million apps that claim to help kids learn the ABCs, but this one is backed by a nonprofit education company . Kids interact with letters and learn how to make sounds and words. While you can chose to pay for the upgraded version to get a few more bells and whistles, like math lessons, we found the free version to have an impressive amount of content all on its own.

Goodness Shapes

Friendly-looking shapes help kids learn colors, matching and sorting in this preschool-friendly app. You might want to use it as a de-stressing tool, too. Kids can challenge their brains while they practice shape, color and pattern recognition and play some fun games with cute shape characters. One of our favorite things? It's offline, so you don't have to worry about being hooked up to Wi-Fi while playing, and since you pay a couple dollars upfront for access, there aren't any additional paywalls or ads to wade through while playing.

It can be hard to get your steps in if you spend the majority of your time at home on screens, but this adorable app helps encourage your little ones to get active. When it's time for a movement break, this app has videos that gets kids up and exercising so they don't spend all day lounging on the couch. From dance to yoga to mindfulness, there's over 300 videos on here to get you started. The simple, follow-me videos even have an educational twist sometimes (one of our favorites teaches kids about making patterns ). That might go over your toddler's head, but they can still try the moves. While it's geared toward a little bit older kids, little ones can get in on the fun and copy the moves with you.

Cosmic Kids!

Yogis and meditators will appreciate this app geared toward giving toddlers their first taste of mindfulness. A bit of meditation can help everyone manage their emotional wellbeing and stress levels , and Cosmic Kids has over 80 yoga videos and 28 mindfulness sessions. For families looking to get into yoga, this mindfulness app offers videos of workouts geared for kids. (Your toddler may have to do modified versions of the moves since the app is made for a little bit older kids.) The host, Jaime, puts routines together that are themed to Frozen , Star Wars , Minecraft and other kid faves.

It's a little bit like the game Guess Who, where kids have to identify animals who are dancing, wagging their tails or crying. There's also a social/emotional learning component to it, since sometimes they have to identify animals by what they're feeling and pick out who is surprised, crying, happy, sad and more. This app lets kids interact with animals of all sorts and learn more about emotional cues and what they mean. We appreciate that it engages a variety of skills and senses.

Lego Duplo World

Winner of the KAPI Best App award in 2020 (amongst a variety of other awards throughout the past few years), this open-ended app lets kids explore the in-app world and build 3D structures. It's all the fun of Legos without the fear of your kids leaving them on the floor for you to step on. Featuring games with animals, cars, trains and more, this app lets your kids use 3D bricks to build while learning more about how the world and the many things in it function. When they get older, they can connect and play with friends.

Moo, Baa, La La La!

Classic children's book writer Sandra Boynton is known for her dozens of board books for little ones, and this app brings one of your favorite ones to life. With this app, her Moo, Baa, La La La! book becomes interactive , and kids can hear animal sounds and do things like tap the screen to turn day to night. This e-book experience is great for traveling, since you don't have to bring anything along with you to create the perfect bedtime routine and read your little one's favorite book.

How we test apps for toddlers

We know many apps are out there on the market, and how difficult it can be to find out which ones are worth downloading and purchasing for your family. To find the best apps for toddlers, we tested dozens of popular kids' apps designed primarily for 2 to 4-year-olds. After consulting our consumer panel, made up of real parents and their children, we were able to narrow down a list of apps worth considering.

Then, our experts evaluated each app on a variety of factors, like how easy it is to use for both parents and children independently, whether or not it's worth its price, how long and effectively it can hold your kid's attention, whether or not it's age appropriate, if there are any tech pitfalls and more.

What to look for in apps for toddlers

✔️ Safety: To avoid getting scammed and protect your own safety, there are a few things you can keep in mind when signing up for a new app. Consider how much information the app is requesting from you and whether or not it feels necessary. Is there additional verification required when you log in? Parents can check out the number of times the app has been downloaded, the rating and reviews on the Apple or Google Play store to make sure it's even safe for download. Don't forget to look over the permissions list and app description before downloading.

✔️ Features: Some apps offer personalized learning plans or include features that let more than one kid track their own plans at the same time. Others simply offer fun games to keep your kids entertained for a few minutes. Keep an eye out for the extra features of each app depending on what you're hoping to achieve.

✔️ Ease of use: While toddlers are a little young to be navigating apps on their own, some will be able to do so once they get a bit older. Not only will this help them develop their independence and strengthen their problem-solving skills, but will give you a much needed break while they're entertained. Make sure the app is intuitive enough for them to handle on their own.

✔️ Age: The right apps for your kids are age appropriate for many reasons. Not only will this avoid unnecessary frustration when you accidentally put them in 3rd grade reading far before they're ready, but it means you don't have to worry about the content they're consuming. To get the most benefit out of each app experience, make sure that they're not learning at too low or too high of a level.

✔️ Price: Many of our favorite picks are free, but a few of the more specialized apps feature paid upgrades or monthly subscriptions with access to all of their unlimited games and videos. It may be worth a few bucks if it's an app your kid is particularly engaged with.

✔️ Engagement: Keeping your child entertained and engaged is one of the most important aspects of a good app. If your kid isn't excited to hop on and spend time learning new things, watching videos or playing the app's games, then it doesn't matter how helpful the app is if they can't even be bothered to log in.

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

Jamie (she/her) is a parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she spends her time testing, researching and writing about pet and family products. Prior to starting at GH in 2021, she worked at BuzzFeed and People , covering a combination of product reviews and lifestyle content. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.

Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years , overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. 

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30 Best Educational iPad Games for Kids in 2024 (Free and Paid)

Learn while you play!

Tablets are a regular part of most kids’ routines these days, and teachers and parents can use that to their advantage. There are a lot of terrific iPad games for kids that are designed for learning but disguised as fun! Here are some of the best that cover reading, math, science, social studies, and more for kids of a variety of ages.

Free iPad Games for Kids

The earlier kids start to learn new languages, the better. When we’re young, our brains are more receptive to learning language in general. Duolingo no longer has a specific version just for kids (though they do have a reading program; see below). But the general app itself is still great for kids by upper elementary or so. It’s completely free, and offers more than 40 languages to explore. Teachers should check out Duolingo for Schools , too.

Duolingo ABC

Ages: Pre-K to Grade 1

The foreign language learning company has brought its same philosophy to teaching kids how to read. The entirely free lessons focus on phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, and reading comprehension, all the skills emergent readers need. The lessons increase in difficulty as children progress, with tailored reviews to help kids strengthen skills they struggle with. It’s aligned with Common Core standards too.

PBS Kids Games

Ages: Pre-K to Grade 2

You know you can trust PBS to provide safe, fun, and educational iPad games for kids. Their collection features stars from popular shows like Daniel Tiger and the Wild Kratts, with hundreds of games on just about every subject. This is one iPad app every parent and teacher needs, especially since it’s all entirely free (and available in Spanish too!).

iCivics Games

Ages: Middle and High School

iCivics has a suite of terrific social studies games that kids will truly enjoy playing. They’ll feel like they’re right in the action as they try to get a new law ratified, run in an election, or try a case in court. These apps are all free, and their website has lots of excellent accompanying resources for teachers.

Bedtime Math

Ages: Pre-K to Grade 3

Bedtime stories are a longstanding tradition, but what about bedtime math? That’s what this free app, along with its accompanying books , aims to do. Each day, the app adds a new fun math problem for parents and kids to do together. (Teachers could also use them as daily problems in the classroom.) Each math problem has three levels of difficulty, and many offer challenge questions too. ADVERTISEMENT

Little Alchemy 2

Ages: K to 12

Starting with just a few basic elements (air, earth, fire, and water), players mix these to create dozens of new items, both real and imaginary. For instance, mix water and earth to get clay, then mix clay and fire to make bricks, add brick to brick to build a wall, and so on. This robust free game is completely engrossing, and it encourages both creativity and logical thinking.

World Geography Quiz Game

Ages: Grades 3 to 12

This isn’t one of those iPad games for kids full of animated characters and flashy graphics. It’s a straight-up geography quiz game and a very good one. Kids who are into maps and globes will enjoy checking their knowledge of flags, capital cities, statistics, and much more. The game is free to download and play; you have the option to buy “hints,” but they’re not necessary to enjoy the fun.

Sushi Monster

Ages: Grades 2 to 6

Looking for a fun way to practice math facts? Check out this free app! Sushi Monster is hungry. Feed him the sushi plates to make the correct goal number and practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Lyrical Letters

Ages: Pre-K to Grade 12

Combine music with spelling and vocabulary in this charming game, enjoyable for anyone at any age. Listen to the sequence of notes, then play them back to spell the right word. You can also simply play around with the keyboard and synthesizer functions, composing tunes just for fun. Lyrical Letters is free to download and play; you can remove the in-game ads for $1.99.

Ages: Grade 4 and up

Build vocabulary and work on spelling with this innovative word game. As you connect letters to make a word, they disappear from the board, collapsing others around them. New letters are always rising from the bottom, though, so you’ll have to think quickly to stop them from reaching the top and ending the game. The game is free to download, but many reviewers note that it’s ad-heavy; pay $4.99 to unlock the full version.

More Great Educational iPad Games for Kids

Think of this collection of iPad games for kids as your personal set of Montessori activities on the go. From busy boards and blocks to music sequencers and a marble machine, the youngest learners will find plenty to keep them engaged as they develop key skills. Pok Pok is subscription-based ($6.99/month or $45.99/year), with a free 7-day trial.

Hands-On Equations

Ages: Grades 4+

The Hands-On Equations iPad games teach algebra skills in a fun and engaging way. There are three levels available, plus Hands-On Equations Lite, a free version you can try to see if you like it. Level 1 covers the basics of equations, while 2 and 3 build up the difficulty to include order of operations and negative numbers. Levels 1, 2, and 3 range in price from $2.99 to $3.99 each.

Endless Alphabet

Ages: Pre-K

This iPad game has been around for awhile, but parents and kids both continue to love it. Kids build their vocabulary and alphabet knowledge through interactive games and fun animations. They’ll also enjoy the adorable monsters that join in on the game! Get Endless Alphabet for a one-time purchase price of $8.99.

ABCmouse is one of the most popular educational iPad games for kids who are learning to read, count, and more. They offer thousands of learning activities across the curriculum, including hundreds in Spanish. It requires a subscription ($12.99/month or $45/year), but you can try it for free for 30 days to see if you like it.

Adventure Academy

Ages: Grades 3 to 8

Adventure Academy is ABCmouse’s older cousin. Upper elementary and middle school students can learn math, science, language arts, and more. They’ll create their own avatar and make their way around a fully interactive school environment, learning as they go. It has the same subscription rates as ABCmouse ($12.99/month or $45/year).

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Ages: Pre-K to Kindergarten

Everyone’s favorite caterpillar is now available in an app! Play games to match colors and shapes, put together puzzles, and learn to take care of plants and animals. The app is free to download, but it costs $4.99 to unlock all of the available activities.

Ages: Grades 1 to 5

Solve math problems and try to get five Bingo Bugs in a row. Be careful, though, because wrong answers will affect your end score. High scores earn you your very own Bingo Bugs for your collection! There are five modes: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and mixed. Math Bingo costs $2.99 to download and play.

Ages: Grades 3 and up

Everything you love about Mad Libs in an app! Kids will get sneaky practice in learning the parts of speech, while creating zany stories that make everyone laugh. You get a limited number of Mad Libs for free, with the ability to buy more packages starting at $1.99.

Sight Words Ninja

Ages: Grades 1 to 4

This is such a fun way to practice sight words! As various words appear on the screen, slice through the target word as fast as you can to score points. At only $1.99, this game is a terrific bargain and one that students will beg to play.

Wee ones will love helping Tim and his family as they learn colors and shapes. The game is available in multiple languages, so you can also use it to help kids learn basic words in Spanish, French, and more. Dino Tim is free to download and $2.99 to unlock all content.

Presidents vs. Aliens

Ages: Grade 3 and up

Learn more about U.S. presidents while you battle aliens in this silly but informative game. As you answer the questions and beat each level, you add a new president to your collection. Then, you can fling these presidents at the aliens to help defend the planet! The app costs $1.99 to download but has no in-game ads and doesn’t require any additional purchases to play. Kids will need to be able to read to play on their own.

Ages: K to Grade 4

This subscription-based iPad game for kids promises to make learning math fun and engaging. Kids set out on missions to earn monsters by solving math puzzles. This is a program that can grow with any child, starting with very basic counting skills and building through to multiplication and division. After a 7-day free trial, the program costs $7.99 a month or $49.99 annually.

Where’s My Water?

Ages: Kindergarten and Up

Swampy lives in the sewers under the city, but he loves to stay clean! His shower is constantly getting stopped up, though, so kids need` to dig through the dirt and avoid obstacles to guide the fresh water to Swampy. This game is a lot of fun, but it’s based on real physics and the movement of water, so they’ll learn while they play. This Disney game costs $1.99 to download and includes additional storylines for purchase.

Stack the States 2

Ages: Grade 3 and Up

Learn U.S. geography the fun way by answering questions and building your own collection of states. Kids master state capitals, cities, landmarks, flags, and more. The app costs $2.99 to download and play, with no ads or other in-app purchases to worry about.

Teach Your Monster to Read

They say the best way to learn something is to teach it to another. That’s the idea behind this popular iPad game, where kids “teach” a monster to read while learning the skills themselves. It covers early reading skills, from letter recognition through phonics and word-building. Download and play for $8.99.

Monster Physics

Kids who love to tinker will get a real kick out of this game. They can design and build their own inventions, then see how (and if!) they would work in the real world. There are 50 different missions for them to invent and conquer alongside their own monster avatar. At only $1.99 to download, with no in-game ads, this one is definitely worth a look.

Cut the Rope

Ages: Kindergarten and up

This game has been around for a while, but it’s popular for a reason. The concept is simple: arrange the objects on the screen and then cut the rope to release the candy into the hungry monster’s mouth. The laws of physics apply here, so kids will learn without even knowing it. The levels get progressively more challenging as you play. Cut the Rope costs $1.99 to download, with the ability to buy hints, solutions, and more puzzles in the app.

Slice Fractions

Ages: Grades 1 to 6

Learn fractions in an interactive environment as you slice through ice and lava to clear the mammoth’s path. There’s no reading involved in this game, so kids can focus purely on numbers and fractions. Slice Fractions costs $3.99 to download and play.

Ages: Grades 2 to 12

You don’t need any coding experience to play this game; you’ll learn as you go. Solve puzzles by guiding a robot to light up tiles with basic commands. Multiple players can save their progress on the same device, so this one’s great for classrooms or families. Some reading is required, but otherwise, even little ones can play on their own. Lightbot costs $2.99 to download and play, without the need for in-app purchases.

Reading Raven

This well-reviewed app teaches basic reading and writing skills, starting with letter recognition and tracing. As their skills advance, so do the challenges, until they’re able to practice reading aloud using voice recording. Reading Raven is a one-time cost of $3.99 to download and play, with no in-game ads.

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Plus, our favorite online games that are fun and educational too ., you might also like.

40+ Best Online Educational Games for Every Grade in 2023

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