MONTESSORI AT HOME: Favorite Board Games for Toddlers + Preschool!

[@theawesomefossums]

After a few times of playing a game with my son I ask him before we start. “Do you want me to play easy, medium, or hard?” so he can decide when he is ready to “level up”.

[@HapaFamily]

Love this tip!

[@joselliott6]

Great idea

[@minimalmomgreece]

Love it

[@greenserene2676]

The ultimate "winning " of the game of all games is being invited back to play more games. No one wants to play with someone who is mean, overly aggressive or has bad sportsmanship. I learned this Jordan Peterson. The act of playing is so important in developing how a child will function in the real world. I appreciate your recommendations to help foster this mindset.

[@natalieeuley1734]

My family has a very strong culture around board games. I have always wondered how I would introduce a child into this world when I have one, especially in a way that is in line with child development philosophies, because Lord knows the way my childhood went surrounding board games is NOT a good template lol. So in other words, I'm very grateful for this video :)

[@evag-s5177]

Another suggestion that is good for a group including kids of multiple ages and can be played cooperatively: Green Door One person comes up with a rule, such as "things that start with B" or "living things" or "things that fit in my hand." Everyone else asks if they can bring things through ("Can I bring a banana through the green door?") and the rule-maker answers yes or no. The game can be easier for young kids or very difficult for older kids, depending on what the rule is. Creating rules around how words are spelled can help work on spelling skills (first letter, last letter, words with double letters, words with more than one vowel, etc). You can declare the winner to be the person who guesses the rule, or just work together as a group to guess. It's great for travel or being on-the-go because all you need to play is your brains!

[@koellekind]

Thank you for sharing! That sounds great!

[@katrienvdk]

Thank you for posting this! I miss your family vlogs and Mia and Kylie already.

[@adriannavanoyen]

We're very into tabletop games in our family, so I'll definitely be saving this for recommendations! My 2.5 year old loves the Haba "My Very First Games" series that are simple and cooperative, "First Orchard" and "Nibble, Munch, Crunch". Other games that she enjoys, but are competitive, are a cute variation on Kerplunk called "Honey Bee Tree" and "Giant Snakes & Ladders". She's also super active, so we got the toddler version of Twister that uses color + shapes with a spinner and smaller mat.

[@MariaandMontessori]

The Haba games are our favorites too!!!

[@HapaFamily]

I will def have to take a look at all of these, since they’re all new to me! :) Thanks!!

[@ronjab4586]

Agree, the haba games are amazing. I started introducing them because I still remembered how much I loved to play the original Orchard game when I was a kid. Our 2 1/2 year old absolutely loved my first orchard when I introduced it to her. At this point, I also introduced others of the haba first games series. Expensive, but worth it - really good quality.

[@jasmineelliott9525]

Thank you for every single video that you post ♡

[@dakotadoyle8865]

I just wanted to say thank you for these videos, I am currently pregnant with my first and planning to implement a Montessori Philosophy at home, and your videos are great for ideas as well as to help educate my family on what my husband and I plan to do. You are very straightforward and to the point and with my pregnancy brain it is very appreciated 😊

[@prettyfloralbonnets]

On winning and losing we play by mood of the hour. When I know my 4yo may feel a little cranky, I let him win. I use those times to model how to lose (uhh i am frustrated that i lost. Well it was fun. I am going to try again next time and win-leads to giggles and no mamma i will win!) If I know my 4yo is fed and not sleepy, i will try my best to win. Works as a practice for losing.

[@jll7624]

Thrilled to see another upload, hope you and your family are well!

[@JohnDuffell]

Thanks for the video! It's reminded me to buy more games are my son is really getting interested in playing games now. Just one small feedback that you might find useful - when you are reviewing a load of things, consider repeating the name or show the box again when you finish each one, just to avoid people having to skip back/forward in the video in order to see what each one was once they heard about it.

[@HapaFamily]

Good to know, thank you! :)

[@koellekind]

She did put a list together on Amazon though (see description), I find that helpful! :)

[@apriltahe]

I have the Melissa and Doug fish game. My son got it for his 3rd birthday. Got some new ideas .

[@RaquelSilva-dd3to]

Perfect timing! My sons birthday is coming up and I was looking for a fun game to get to him. Now just need to decide which one! So many great options! Thank you!!!

[@koellekind]

Oh wow. That was so much, thanks a million! I'll have to rewatch this to decide what I want to buy first :D As a German, the only one of these "classic board games" that seemed familiar was 4 wins. Other classic board games in Germany are "Mensch ärgere dich nicht" (Human do not get angry, apparently in English the game is called Ludo), Uno and indeed also checkers and chess.

[@BeatrixFrancia]

Amazing introduction to board games! I can't wait to play with my child.. Still in my 11th week of pregnancy though!! 😂 Thank you Ashley!!

[@laartje24]

Start young XD :p Congrats on your pregnancy

[@BeatrixFrancia]

@@laartje24 So sweet! Thanks!! 💜 Have a good one 😊

[@philippapay4352]

Thank you. I did not know some of these games, so I suspect many people have gotten some good ideas from this video.

[@LenaSandul]

Thank you so much for all the recommendations! I have a 9 month old and almost a 3yo, and even at this age I love to see how they try to play together. Super excited to start a game collection for them to enjoy

[@melody_shmelody]

Love games with my son! He just turned two and is absolutely enamored with Monkey Around, Acorn Soup, and the Orchard Game (toddler version). Will definitely try the puppy one.

[@J92013]

Omg thank you! This is great! I’ve been looking for these ideas!

[@klarca1]

The Orchard toys games are very good for younger kids. My eldest son who is now 6 adores the Kiwico pegboard set of games and I have to say that I am a fan too, especially since it is very compact and there are so many different games that you can play, either solo or together.

[@TaraWilloughby]

I grew up playing board games and still love it today! We have a lot of these games and they are a big hit with my kids too. I really love the cooperative games! My oldest son is a big fan of any games that are silly or allow him to get up and move :).

[@taniamedina7519]

I love board games, and of course it makes my toddler curious about them so I really aprecciate this options of age appropiate boardgames.

[@elenapolenichkina6460]

Perfect! Just in time! Was looking for board game for fall and winter time! Thank you!

[@oliviab3807]

Yes! Thank you! that was my favorite parts of your blogs! And would play them with my daughter 💗

[@sheepcopy]

A Waldorf teacher who taught a seminar on alternative schooling I attended said "even seeded grass on a soccer field has a 'do not walk on the grass' sign until the grass is robust enough to handle it", and I see that reflected in letting kids win games while they are little

[@whatsinagame4549]

Thank you so much Ashley! Fantastic.

[@erinhancock31]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm an older mom of 5 between 25 and 2 and I have never heard of co-op games. I wish I knew about these games with my older children.

[@maarriiissolll]

These are all such cute board games! Starting a savings/budget for board games for next month🫶

[@mrashali5759]

Thank you Ashley for the board game suggestions!!!

[@SalomeHanka]

About losing and winning: I don't let my child win, but I pause the game in order to explain when, where and why I am going to win, if not prevented from it by certain action - and then I help him think about the required action. It doesn't show all the tricks of the game, of course, but helps them to get over the beginner period faster and they can sooner enjoy the game played for real.

[@minsy329]

Omg thank you so much for this video. I needed this. Thank you!

[@spena12188]

Fantastic video! Thank you!

[@sueyates3555]

Thanks so much for these games Ashley it really is going to help my granddaughter loves playing games.

[@rileyblanton7281]

I think that quote is from A Cinderella Story with Hillary Duff! A classic🤣

[@theconwayarchives]

So so many great ideas. Have bought a few of your recommendations, thank you x

[@crazymom468]

Omg, long cool list I had to pause this video, a couple of times to note down a few, which may suit my preschooler

[@divleb]

This video is absolute gold! Thanks!

[@MagicalSoulMindStorm]

Thanks for making a game video! It was helpful. We have a few of these and will add others as birthday and Christmas gifts. Mine really likes Acorn Soup! Many of the pieces are missing though, so probably going to buy it again next holiday.

[@starlessstephtx]

My 3.5 year old LOVES acorn soup!!!

[@majidiqbal8947]

Thanks for letting me know about board game

[@meadowc8197]

Thank you.

[@heatherblockchain2254]

Thanks!

[@KaylaIveigh]

Saved this video! Thank you for the great suggestions!

[@taylorgentle4621]

We love board games in our house! Thank you for your suggestions! Polina was very similar to "Kerplunk" (in which you DON'T want the marbles lol)! I'd also reccommend looking to HABA's board games, we love "First Orchard" (a color recognition game) and "Animal upon Animal" (a really unique stacking game). They have so great options that we even play with just adults! As usual great video Ashley!

[@shawnaburgess]

Love these suggestions! We have many already, but I will definitely be looking for Out-Foxed as a Christmas gift for my 4 (soon to be 5) year old.

[@smrithipatil]

This is GOLD!!!

[@jackiemadegwa5906]

Such wonderful resource. Thank you. Do you ideas for 8 to 10

[@laurasalsa]

Thank you for the awesome suggestions

[@_imgracie]

My 4 year old has been loving Candy Land, I’ve been looking for other games to introduce. Can’t wait to watch this 😊

[@crystalgale15]

I have a 10 month old and am really excited for the time we can play board games together. Thank you for the suggestions! 😊

[@sillygoosegoose]

i'm not super sure how i feel on whether to lower your own abilities here and there, but i can say that i finally beat my dad at clue(do) at the age of 23 and i don't think there's ever been a feeling like it 😂

[@aprilb4831]

This was super helpful to get started. 👏 thank you 😊

[@laartje24]

I would honestly argue that cherades is a cooperative game, since everyone is working together to figure out the prompt, the one who is up by playing it out and the audience by guessing.

[@laartje24]

One of my favourite coop games is "The Game" (and "The Game: Extreme" which is just a harder version of "The Game"). It is for a little bit of a higher age, as the players need to be able to semi-comfortably count to a 100. I would say first 2 years of primary school and up. It is great for math skills and enjoyable for older players too. I often end up playing it with my adult friends too. The goal is to be able to place all the number cards in each player's hand without getting a player stuck. If a player gets stuck the game wins, if you play out every card, you win. You can quite easily make it easier for young players by playing with open hands, or by adding additional rules.

[@AbortiveMind]

I rarely comment but I have always loved all your videos. My oldest daughter is Mia’s age, and I’ve been following you before her 1st birthday. Her current favourite is Hoot Owl Hoot, and funnily enough we discovered she has a competitive streak when she decided to switch up the game rules so she could win (she has designated herself as the sun’s keeper) 🤣🤣 It’s been a challenge for my husband and I to get the owls to the nest! I did want to share that we recently came upon a commercial Bingo game (Hello Kitty Big Roll Bingo) at the thrift store but running a quick search, Ebay seems the only way to obtain one nowadays. It’s made of very sturdy material though.

[@jessicaturrini7142]

Love watching your videos!! I do miss seeing your little girls tho!!

[@meravech]

Love this perfect video with such a great ideas for me... thank you😍🤩

[@soniale3113]

Hi mama, I am wondering where you got your checkers set? I love the idea of a carpet looking board? Looks beautiful. Much Love and Thanks 💕

[@soniale3113]

Actually, I just discovered where 🤪 Thank you for your “Amazon Games We Love” list 🙏🏼

[@majidiqbal8947]

Yes 5 years old can play

[@yusmeldominguez2035]

Hi, Hapa Family, I love you guys so much, I'm so happy you guys are growing you guys are a beautiful family and blessed I love you guys so much. you guys are the best parents I ever seen kisses to you and your family :P. from Miami 305 Cuban family :)

[@yusmeldominguez2035]

Because of you I straighten both of my daughter Montessori I did started A little bit later with my oldest three or six months because of you because of you both of my girls are super smart I do one time go up there to meet you guys to hang out with my girls my girls are the same age as your girls but that’s if you want I’m from Miami 305 Cuban family

[@yusmeldominguez2035]

Sorry I’m talking like this I’m in the hospital and the pills I’m taking I can’t talk or text

[@mayashemesh6382]

Thank you so much for this video ❤️ The out foxed game looks so cute! My daughter is 3- could she possibly play it?

[@rachellecarmichael5690]

My 3yo and I played monopoly the other day and I just had her roll the dice and move her piece and ask if she wanted to pay for the cards she landed on and she would give me the money that matched. When we went around twice we ended by saying "yay you made it to the end!" And finished it there.

[@brendafelling1422]

Sportswriter Grantland Rice originally said the quote, “it’s not weather you win or lose, but how you play the game”.

[@marietusia254]

Could you please tell me the name of the Bingo game?

[@milenas3797]

How would you handle child who wants to take a loose parts out of the box (i.e. memory-type cards from Shopping List game or bones from the Dog game) and use for non-game purposes, like putting loose parts into a bag or carrying them around the house or into her play kitchen? Thanks!

[@heavenmcguire7944]

I let my child when sometimes but I tell them I am going easy. I tell them when they make good moves. The main reason for this is because I am a big chess player, and checkmating is a very difficult part of the game. If you never let your kid win, they never have a chance to learn how to checkmate. Checkers is similar and I’m sure other games as well require practice for winning.

[@majidiqbal8947]

Power card

[@PropheticSoakingwithSarahJER]

Re: letting a child win you can also modify rules and choose age appropriate games.

[@oriolesfan61]

What is Montessori at Home? Were you certified as a Montessori teacher?