educational games 3 year olds can play

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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

Looking for strategies or have questions about how to support your child’s education? Ask our AI-powered assistant.

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.

View all posts

Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos

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13 Best Preschool Games for Ages 3 to 5

This post may contain affiliate links.

Our game closet is overflowing. We play a LOT of games . We always have. This is why I want to share the best fun and learning preschool games for kids ages 3, 4, and 5.

These preschool games are favorites from the classroom and home as a parent of two game obsessed children. I’ll share the games we’ve played over and over –and games that helped my kids practice and learn important skills, too.

What’s important to remember when choosing the best game for your child is that it’s FUN . As you’ll see with the games below, these choices are also playful, engaging, and interesting .

For us to stay as non-technology-oriented as possible, my family plays board and card games in the evenings. (Instead of watching TV or being on electronics.) I highly recommend this. It’s a great way to spend family time together. And I love that we’re building memories.

13 Preschool Games for Ages 3 to 5

The Super Sorting Pie Ages 3+ Not only is this a learning game for beginning math skills but my kids loved to pretend play grocery store with it, too. As a math game, it gets kids sorting and counting. Then, use it to make pies, play grocery store, and do other interesting fruit-related things. (And my kids won’t allow me to get rid of this — it’s just too much fun. Even now that they’re well beyond the preschool ages.)

The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game Ages 3+ Practice matching, sorting, counting, and simple math skills with this entertaining, educational game for preschoolers.

Racoon Rumpus Matching Game Ages 3+ Raccoons are having a party in your closet. Roll the color and costume dice and search the cards until you find a match! The person with the most critter cards wins. Kids think this game is so much FUN!!

Feed the Woozle Ages 3+ Preschoolers use fine motor skills along with counting skills to feed silly snacks (like hairy pickles) to the Woozle in this playful cooperative learning game. Players also have to get up and move, too — so get ready!

Frankie’s Food Truck Fiasco Game Ages 4+ Get kids to practice shape-matching with foods! Talk about fun! Not only is this game a blast, but the lift-the-flap board book of the same name is also darling.

Sum Swamp Ages 4+ We played this addition preschool board game a LOT when my daughters were new to addition and subtraction. Get this board game to make practicing math facts fun!

Zingo: Bingo with a Zing Ages 4+ Help your preschoolers to develop language and matching skills with this exciting bingo game that’s not only easy and fun to play but very popular with kids, my own included. This is one of our favorite preschool learning games.

Guess Who? Board Game Ages 4+ My kids played this reasoning game from the time they were preschoolers until middle school. It’s a great parent-child game that kids love!

Mini Muffin Match Up Ages 3+ Play this preschool game with kids to learn how to recognize numbers and colors, then use the materials to pretend play later. Your kids will LOVE it!

Go Fish / Crazy Eights / Alphabet Concentration / Old Maid Ages 4+ These are the classic card games of childhood. Stick them in your bag and have them with you at restaurants. I used to take my kids out for game dates at a bagel store and have many happy memories of Go Fish and bagels. My suggestion for Go Fish is to start with pairs instead of fours — it makes it easier to win with preschoolers and shorter to play, which is also better for younger kids.

Outfoxed Ages 4+ Can you use the clues to eliminate suspects and figure out whodunit? This preschool game asks players to find the guilty fox to win.

Hoot Owl Hoot ages 4+ In this cooperative game for preschoolers, players help the owls fly back to their next. The game will help children practice color matching and decision-making.

Cootie ages 3+ Does anyone else have fond memories of playing this game as a child? Players choose a cootie bug body first and then begin to create their entire bug by adding legs, eyes, a mouth, and more.

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Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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One Comment

Really important to remember when choosing a game for child is that it’s first and foremost FUN. I appreciate your work which you made to write this beautiful article. Nice to Read it. Thanks

20 Great Games for 3-Year-Olds

Searching for games for 3-year-olds that are equal parts delightful and developmental? We’ve got you covered. Read on for our top picks! Looking for games for 3-year-olds that will entertain and educate all at once?

We’re here to help.

Playing games is vital for children’s development , helping those little brains and bodies develop in all sorts of ways.

From promoting creative thinking and problem-solving to helping to cultivate social skills, games are more than just a way to pass the time.

In fact, play is such a big deal that it’s recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child.

We’ve put together a list of games of all types that are perfect for the transition out of toddlerdom.

Ready to dive in?

How do I entertain my 3-year-old at home?

How long should a 3-year-old play alone, what game can a 3-year-old play, best games for 3-year-olds, board games for 3-year-olds.

We get it — lives get busy. And finding the time to put together a smorgasbord of activities for 3-year-olds can be a challenge.

Peanut’s here to help.

While all kids develop at their own pace, here’s some of what your little adventurer might be up to right now so that you can find activities that are a good fit.

They’re likely able to:

• Run and jump, and walk upstairs
• Stand on their tip-toes
• Ride a tricycle
• Stack blocks
• Draw straight lines and copy a circle
• Dress and undress themselves
• Name colors
• Know their name
• Chat in short sentences
• Remember simple rhymes and songs
• Know the difference between big and small

They’re also beginning to share and play with others.

Keeping this all in mind can help you navigate what might be appropriate for them at this age.

There’s a lot of ideas here for ways to play with your toddler, but some of these can also be great ways for your toddler to be entertained solo while you get something done nearby.

By 3-years-old , they’re getting better and better at playing on their own, so you can probably get at least ten free minutes out of these fun ideas.

And in fact, many experts believe that it’s something that should be encouraged.

You may have heard about the benefits of independent play for young children (basically, playing alone).

It can help stimulate their imaginations, encourage them to problem solve, and teach them patience.

And even if they’re playing on their own, it’s vital that they are supervised at this age.

Sure, you can work on your laptop or make lunch while they’re hard at play, but make sure you can always see them and hear them.

Here’s a list of our favorite games of all shapes and sizes for kids to play solo or as a group.

Many of these games can be hot favorites at birthday parties .

1. Musical statues

Play music for them to dance to. Tell them that when the music stops, they have to stand as still as a statue until it starts playing again.

You can choose to make this game competitive by getting them to sit out if they move when they’re not supposed to.

The last child standing is the winner.

But just dancing and stopping with the music is also fun.

Mama’s choice!

2. Kids karaoke

Little kids love singing and dancing.

And all you have to do to make karaoke age-appropriate is get everyone to join in all at once!

Teach them a simple song.

Putting easy actions to the words goes a long way.

3. Duck, duck, goose

By 3 years old, they may just be ready for this classic game.

Get them to sit in a circle.

Whoever is “on” (possibly you to begin with) travels around the outside of the circle, patting each child gently on the head, saying “duck.”

When that gentle tap is accompanied by a “goose” rather than a “duck,” things get exciting.

The goose has to chase the person who’s “on” around the circle.

And the person who’s “on” has to try and sit in the place of the goose before they catch them.

4. Hide-and-seek

For little ones, mark off a small area that they’re allowed to hide within.

It may help if a grown-up is the seeker to take the pressure off.

Remember to compliment their brilliant hiding places!

5. “Simon says…”

This is another classic that you may have played as a child yourself.

“Simon says… touch your toes.”

And everyone needs to touch their toes.

“Simon says… wiggle your ears.”

And everyone needs to wiggle their ears.

“Pat your head.”

Simon didn’t say that.

So this time, don’t copy!

6. Pass the present

Wrap up a prize in multiple layers of wrapping paper.

Between each layer, place a little prize (so that everyone gets something).

Play music and pass the present around the circle.

When the music stops, whoever is holding the present can unwrap a layer.

And if the idea of passing the present is a bit much, passing a balloon or a ball to get used to the idea is a great place to start.

7. What’s the time, Mr. Wolf?

Kids line up behind a line and you stand apart with your back to them.

They yell, “What’s the time, Mr. Wolf?”

You say a time, like “It’s three o’clock.”

If it’s three o’clock, they should take three steps toward you.

Five o’ clock, five steps.

But if you respond, “Lunch time!” they have to run back to safety before you can catch them.

8. Pin the tail on the donkey

This one never gets old.

All you need is a large picture of a donkey without a tail.

Blindfolded, they need to try and stick a tail in the right place.

Because they’re still so little, it’s best to guide them there when they have their eyes closed to make them feel as safe as possible.

9. Bubble blowing

This is a really simple way to have an incredibly good time.

Blow bubbles and see how many they can pop!

You can also teach them to blow bubbles themselves.

10. Treasure hunt

For 3-year-olds, you can make this one super simple!

Hide some prizes around your garden or house and unleash the toddlers!

Just make sure there’s a prize for everyone to avoid tears.

Ready to kickstart a lifelong love of family funtime?

Board games are a great way to do so.

And there are so many options that are perfect for your thriving 3-year-old.

11. Elefun and Friends

This adorable elephant plays music while it blows butterflies out of its trunk for kids to chase.

You can get it here .

12. Banana Blast

Your toddler’s job is to pull bananas from the trees until the monkey jumps.

This game comes with a fun 24-piece puzzle.

This can be a fun one for independent play.

Here’s where you find it.

13. Candy Land

This popular game allows little travelers to adventure along a delicious path to the Candy Castle.

It’s a great intro to quest games.

Get Candy Land here!

14. Count Your Chickens

This is a great game for encouraging collaboration.

Players have to work together to help Mother Hen bring her chicks back to the coop.

Here’s where you can get a copy of this game.

15. Dominoes

If you spent your childhood delighting in the mechanics of your domino set, you might want to pass that love on to your kids.

It’s a very colorful way to introduce your kids to STEM concepts.

This is another great one for some solo playtime.

Check out this Large Dominoes Set.

16. Let’s Feed the Very Hungry Caterpillar

Based on the classic book by Eric Carle, this exciting board game has little players collecting cards to transform the caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly.

If you’re looking for card games for 3-year-olds, this is a great introduction.

Here’s where you can find it.

17. Bingo Games for Kids

If you want to get the whole family involved, try this comprehensive bingo set that will help your little one recognize words and pictures.

Get it here.

18. Colorama

This fun game is a great way for your toddler to develop their knowledge of shapes and colors — and have a whole lot of fun while doing so.

Get matching here.

19. Lucky Ducks

This adorable game is both “wacky” and “quacky” — and a great way to learn colors.

Meet your lucky ducks here.

20. Feed the Woozle

This award-winning game is as delightful as it is educational.

Helping with everything from language development to balance, feeding a woozle is a great way to make friends and learn new skills.

You can get yours here.

If you’re looking for more inspiration about games for 3-year-olds, or to share your great ideas with others, head over to the Peanut community .

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Preschool Learning Games for Kids

Explore interactive online preschool games in math and ELA, created with joy by certified teachers. Our Pre-K educational games introduce little learners to essential curriculum concepts like counting, number sequence, shapes, sorting, letter recognition, and letter tracing through fun and engaging gamepla ... Read more y. Kids can also enjoy well-crafted games on art skills, general knowledge, and creativity. Join a fun preschool adventure and learn the wonders of numbers and letters! Start now for free!

CONTENT TYPE

• Lesson Plans
• Number Sense (155)
• Number Recognition (29)
• Number Recognition Within 5 (11)
• Number Recognition Within 10 (12)
• Number Recognition Within 20 (6)
• Number Tracing (10)
• Number Tracing Within 5 (5)
• Number Tracing Within 10 (5)
• Number Sequence (45)
• Counting (108)
• Counting Objects Within 5 (46)
• Counting Objects Within 10 (35)
• Compare Numbers (13)
• Addition (35)
• Add With Pictures (16)
• Addition Strategies (18)
• Compose And Decompose Numbers (7)
• Count All To Add (7)
• Subtraction (25)
• Subtract With Pictures (14)
• Subtraction Strategies (10)
• Geometry (13)
• Shapes (13)
• 2D Shapes (13)
• Data Handling (5)
• Sorting Objects (5)
• Measurement (6)
• Word Problems (11)
• Addition Word Problems (7)
• Addition Word Problems Within 20 (7)
• Reading (365)
• Phonics (365)
• Alphabet (236)
• Letter Recognition (236)
• Letter A (8)
• Letter B (8)
• Letter C (8)
• Letter D (8)
• Letter E (8)
• Letter F (8)
• Letter G (8)
• Letter H (8)
• Letter I (8)
• Letter J (8)
• Letter K (8)
• Letter L (8)
• Letter M (8)
• Letter N (8)
• Letter O (8)
• Letter P (8)
• Letter Q (8)
• Letter R (8)
• Letter S (8)
• Letter T (8)
• Letter U (8)
• Letter V (8)
• Letter W (8)
• Letter X (8)
• Letter Y (8)
• Letter Z (8)
• Lowercase Letters (78)
• Uppercase Letters (78)
• Matching Lowercase And Uppercase Letters (58)
• Alphabetical Order (54)
• Abc Song (20)
• Sight Words (75)
• Writing (98)
• Handwriting (98)
• Letter Tracing (98)
• Letter Tracing A (5)
• Letter Tracing B (5)
• Letter Tracing C (5)
• Letter Tracing D (5)
• Letter Tracing E (5)
• Letter Tracing F (5)
• Letter Tracing G (5)
• Letter Tracing H (5)
• Letter Tracing I (5)
• Letter Tracing J (5)
• Letter Tracing K (5)
• Letter Tracing L (5)
• Letter Tracing M (5)
• Letter Tracing N (5)
• Letter Tracing O (5)
• Letter Tracing P (5)
• Letter Tracing Q (5)
• Letter Tracing R (5)
• Letter Tracing S (5)
• Letter Tracing T (5)
• Letter Tracing U (5)
• Letter Tracing V (5)
• Letter Tracing W (5)
• Letter Tracing X (5)
• Letter Tracing Y (5)
• Letter Tracing Z (5)
• General Knowledge (291)
• Vegetables (19)
• Fruits (24)
• Animals (57)
• Seasonal (28)
• Christmas (12)
• Kitchen (11)
• Musical Instruments (30)
• Art & Creativity (235)
• Coloring (181)
• Animals (32)
• Rhymes (25)
• Stories (10)

Number Sense Games

Trace the Number One Game

Sharpen your number skills by tracing the number one.

Count back and Complete the Sequence Game

Practice the superpower of number sense by learning how to count back and complete the sequence.

Count Along with the Stars from 1 to 3 Game

Shine bright in the math world by counting along with the stars from 1 to 3.

Counting Sequence from 1 to 5 Game

Help your little one practice the counting sequence from 1 to 5.

Addition Games

Model to Add Numbers Game

Dive deep into the world of math by modeling to add numbers.

Match the Total Game

Have your own math-themed party by learning how to match the total.

Build the Model to Add Numbers Game

Enjoy the marvel of mathematics by exploring how to build the model to add numbers.

Add and Match Game

Take a look at how to add and match with this addition game.

Subtraction Games

Subtract and Match Game

Shine bright in the math world by learning how to subtract and match.

Remove and Match the Number Game

Enjoy the marvel of math-multiverse by exploring how to remove and match the number.

Take Away to Match the Number Game

Apply your knowledge of subtraction to take away to match the number.

Complete the Subtraction Sentence Game

Ask your little one to complete the subtraction sentence to play this game.

Geometry Games

Sort Real-World Shapes Game

Add more arrows to your child’s math quiver by sorting real-world shapes.

Match Rectangles and Circles Game

Learn to solve math problems by matching rectangles and circles.

Match Triangles and Squares Game

Enter the madness of math-multiverse by exploring how to match triangles and squares.

• Find Shapes All Around Us Game

Ask your little one to find and identify the different shapes around us to play this game.

Data Handling Games

Identify Objects by Color Game

Sharpen your skills by identifying objects by their colors.

Sort Objects by Color Game

Dive deep into the world of measurement by sorting objects by color.

Identify Objects by their Name Game

Take a deep dive into the world of math by identifying objects by their names.

Sort Objects by their Name Game

Have your own math-themed party by learning how to sort objects by their name.

Measurement Games

• Identify the Heavier Object Game

Shine bright in the math world by learning how to identify the heavier object.

Identify the Object with Shorter Height Game

Shine bright in the math world by learning how to identify the object with the shorter height.

Identify the Object with Shorter Length Game

Use your measurement skills to identify the object with the shorter length.

Identify Which Object is Longer Game

Kids must identify which object is longer to practice measurement.

Word Problems Games for Preschoolers Games

Word Problems: Subtracting One Game

Sharpen your math skills with the 'Word Problems: Subtracting One' game.

Adding Within 5 by Making a Model Game

Add more arrows to your child’s math quiver by adding within 5 by making a model.

Adding One by Making a Model Game

Treat yourself to an immersive learning experience with our 'Adding One by Making a Model' game.

Solve Subtraction Scenarios Game

Apply your knowledge to solve subtraction scenarios.

Reading Games

Practice the Letters: Big A Game

Kids must practice the letter: Big A.

Can You Find the Uppercase Letter A? Game

To play this game, find the uppercase letter A.

Can You Find the Lowercase Letter a? Game

To play this game, find the lowercase letter a.

Learn the Letters: Big A Game

Put your language skills to the test by learning the letter: Big A.

Writing Games

Tracing Small Letters With Standing & Curvy Lines - a, d & q Game

Practice tracing small letters with standing and curvy lines - a, d and q.

Let's Make the Letter A Game

Let's take a look at how to make the letter A with this game.

Time to Trace Uppercase A Game

Learn language skills by practicing to trace uppercase A.

Tracing Big Letters With Sleeping & Slanting Lines - A, V, W, X, Y & Z Game

Practice tracing big letters with sleeping & slanting lines - A, V, W, X, Y & Z.

Banana: Tropical Coloring Adventure Game

Dive into a fruity adventure and paint vibrant bananas.

Cookie: Chef Yum Yum Game

Step into the kitchen and bake mouthwatering cookies.

Cheese-Themed Coloring Fun Game

Paint delicious blocks of cheese with vibrant colors.

Vibrant Bell Pepper Coloring Adventure Game

Explore the world of fruits and vegetables and paint colorful bell peppers in this interactive coloring game.

Animals Games

Dive into Clownfish Coloring Game

Dive into an underwater adventure and paint vibrant clownfish swimming amidst coral reefs in this game.

Allosaurus: Dinosaur Coloring Adventure Game

Travel back in time and paint fierce allosaurs with vibrant colors.

Iguana: Picture Perfect Game

Dive into the world of reptiles and paint picture-perfect iguanas in this engaging game.

Dive into the Turtle Picture Game

Embrace your artistic side and create a beautiful picture of an adorable turtle in this engaging game.

Seasonal Games

Mysterious Black Cat Coloring Adventure Game

Bring mischievous black cats to life with vibrant colors.

Christmas Pudding Coloring Magic Game

Celebrate the holidays with a burst of colors in this coloring adventure game.

Ringing Bells Coloring Adventure Game

Jingle all the way with colorful bells in this exciting coloring adventure game.

Bat Coloring Adventure Game

Paint enchanting bats with a burst of colors in this coloring adventure game.

Kitchen Games

Knife Coloring Game Adventure

Discover the art of illustration and paint detailed depictions of knives in this engaging coloring adventure game.

Donut: Chef Yum Yum Game

Step into the kitchen and create mouthwatering donuts.

Kitchenware Coloring Game: The Fork

Explore the beauty of everyday objects and paint detailed illustrations of forks in this coloring adventure game.

Shiny Glass Coloring Adventure Game

Unleash your creativity and paint intricate glass objects in this immersive coloring adventure game.

Musical Instruments Games

Musical Flute Coloring Fun Game

Paint melodious flutes with a burst of colors in this coloring adventure game.

Drum Beat Coloring Fun Game

Let your creativity beat to the rhythm and paint vibrant drums.

Groovy Guitar Coloring Adventure Game

Strum your artistic skills and paint rocking guitars in this coloring adventure game.

Maracas Shake Up Your Coloring Skills Game

Paint vibrant maracas and bring the rhythm to life in this coloring adventure game.

Birds Games

Chicken: Picture Perfect Game

Paint charming chickens in this picture perfect game.

Eagle: Picture Perfect Game

Spread your wings and paint majestic eagles in this picture perfect game.

Albatross: Picture Perfect Game

Soar through the skies with vibrant albatrosses in this picture perfect game.

Dive into Colors with Ducks Game

Dive into a pond of colors with ducks in this picture perfect game.

Space Games

Space Hunt: Peek A Boo Game

Embark on a space-themed adventure and search for hidden objects in this interactive game.

Balloon Pop - Unknown Flying Object:UFO: Toss Up Game

Test your tossing skills and pop balloons to reveal unidentified flying objects (UFOs) in this exciting game.

Coloring Games

Cupcake Coloring Fun Game

Decorate delightful cupcakes with a splash of colors.

Ape: Jungle Coloring Adventure Game

Embark on a coloring adventure with playful apes.

4th of July: Creative Coloring Adventure Game

Paint a festive scene filled with red, white, and blue to commemorate the 4th of July in this coloring adventure game.

Airplane: Sky-high Coloring Adventure Game

Embark on an artistic journey and paint dynamic airplanes taking flight in this coloring adventure game.

Music Games

Dive into Mulberry Bush Band Jam Game

Join the band and play the classic song "Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush" in this interactive game.

Experience Down They Go Juke Box Game

Sing along and perform the catchy song "Down They Go" in this interactive game.

Enjoy the All of Me Juke Box Game

Show off your singing skills and perform the popular song "All of Me" in this interactive game.

Play Baba Black Sheep Band Jam Game

Join the band and play the popular song "Baba Baba Black Sheep" in this interactive game.

Stories Games

Explore Little Turtle's Dream Juke Box Game

Join Little Turtle on a musical adventure and explore his dream world in this interactive game.

Enjoy Going Batty Juke Box Game

Sing and groove to the catchy tune of "Going Batty" in this interactive jukebox game.

Dive into Busy Body Sleep Solution Juke Box Game

Listen to calming tunes and relax your body for a peaceful sleep in this interactive game.

Enjoy Dream Vacation Juke Box Game

Take a musical journey to your dream vacation destination in this immersive game.

All Games Games

Quickly Tell the Number of Things up to 10 Game

Have your own math-themed party by learning how to quickly tell the number of things up to 10.

Add Two Numbers (Up to 5) Game

Ask your little one to add two numbers (Up to 5) to play this game.

Solve 'Take Apart' Scenarios Game

Take the pressure off by simplifying subtraction by solving 'Take Apart' scenarios.

Pizza: Chef Yum Yum Game

Become a master pizza chef and create delicious pizzas.

Buffalo: Picture Perfect Game

Explore the world of buffalos in this picture perfect game.

Kettle Game: Steaming Coloring Fun

Paint charming kettles with a burst of colors in this coloring adventure game.

Alien: Space Coloring Adventure Game

Let your imagination run wild and paint unique and colorful aliens in this adventure-packed coloring game.

Buzzing Bee Coloring Adventure Game

Buzz with creativity and paint adorable bees with a palette of colors.

Autumn Fall: Seasonal Coloring Adventure Game

Paint a picturesque autumn scene and immerse yourself in the beauty of fall in this coloring adventure game.

Astronaut: Space Coloring Adventure Game

Embark on a cosmic coloring adventure and paint a vibrant astronaut in this game.

Experience Colosseum Coloring Game

Travel back in time and color the magnificent Colosseum with vibrant hues.

Ball: Bouncy Coloring Adventure Game

Paint bouncy balls with a burst of colors and bring them to life.

Delightful Daisy Coloring Game

Paint vibrant daisies and bring the beauty of flowers to life.

Bakery: Delicious Coloring Game

Step into a sweet world and color delicious treats in this coloring adventure game.

Blue: Sneaky Shapes Game

Sharpen your observation skills and spot hidden blue shapes in this engaging game.

• Balloon Pop: Toss Up Game

Enjoy popping balloons in this exciting toss up game.

Toss Up Game

Challenge your accuracy and toss objects to hit various targets.

Magic Canvas Color Your Imagination Game

Let your imagination soar and create enchanting art on a magical canvas.

Discover The Dancing Jungle Game

Shake, groove, and dance with the animals in the vibrant jungle.

Dive into The Origami Aquarium Game

Dive into the world of origami with this aquarium game.

• Picture Perfect Game

Paint, draw, and express your artistic skills in this picture perfect game.

Peek A Boo Game

Peek-a-boo! Have fun and uncover surprises in this engaging game.

Ball Dunk: Toss Up Game

Test your skills and dunk balls in this toss up game.

Identify Embedded Numbers Game

Help your child take flight by learning how to identify embedded numbers.

Finding Sum (Up to 10) Game

Dive deep into the world of addition by finding the sum (up to 10).

Find One Less Game

Unearth the wisdom of mathematics by learning how to find one less.

Smoothie: Chef Yum Yum Game

Mix and match ingredients to create tasty smoothies.

Cat: Picture Perfect Game

Bring cats to life with colors in this picture perfect game.

Birthday Party Coloring Adventure Game

Use your artistic skills to paint a vibrant birthday party scene and join the fun in this coloring adventure game.

Explore Coloring Fun in the Toaster Game

Create a toasty masterpiece by painting colorful toasters.

Moon A Lunar Coloring Game Adventure

Explore the mysteries of the moon and paint captivating lunar landscapes with this cosmic coloring adventure.

Online Preschool Games for Kids

Engaging and interactive preschool games create a world of learning and fun for young minds. These games provide a playful way for children to develop essential skills while exploring various subjects.

Foundations of Learning in Preschool

Preschoolers begin exploring language and math, mastering English from A to Z. They learn word basics, differentiating vowels and consonants. In math, they start from 1 to 10, progressing to 100, mastering addition, subtraction, and number counting.

Educational Learning Games for Preschoolers on SplashLearn

SplashLearn offers a rich collection of Preschool Math and ELA games designed for preschoolers and young learners. These games provide an engaging platform for children to grasp basic concepts while having a blast. 

Types of Games for Preschool Kids

Engaging preschool games provide a dynamic learning experience, aligning with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). These games foster essential skills across diverse subjects, ensuring holistic development in young learners.

Math Games for Preschoolers  

ELA Games for Preschoolers  

General Knowledge Games for Preschoolers  

Benefits of Online Games for Preschoolers

• Interactive Learning : Online ELA games and Math games engage preschoolers in hands-on learning, enhancing comprehension and retention.
• Skill Development : Games foster language and math skills , promoting alphabet recognition, basic word formation, counting, and simple addition.
• Adaptive Approach : Online games adjust difficulty based on a child's progress, ensuring a personalized learning experience that suits their level.
• Engaging Exploration : Colorful visuals and interactive elements captivate young minds, making learning enjoyable and encouraging further exploration.
• Parental Involvement : Parents can track their child's progress, offering support and guidance in areas that may need improvement, thus enhancing their learning journey.  

Features of Pre K Learning Games

• Play on multiple devices : You can play preschool learning games on multiple devices like; iPad, laptop, phones, etc.
• Engaging and rewarding games : You can earn rewards through in-game coins. Assets for characters and more can be purchased through the coins won in the games.
• Easy Connect for Parents : Parents can get instant notifications about their child's progress. Parents can monitor progress through dashboards, tracking completed levels and areas needing improvement.
• Offline access : Learning games for preschoolers can also be played offline.

What Are 5 Best Games and Activities for Preschool Kids?

Here are 5 fun Pre-K learning games by SplashLearn:

• Sing the Number Song from 1 to 3 Game

How do you help kids practice Preschool learning?

• Provide printable Preschool Math Worksheets and Preschool ELA Worksheets to kids for hands-on practice of both subjects.
• Engage Preschoolers in fun online preschool games that provide positive learning opportunities with enjoyable activities.
• Teach them to learn through daily activities like counting toys, reading texts on billboards, tracing on newspapers, etc.

Are there any free trial options to test out these preschool games?

Yes, SplashLearn offers a free trial option for parents to test out their preschool games and learning resources. SplashLearn is completely free for teachers. For families, SplashLearn offers a free 7-day trial.

How can parents integrate these games into their child's daily routine?

• Incorporate the online preschool learning games during designated play or learning time.
• Introduce interactive preschool games as a fun reward after completing tasks.
• Encourage short, regular gameplay sessions to maintain engagement.

What age group of preschoolers are these games designed for?

SplashLearn Preschool games are designed for preschoolers aged around 3 to 5 years old.

How can I make teaching preschoolers fun?

• Playful Activities : Incorporate games, stories, and hands-on experiences that make learning feel like play, keeping their engagement high. Games are a wonderful way to teach preschoolers . From tracing numbers and letters to counting the dots and shapes, preschool educational games online make learning fun
• Visuals and Creativity : Use colorful visuals, arts, and crafts to stimulate their imagination and make concepts visually engaging.

Your one stop solution for all grade learning needs.

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11 Great Games to Educate and Entertain Your Kids at Home

If you're stuck inside and your kids are climbing the walls, but you aren't yet ready to let them watch Netflix from dawn to dusk, well, I don't blame you. Here are some games that are sometimes called "edutaining." Think of them as fun games that also teach something, but in a way your kids probably won't notice.

I do suggest setting some screen time limits before handing your children a device, but with these options you can at least rest assured that your kids are learning something.

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Ages 6-12 ( Computer , iOS , Android )

Animal Jam is an online virtual world originally created in collaboration with the National Geographic Society. It teaches kids about zoology and ecology with games, adventures, and parties and online social elements. With 160 million registered users, this is one of the largest virtual worlds for kids. If the online play gives you pause, know that the parental controls are pretty good, allowing you to lock down the game if you desire.

Ages 5 and up on Nintendo Switch ( GameStop , Amazon )

This is a great game that encourages spacial thinking and unique puzzle solving. Kids can pilot Toad through courses based on the Super Mario Odyssey game while hunting down treasures and solving puzzles.

This math-based role-playing game is free to play. Kids proceed through the game by answering skill-building math questions to earn rewards. There's an interactive element, too; they can go on quests with friends. The difficulty levels increase as your kids make progress in the game.

Ages 3-8 ( iOS , Android )

This physics puzzle game features rolling aliens that teach your kids about acceleration, buoyancy, gravity, and more. Like games of yesteryear, there are no ads, no in-app purchases, and it doesn't need an internet connection.

Ages 4 and Up ( Computer , iOS , Android )

Tinybop has dozens of learning-oriented apps and we've been fans for years . You can purchase them in bundles for iPhone or iPad (Android users there is one Tinybop bundle in the Play Store which has six games.) My kids love the Curiosity Kit ($16) , which includes apps about the human body, animal anatomy, and space. Tinybop is currently offering its Tinybop Schools subscription , which features ten science apps and classroom support, for free through the summer to help out parents and kids while schools are closed (no credit card required).

Ages 4 and Up ( iOS , Android )

Dragonbox games are primarily math-related, though they also partnered with chess champ Magnus Carlsen to create Magnus' Kingdom , a chess-learning game that's been very popular in my house. It uses an adventure-style approach to teach kids about different chess pieces and how to play. I strongly suggest picking up a real-world chess board (I like this no-stress chess board for beginners $18 ) as well. Your kids will ask for it. Trust me.

Ages 3 and Up ( Computer , iOS , Android )

It's time you let delightful animated monsters teach your kids everything from basic ABCs to complex sentences. It has puzzle games with talking letters and well-illustrated definitions to help your child learn to read. Originator, the publisher of Endless Alphabet , has many other games as well , including Endless Reader , which helps kids learn sight words, and Endless Spanish which helped my kids significantly improve their Spanish vocabulary.

Ages 4-6 ( Computer )

This language, arts, and music learning site has dozens of games and activities to help your kids learn to read, add, subtract, and identify shapes.

Ages 4-8 ( iOS , Android )

PBS Kids has dozens of apps, many of them related to the shows on PBS Kids. If your kids like a particular show, they'll probably really engage with its related game, as well.

Ages 4 and Up ( iOS )

Stop-motion animation is a fun form of art that teaches patience. This animation app will help your kids start creating their own little animated masterpieces. The interface is reasonably simple, but it might require the help of an adult the first time through.

All ages ( Apple Podcasts for iOS , Google Podcasts for Android )

Check out our guide to kids' podcasts for some ideas on great podcasts that will keep your kids entertained. If you're a podcast fan yourself, you should try using Pocket Casts (great app). I suggest getting a separate podcast app for your kids, so there's no way they'll accidentally end up listening to any adult content you don't want them to hear.

March 25, 9 am: This story was updated to add links to the Tinybop Android app bundle.

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Games for 3-Year-Olds

• Printable worksheets
• Educational videos
• Learning games

32 filtered results

• Kindergarten
• English Language Arts
• World Around Us
• 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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In conclusion, our games are far more than just digital entertainment. They are carefully designed educational tools that cater specifically to the developmental needs of 3-year-olds. By blending interactive gameplay with educational content, and soon making these experiences available on the web, we offer a platform that supports early learning in a fun, engaging, and accessible manner. For parents seeking to give their children a head start in their educational journey, our games represent a valuable and trustworthy resource.

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Toddler Games to point and Click (PC) or Tap (Mobile)

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25 Games for 3 Year Olds

Amy T. Smith | Parenting Updated: March 12, 2024 | Published: March 12, 2024 May 9, 2022

It is never too early to start teaching your child important life skills. One way to do this is by playing educational games with them. There are many different types of games that can help teach three-year-olds essential skills . Here are 25 of the best ones to get started with.

Table of Contents

Best Games for 3 Year Olds

1. alphabet game.

This is a great game for helping your little one learn the letters and sounds of the alphabet. You can play this game in several different ways, including by having them name all of the letters in order or by spelling simple words with magnetic letters on a cookie sheet.

2. Memory Matching Games

These games are perfect for helping children develop their memory skills as well as their problem-solving abilities. There are many different types available, from traditional playing cards to more modern apps and websites that let you create your custom deck.

3. Shape Sorting Games

Sorting shapes into categories is an important skill for young children to master, and many fun shape sorting games will help them do this. Some of these games require the use of actual shapes, while others are played on a computer or tablet and use colorful graphics instead.

4. Block Building Games

Numerous studies have shown that playing with blocks can help children develop important math and engineering skills as well as hand-eye coordination. There are many different types of block-building games to choose from, including traditional wooden blocks and digital apps that let you create elaborate structures using virtual blocks on your screen.

5. Board Games

Board games are fun for the whole family, and they provide an excellent opportunity to practice important social skills like taking turns and following rules. If you are looking for new board game ideas, there are many modern versions available that feature popular characters from movies and TV shows.

6. Card Games

Card games are another great option for family game night, and they can be used to teach children a variety of skills such as counting, matching, and probability. Many classic card games like Go Fish and War can be easily learned by young children, but there are also many new and exciting card games being released all the time.

7. Dice Games

Dice games are perfect for teaching kids about numbers and chance. They can also be a lot of fun to play, especially when you add in some friendly competition. Some popular dice games that are great for kids include Snakes and Ladders, Yahtzee, and Bunco.

8. Word Games

Word games are a great way to help teach children how to spell, as well as improve their vocabulary and reading comprehension. There are many different types of word games available, including crossword puzzles, Boggle, and Scrabble.

9. Tangram Games

Tangrams are a type of puzzle that consists of various geometric shapes that need to be arranged into a specific pattern or image by only moving the pieces around without any rearranging or cutting. These games can help children develop important spatial reasoning skills while having fun at the same time.

10. Trivia Games

Trivia games are always popular with kids because they allow them to show off what they know in a fun way. These games come in all different formats, from traditional board games like Trivial Pursuit to digital apps that let you customize the questions to fit your child’s interests and skill level.

11. Music Games

Playing music games is a great way to encourage kids to be creative and use their imaginations. These games can also help teach children about rhythm, melody, and other musical concepts. There are many different types of music games available, including instruments that make a sound as well as those that are played on a computer or tablet.

12. Art Games

Art games are perfect for kids who love to be creative and express themselves through art. These games can help teach children about color, composition, and other important artistic concepts. There are many different types of art games available, from those that let you paint or draw to those that let you sculpt or build.

13. Memory Games

Memory games are a great way to help improve your child’s memory and concentration skills. These games can be played with a traditional deck of cards or on a computer or tablet. There are many different ways to play memory games, so you can easily find one that is appropriate for your child’s age and skill level.

14. Logic Games

Logic games are a great way to help children learn how to think critically and solve problems. These games often take the form of puzzles, and they can be played on a computer or tablet as well as with physical pieces. Some popular logic games include Sudoku, KenKen, and Hidato.

15. Strategy Games

Strategy games are perfect for older kids and teens who love to exercise their minds. These games can help teach children about planning, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Some popular strategy games include chess, Risk, Codenames, and Settlers of Catan.

16. Virtual Reality Games

Virtual reality (VR) games are a lot of fun because they let you feel like you are actually in the game world. Many VR games involve action or adventure, but some focus on other topics such as science or history. The great thing about VR gaming is that it is ideal for all ages and skill levels – even young children can enjoy these types of games with the right equipment!

17. Multiplayer Games

Some kids love playing with others and being social, which is why multiplayer games are so popular among children and teens alike. These types of games can be played online against other players worldwide, locally on the same device, or even in person at a party or other gathering. Some examples of multiplayer games include Words with Friends and UNO! Card Game, Monopoly Social Edition Board Game, Exploding Kittens Card Game, Mario Party Board Game, and The Jackbox Party Pack.

18. Puzzle Games

Puzzle games are great for all ages and skill levels, making them perfect for families to play together. These games can take many forms, including board games like Jenga, word puzzles like Scrabble, logic puzzles like Sudoku, or even digital apps that feature a variety of different types of puzzles. You can find puzzle games at most stores that sell toys or video games.

19. Action Games

Action games are great for kids who love fast-paced thrills and excitement. These types of games often involve solving problems under pressure or overcoming challenges by using quick reflexes and good timing. Many action games involve some type of fantasy element as well, such as dragons or magic spells. Some popular examples include the Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros., and Sonic the Hedgehog series.

20. Sports Games

Sports games are perfect for kids who love to be active and compete against others. These types of games can be played alone or with others, and they often involve physical activity as well as mental skills such as strategy and tactics. Some popular sports games include football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, and tennis.

21. Animal Games

Animal games are a lot of fun for kids who love animals or who are interested in learning about different types of animals. These types of games can teach children about animal behavior, habitat, diet, and other important topics. There are many different types of animal games available, from digital apps to board games to crafts and activities.

22. Edutainment Games

If you are looking for educational games that also provide fun and entertainment, then edutainment games may be a good choice. These types of games often have an educational focus and include content that teaches kids about a variety of topics. Some popular examples of edutainment games are BrainPop Jr., The Magic School Bus Science Chapter Book series, National Geographic Kids Apps, and the Learning Resources Botley the Coding Robot Activity Set.

23. Role-Playing Games (RPGs)

Role-playing games (RPGs) can be a lot of fun for older kids and teens who love to pretend or act out different scenarios. In these types of games, players take on specific roles such as knights or wizards and participate in quests or missions. These games often involve combat, puzzles, and other types of challenges. Some popular examples of RPGs include the Final Fantasy series, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor game, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim video game.

24. Fantasy Games

If your child loves imagination and adventure, then fantasy games may be a good choice for them. In these types of games, players take on the role of someone like a knight, wizard, warrior princess – or even an animal! Many fantasy games feature imaginary worlds that are filled with magic spells and mythical creatures such as dragons and unicorns. Some popular examples include the Legend of Zelda series, World at Arms: Wage War for Your Nation!, Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game, and the Final Fantasy XIII video game.

25. Creative Games

Creative games are a great choice for kids who love to be creative and express themselves. These types of games often involve activities that allow children to create something unique, such as an art project or story. Some examples of creative games include the Crayola Color Wonder Mess-Free Coloring Set, Scratch Art Paper, coloring books, and the Lego Creator series.​

Final Words

Playing games is a great way for children to have fun and learn at the same time. The 25 types of games that we’ve listed here provide a variety of different opportunities for kids to explore their interests and develop new skills. Whether your child loves action, sports, animals, puzzles, or creativity, there is sure to be a game that appeals to them. We hope you will find this list helpful as you look for new games to enjoy with your family. What are your favorite games to play together? Let us know in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions – Games for Three-Year-Olds

How can i help my 3-year-old child develop mentally.

There are many different ways to help your child develop physically, mentally, and emotionally. One way is to provide opportunities for them to play and explore. This can be done by making sure there are a variety of toys and materials available for them to use, as well as time for free play both indoors and outdoors. It is also important to provide a loving and supportive environment, where your child feels safe to express themselves. You can also help your child develop by modeling positive behavior, reading together, singing songs, and spending time talking and listening to them.

What are some good indoor activities for 3-year-olds?

Some good indoor activities for 3-year-olds include playing with toys, drawing with crayons or markers, painting with watercolors, doing puzzles, building with blocks, and pretending with dolls. These types of activities help kids develop fine motor skills, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills. It is also important to provide opportunities for physical activity indoors, such as dancing to music or playing catch.

What are some easy crafts for 3-year-olds?

Some easy crafts for 3-year-olds include painting with washable paint, drawing with crayons or markers, making collages with construction paper, and modeling clay. These activities help kids develop fine motor skills, color recognition, and creative thinking. It is also important to provide adult supervision and assistance as needed, as well as age-appropriate crafting materials.

How do I entertain my 3-year-old at home?

There are many different ways to entertain your 3-year-old at home. One way is to provide opportunities for them to play and explore. This can be done by making sure there are a variety of toys and materials available for them to use, as well as time for free play both indoors and outdoors. It is also important to provide a loving and supportive environment, where your child feels safe to express themselves. You can also entertain your child by reading books together, singing songs, playing games, and spending time talking and listening to them.

What do 3-year-olds like to play?

There is no one answer to this question, as children can have very different interests and likes at the age of 3. Some popular activities for this age group include playing with toys, building with blocks, drawing or painting, and pretending with dolls or stuffed animals. It is also important to provide plenty of opportunities for physical activity both indoors and outdoors. Many 3-year-olds also enjoy watching movies or television shows that are developmentally appropriate.

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About Amy T. Smith

Amy is a mother, writer, and your go-to expert for real-life insights into parenting, health, and lifestyle. Amy holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University and prides herself on finding actionable tips and relatable tales.

Through her blog, AmyandRose, she supports you from pregnancy to the teenage years, offering assurance that your experiences are shared.

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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

• Parent’s Choice Award winning game, YogaKids style!
• For ages 4 +
• A fun learning tool designed to help children play and learn yoga.
• 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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Kindergarten Games Online

3 year old games.

✅  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.

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

SHAPE PUZZLES with ANIMALS online

5 Piece Animal Jigsaw Puzzle

GARDFIELD ABC Tracing

CATCH THAT CAT: Identical Cats on Halloween

BAT COLORING Online

COUNTING TO 10 Game Online

Find One MATCHING PAIR Game Online

DOMINO FOR KIDS (Preschool / 4-5 years old)

COLORS SEPARATION: Drag Color Game

Learn to Count in DIGIZOO

COUNT TO 10 Game for Kids

ANIMAL PIANO for Kids Online

COUNT UP TO 5: Animals & Colors

SHADOW MATCHING: Transportation Game

ART PIXEL: Coloring Game for Kids

WOODEN SHAPE PUZZLE Online

TRANSPORT SHADOW Matching Game

MAGIC SHOW: Find the Rabbit in the Hat

DINOSAURS, FIX the PATCH: Complete the Dinosaurs

PICK & MATCH: Memory Game for Kids

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.

27 Best Educational Games for Kids to Play Sorted by Subject

Written by Jordan Nisbet

Educators & Parents

Help kids discover their passion for math with our engaging, online math game!

• Parent Resources
• Mathematics
• Language arts
• Health and physical education
• Social studies

Educational games make a great alternative for children who don't learn best through pencil and paper instruction.

According to educational nonprofit EDUCAUSE , a growing body of research shows game-based learning platforms “can create an engaging dynamic that inspires students to develop competencies and skills as they focus on the activities of the game.”

Regardless of the subject, educational games for kids can help you instill a love of learning in your own child. This applies whether they're learning through homeschooling, online learning or traditional classroom setting.

Below, we’ve organized some of the best educational games for kids by subject! Interested in games for a certain subject? Click one below and jump right to it:

Mathematics games

Prodigy math.

Available : Apple App Store , Google Play , Amazon Appstore , Web

Age : 6 to 14

Cost : In-game educational content is free, Memberships  available

Prodigy Math is the engaging, fantasy-based math game used by over 100 million students, teachers and parents around the world. 

It’s curriculum-aligned and helps kids master math skills in every major topic from 1st grade to 8th grade, including fractions, geometry and more.

After creating their own personalized math wizard, your child will compete in math battles against in-game characters , just like how role-playing games like Pokémon work. To win, they must answer sets of math questions.

The game also adapts in difficulty to suit your child’s learning style and grade level, helping them build key math skills. In one school district, research showed that students who used Prodigy Math mastered 68% more math skills on average when they used Prodigy Math!

Create your free parent account  to follow your child's progress as they have fun learning math. You can also get a Membership to level up your Prodigy experience — packed with plenty of extra benefits for you and your child!

Are you an educator? 👩‍🏫

Get full access to Prodigy's teaching tools at no cost to you or your school!

Available : Web

Age : 8 to 14

Cost : $20 per month, $40 per quarter, $60 per year

This is a middle school math game aligned with the common core and TEKS curricula. Your child will be tasked with helping Alfred, an inventor, save Mathlantis —  a chaotic and disordered world — by restoring the population’s math knowledge.

On this adventure, they’ll time-travel and meet famous mathematicians, help them regain their lost knowledge, and transform Mathlantis back to its original state.

Twelve a Dozen

Available : Apple App Store

Cost : Free, in-app purchases

Developed by Touch Press Games, this educational math game helps children understand the beginning thought process of algebra and explore longer, more complex algebraic equations.

In Twelve a Dozen, your child will join the numeric hero, Twelve, on a journey through a universe of numbers. She’s on a mission to rescue her family and the crumbling world of Dozenopolis from the destructive Ultimate Prime. And they’ll use their skills and understanding of core math concepts to solve puzzles.

Looking for more amazing math games for kids? Check our list of the  13 best math apps for kids in elementary school!

Start with Art!

Available : Apple App Store, Google Play, Amazon Appstore

Embark on a journey into the world of art, creativity, and visual learning with your personal Art Guides: Tickles, Furnace, and Ruby!

Start with Art! will walk your child through four foundational art lessons:

• Art as language
• Message in art

It also has engaging “Creativity Builders” art projects designed to foster creativity, encourage problem solving, and enhance critical thinking skills.

Each lesson is aligned to Creativity Express, a multi-award winning visual arts curriculum that professional educators and former Disney animators created!

Cost : Free

Tate is a family of four art galleries in London, Liverpool, and Cornwall. Its children-focused project, Tate Kids, lets children play free art-related games and quizzes, get help on art homework, and share their creations!

In addition to completing fun quizzes, kids can help robots save famous art in “Art Parts,” create their own landscapes in “My Imaginary City,” and more! 

No matter what area of art your child is into, they’ll find something engaging, educational, and creative!

Colorfy: Coloring Art Game

Available : Apple App Store, Google Play

No crayons? Run out of sketchbook pages? No worries! 

Colorfy is a digital coloring book for kids of all ages, filled with high-quality images. With over 1000 pictures to paint, your child will have the choice of florals, animals, patterns, gardens, mandalas, famous paintings, and other creative images.

This coloring game also includes a new AR virtual gallery that lets your child see what their art would look like in the real world!

Language arts games

Prodigy english.

Available: Web

Cost: Free to play, with optional Memberships for extra rewards

Prodigy English is a free educational game for kids that uses creative, sandbox gameplay to engage kids in English language skills. The game takes place on the player's very own village, where they'll collect resources and use them to build objects that can play in their own world.

Just like Prodigy Math, Prodigy English uses an adaptive algorithm that adjusts the questions students get based on their grade and ability. This can help them grow their reading and vocabulary skills – all while having fun!

Prodigy English covers Common Core reading and language skills from 1st grade to 6th grade, with more skills and game content coming!

Available : Apple App Store, Google Play, Amazon Appstore, Web

Age : 4 to 18

Cost : 30-day free trial, then $9.99 per month

As outlined on HOMER’s website, their “mission is to provide the best educational start possible by offering personalized, fun, and proven learning products for children.” 

This early learning program has two products: Reading and Stories .

HOMER Reading combines a child’s current reading level and their passions, in order to create a personalized learn-to-read plan. Using that child’s same interests, HOMER Stories curates stories they’ll love — from classic to contemporary.

Vocabulary Spelling City

Available : Apple App Store, Google Play, Web

Cost : Free, $34.95 per year (family annual membership up to five students)

This program is a K-12 supplemental literacy tool designed to help children at every learning level learn spelling and hone grammar skills.

Plus, it helps them build vocabulary retention and reading comprehension.

You can try out 40+ free online spelling games which come with pre-populated word lists. They also offer a premium membership that gives your child access to all of Vocabulary Spelling City’s games with customized lists, homework practice, and more.

Wallykazam! Letter and Word Magic

Available : Apple App Store, Amazon Appstore

Cost : $1.99

Based on the children’s animated television series on Nickelodeon, Wallykazam! helps preschoolers learn early reading skills.

Kids will join Wally Trollman, his pet dragon Norville, the mischievous Bobgoblin, Gina Giant, and Libby Light Sprite in magical and hilarious adventures! They’ll play games and learn letter recognition, letter tracing, and phonics.

Room Recess

Room Recess provides a wide variety of educational games for kids to play during recess. This includes ELA topics, like nouns, sight words and phonics. Each topic has a mini-game made for it, with easy gameplay designed to encourage engagement in the subject. The platform also includes games for skills like math and typing, from pre-k to 6th grade.

If you're a teacher, you may find Room Recess extra helpful for its worksheets, ideal if you're looking to reinforce some of the content seen in the platform's mini-games.

Health and physical education games

Age : 5 to 12

Cost : Free, premium version available

The purpose of GoNoodle is to help parents and teachers get kids moving, with the help of engaging video content. As their app description states: “make screen time active with 300+ videos that feature kids songs, dance, yoga, mindfulness, stretching, and more!”

Whether you want to throw your children a dance party to get them moving or make cleaning up around the house fun, GoNoodle has the perfect video.

Learning Games for Kids: Health

Age : 4 to 13

When it comes to health, it’s important that children learn about their bodies early to stay healthy. Although this website is outdated, there are 36 health-related games across four categories that will help children love to care about their health.From allergies and body parts to dental hygiene and staying fit, playing these games can introduce them to new concepts and help reinforce what they learn in school.

Disaster Master

Disaster Master is an educational game for kids designed to teach them about staying safe from environmental disasters. Players progress through different 8 levels, each centered on a particular disaster challenge, like hurricanes and wildfires.

Use this game to teach both younger and older kids about the importance of staying safe and what they can do to protect themselves in an environmental disaster.

Science games

Available : Apple App Store, Google Play, Microsoft

Cost : $2.99 per app, discounted bundles available

Tinybop can be summed up in three words: play, create, and learn. 

Using educational apps and digital games created for curious and creative minds, children can explore the awesome and invisible wonders of the world!

Children will develop foundational science literacy while engaging with educational games about the human body, plants, homes, weather, space, animals, states of matter, and other exciting topics.

Cost : Free with in-game purchases

Flowing from a belief that the power of play jumpstarts imagination, its games are open-ended, so children are encouraged to experiment and make new connections. The educational game developer Toca Boca creates digital toys from the kid perspective. 

Among Toca Boca’s products, science-related ones include Toca Lab: Elements and Toca Lab: Plants.

In Elements, children will explore the exciting world of science and meet all 118 elements from the periodic table, as they experiment with lab equipment!

And in Plants, they’ll have the opportunity to see how plants evolve, while collecting up to 35 different plant characters!

Camp Wonderopolis

Science for kids is a website packed with fun games for kids to channel their inner scientist. From learning about food chains to mastering melting points, each topic includes mini-games to help engage kids in biology, chemistry and physics.

The website also includes other educational activities for parents and teachers to try with kids, like experiment ideas, quizzes and more.

Technology games

Cost : Individual and Family Plans available, starting at $9 per month

Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and CEO of Facebook, said: “In fifteen years, we’ll be teaching programming just like reading and writing… and wondering why we didn’t do it sooner.” 

Recognizing its importance, Tynker has created award-winning coding courses that are fun and offer self-paced learning for all experience levels.

With over 3,700 fun modules, Tynker designed its lessons to motivate children to further advance their skills, while earning cool new badges! They’ll also have help along the way thanks to interactive explanations, how-to videos, mini-game previews, and more.

CodeSpark Academy

Cost : $9.99 USD/month, with discounts available for longer subscriptions.

This coding game for kids covers many different skills needed for programming, including creativity, logical thinking and problem-solving. It includes characters called the Foos, who guide players through puzzle games where they'll encounter and learn coding topics like sequencing.

Like many of the educational games listed in this article, you can access it via web or through a device running iOS or Android.

Gamestar Mechanic

Available : Web (App access required)

In partnership with E-Line Media and the Institute of Play, Gamestar Mechanic is an online game and community with the sole aim of helping children learn the guiding principles of game design in a highly engaging environment.

There are three components to Gamestar Mechanic: Play, Design , and Share .

Here’s a quick overview of how it works:

• Your child will start by going on an exciting single-player quest to learn about the principles of game design, while earning “sprites.”
• After exhibiting a certain level of mastery, they can use their sprites to design their own original games!
• Then, if your child wishes, they may publish their game in Game Alley as well as review and collaborate on other players’ games.

Have you thought about a STEM program?

If your child loves technology games, they might benefit from a STEM program. STEM programs help kids build key STEM skills – all while they have fun!

Social studies games

Pbs kids games.

Available : Web, Apple App Store, Google Play

Age : 2 to 11

Starring some of children’s favorite television characters, the social studies games on PBS Kids explore culture, different environments, identity, governance, science, and more.

Not sure there’s something for your child? PBS Kids offers a variety of styles of games — from Jet’s Planet Pinball to learn about our solar system to Fidgits to the Rescue! where they build structures to help victims of environmental disasters. There’s something for every type of learner.

In 2009, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor founded iCivics to reimagine civic education. Since its inception, her vision has been “to cultivate a new generation of students for thoughtful and active citizenship. Civic knowledge is a prerequisite for civic participation. Yet for decades, civic education had largely disappeared from school curricula and the repercussions are undeniable.”

Taking a game-based approach, iCivics transforms abstract concepts into problems that every child will face in real life. 

If it’s used in your child’s class, they’ll have a class code to sign in. If it isn’t, they can still make their own account to play engaging and educational games that will help make them better citizens!

One Globe Kids - Friends

Available : Apple App Store, Web

This social studies game allows children to “meet” other kids around the world through photo- and audio-based stories called “A Day in My Life.” Choose from places like Haiti, New York City, the Netherlands, or Indonesia to hear each storyteller’s language as well as learn geographic, cultural, and political facts about each country.

Depending how your child would like to explore each friend’s story, they can choose from three different approaches: Adventure, Start to Finish , and Conversations .

History games

Civilisations ar.

Age : All ages (However, children under 16 are advised to have an adult present.)

With this engaging app, Civilisations AR puts puts history in your hand with the BBC’s first ever Augmented Reality app. You and your child will discover things like ancient Egyptian secrets and reveal hidden layers beneath Renaissance masterpieces.

Whether at home or on a walk in the park, you can use Civilisations AR to bring realistic, to-scale artifacts to life. Become the explorer as you move, scale, and rotate the collection. And, if interested, use features like the “Spotlight” to reveal audio guides and special features, or the “X-Ray” to discover some of history’s greatest secrets.

History for Kids: All Civilizations Learning Games

Cost : Free, in-app purchases ($2.79 to $13.99)

Children will have fun discovering the ancient world and exploring through games and adventures. With vibrant colors and high-quality images, they’ll find themselves engaged with the history of 14 different civilizations.

Kids also get to create their own avatar! And when they do, playing the game will allow them to level it up so they can unlock some awesome prizes.

Geography games

National geographic kids.

Parents may remember the National Geographic Kids magazine. Now, children can engage with the same fun aspects of the magazine online.

To learn more about geography, head over to their website for some fact-filled, fast-paced fun! There are many educational quizzes, funny fill-ins, and action-adventure games to play.

Carmen Sandiego

Where on Google Earth is Carmen Sandiego?

Your child will just have to hop on the internet to find out. In collaboration with education publishing company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Google Earth created a series of Carmen Sandiego games: The Crown Jewels Caper, Tutankhamun's Mask Caper, and The Keys to the Kremlin Caper.

Your child will help Carmen Sandiego track down burglars working for a global criminal organization called VILE. Flying from continent to continent, players interview characters to gain clues that help track down the burglars while testing their geography knowledge. 

Ready to see the impact educational video games for kids can have?

Gamification in education need not be limited to the classroom. Encouraging your child to spend their screen time playing educational video games for kids not only strengthens their skills in various subjects but can also help transform them into lifelong learners!

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We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

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 .

For ages 3+ and don't forget to check out these parenting products with before and afters .

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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100+ No-Prep Indoor Activities for 2 & 3 Year Olds

• Preschooler

Updated in 2023 with new no prep toddler activities! Are you looking for fast and easy activities to keep your toddler busy? No prep or low prep activities that are easy to clean up, engaging, education and fun? The you have come to the right place! Here is our ultimate list of the best super easy no-prep or low-prep activities you can do at home with your toddler or preschooler or 2 and 3 year olds .

Most Requested List on Social Media

I first put this list together back when we were all at home but it has quickly morphed into one of the most requested resources on social media. Hundreds of parents struggling to keep their toddlers busy at home message me on instagram requesting this list. These are the go to activities that I did with my 2 and 3 year olds at home and it will quickly become your go to as well.

I have updated the list with new activities and new pictures and more details.

I put this list together from the best kids activity blogs out there and I hope that it will help you through this time while at home. I will be updating this list periodically as I find more easy no and low-prep ideas. So keep checking back for new ideas. They will be at the top of the list.

Tips for Working Parents

If you are a parent who is now working from home, finding ways to entertain your kids all day can seen very daunting but with this list you will have a resource you can turn to that will help you through this tough time.

The best way to use this list is to go through it the night before and choose 2 or 3 ideas you think your kids will enjoy and you feel comfortable setting up. Write them down on stick them on the fridge so you can refer to them the next day.

Keeping the Mess Down

To help keep the mess down when it comes to doing easy painting or easy sensory activities take advantage of your bathtub! It’s a sure fire way to change the mood of any toddler and messy activities when done in the tub can be cleaner up with a turn of tap.

Supplies For No Prep Toddler Activities

(This post and list contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may earn a commission. Please visit my disclosure policy for more information.)

For a quick guide to activity supplies check out my Amazon shop .

For more help on how to start to do activities with your kids check out this post for things to buy and save for kids activities.

These activities are things you can set up when your child comes to you and says, “I’m bored”. Most of them will take 5 minutes or less to set up. And although it’s hard to predict how long your child will play with an activities, it’s more than likely that they will play with these ideas for more than just 5 minutes!

Quick No Prep and Low-Prep Activities for Toddler

• 50+ Easy Things to Do at Home by Happy Toddler Playtime is a great list of 50+ super no prep activities to do at home with a 3 year old but can also be done with a 2 year old and even older children. That should be the first place you look for easy no-prep ideas. I created it when I was pregnant with my twins and I had a 3 year at home. It saved me on many many days. Click here to find the first 50 super easy and completely doable low prep activities for preschoolers here !
• Mega Blok Jumping

You’ll need Mega Bloks. Set up an indoor jumping range for your toddler using their Mega Blocks. This is a simple active activity that your toddler can help set up with you!

• Pillow Road

You’ll need pillows and cars or trucks. Create a pillow road for your toddlers favourite trucks and cars.

• Toilet Paper Rolling

You’ll need toilet paper and toys. Take a toilet paper roll, unroll is and place a toy at the end. Invite your little one roll is back up trying to keep the toy from falling off.

• Snack Names

You’ll need snack, paper and a marker. Write their name on a piece of paper with circles below each letter. Invite your toddler to place one snack in each circle and have them identify each letter and its sound. As they remove their snacks and eat them repeat the same thing.

• Sock Puzzles

You’ll need a sock and a wooden puzzle. Put wooden puzzle pieces inside a large sock and have your child put their hand in to find the pieces and complete the puzzle

You’ll need paper, marker and snacks. Count snacks on a piece of paper.

• Free the Animals

You’ll need animals and small ziplock bags. Place the animals inside and invite your toddler to open and free them.

• Dinosaur Bath

Put dinosaur toys in the bath

• Decorate your Diapers

Decorate diapers with permanent markers.

• Painting Bread

You’ll need white bread, food colouring and milk. Paint bread with edible paint and then eat it! Find out more here .

• Ice Sensory Bin – an easy idea that works in winter and summer
• Snowman Towers – build a snowman using paper towel rolls.
• 100+ Low -Prep Activities you can Do in Your Backyard by Little Pine Learners are a great set of fun activities to do outside.
• Paint with Kitchen Tools as Paint Brushes by Busy Toddler or with cotton balls.
• Do a craft together using kitchen tools. Check out this post of super easy crafts using a potato masher .
• Car bowling using bowling pins or toilet paper rolls and a car big enough to knock them over. Line the pins or rolls up and then use the car to knock them down.
• Alphabet Match is fun activity using fridge magnets and can be set up in 3 minutes!
• Tea Bag Water Play is a quick activity using herbal tea bags and water.
• Paper Tunnels and Balls by Toddler Approved can be set up in minutes and is fun for little and big kids.
• Pom Pom Number Sweep can be set up in 2 minutes and is fun for 2 and 3 year olds.
• Pouring Station by Busy Toddler is fun water sensory bin that is sure to entertain for more than 5 minutes!
• MegaBlok Names is a quick set up activity to practice name recognition.
• Foil Puzzle Presents is a great way to use a puzzle and has lots of ways to extend the play.
• Toddler Dot-to-Dot by What We Do All Day is a fun idea for Toddlers
• Build a Book Rainbow is a great way to use your children’s library in a fun way. It will lead to reading a few current favourites and some forgotten favourites as well.
• Sponge Letter Match uses sponges and letters and is fun for 2 and 3 years. It can also lead to lots of extending play.
• Animal Tape Rescue by Busy Toddler is a fun fine motor activity that toddlers will love!
• 10 Salad Spinner Toddler Activities is a list of 10 super easy to set activities to do with a salad spinner using items you already have at home.
• How to Make Paper Airplanes by The Best Ideas for Kids has a great full video tutorial. This idea is great for all ages.
• Spaghetti Drop for Toddlers is a quick activity using dried spaghetti and cardboard tubes. You can set it up in minutes.
• STEM Play Dough Building Challenge by Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds. This is a fun idea that you can set up in less than 2 minutes and great for 4-6 year olds as well.
• Cloud Dough Kitchen uses a quick sensory recipe using flour and oil to create a taste-safe dough that is fun and easy to play with.
• Coin Sorting by Rhythms of Play is a fun sorting activity using coins and can be set up in 2 minutes. Great for 3-5 year olds.
• The Drop Anything Toddler Activity have your toddler drop markers, crayons or anything they can find that will fit down a cardboard tube! You can set this up in 2 minutes!
• Towel Holder and Rolls For Toddlers by Powerful Mothering using paper towel rolls and is great for toddlers.
• Feed the Animals by Little Ones Learn
• Cutting a Banana by Rhythms of Play is a great way to combine snack time and playtime. This is great for 2 and 3 year olds.
• Pom Pom Picnic by Happy Toddler Playtime is a fun pretend play activity that lasted for days in my house.
• DIY Sorter by Little Ones Learn is a fun diy activity using a cardboard box and random items in your house.
• Lego Color Sorting by Lorena & Lennox is a quick set up colour sorting activity that has the potential to lead to lots of free play!
• Colour Mixing Tea Party by Happy Toddler Playtime is a quick early colour mixing activity.
• Water Play for Toddlers – Fishing for Colors and Letters by Active Littles is a fun and easy water play activity for toddlers.
• Cardboard Box Wash & Paint by Happy Toddler Playtime for Toddler Approved is a great way mess free way to use a cardboard box.
• Dinosaur Hunting with Paint by Powerful Mothering is fun for 2 and 3 year olds using water colour paints.
• Pom Pom Water Transfer

You’ll need Pom Poms or sponges and two containers and water. Find out how to set it up here .

• Cookie Sheet Sensory Play by Twin Mom Refreshed is a quick to set up sensory activity.
• Stone Washing by Happy Toddler Playtime is a easy set cleaning activity using stones and shaving. Its not as messy as it sounds and will entertain for more than 5 minutes for sure.
• Wine Cork Push by Happy Toddler Playtime is a great way to use those wine corks you might accumulate while working from home with your kids!
• Paint Animals

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mandisa | Easy Activities for Toddlers & Kids (@happytoddlerplaytime)

51. Elastic Bands Around Feet

Take a few elastic bands and invite your toddler to pull them over there feet. Don’t use too many and remove them immediately after playing. This is great practice for putting on socks. You can also use scrunches!

• Cutlery Sorting

53. Dinner Plate Counting

54. Backyard Toy Painting

More No Prep and Low Prep Toddler Activities

55. Car Letters

56. Hand Sock Painting

• Window Washing

You’ll need sponges , water, soap and sensory bin or bowl.

• Pom Poms Mega Blok Colouring Sorting

Your’ll need Pom Poms, Mega Bloks and tongs. Turn your Mega Bloks upside down and use them to colour sort with Pom Poms.

59. Snack Necklaces

Serving snack? Why not turn it into an activity. All you need is string and a embroidery needle and snacks that are soft enough to thread the needle through or have holes or soft

60. Elastic Bands over Paper Towel

Grab some elastic bands and invite your toddler to see how many they can wrap around the paper towel roll.

61. Ivory Soap Experiment

You’ll need ivory soap, microwaveable plate and microwave. Unwrap bar Ivory Soap, place in the middle of the plate. Place in microwave and heat for 1- 2 minutes (about 1:30 is the sweet spot). Keep watching the entire time because it happens fast!

62. Turtle Boxes

You’ll need a cardboard box. Grab a cardboard box and place it on your toddlers back and pretend to be turtles. Can you hide in your shell? Decorate the outside of the shell with markers

63. Bug Whisk Rescue

You’ll need a whisk and small toys, Pom Poms or socks. Place toys like bugs or LEGO or Pom Poms or socks or cotton balls.

64. Book:  Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more. 

Find out more and grab your copy  here .

Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.

65. Laundry Basket Dump Truck

You’ll need a laundry basket and heavy items like a bag of flour or bottle of vinegar or oil. Place some heavy items into a laundry basket and see if your toddler can move them around like a dump truck.

66. Balloon Bug Tennis

You’ll need a balloon and a cardboard tube like a paper towel roll.

67. LEGO Body Trace Activity for Kids

You’ll need larger butcher paper, LEGO DUPLO or MEGA BLOCKS and marker.

68. LEGO Finish the Animals

You’ll need butcher paper and LEGO and markers.

69. Step Stool Jumping

You’ll need: a step stool. Invite your toddler to climb and jump off the step stool!

70. Feed the Stuffed Animal Ball Relay Race

You’ll need: Plastic balls, cardboard boxes, stuffed animals. Place the plastic ball pit balls into a box on one end of room or backyard and an empty box on the other end. Place their favourite stuffed animals next to the empty box. Invite your toddler to use a spoon to scoop up a ball and walk it over to the box next to the stuffed animals. They can pretend to feed the animals the ball and then place it in the box. Repeat until all the balls have been transferred over.

71. Rescue the Animals

You’ll need pipe cleaners and animals. Wrap elastic bands around your under the sea creatures or farm animals. Invite your toddler to unwrap the animals to free them

72. Stick Ladder

You’ll need sticks. You can use broom sticks or even just painters tape and invite your little one to pretend that it’s a ladder that they have to climb up. Find more ways to play  here .

73. Book Drop

You’ll need: books and a cardboard box and scissors. Does your toddler love to return library books at the library through the book drop? Well all three of mine do so I decided to turn it into a fun activity using a cardboard box!

74. Bubble Wrap Highway

You’ll need bubble wrap, painters tape, sharpie and cars. Use bubble wrap to create a highway for your toddlers toy cars and trucks.

75. Glow in the Dark Bowling

For toddlers use a larger ball so that hitting the balls is not so challenging. Grab some empty large water or pop bottles, fill them with glow sticks. Set them up in your basement or a room that you can make fairly dark and let them try and know them down!

76. Paper Towel Roll Towers

Grab some paper towel roll with the paper towels still on. You can even add some toilet paper rolls with the toilet paper still on. Full rolls for this activity and invite your toddler to stack them like giant blocks! We did activity in the winter and made  snowmen  out of them by adding buttons and a hat. 

77. Fly Swatter Bubbles

You’ll need fly swatter and dish soap, water and a bowl. This bubble making activity is soo easy for toddlers and a great way to get out energy. And bonus no spilt bubble solution!! All you need is a fly swatter! Find out more  here .

78. Clouds in the Sky Picture: Cotton Ball Gluing

You’ll need blue construction paper, glue and cotton balls. Invite your toddler to make a clouds in the sky picture glue the cotton balls to the blue construction paper.

79. Water Pouring Station

You’ll need bowls and cups and water and towel or sensory bin. Fill bowls and cups with water and place them on a towel. You don’t need lots of water to make this fun. Invite your toddler to pour the water in the bowl. If doing this in a sensory bin or outside you can add more water! or even colours with food colouring!

80. Ice Cream Cone Balloon Toss

You’ll need: balloons and brown construction paper. Twist your brown construction paper into a ice cream cone shape and use some tape to secure it. Blow up a balloon. Invite your toddler to toss the balloon in the air using the cone an try and catch it again!

81. Taste Test

You’ll need 4-5 containers and different foods that taste sweet (honey, chocolate), sour (lemon, lime), salty (chips, cucumber with salt) and bitter (kale). Invite your toddler to taste each one. Taste about how it tastes with them. What’s their favourite? Least favourite?

82. Pull the Pipe Cleaners

You’ll need pipe cleaners and a colander or container with small holes. Invite your toddler to insert the pipe cleaners in the colander and them remove them.

83. Spice Container Measuring

You’ll need spice containers. Measure different things using spice containers. My kids loved measuring themselves, stuffed animals and large trucks.

84. Pillow walk

You’ll need pillows. create a path using all the pillows and cushion you have and go for a walk on it!

85. Giant Nail Salon

You’ll need cardboard box, sharpie, ice cube tray washable paint, fine paint brushes or q-tips. Find out how to set it up here .

86. Pom Pom Water Transfer

87. Wash the Toys

You’ll need plastic toys large or small, water, dish soap or bubble bath and water. If indoors use a sensory bin otherwise you can do this outside!

88. Oat Sensory Bin

You’ll need oats, animals and a sensory bin or box or large Tupperware container.

89. UNO Memory Game

You’ll need UNO cards. Choose a match of 3 or 4. Place the card face down. Flip over two cards, if they match you keep them. If they don’t match turn them over and try again.

90. Draw A Farm

You’ll need markers, paint sticks and a large sheet of butcher paper and farm animal toys. Invite your toddler to draw the different habitats of farm animals. For example a mud pit for the pigs, a pond for the ducks, a field for the cows and horses and barn or the chicken. You can draw the outline of item for younger toddlers and let them colour it in or let yourolder toddler create their own farm.

91. Pom Pom Drop

Can’t have a list of easy toddler activities without this classic one. Its a classic for a reason. Its super easy to set up and just plain or fun for toddlers. You’ll need cardboard tube, painter’s tape and Pom Poms.

92. Prepared Playdough Kits

93. Foam Shapes on the Window

You’ll need foam shapes, a bowl and water. Wet the foam shapes and stick them all over a window!

94. Painting with Water and Chalk

You’ll need construction paper, colourful chalk, bowl, water and paint brush. Paint the construction paper with water. Then colour over the water with some chalk.

95. Salad Spinner Art

You’ll need a salad spinner, washable paint and coffee filters or paper and scissors. Place the coffee filter in the salad spinner or cut a circle from white paper to fit inside the spinner. Add a few drops of washable kids paint. Close the spinner and turn as fast as you can. Open the spinner up and see what happened!

96. Pasta Threading

You’ll need penne pasta and pipe cleaners. Thread the penne pasta around the pipe cleaners.

97. Feed the Animals: Puzzle Activity

You’ll need rice, animal puzzle, spoon, bowl and sensory bin or box.

98. Oobleck

You’ll need water and corn starch. Find out how to make it here .

99. Popsicle Bath

You’ll need popsicles and bath.

100. Stacking Challenge

You’ll need flat rocks. Try and stack them as high as you can!

101. Fizzy Experiment

You’ll need baking soda, Tupperware container or sensory bin, bowls, vinegar, eye dropper and food coloring. Spread baking soda out in the sensory bin. Fill bowls with vinegar and a drop of food colouring. Use the eye droppers to apply the coloured vinegar to the baking soda and watch it fizz with colour!

102. Playdough Tool Mark Making

You’ll need paint, paper and play dough tools. Dip the playdough tool in the paint and make prints or marks on the paper.

Toddler and Preschooler Curriculums, Books & TV Show!

Play2learn toddler & preschool programs for curious toddlers.

There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!

But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.

Play2Learn for Toddlers  includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.

Play2Learn Preschool  which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years.  That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again! 

These  toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities  will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!

Click here for more information: Play2Learn

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book:  Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information  Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids . Or grab your copy at  Amazon . 

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Book:  Big Book of Riddles for Kids

Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast?  The Big Riddle Book for Kids , of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles that show them how to think outside the box.

• 350 riddles for kids —Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
• Level up their skills —Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
• Double-check their work —Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.

Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!

Designed for kids ages 6 years   old and up.

TV Show:  Curious Crafting

I’m so excited to finally share my new crafting TV show  Curious Crafting  which launched July 1 at on  TVOkids  and  TVOkids YouTube !

Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.

In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create. 

Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.

This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up. 

WILL YOU TRY ANY OF THESE NO PREP & LOW-PREP TODDLER ACTIVITIES WITH YOUR TODDLER OR PRESCHOOLER?

Filed Under:

• Three Year Olds
• Two Year Olds

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Toys and Play: 3- to 5-Year-Olds

You can download this article as a PDF ( English , Spanish )

3- to 5-Year-Olds

• Like to run, jump, climb and balance
• Act out adult jobs with costumes and props
• Begin to share and take turns
• Hate to lose and are not ready for competitive play
• Enjoy simple number and letter activities
• Have more interest in group pretend play
• Like nature, science, time and learning how things work
• Begin to make plans for their play (by about 4 years)
• Can begin to connect pieces in a pattern to make simple models

Toys and Activities

• Push and pull toys, like wagons and strollers
• Toys that mimic adult tools, like a vacuum, shopping cart and small wheelbarrow
• Rocking horse
• Tricycle with helmet
• Jump rope (from 5 years)
• Small bike with training wheels, footbrakes and a helmet (from 5 years)
• Lightweight, soft baseball and bat
• Lightweight frisbee
• Sand and water play toys
• Up to 20 pieces (from 3 years)
• 20 to 30 pieces (from 4 years)
• Up to 50 pieces (from 5 years)

Construction

• Large and small wood blocks
• Most types of interlocking building systems with pieces of all sizes (like Lego)

Transportation

• Large-scale trucks that dump and dig
• Car sets and cars of all sizes
• Trains with tracks (non-electric)

Make believe

• Dolls with hair and eyes and limbs that move
• Simple-to-use doll clothes and doll house
• Stuffed animals with accessories and simple clothes
• Puppets and theater
• Dress-up clothes and costumes
• Housekeeping and cooking gear
• Toy phone, camera and cash register
• Play sets (garage, farm, airport)

Learning toys and games

• Simple board games based on chance, not strategy
• Dominoes (color or number)
• Picture bingo or matching games
• Simple apps or hand-held games for teaching matching, sorting, shapes, colors, numbers and letters
• Science models (check for age level)
• Magnets, flashlight, magnifying glass, clock, prism and terrarium
• Simple calculator
• Toys that teach how to button, snap and hook
• Nesting toys

Arts, crafts and musical toys

• Crayons, markers and chalk
• Scissors with rounded ends
• Paste, glue or glue stick
• Finger and tempera paint, easel and brushes
• Jumbo lacing beads
• Frames and cards to button, hook and lace
• Simple sewing kit with plastic needles
• Work bench, hammer and nails (with adult supervision)
• Rhythm instruments
• Harmonica, horn, whistles and recorder

Choose toys that meet these safety guidelines for this age:

• Non-toxic materials
• No sharp points or edges
• Non-breakable
• No parts that could trap fingers, toes or hands
• No electrical parts
• No glass or brittle plastic
• No exposed pins, sharp wires or nails
• Don’t allow children to play with toys that have miniature disk or “button” batteries that can be removed easily

Learn more about toy safety and get tips for choosing toys and play activities for children of other ages.

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Who is JD Vance? What to know about Donald Trump's VP pick

Former President Donald Trump  tapped JD Vance  to be his running mate at the Republican National Convention , catapulting the Ohio GOP senator even more into the national spotlight.

Here’s what you need to know about Vance.

More: Trump made MAGA happen. JD Vance represents those who will inherit it

Where is JD Vance from?

Vance grew up in Jackson, Kentucky and Middletown, Ohio. He described a childhood consumed by poverty and abuse in his best-selling 2016 memoir , "Hillbilly Elegy." Vance's mother struggled with drug addiction, so he spent many of his formative years with his grandmother – known to him as Mamaw.

How old is JD Vance?

Vance is 39. If elected, he would be the youngest vice president since Richard Nixon. His birthday is Aug. 2, 1984.

Did JD Vance serve in the military?

Vance joined the Marines Corps after high school and served as a public affairs marine in Iraq.

Is JD Vance married?

Vance's wife, Usha Vance, is a litigator for a law firm based in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The pair met as students at Yale Law School and got married in 2014, one year after they graduated.

The couple has three young children: Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel.

Where does JD Vance live?

Vance and his family live in the East Walnut Hills neighborhood of Cincinnati. The senator also bought a $1.5 million home in Alexandria, Virginia, last year, Politico reported .

How long has JD Vance been in politics?

Vance was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022 after defeating former Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan for an open seat in Ohio.

What’s the history between Vance and Trump?

Vance openly criticized Trump in 2016 as pundits used his memoir to explain the former president's popularity with white, rural voters. He previously suggested Trump could be "America’s Hitler," called him noxious and compared him to an opioid.

But Vance changed his tune as he geared up for his 2022 Senate run, deleting controversial tweets and crediting Trump for the work he did in office. He secured Trump's endorsement in a chaotic Republican Senate primary and is now one of the former president's most loyal allies.

JD Vance didn't vote for Donald Trump in 2016

In one NPR interview , he joked that he would rather write his dog on the ballot than vote for Trump or Hillary Clinton.

"I think that I'm going to vote third party because I can't stomach Trump," the "Hillbilly Elegy" author said at the time. "I think that he's noxious and is leading the white working class to a very dark place."

What are Vance's policy positions?

Vance personifies what's known as the New Right , a populist conservatism that rejects many traditional Republican views. He supports tariffs on trade and opposes U.S. intervention in foreign conflicts, particularly the war between Russia and Ukraine. He's also spoken out against potential cuts to Social Security.

Some of Vance's work in the Senate has been bipartisan. He introduced a rail safety bill with Sen. Sherrod Brown after the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. He also worked with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren on legislation to hold executives accountable for failed banks.

At the same time, many of his other bills reflect conservative views. For example, Vance introduced legislation to ban gender-affirming care for minors and a bill to eliminate diversity programs in the federal government.

Where does JD Vance stand on abortion?

Vance opposes abortion and often says the government should find ways to encourage people to have children.

Like other Republicans, however, Vance changed how he discusses the issue after Ohio and other states voted in favor of abortion access last year. In a December CNN interview , he said Republicans must "accept that people do not want blanket abortion bans."

More recently, he told Meet the Press that he supports access to the abortion drug mifepristone.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

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Here’s What Is Known About the Suspect Who Tried to Assassinate Trump

Authorities identified the gunman as a 20-year-old man from Bethel Park, Pa., a town about an hour’s drive from the site of the shooting.

• Share full article

By Campbell Robertson ,  Jack Healy ,  Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs and Glenn Thrush

• Published July 14, 2024 Updated July 15, 2024

He was interested in chess and coding, and had recently received an associate’s degree in engineering science. High school classmates remembered him as an intelligent student who had few friends, but who never exhibited any glaring red flags. The nursing home where he had a job helping with meals said his work gave its staff no reason for “concern.”

And in an era when other people his age put troves of personal information online, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, left few clues about who he was, what he believed, or why he decided to drive to a Trump rally in western Pennsylvania on Saturday and try to assassinate the former president.

On Sunday, federal investigators said a gunman they identified as Mr. Crooks had used an AR-15 style rifle purchased by his father to open fire from a rooftop outside the rally where the former president, Donald J. Trump, was speaking. In a series of new details, F.B.I. officials said they were investigating the incident as a possible case of domestic terrorism, and that the gunman had left behind explosives materials in the vehicle he drove to the event.

But many other details of Mr. Crooks’s life and motives were still unclear. Federal authorities said he had no apparent history of mental health issues or previous threats, and had not been on the radar of federal law enforcement.

Investigators were scouring his online presence and working to gain access to his phone, but so far had not found indications of strongly held political beliefs. In fact, the clues he left behind were confusing: He was a registered Republican but had also donated to a progressive cause in 2021; his parents were registered as a Democrat and Libertarian.

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