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Easy Games for 5 Yr Olds

Five-year-olds are notorious for having short attention spans, but easy and entertaining games should keep them out of the cookie jar for at least a little while. From board games to party games, 5-year-old children can do a lot. The trick is to keep them engaged but not frustrate them with something above their ability level.

Cootie
- Cootie was the highest-rated kids game on BoardGameRatings.com. It allows kids to build little bug-looking creatures in hundreds of different ways. Body parts are acquired depending on what number the child rolls on the die, with each number on the die corresponding to one of the body parts. The first player to complete his cootie wins. Not only is this game simple, but it fosters creativity in its players.
Candy Land and Chutes &Ladders
- Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders are also favorites and easy for that age. The colorful and unique-looking boards keep children fascinated, and the games rely on simple numbers or pictures. For a child of 5 with a big imagination, a land of sugarplums and candy canes is an amazing world. And in Chutes and Ladders, who doesn't like watching their opponents slide down from the very top right before they win?
Cariboo
- According to BestToysGuide.com, Cariboo is the best board game for kids, with many aspects of the game geared toward little ones. Rounds usually last less than 15 minutes, which is great for short attention spans, but will teach them about shapes, numbers, letters and colors. However, the kids won't realize they are learning as they try to unlock secret doors and discover buried treasure.
Blokus
- A strategy game using brightly colored pieces, this game has simple instructions but can be fun for both a 5 year old and an adult. Blokus has won more than 20 awards and will help your child with spacial awareness in an easy way.
Memory and Puzzles
- Puzzles come in all levels of difficulty depending on your child's skill level.
  
  Memory, whether the actual game or a self-created version, is simple and great for the mind. The best part about playing Memory with a 5-year-old is that he will often win even if you are trying. Children have an uncanny ability to remember where something is, and watching this in action is as fun for you as it is for your child.
  
  Puzzles are based on a similar concept of recognition, but also incorporate a spacial element that further trains the brain. Most puzzles have an age range on the box. If you find your child completes a puzzle too easily, find a slightly harder one next time. She won't stay attentive if she isn't just a little challenged.
Hide-and-Go-Seek
- Hide-and-go-seek is a great activity for indoors or out.
  
  This game is a classic, but age 5 is really when it starts getting fun. Most children this age are finally starting to grasp the idea of being quiet, and hiding well. This game can be made a little more complex by creating a "safe spot," which hiders can try to reach before they are found -- with the risk of being seen and caught in the attempt.
Relay Races
- A sack race is a great treat for 5-year-olds.
  
  If you have multiple children, a sack race is a lot of fun. Five-year-olds are just getting acquainted with their bodies enough to be able to hold the sack and jump at the same time without always falling -- and even if they do, they usually want to try again. All you need are some sacks, which can either be the standard burlap variety or large pillow cases.
  
  Another 5-year-old game idea is the three-legged race. With their partners, kids will have to work together to plan a strategy. Like the sack race, a fall usually makes kids want to work harder and try again. It is also very easy to do -- all you is need a piece of cloth to bind the legs together.

Kids Games