If, like me, you’ve recently had a child start school, you’ll know all about the after school struggle. Unsure whether to let your exhausted child vegetate on the sofa in front of the TV, or force them into something extra curricular, the after school hours have been surprisingly hard to navigate.
I went on a mission, therefore, to find as many fun, easy and stress-free games to play with my 4-year old after school. Below is a round-up of all that I’ve found so far, with suggestions on games that will get your kids interacting with you, without the meltdowns or demands for snacks.
21 Best After School Games for Foundation Aged Children (UK)
1. Pizza, Pizza! (£11.99)
By far, Olive’s favourite after-school game (and perhaps my own!) is Pizza, Pizza. This is an easy game where competitors try to be the first to make a full pizza, whilst dodging the slices covered in bugs. The chants “In the bin! In the bin!” ring through our house most nights (you’ll need to play to get it).
- A FUN LEARNING EXPERIENCE: This exciting colour and shape matching game is not only a fun game but it is a great way to talk about different foods with children and help them to learn different shapes and colours!
- FUN AND EASY TO PLAY: Teacher-tested, this is an ideal educational board game for children 3-7 years old, with simple gameplay and durable pieces. Enough fun for 2-4 players at a time.
- HOW TO PLAY: Spin the double spinner and choose a topping card by colour or shape. The winner is the first person to fill their pizza board, but watch out for the yucky toppings!
- GREAT FOR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN: Enjoy lasting replay value to suit kids from 3-7 years old. Pizza Pizza is a combined learning activity and game in one, ideal for at home or in the classroom.
- TIMELESS DESIGN & QUALITY: Made with quality components, Orchard Toys Pizza Pizza game contains 25 shaped pizza slice cards; 4 pizza boards; 1 double spinner; 1 head chef board, and easy-to-follow instructions!
2. Guess Who (£10.99)
An all-time classic, my 4 year old has recently started playing Guess Who (we picked ours up second hand, so the OG). It’s great for her thinking and problem solving skills – although her insistence on always choosing the same woman is a bit of a fail on her part.
There are lots of different options nowadays – aside from the original Guess Who – including Guess Who Peppa Pig, which I’ve put on Olive’s Christmas wish list.
- FUN AND ENGAGING GAME: Guess Who is a fun game that challenges kids to ask clever questions and guess their opponent's character. Perfect for developing critical thinking and interactive play.
- EASY TO PLAY AND ENJOY: Simple rules make this game easy to learn and fun for kids 6 and up. Great for group play or family game nights, encouraging social interaction and hands-on play.
- QUALITY GAME FOR ALL: Made with durable materials, Guess Who is designed for lasting fun. This family game provides great value for money and hours of entertainment.
- ENJOYABLE FOR EVERYONE: Whether you're playing solo or with a group, Guess Who brings excitement to any occasion. It's perfect for school breaks or family gatherings, sparking laughter and fun.
- IDEAL FOR PARTIES AND GATHERINGS: A fantastic choice for any party or family event, Guess Who keeps everyone engaged. Quick to set up and easy to play, making it a great addition to Easter party games.
3. Who’s Feeling What? (£13.50)
If you’re looking for an emotion based game for your foundation aged child, then this is a great option. The game involves children having to ‘spot the feeling’, as well as being encouraged to talk about their own feelings at the same time.
- SPOT THE FACE, SPOT THE EMOTION: Inspired by distance learning, this social-emotion learning game and activity set helps kids strengthen their SEL skills as they match the callers with their feelings
- NEVER THE SAME ACTIVITY TWICE: With 12 double-sided caller cards and 12 double-sided emotion prompt cards, this communication game for kids lets you design a new game board every time you play
- A FUN WAY TO TALK ABOUT FEELINGS: Ready for use at home or in the classroom, Whoâ€s Feeling What comes with an SEL activity guide with ideas on how to use this emotion toy to get kids talking and learning
- AGES AND STAGES: Specially designed with little ones in mind, this feeling toy for kids helps little ones as young as 3 build school-ready SEL and problem-solving skills
- INCLUDES: 12 double-sided caller cards, 12 double-sided emotion prompt cards, emoji tokens , and activity guide
4. Outfoxed (£21.17)
Olive’s teacher actually suggested Outfoxed as a great after school game for under 5s. This is a classic ‘whodunit’ game that encourages families to work together to solve the case before the fox steals Mrs Plumpert’s chickens.
- Mrs. Plumpert’s prized pot pie has gone missing and it’s now a chicken chase to crack the case
- Will you halt the hungry hooligan before it flies the coop… or will you be Outfoxed?
- A cooperative board whodunit game that all the family can play and enjoy
- Reinforces deduction, visual discrimination and cooperation skills
- Suitable for 2-4 players aged 5 and above with a playing time of around 15 minutes
5. Shopping List (£6.99)
This was one of the first games I played with Olive and she still loves playing it. Another great game from Orchard Toys, Shopping List is a memory game based around completing your shopping list.
- MEMORY MATCHING GAME: Take turns to turn over 1 of the everyday shopping item picture cards; players match the item to their shopping list or return the card face down on the table. Collect all of the items on your list to win!
- ORCHARD GAMES FOR 3+ YEAR OLDS: A family favourite, this is Orchard Toys’ number 1 bestseller. The recognisable grocery items make this an ideal game for young children aged 3 to 7 years. Requires no reading. For 2 to 4 players.
- SUSTAINABLE: Our matching and memory board game is made from recycled and sustainable cardboard.
- DEVELOP SKILLS: Teacher tested, our shopping themed kids memory game encourages observational, matching and memory skills and promotes discussion. Ideal for parties, schools, family gatherings, and long lasting entertainment.
- IN THE BOX: Our Shopping List board game for 3 year olds and up includes 32 grocery picture cards, 4 shopping lists, and 4 different coloured baskets/trolleys. Add on packs are available to increase play value.
6. Pop to the Shops (£11.99)
Pop to the Shops is a brilliant game to add to the list of the best after school games for young kids. A level up from Shopping List, Pop to the Shops supports children in learning about money, as well as teaching them how to give change and manage money.
- Learn About Handling Money and Giving Change: Pop to the Shops is a fun interactive board game that teaches children important real-world skills like handling money and giving change and helps children understand the concept of money.
- Use Pretend Money to Buy Items from Different Shops: Players get to use pretend money to purchase items from a variety of shops, making the game feel like a real-life shopping experience. This role-playing element of visiting different stores adds excitement and imaginative play.
- Encourages Counting and Math Skills: The game is designed to boost children’s counting and basic math abilities as they calculate how much money they have and learn how to give change. It offers an enjoyable way to reinforce early math concepts in a practical contexts.
- Suitable for Ages 5-9: Pop to the Shops is perfect for children aged 5-9, with age-appropriate challenges that keep them engaged while supporting key learning milestones. It’s an ideal game for both younger and older kids to enjoy together.
- Fun Educational Game for 2-4 Players: With space for 2-4 players, this game encourages group play, helping children develop social skills like turn-taking and cooperation while learning about money. It’s a fantastic educational tool that combines fun with valuable learning.
7. Can U Find it First? (£14.99)
We bought the travel size version of this for holiday and it was a great little game for ages 3-5. A little like a giant Where’s Wally, the idea of the game is to spot the object on the card first. I think this is a great game for improving attention spans, (something we all want from our young kids).
- Can U Find It First Game – Memory Games For Kids And All The Family – Brain Teaser Games For Kids – A Card Games For Kids Of Speedy Observation, Concentration And Reflexes - Board Games For Kids
- Family Board Games For Kids And Adults – Suitable For All Of The Family And A Great Multi-player Game Board, This Fun Family Games Box Makes A Great Addition To The Family Board Games Repertoire - Also Works Well As Travel Games For Kids And Adults
- Family Board Games - How To Play - Pull An Object Card From The Bag Featuring One Of The 300 Objects On The Game Cards. You Take It In Turns To Pick A Card From The Bag, Show Everyone The Picture And Read The Name Of The Object On The Back Of It. The First Person To Spot The Object And Point It Out On The Game Board Wins The Round And Keeps The Card. The Winner Is The Player With The Most Cards At The End Of The Game.
- Educational Toys For 3+ Year Olds - Gifts For Kids – This Children’s Board Game Is The Ideal Present For Kids Who Enjoy Puzzles And Playing Games With Friends And Family. Although A Simple Concept, The Spot It Game Provides Endless Hours Of Fun. The Board Is Double Sided And Arrives As Nine Jigsaw Pieces. Each Piece Has The Same Objects On Its Front And Back. The Board Games Pieces Can Be Rotated, Flipped And Re-positioned So The Game Board Can Be Put Together In Numerous Combinations.
- Kids Board Games Age 3-5 - Memory Game – This Speed Family Game Includes Everything Needed To Create The Best Brain Teaser Toys Puzzles - 9 x Piece Double-Sided Game Board, 320 x Object Cards, 1 x Object Card Bag & 1 x Instructions.
8. Uno (£6.49)
The all-time classic, Uno, is an easy and fun after school game for young kids. At 4.5, Olive has only recently gotten the hang of Uno but now there’s no stopping her. A much more interesting card game than Snap, I feel like Uno has her brain thinking, without her realising!
- The classic card game of matching colors and numbers.
- Special Action Cards and Wild Cards for unexpected excitement and game-changing fun.
- Use the Swap Hands cards to change hands with any other opponent.
- Write your own rules for game play with the Customizable Wild cards.
- Players take turns matching a card in their hand with the color or number of the card shown on the top of the deck.
9. Kids’ Dobble (£15.00)
I was not expecting Olive to be as good at Dobble as she is. I guess as kids are so present, she’s much better at spotting smaller details than me, resulting in a hard contender to beat. To help her be more engaged, I invested in the Disney edition of Dobble, which we both love.
- CLASSIC GAME OF OBSERVATION AND SPEED: Challenge your observation skills and reflexes with this exciting Disney edition of the classic Dobble game.
- PERFECT FOR DISNEY FANS AND COLLECTORS: Enjoy a game that features your favourite Disney and Pixar characters, ideal for both playtime and collection.
- EXTRA-LARGE CARDS FOR EASY HANDLING: The game includes 90 extra-large cards, each displaying 10 symbols, making it perfect for players of all ages.
- FIVE FUN GAME VARIATIONS: Keep the fun fresh and exciting with five different ways to play, ensuring endless entertainment for everyone.
- FAMILY-FRIENDLY AND FAST-PACED: Suitable for ages 6+, this game is designed for 2-8 players and offers quick 15-minute rounds, perfect for family game night.
10. Bluey Fancy Restaurant Game (£11.98)
If your child loves Bluey, then the Bluey Fancy Restaurant game is a great after school game. Made by Orchard Toys, this game encourages role play, as well as practising basic math skills.
- BRING BLUEY’S WORLD TO LIFE: Immerse children in Bluey’s whimsical adventures with this engaging restaurant-themed role-play game. Players take on the roles of customers and waiters, creating imaginative scenarios while building confidence and storytelling skills.
- EDUCATIONAL AND FUN GAMEPLAY: This game encourages essential early learning skills, including turn-taking, problem-solving, and basic math, making it a perfect blend of education and entertainment for children aged 3 and up.
- DESIGNED FOR FAMILIES AND PLAYGROUPS: Suitable for 2-4 players, this game offers a cooperative and interactive experience that’s ideal for family game nights, playdates, or as a classroom activity. Vibrant illustrations and sturdy components ensure lasting quality.
- SUSTAINABLE: Crafted from durable, recycled board and manufactured to exceptionally high standards to withstand the wear and tear of little hands. Game pieces are wipe clean, ensuring they’re always ready for the next playtime.
- ORCHARD TOYS: A British company we have been designing children’s educational games and jigsaws for over 50 years. Trusted by parents, teachers and early years professionals our high-quality products are designed to inspire learning and fun.
11. The Floor is Lava! (£11.99)
If you can face this after school, The Floor is Lava is going to be a big hit with your young kids. During this game, kids have to spin the colour wheel, before jumping to the right foam piece to reach safety.
- FUN GAME: The Floor is Lava; is a game where players must imagine the floor is molten hot lava while spinning the color wheel to jump to the right foam pieces to reach safety. The Floor is Lava! is a family game that promotes physical activity, an active imagination, and engaging excitement for kids and adults
- GREAT PLAY: This great game is best with 2 to 6 players who are ages 5 years old and up. Boys and girls alike will enjoy this game which comes with 25 colored foam “safety stones”, 27 challenge cards, game spinner, and instructions
- PROMOTES PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: This game gets children jumping, leaping, playing, and improving their strength, conditioning, balance, and endurance! Each of these cushioned, durable, slip-resistant foam stepping stones can be used during outdoor parties or indoor sleepovers
- FUN FOR ALL: Any child or adult will have fun taking part in this quick and easy game! It’s great for everyone, including the kids, adults, men, and women! This game is the most fun at parties and game nights
- PLAY AT PARTIES: Bring this game to your next party. The rules are easy to learn and the game is difficult to stop playing, it’s that much fun; Whether you are a youth or are older, you’ll enjoy this game. Use some strategy and luck to win
12. Alphabet Lotto (£11.97)
To help Olive with her phonics, I recently bought Alphabet Lotto to add the the list of best after school games. Another educational game from Orchard Toys, Alphabet Lotto offers 4 different ways to play: all of which support in helping your children learn the alphabet.
- FOUR WAYS TO PLAY: Alphabet Lotto offers four exciting gameplay options, providing variety that keeps young children engaged as they learn. The flexibility makes it ideal for both solo and group play for up to five players.
- LEARN THE ALPHABET: Introduce children to the alphabet through pictures, letters, and words in this fun Alphabet lotto game. The four different ways to play support different learning styles, enhancing children’s understanding of each letter.LEARN THE ALPHABET: Introduce children to the alphabet through pictures, letters, and words in this fun Alphabet lotto game. The four different ways to play support different learning styles, enhancing children’s understanding of each letter.
- LEARNING MADE FUN: Featuring five double-sided boards with four different ways to play: matching picture to picture, letter to picture, picture to letter or letter to letter making it versatile and adaptable to the ability level of the child.
- SUITABLE FOR AGES 3-6: Perfectly suited for preschoolers and early learners aged 3-6, Alphabet Lotto offers age-appropriate challenges that support cognitive and language development, making it an ideal learning game that’s both educational and fun.
- PERFECT BIRTHDAY: Alphabet Lotto makes the perfect fun and educational gift. It’s a fantastic addition to any child’s learning resources and toy box.
13. Slimy Rhymes (£11.97)
Another great addition to your after school games stash is Slimy Rhymes. Ideal for those starting their phonics and reading journey, Slimy Rhymes (yes, it’s ANOTHER Orchard Toys) game is a fun word and picture rhyming game.
- A fun word and picture rhyming game
- Build early language and rhyming skills
- Encourages imaginative and social play
- Made of quality material
14. Fun Food Bingo (£12.00)
If, like my child, snacks are EVERYTHING after school, then why not play this fun, food themed bingo. Just like a traditional bingo game, the first player to place a knife and fork on all the pictures on their board wins.
- HOW TO PLAY: Traditional bingo with a fun food themed twist! Draw a card from the bag, and place a knife and fork counter on any matching squares. The first player to fill their board wins. Then flip the boards over for some imaginative play, creating your favourite meal or the most unusual food combinations!
- EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS: This educational game for 3-6 year olds develops matching skills, promotes imaginative play and encourages discussion.
- SUSTAINABLE: Our learning toys are crafted from recycled board and paper from sustainable sources. The sturdy, wipe clean playing boards and cards are designed to withstand wear and tear and messy hands.
- WHAT’S IN THE BOX: Each of the Fun Food Bingo kids games includes 4 double-sided bingo boards/plate cards, 1 cloth bag, 36 knife and fork counters, 20 shaped food cards, and easy to follow instructions.
- EDUCATIONAL GIFT FOR KIDS: Featuring beautifully illustrated and instantly recognisable foods, these charming and colourful learning games make an ideal birthday gift for children aged 3 and over.
15. Hurry Up Chicken Butt (£19.99)
I’ve been eyeing up this game in Waterstones for several weeks now. Although on the pricey end of our list of the best after school games for young kids, I think this could be worth the investment. Designed by other parents who found their kids grew bored of most board games, Hurry Up Chicken Butt is a fun, active game. The goal is not to end up with the chicken when the timer goes off.
- How to Play: Get ready to jump up and get silly with Hurry Up Chicken Butt! Shake the Chicken to reveal your wacky activity, then perform it quickly before passing the Chicken Shaker to the next player. But watch out—if the timer goes off while you're holding the Chicken, you're out! This game is fast-paced, unpredictable, and guaranteed to get everyone laughing.
- What’s Included: The game comes with a Chicken Shaker that reveals a variety of fun activities for players to perform. The unpredictable timer adds a thrilling twist, ensuring that no two rounds are the same. With simple rules and endless fun, this game is easy to learn and impossible to put down.
- Who's it For?: Designed for 2-6 players, ages 5 and up, Hurry Up Chicken Butt is perfect for family game nights, kids' playdates, and gatherings where laughter is the main goal. Whether you're young or young at heart, everyone has an equal chance to win, making it a great game for all ages.
- Where to Play: Ideal for getting the family off the couch and into a fun, active game, Hurry Up Chicken Butt is perfect for family bonding, parties, and playdates. It encourages physical activity, quick thinking, and creativity, making it a great choice for classrooms, camps, or any group looking to have a blast together.
- Our Story: Kitten Games was created by Exploding Kittens to design games specifically for younger children. Games that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork while ensuring lots of fun for everyone!
16. Who Did This Poo? (£12.97)
As you know, all young kids love nothing more than jokes about poo. So, the game ‘Who Did This Poo?’ should be right up their street. An easy matching and memory game, the game also comes with an unexpectedly fascinating book on poo.
- Onn, Aidan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 56 Pages - 03/18/2019 (Publication Date) - Laurence King Publishing (Publisher)
17. Snakes and Ladders (£8.00)
No list of the best after school games would be complete without adding the all time classic board game, Snakes and Ladders. It’s taken Olive a little while to fully understand this but she’s now fully in her snakes and ladders era.
- HOW TO PLAY: To play our large snakes and ladders game, simply select one of the chunky animal playing pieces and roll the dice. If you land on a ladder, move up, and if you land on a snake, move down. Whoever reaches the finish square first, wins!
- GAMES FOR 3+ YEAR OLDS: Ideal for kids aged 3+, the large playing board features clearly defined squares to help reinforce counting skills, whilst each 3D playing piece has a matching token to remind them of their character whilst playing.
- SUSTAINABLE: Our children's board games are crafted from recycled cardboard and use vegetable inks. The chunky wipe clean pieces are designed to withstand wear and tear and messy hands.
- EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS: At Orchard Toys, 'learning made fun' is at the heart of everything we do. Our snakes and ladders board game helps develop number recognition and observational skills and teaches children to take turns whilst working together.
- CONTENTS: Each box includes 1 extra large jigged playing board, 1 dice, 4 chunky 3D character playing pieces, 4 character discs, and 1 instruction booklet.
18. Enchanted Forest (16.99)
A traditional family board game, suitable for younger kids, Enchanted Forest is a Ravensburger creation. The aim of the game is to find all of the treasure in the forest. Each game only lasts around 20 minutes, so is ideal for younger kids.
- Fun play experience - you can play a game in 20 minutes for 2-6 players. A classic family board game where you have for find the magical treasures
- High quality components - Contains 1x Playing board, 12x trees, 12x fairytale object cards, 6x playing pieces, 2x dice and Instructions
- Easy to understand instructions - high quality, Easy to understand instructions make it possible to start playing right away
- Great replay value - Reveal the first treasure card and the hunt begins. Each time a treasure is found, a new card is revealed, until all the King's treasures have been found. The player who has collected the most treasures, is the winner
- Long term quality - Ravensburger has been making products for the hand, head, and heart for over 130 years
19. Connect 4 (£9.99)
An oldie but a goodie, Olive is ADDICTED to Connect 4. I like the fact it’s quick to play but is also encouraging Olive to think a little longer about her moves and think a little more tactically.
- FUN, FAST-PACED GAME: Watch the discs slide into place as players race to get four of the same colour in a row. A simple but exciting game for endless family fun.
- EXCITING STRATEGY CHALLENGE: Test your strategic skills with every move! Block your opponent and find ways to win with this classic game that keeps kids and adults engaged.
- GREAT FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Perfect for players 6 and up, this easy-to-learn game is ideal for both kids and adults. Keep everyone entertained during family game nights.
- ENDLESS FUN FOR ALL AGES: Whether you’re playing with friends or family, Connect 4 is a fast-paced, thrilling game that guarantees fun for hours. It's a great way to bond!
- A MUST-HAVE FOR FAMILY TIME: Bring the family together with this timeless classic. It’s a perfect choice for some quick fun and skill-building during indoor activities.
20. Go Fish Card Game (£3.74)
If you’re looking for a quick and easy card game for after school, Go Fish is an obvious go-to. Great for memory, counting and sorting skills, this is also an easy game to take on holiday with you as well.
- 【Enjoyment】 A colourful, sea-themed card game that will amuse and entertain even the youngest card players with their friends and family. While children learn memory, counting and sorting skills, they get a buzz once they have made a complete set or even told their friends or family to Fish!
- 【How To Play】 Five cards are dealt to each player. The remaining cards are messed up, face down between the players. Hold your cards so you can see them, but no one else can. The game aims to get all three of the same card, and when you do, you earn a point. Do you have any "Crabs"? If your opponent has one, they must give it to you; otherwise, they will tell you to "Go Fish!"
- 【Pocket Money Fun and Games】 Pocket money price points for kids with some money to spend. These playthings provide hours of fun, including recognisable traditional toys and games to the quirky and bizarre. Not only that, but this House of Marbles range is a great way to teach children the value of money.
- 【Travel】 This is excellent for taking with you when off on holiday, a weekend away, or even just down to the local park. It's a great alternative to keeping the children busy; it can help reduce their screen time and also get some quality family time in! With a compact size and weight, it is easy to pop it in your bag and play on the go!
- 【Child-Friendly Size】 Specially designed to be slightly smaller than a standard deck, making the cards easier for children to hold, shuffle and enjoy during play.
21. The Magic Tooth Fairy Board Game £19.99
I’m not sure who’s more excited to play this game – me or Olive. I’ve added this to her Christmas list as it looks like a fun, easy game to play over the Christmas holidays. The aim of the game is to collect as many golden coins from the tooth fairy as possible, in order to win the game.
- THE GOLDEN COIN COLLECTING BOARD GAME: Spin the spinner and journey around the game board collecting golden coins from the Magic Tooth Fairy! Suitable for 2-4 players ages 4 years and over
- TRANSFORM TEETH INTO GOLDEN COINS: Be the first player to swap 4 teeth for golden coins to win! The Magic Tooth Fairy game requires no batteries, so you can play straight away
- WHAT SPACE WILL YOU LAND ON?: Land on a “lose a tooth” space and place a loose tooth on your pillow-shaped playing piece. If you land on a “go to bed” space place a tooth under the magic bed’s pillow ready for a visit from the Tooth Fairy!
- MAGICAL FAIRY WITH FLUTTERING WINGS: Press the fairy and she will flutter her wings and magically transform a tooth into a golden coin!
- LEARN AND PLAY: Little ones can learn turn taking, counting and colour recognition skills, as well as the importance of caring for your teeth and the story of the Magic Tooth Fairy!