5 games that mixed-age homeschoolers love (even the toddler)

Finding family board games that a mixed-age group of learners can enjoy can be challenging. If you’re homeschooling multiple ages, you know this well. Things get even more complicated when one of the kids is a toddler. Now, you’re not only trying to find common interests, you also need games that span different stages of development and capabilities. And of course, you’re trying to avoid having the littlest learners frustrated by rules they don’t understand, while making sure the older kiddos don’t declare that the game “is for babies.”

This is exactly the climate of our homeschool. My youngest learner (3 years old) is building her vocabulary and beginning to recognize letters and numbers, while her older brothers (6 and 8) are reading, writing, and delightfully competitive. While the 3-year-old is eager to join in on everything her big brothers do, it can be frustrating when we try to force participation in a game she’s not developmentally ready for.

Fortunately, we’ve discovered quite a few games that my mixed-age crew genuinely loves to play together. None of these require reading and most emphasize skills the toddler is practicing every day—like identifying animals, recognizing shapes, counting, and fine motor coordination. Many also create opportunities for the older kids to practice strategy and critical thinking. Most importantly, these games are crowd-pleasers that bring plenty of laughter and memorable moments while supporting learning through play. Here are five of our favorites.

1. Picture Bingo

Picture Bingo is perfect for a mixed-age group. Even the youngest learners can match the images on the call cards to their Bingo boards, making it a wonderful way to expand vocabulary. We especially love themed bingo games and use our Seasonal Bingo sets to celebrate the start of each season. Bonus tip: Use something fun as bingo markers. My toddler adores pom poms, so including them instantly boosts her enthusiasm.

2. Sequence for Kids

This amusing board game challenges players to get four chips in a row—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Each player gets three animal cards. On their turn, they pick a card and place a chip on the matching image on the board. Because the cards feature animals, it’s simple enough for young learners to grasp, and it gives them a chance to practice naming animals. Meanwhile, older kids enjoy thinking strategically about where to place their chips.

3. Hoot Owl Hoot

Hoot Owl Hoot is a collaborative game where everyone works together to get the owls back to their nest before the sun rises. You can choose to play with 3–6 owls, depending on how long you want the game to last and how much of a challenge you’re up for. Each player has cards with colors or suns. On their turn, they either move an owl to a matching color or advance the sun token. My kids love planning together and find it hilarious when someone has to play a sun card. My 3-year-old can play independently because she knows her colors and the rules are simple. I love that there are no meltdowns at the end because we either all win or all lose together.

4. Don’t Break the Ice

This one is a guaranteed hit. Players take turns using a small mallet to tap out plastic ice cubes without letting the character (ours is a penguin) fall through. No reading or strategy is needed, so even the youngest kids can play confidently. It’s fantastic for practicing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Rounds are short enough to hold everyone’s attention, and the big moment when the penguin falls never fails to get giggles.

5. Hedbanz

In this guessing game, each player wears a colorful headband and selects a card to place without looking. They then ask yes-or-no questions to figure out what their card shows. If they guess correctly before time runs out, they draw another card. If not, they keep trying on their next turn. The cards are divided into objects, animals, and foods. Although the box recommends ages 6 and up, a few adjustments make it accessible for my toddler. When it’s her turn, I pick familiar cards (especially animals and foods). We prompt her to ask questions like, “Am I an animal?” or “Do I live outside?” Watching her brothers play also helps her learn new words and see how the questions work.

Why These Games Work for Us

These games create an inclusive, fun atmosphere without feeling watered-down for the older kids or overwhelming for the youngest. They’ve helped build skills like observation, memory, turn-taking, and cooperation, while giving us moments of connection and lots of laughter.

If you’re homeschooling siblings with a big age gap, try a few of these. You might be surprised how much everyone enjoys them.