Card and board games have a long history and a deep-rooted tradition. These games are inherently social, which is why they are particularly appealing to children. Another reason for their appeal is their cognitive elements, allowing children to interact with and learn from adults. However, infants and toddlers lack the cognitive and motor skills necessary for organized games. While two-year-olds may enjoy social environments, they do not yet understand game rules.

This category includes card games, lottery and bingo games, dominoes, dice games, floor games, tabletop games, and other similar activities. The variety of games is vast, with countless rules and play styles, including turn-based, random, strategic, or a mix of these. Parents often value games for their ability to directly or indirectly enhance children's cognitive and learning skills. Additionally, they appreciate traditional or classic board games because of their nostalgic appeal.

When determining the appropriate age for card, floor, board, and tabletop games, it is essential to consider the following features:

• Motor skill requirements
• Complexity
• Time required
• Educational value
• Classic appeal

The priority of these features may vary depending on the child's age. Below, we discuss the relationship between these games and children’s characteristics at different ages, including the types of games suitable for each group and how they engage with them.

Two-year-olds have a budding ability to solve problems, such as simple matching or differentiation tasks, but their cognitive skills and attention span are insufficient for games involving rules or turn-taking. They often perceive these games as educational tools rather than as true games. For example, matching games based on pictures, shapes, or colors, rather than abstract letters or numbers, can be engaging for children over 2.5 years old. Dominoes, especially oversized ones, are also appealing at this stage. Fishing games using magnets instead of hooks are suitable, as are simple action games involving throwing handles or markers into holes. While these games may require the participation of another child or an adult, two-year-olds often enjoy exploring these games independently.

Games for three-year-olds must be very simple, involving no more than 5 or 6 pieces and minimal rules. At this stage, children understand basic rules, turn-taking, and how to move items from one point to another in a planned manner. They can focus on games but prefer quick turns and short waiting times. They typically cannot count beyond 10 and may recognize basic ABCs and 123s but cannot read game instructions. For this age, games that use cards or spinners are better than dice, though single dice may be used.

Three-year-olds do not grasp game strategies, so games relying on luck are more suitable. Ideal games are those without definitive winners or objectives. Since they do not consider the opponent’s moves, games requiring "blocking" strategies are not recommended. Games that emphasize physical participation rather than cognitive strategies are best. These include simple bingo games, matching games, dominoes, and board games with basic movements determined by cards or spinners. They also enjoy active and cooperative games, with card games limited to those involving matching rather than holding cards in their hands.

Children aged 4 to 5 become more interested in games but still struggle with complex rules and strategies. While many begin to develop literacy skills, they typically cannot read written instructions. For them, games may include letters and numbers but should not rely on them for completing actions. This age group enjoys number and letter recognition games but remains drawn to physical activity-based games.

Their fine motor skills allow them to hold a few cards at once, and skills needed for games like pick-up sticks are beginning to develop. Cognitively, they can remember a few rules and simple strategies but are still egocentric and struggle to predict others’ actions. Random elements in games continue to be appealing. Like three-year-olds, games without the need for “blocking” opponents are recommended. Suitable games include dominoes, card-matching games, and lottery-style games. Parents often introduce traditional or nostalgic games, such as "Old Maid," which have been popular for decades. Educational games focusing on letters and numbers are also favored by parents.

Children aged 6 to 8 are highly interested in all types of games, including traditional card games, board games, floor games, and tabletop games. Cognitively, they develop an understanding of game skills and strategies, especially after age 7. They are drawn to games as a form of social interaction and may exhibit a strong competitive spirit, enjoying the challenge of competing with others.

At this age, children begin to grasp the concept of predicting moves and adhering to multiple rules simultaneously. They can remember multiple steps and play games involving reading and language skills. They enjoy traditional card games and dominoes as well as games involving reading and storytelling. However, if instructions are overly complicated, they may need help understanding them.

Parents often purchase nostalgic or classic games with at least 20 years of history for children in this age group. Children, on the other hand, are attracted to games featuring licensed TV or cartoon characters. They may also show interest in simple fantasy-adventure games. Their gross motor skills are sufficiently developed to handle games requiring balance and physical coordination.

Children aged 9 to 12 are interested in a wide range of games, particularly those that involve playing with peers. They are capable of using abstract concepts and applying knowledge related to game content. At this stage, most children can handle complex strategy games and have a longer attention span, making them suitable for games that do not end in a single session.

Their fine motor skills are advanced enough for games like mazes, where they guide balls along paths, or games requiring precise actions such as aiming and shooting markers. They enjoy educational and trivia-based games, and many have a passion for collecting items such as cards featuring popular cartoon characters, celebrities, or cultural icons. Games that combine collecting with play are particularly popular.

Additionally, they enjoy theme-based games, such as fantasy-adventure games. Topics like war, fashion, pop music, and movies also start to pique their interest.