Board Games That Teach Preschoolers How to Wait Their Turn

Why Taking Turns Is So Hard (and So Important) for Young Children

If you’re the parent of a preschooler, you’ve likely encountered the intense emotion that can bubble up the moment your child is asked to wait. Whether it’s waiting for a toy, a snack, or their turn in a game, patience doesn’t come naturally to most three- or four-year-olds — and that’s okay. Learning to take turns is a developmental milestone, not something kids are born knowing how to do.

Preschoolers live in the moment. Their impulses are strong, emotions run high, and the concept of delayed gratification can feel almost impossible to grasp. But rest assured, it is a skill that can be lovingly nurtured — and one of the best ways to begin is through play.

How Board Games Can Gently Introduce the Concept of Waiting

Board games aren’t just about counting dice and chasing victory. For young children, they’re a gentle playground for growth — spaces where crucial life skills like cooperation, emotional regulation, and turn-taking are practiced in a safe and joyful context.

The structure of board games naturally reinforces the concept of ‘my turn, your turn’. By design, they slow things down, encouraging players to be patient and attentive. And importantly, they wrap these lessons in laughter, storytelling, and connection.

If you're wondering which games are developmentally appropriate for your preschooler, focus on simple rules, short rounds, and minimal pieces to manage. Choosing the right game for their age and temperament helps ensure they enjoy the structure rather than resist it.

From Tantrums to Turns: What Games Can Actually Teach

Let’s be honest — no game will instantly transform your child into a little Buddha of patience. But over time, and with the right approach, games can build remarkable social-emotional awareness.

Cooperative board games, in particular, are wonderfully effective with younger children who aren’t quite ready to handle competitive pressure. These games allow you and your child to work toward a common goal, which lightens the emotional load and keeps the experience positive, even when mistakes happen or delays occur.

If you’re curious, check out this curated list of 10 best cooperative board games that build teamwork from an early age. These types of games not only help with taking turns, but also strengthen collaboration and empathy — essential building blocks for school and friendships.

Bringing Patience into Everyday Play

Not every game session has to be a full-fledged board game night. Short, familiar routines around quick-turn games — like memory matching or stacking games — can provide daily micro-lessons in patience. The repetition allows children to feel more in control: they know when their turn is coming and what happens next, which reduces anxiety and builds confidence.

Pay close attention to timing. Your preschooler is more likely to be successful with turn-taking when they’re well-rested and not hungry or overstimulated. Think of these moments as teaching opportunities, not tests — and savor the shared fun more than the outcome.

If their attention begins to drift while they’re waiting, that’s developmentally normal. One simple technique that can help is providing a fun sensory item or an audio distraction while they observe others' turns. For example, the iOS / Android app LISN Kids offers original audiobooks and audio adventures for children ages 3-12, perfect for gently engaging them during downtime or transitions without screens.

How to Support Your Child During Frustrating Moments

Even with the perfect game, kids will still struggle. And that’s part of the process. Instead of rushing to correct or punish turn-taking missteps, guide your child back into the rhythm calmly and clearly. Use phrases like:

• "I see you're really excited. It's hard to wait, isn't it? But look — your turn is coming soon!"
• "Let’s count to five together while we wait."
• "You're doing such a good job waiting. Let’s find something fun to do while we wait."

It’s also tremendously helpful if your child sees that even grown-ups follow the rules and take turns. Modeling patience, even when you’re tempted to accelerate the game or skip steps, sends a powerful message that structure matters — and it’s okay to pause.

Making Game Time a Regular Family Ritual

If consistent turn-taking is your goal, creating a weekly or even daily shelf of easy, well-loved games can be transformative. Children thrive on routine. Having a "game corner" that they know is theirs reinforces safety, familiarity, and joyful anticipation around these habits.

Need inspiration for establishing a game tradition at home? Consider ideas from this guide to creating meaningful family game nights, adapted for early childhood. Sometimes the most important skill we teach with a board game isn’t even turn-taking — it's connection.

When the Game Is Over, the Learning Continues

You might notice over time that the skills your child uses in games — waiting, listening, expressing delight or disappointment — start to show up in other areas, such as circle time at school or sharing toys at playdates. That’s no accident. Games gently plant seeds of regulation and empathy that grow far beyond game boards.

For holiday or birthday occasions, a well-chosen board game can be a gift that supports your child’s development in the most joyful way. Need help choosing? This roundup of board games for four-year-olds is a great place to start.

In the end, teaching your child to wait their turn isn’t really about rule-following. It’s about helping them feel safe enough to surrender control — knowing that their voice matters, their time will come, and your love doesn’t waver whether it’s their turn… or not.