Ages 5–7: First Strategy Games

Games in this collection:

Dragomino by Blue Orange Games (Kinderspiel des Jahres Winner)
Players: 2–4 • Play time: ~15 minutes

Gobblet Gobblers by Blue Orange Games (Oppenheim Gold Seal; Dr. Toy 10 Best Games; NAPPA Gold Award)
Players: 2 • Play time: ~2–5 minutes

This collection introduces children to their very first strategy skills through matching, simple tactical choices, and the beginnings of anticipating what another player might do next.

Who this collection is for:
This collection is designed for boys and girls ages 5–7 who are ready to move beyond games based mostly on luck and begin making meaningful choices of their own. It’s an excellent fit for children who enjoy colorful, hands-on games and are just beginning to think ahead, notice patterns, and recognize that different decisions can lead to different outcomes.

If your child enjoys the gentle teamwork and shared planning in Hoot Owl Hoot! by Peaceable Kingdom, this collection offers a natural next step—introducing friendly competition, first tactical decisions, and the fun of trying to outthink another player.

What’s inside:
Dragomino gives children a wonderfully approachable introduction to strategy through tile placement and matching. Players build their own little kingdom by choosing and placing domino-style tiles, trying to match landscapes in order to collect dragon eggs. Because children must decide which tile to take and where to place it, they begin practicing an important early strategy skill: choosing between several good options and thinking about which one might work best.

The game stays light and playful, but those choices matter. Children start noticing patterns, learning that a tile placement can help now or set up something helpful later, and seeing that paying attention to the board improves their chances of success.

Gobblet Gobblers adds a different kind of first strategy. Inspired by tic-tac-toe but far more interesting, it asks players to line up three Gobblers in a row. The twist is that larger Gobblers can “gobble up” smaller ones, covering them and changing the board unexpectedly.

That means children are no longer simply placing pieces in an open space. They begin watching an opponent’s plans, deciding when to block, and learning that a move can look safe until another piece changes the picture. The game also brings in memory, because a hidden piece may still matter later.

Together, these two games build a strong first foundation in strategy: Dragomino introduces matching and simple planning, while Gobblet Gobblers introduces tactical play and the first experience of anticipating an opponent.

Why this collection works:

• Introduces strategy in a very approachable way
• Builds pattern recognition and matching skills
• Encourages simple decision-making and tactical thinking
• Helps children begin anticipating an opponent’s moves
• Develops memory, attention, and observation
• Keeps play short, playful, and age-appropriate
• Offers two different paths into early strategy

These are the kinds of games that help children discover that games can be more than taking turns and hoping for the best—they can also be about making choices and seeing what those choices make possible.

Why A Thoughtful Choice picked these:
We chose these games because they make strategy feel inviting rather than intimidating. Dragomino offers meaningful choices in a cheerful, low-pressure format, while Gobblet Gobblers takes a familiar idea and turns it into a playful lesson in blocking, remembering, and thinking ahead.

Together, they create a true first step into strategic thinking for young children. The rules are simple enough to learn quickly, but the thinking grows naturally with the child.

What to play next:
Children who enjoy this collection often love Ages 7–12: Thinking-Ahead Strategy Games for a next step in planning future possibilities, route-building, and adapting as the game changes.

For boys and girls ready to deepen strategy through territory, drafting, and blocking, Ages 8–12: Spatial Strategy Games offers a wonderful next progression with Kingdomino and Battle Sheep.