Jax Ltd and Goliath, 2-4 players, 15-20 minutes
Sequence for Kids (sometimes called Sequence Junior) is a kids version of the classic Sequence board game, designed specifically for young kids ages 3 and older and a great option for family game night. It features fun cartoon animals and straightforward gameplay that make it fun and easy to learn for younger kids. Playing this game gives kids opportunities to practice strategic thinking and recognize patterns and is a great step up from board games like Candyland, where kids aren’t asked to make any real choices. In sequence board game kids will be making two engaging but simple choices each turn – which is an excellent way for them to develop the skills they’ll need to more complex games.
Key Takeaways
Sequence for Kids is a simplified, kid-friendly version of the Sequence board game designed for kids ages 3 to 6, promoting matching and strategy skills without the need for reading skills.
The game involves drawing cards, placing chips on the matching characters on the board, and aiming to get four chips in a row, with wild cards adding extra layers of excitement and strategy.
Sequence For Kids not only provides entertainment but also helps children develop logical thinking, memory, pattern recognition, and reading and sound recognition skills while encouraging social interaction.
About Sequence For Kids
Sequence for Kids, a simplified version of the classic Sequence board game, is produced by various companies including Jax Ltd and Goliath. It caters to young children starting at age 3 and can be a good choice as a kid’s first game, though it won’t be one where they are immediately competitive – as with board games based entirely on luck like Candyland or a cooperative game like My First Orchard or Hoot Owl Hoot. So that should be taken into account. The game does require an ability to recognize patterns and match pictures, but does not require reading.
Often referred to as Sequence Junior, this adaptation targets kids between the ages of 3 and 6. The kid-friendly design introduces them to the engaging world of the classic game of Sequence without burdening them with complicated instructions. With its straightforward gameplay rules, young kids who have not yet learned how to read can still participate in fun playing alongside older family members.
Sequence board game crafted specifically with families in mind, this exciting strategy game helps develop logical thinking skills. From identifying vibrant characters on cards to strategically placing chips on the board – every aspect ensures that fun learning experiences tailor-made just for kids occur during games like Sequence For Kids.
How to Play Sequence Borad Game
Playing in Sequence For Kids is simple:
Participants draw cards alternately from their decks.
They then put a chip on the corresponding animal character that matches their card on the game board.
The aim is to place four chips in a row, which can be accomplished horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Kids will have to decide where to place their chip, because for each animal card there are two spaces with the corresponding animal. Kids will develop logical thinking skills as they identify which of those spaces is more advantageous to their long term strategy.
Setting Up the Game Board
Setting up Sequence For Kids is equally simple and kids can usually do it themselves. Begin by spreading out the folding game board and shuffling the deck of cards. Each player will pick a color and take that bag of chips. Deal each player a hand of five cards.
Note that kids can play this game well before they are able to comfortably hold a hand of cards. We use card rails with our kids (and I find myself using them myself now all the time because they are great) but you can also just have them lay their cards out into an open hand – assuming you aren’t a ruthless opponent and are willing to, perhaps, ignore that you know what’s in their hand.
For card holders, I like these (plastic) and these (wood). Like I say, I got them for the kids, but use them myself now. A great investment for any game room.
Also, in a pinch, you can just use the box to help hold the cards:
Playing a Card and Placing Your Chip
On your turn, select an animal card from your hand that matches a character displayed on the board. Every animal card is uniquely paired with a corresponding character to make it easy for kids. Like I say, there are two of each animal on the board, and two of each animal card in the deck, which means that kids will need to make a decision about which of the two they cover up.
That to me is the great strength of this game over others. It puts them in a position to make a small but important choice. Over time they’ll start to make better strategic choices about which cards to play from their hand and which animal to cover with their chip, but they may need some coaching as they get started. That’s the disadvantage of game with some strategy to it, but I definitely think it is worth it in the long run.
Free Spaces
Players will also need to consider the free spaces in the corners, which can contribute to a sequence, meaning you would only need three other chips in a row to score. I’ve found this to be one of the more difficult concepts for kids to grasp as we play. Sometimes, if they are close to creating a sequence, I’ll put one of their chips on the corresponding free space to help them see the pattern, because it isn’t immediately obvious to them that they can be used to create sequences when they are looking for patterns on the game board.
Special Cards: The Unicorn Card and the Dragon Card
There are two special cards in the game. The unicorn card, which is a wild, allowing you to place your chip anywhere. Kids love to play the unicorn as soon as they have it, so, again, they may need a little coaching in order to hold it back for the best opportunity. I use it to provide a bit of balance in the game since I never play a unicorn, even if I have it. But for kids, there’s no question that wild cards add excitement to the game.
Players can use the dragon card to remove players chips from the board. I know some people don’t like ‘take that’ mechanisms in their games, but it’s fairly low stakes here. Kids really like removing their parent’s tokens for sure, but may not be that excited about having their own removed. I think it makes sense to hold back a bit on using it, just like the unicorn, but it is a fun part of the game for the kids and dealing with setbacks in a game is a skill that you’ll want your kids to develop as you play more complex games in the future. I’d say, it’s a good opportunity to practice just enjoying playing the game and not taking the actions within the game too personally. It’s an important skill to develop and helps them not get too fixated on winning.
Winning the Game
The first player to place four of their chips in a row wins.
Kids will quickly learn to concentrate their attention mostly in the same section of the board to create lots of opportunities for rows, and will see opportunities in spaces that aren’t necessarily immediately adjacent but have potential to score. They’ll likely start by focusing more on vertical and horizontal rows, but will start to see diagonal opportunities more and more as you play. They’ll also become more adept at using the Dragon card to remove an opponent’s chip to extend the game, playing chips to block winning opportunities for opponents, and holding back to use a unicorn card to place their final, winning chip.
It is very rewarding to watch them develop their skills and this game facilitates that very effectively.
Educational Benefits
Sequence for Kids isn’t simply entertaining, it is an exciting strategy game that incorporates a range of opportunities for kids to practice critical thinking. By engaging in tactical gameplay and responding to a board state that changes every turn, kids cultivate their analytical thinking abilities while improving their ability to recognize patterns.
Develop Logical Thinking Skills, Reading
Sequence For Kids focuses on logical thinking skills. The gameplay includes:
Aligning cards with corresponding spaces on the board
Recognizing patterns
Strategically planning each play, requiring kids to consider future moves
Such play stimulates cognitive growth among young players and I think it’s a great early opportunity for kids to begin anticipating the actions of other players, since they not only have to look for their own patterns, but for their opponents patterns as well. Once they’ve got the hang of the game, blocking becomes a key aspect, which requires predictive reasoning. This strategic element of Sequence Junior is definitely a bit more sophisticated than other games for this age group, but not at the expense of fun or ease of play.
There is no reading required in the game, but they have written the name on each animal card, which gives some early reading practice and letter recognition. It is just the right amount because the game is not focused on reading skills.
Additional Tips for Playing
For an improved experience with Sequence For Kids, consider the following advice:
Prompt kids to place their tokens in proximity on the board—though not necessarily adjacent—to create a lot of opportunities for sequences. You never know what you’ll draw next so this tactic helps them grasp the importance of forward-thinking and pattern creation.
You may want to remove the dragon card during the first few plays, since removing your opponent’s chip can be mean and confusing. Also, the unicorn card could be removed, but wild cards are generally a much easier concept. If they’ve ever played a game with wild cards before, then just keep it in. Cuts down on rule overhead, if you think that will help your youngster.
I’d also deemphasize blocking during the first few plays. and help them focus on creating their own sequences. Once they have the hang of that, it will be easier to incorporate thinking about what the other players are working on as well.
Why Kids Love Playing Sequence For Kids
I keep talking about the educational benefits, because they are the biggest advantage of this game over others, but it has to be said that children love Sequence For Kids, and for a variety of reasons:
This board game is simple enough to grasp quickly yet offers sufficient complexity to maintain their interest.
The artwork is fun and appealing and the components, particularly the chips are tactile and enjoyable to handle
Even kids who haven’t yet learned to read can join in the fun, ensuring it is welcoming and accessible.
Like with any good toddler game, they not only have fun, but also acquire vital life skills such as turn-taking, rule adherence, and interpersonal communication. Something Sequence For Kids does particularly well is that it offers interesting decisions, and, ultimately, the ability to play well and/or make mistakes. Compared to board games like Candyland, where it is all up to the cards, kids tend to enjoy engaging with a more interesting challenge and will be motivated to improve over time.
That does put some pressure on parents to make sure their first play isn’t an all out crushing defeat. Fine if they don’t win, but, because this is a skill based game, you will be significantly better at it during the first few plays, so holding back a bit during the first few sessions can make some sense.
Safety Considerations
Just a quick note here that the game does contain small pieces – specifically the small, flat chips that players place on the board. They aren’t tiny and a three year old should be reasonably safe with them, but they’ll want avoid the risk of having them in their mouth, so you need to know your child. There is also, always the possibility of these chips getting dropped on the floor or left out after a gaming session, so just be aware of that if there are younger kids in the house.
Summary
Sequence For Kids is not only an exciting strategy game, but also a powerful educational instrument. It significantly aids in fostering logical thinking skills and forward thinking. Kids love the visuals and characters and the components are tactile and enjoyable to play with. It’s definitely tone they’ll bring out on their turn to pick what to play on family game night.
If your aim is to find an activity that provides both enjoyment for the family and learning opportunities, Sequence For Kids stands out as an excellent option. It’s just a little more sophisticated than other options in this age range, but that shouldn’t put you off. It is still very easy to learn and get to the table, and it’s very rewarding to watch kids build their skills as they play this game. It’s one of our favorites.
We recommend this as one of our best board games for 3 year olds and as one of our best board games for 4 year olds. Check out those lists for more great games.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ideal age group for Sequence For Kids?
Sequence For Kids is a version of the classic game of sequence made just for kids. It is specifically crafted for the early developmental stages of children, making it most suitable for those who are within the age range of 3 to 6 years old.
Can children who cannot read play Sequence For Kids?
Certainly. Sequence For Kids is a game that children who have not yet acquired reading abilities can enjoy because it emphasizes recognition of visuals and sounds over the necessity to read.
What are the safety considerations for Sequence For Kids?
It is important to not play Sequence For Kids with children under the age of three, as it contains small chips that pose a choking hazard.
The well-being of young children should always be regarded as a top priority.
How does Sequence For Kids help in educational development?
Through engaging strategic gameplay, Sequence Junior not only helps children’s develop logical thinking skills, but also promotes better reading and phonetic awareness as they match animal cards with corresponding characters on the board.
Playing this fun game presents an entertaining method for youngsters to boost their cognitive functions. It’s a great game for learning and targets kids ages 3 and up.
What makes Sequence For Kids an exciting kids game?
The use of vibrant illustrations and engaging characters, along with the strategic implementation of wild cards such as unicorn cards and dragon cards in Sequence Junior, infuses the game with fun and enhances excitement for kids. It’s a great game for getting kids to the table.