Tabletop games that add an element of dexterity through physical action have something unique about them. They bring out the little kid in us that just wants to build a REALLY tall tower, or knock over some villains.
These family-friendly games will have your whole group engaged. If you happen to be playing with kids, they can practice fine motor skills, timing and spacial awareness. If you’re playing with big kids, you’ll probably have a roaring good time too!
8. Suspend
Ages: 8+
Players: 1+
Skills: Balance, fine motor
How long can the wires hold? This twisty-topsy-turvy game will have you all turned around as players attempt to add more and more wires to the structure. If it falls, you’re left picking up the pieces!
7. Ice Cool
Ages: 6+
Players: 2-4
Skills: fine motor, spatial awareness, geometry (angles)
Kids in the younger age ranges love Ice Cool. Featuring penguins that wibble-wobble, Ice Cool combines dexterity and a little math action into a fun game for the whole family. Flicking the penguin through the classroom doorways requires a little bit of practice, but young kids are likely to school adults after a short learning curve!
Watch a kid’s review of Ice Cool.
6. Build Up!
Ages: 8+ (younger can play too)
Players: 2-6
Skills: Balance, geometry (shapes and planes)
Wooden blocks are a bit more rare today, but Block Up has us covered with a unique set. Each block is individual and comes with a visual card. Younger players can simply build and design as they please, while older players and families will enjoy drawing cards to build up a tower.
5. Loopin’ Louie
Ages: 4+
Players: 2-4
Skills: gross motor, spatial-temporal
Extremely simple and yet strangely addictive! Push your landing pad up to knock Louie (in his plane) over your chickens and onto your opponents’ chickens. Players can experiment with timing and force to knock Louie just right onto those pesky neighbor’s chickens.
Check out Loppin’ Louie on Amazon.
4. Flick ‘Em Up
Ages: 7+
Players: 2-10
Skills: fine motor, geometry (angles)
The ultimate flicking game. It’s cowboys versus robbers in this wild west adventure. Shoot your opponent by flicking bullets at their characters. Just don’t leave your characters vulnerable, opponents have a chance to shoot back!
Flick ‘Em Up is created by Pretzel Games.
3. Cosmic Kaboom
Ages: 12+
Players: 2-4
Skills: fine motor, geometry (angles)
In this flicking game, you get to journey across outer space! Gather crystals from planets across the galaxy and return to your home base to build planet-destroying bombs.
Watch a review of Cosmic Kaboom.
Get Cosmic Kaboom from Amazon.
2. Loony Quest
Ages: 8+
Players: 2-5
Skills: spatial awareness, fine motor
Players draw a path through the level on a transparent sheet. Plus, many of the traps force you to add in other dexterity elements like balance. It’s really fun to see what happens when you place your sheet on top of the actual level and see “Oh, man, I hit a bomb!”
1. Wok on Fire
Ages: 7+
Players: 2-4
Skills: fine motor, memory
A card flipping game! It’s also a set collection game, which is a mechanic I love. A good memory also serves you well as you’re looking to flip over certain cards you need for your sets in the “wok.”
Check out the full review of Wok on Fire.
Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments!
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Ice cool, will it hold up over time?
Always love to have a variety of games with different mechanics. Some of my groups favorites games involve physical rediculiousness lol
I must check out a few of these type of games…looks like fun
Great list, thank you! I don’t own any dexterity games – some neat additions. Any opinions on Flick em up vs the dead of winter version?
Super similar games from what I’ve seen. I like flick em up better. The theme is a little more unique.
we don’t have any dexterity games in the collection but with 3 kids, these seem like some good options to start!
[…] Cool is one of our favorite dexterity games for kids. Featuring penguins that wibble-wobble, Ice Cool combines dexterity and a little math action into […]
Great idea for a blog post and a nice selection of games 🙂