Snails Pace Race

Snail's Pace Race is a lovely first game for any child.  Six colorful snails line up at one end of a game board.  Players take turns rolling two colored dice.  Whatever colors you roll allow the snails of corresponding colors to move forward one space.  If both dice show the same color, that snail moves two spaces.  The snails race toward the finish line, so you are free to cheer for whichever snail you desire, or change allegiances when your favorite gets behind.

This simple cooperative game teaches the basics of game play (turn taking, dice rolling, and moving one or two spaces at a time) without the stress of winning or losing.  My children often wanted to play until all the snails passed the finish line or wanted them to turn around and race back to the start.  Appropriate for ages three and up, it is a great introduction to the world of board games.