11 Board Games Similar to Snakes and Ladders to Play and Win

For years, people have enjoyed spending time with friends and family in a lively and competitive atmosphere through board games. One of the most well-known is Snakes and Ladders, a straightforward but captivating strategy game. Even though Snakes and Ladders is still a classic, plenty of other alternatives have comparable components and provide the rush of winning. These, which include Candy Land and Ludo, are ideal for players who want to compete because they encapsulate the concept of navigating obstacles, racing to the finish line, and moving pieces on a board. 

So, let’s explore games like Snakes and Ladders with this article.

11 Fun Board Games Like Snakes And Ladders

Below is a detailed overview of each board game similar to Snakes and Ladders, including the number of players, how to play, and estimated duration.

1. Ludo (Parcheesi)

• Number of Players – 2-4
• How to Play – Every player determines how many spaces they can move a token by rolling a single die. A player receives an extra turn if they roll a six. Thus, it’s essential to understand the Ludo rules before playing. The aim is to move all four tokens into the home column and across the board ahead of the other players. The game gains a strategic component when a player’s token lands on a space another player has taken up, returning the token to its original location. However, using some Ludo tips & tricks can help conquer the opponent. 
• Estimated Time – 5-30 minutes

Play free Ludo games and enjoy endless fun!

2. Rento Board Game

• Number of Players – 2-8
• How to Play – Rento is a digital board game alternative to Snakes and Ladders that draws inspiration from Monopoly. Each player moves around the board by rolling the dice, purchasing properties, constructing homes and hotels, and collecting rent from rivals who land on their turf. The objective is to amass a fortune and render rivals bankrupt. To obtain a strategic edge, players might conduct negotiations and trade properties. The game is a test of negotiating skills and strategy since it finishes when every player but one is bankrupt. 
• Estimated Time – 45-90 minutes

3. Corel Wild Board Games

• Number of Players – 2-4
• How to Play – A collection of classic board games packed together can also be referred to as Corel Wild Board Games. Versions of traditional play like Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, and other comparable titles are frequently included. Every game has rules and goals, typically centered around basic mechanics like rolling dice and moving pieces around a board. Therefore, you must understand every rule to win the match. Players often compete to score points or get to a specific spot on the board. These collections’ adaptability makes for a multitude of playing experiences. 
• Estimated Time – Varies depending on the specific type, generally 20-60 minutes

4. Checkers

• Number of Players – 2
• How to Play – In the strategic board game Checkers, two players move their pieces diagonally across an 8×8 board to hop over and capture their opponent’s pieces. On the three rows that are closest to them, each player begins with twelve pieces. Regular pieces advance diagonally; however, a piece transforms into a king and is capable of diagonal forward and backward movement after it reaches the opponent’s rear row. When one player eliminates every piece owned by the opposition or when one player is unable to move at all, the game is over. 
• Estimated Time – 20-30 minutes

5. The Game of Life

• Number of Players – 2-6
• How to Play – The Game of Life is a life simulation that follows a player from college to retirement, with numerous landmarks encountered along the way. To proceed across the board, players must spin a wheel and make decisions on marriage, careers, purchasing a home, and other matters. The goal is to retire with the greatest riches. It is one of those snake-and-ladder-like games in which the gameplay is unpredictable due to the unpredictable nature of life occurrences.
• Estimated Time – 60-90 minutes

6. Trouble

• Number of Players: 2-4
• How to Play: Trouble is an exciting game where the players’ pieces have to be moved on the board according to the number indicated on the dice, which is a ‘Pop-O-Matic’ bubble in plastic that rolls the dice when squeezed. Each player owns four pieces placed in the home area, and the objective is to move them all around the board until they reach the finish line. Each of the four pieces had to be moved into the so-called ‘finish’ area by each player to score a victory before the opponent did so. A player is allowed to land on a space containing an opponent’s piece, and the opponent’s piece is sent to the start space, making the game enjoyable and challenging.
• Estimated Time: 30-45 minutes

7. Chess

• Number of Players: 2
• How to Play: Chess is a strategic game that can be played between two people with a single board or between two teams with many boards. Each player controls 16 pieces: It can consist of one king, one queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns. The aim is to place the opponent’s king in a situation where it can be captured, which means the opponent’s piece threatens the king, and there is no legal move that can be made to remove this threat, referred to as ‘check’. This is one of those snakes and ladders alternative games that demands a lot of thinking and planning since one has to look at the potential moves of the opponent while planning the moves you are going to make. It appears to be a game of brawn, but in an actual sense, it requires profound skills and can take one year of practice to perfect.
• Estimated Time: 30-60 minutes (can vary depending on the players’ skill levels)

8. Sudoku (Board Version)

• Number of Players: 1-4 (Typically a solo game)
• How to Play: Sudoku is a zero-sum game mainly solved on a nine-by-nine mini square, which splits into nine three-by-three mini squares. The aim is to place digits in the sequence from 1 to 9 in the appropriate positions so that each row, column, and 3 x 3 grid has all the numbers without repetition. While playing the board version, players can race against each other, with the person who fills the square quickest being the winner, or else every player gets a turn in putting the numbers. It involves intelligently and appropriately working out the sequence to achieve a given objective.
• Estimated Time: 20-40 minutes

9. Monopoly

• Number of Players: 2-8
• How to Play: Monopoly is a business trading franchise described as ‘Moving around the board and buying, trading, and developing properties by erecting houses and hotels and levying tolls from the other players whenever they land on one. This family involves players being given a certain amount of money, which they have to use to eliminate their opponents through buying, exchanging, and laying down properties. It is a combination of both luck, where you roll the dice, and the decision-making involved with purchasing properties and managing money. It is the last player that stands alive while all the other players lose all their money and go bankrupt.
• Estimated Time: 60-120 minutes (or longer)

10. Hi Ho! Cherry-O

• Number of Players: 2-4
• How to Play: Hi Ho! Cherry-O is also a basic counting game. Players spin a spinner, pick cherries on their tree, and then put them in the basket. The first player to gather all 10 cherries is advised to score. It has some learning elements, too; for instance, the player may have to add or subtract the Cherries according to the spin.
• Estimated Time: 15-30 minutes

11. Candy Land

• Number of Players: 2-4
• How to Play: Candy Land is a simple, colourful game where players draw cards that match different colours to move their pieces along a winding course on the board. Before arriving at the Candy Castle at the finish, players must navigate a variety of locales, including the Peppermint Forest and the Gumdrop Mountains. Whoever gets to the Candy Castle first wins. 
• Estimated Time: 15-30 minutes

Advantages of Board Games Similar to Snakes And Ladders

Games like Snakes and Ladders offer a variety of advantages. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Easy to Learn and Play

• Games with basic, understandable rules, such as Candy Land, Ludo, and Snakes and Ladders, are suitable for novices. Because it’s so simple to set up and enjoy, there’s no need for a high learning curve.
• Since families may begin playing these titles almost instantly, they’re ideal for impromptu get-togethers. 

2. Promotes Family Bonding

• Since several people frequently play board games like Snakes and Ladders, they promote communication between friends and family. Playing together is a shared activity that improves relationships and promotes communication.
• Families may spend precious time together and make enduring memories by playing board games. 

3. Teaches Patience and Turn-Taking

• By waiting for their turn and abiding by the rules, players learn patience and the value of sharing the game.
• These social skills are crucial for communicating with people in various contexts, such as the classroom and group activities. 

5. Develops Numeracy Skills

• Playing Snakes and Ladders similar games that include counting spaces, rolling dice, or moving pieces around a board, promote basic numeracy skills. For instance, Candy Land and Hi Ho reinforce simple mathematics, counting, and number recognition! Cherry-O.
• Players may reinforce what they learn in the classroom by practicing arithmetic concepts enjoyably and engagingly. 

6. Encourages Healthy Competition

• Competition is a common feature in board games, with players competing to cross the finish line first or get the most points. This constructive rivalry may inspire players to sharpen their abilities and tactics.
• Competing in a friendly manner teaches players how to accept success and failure gracefully, an important life skill. 

7.  Provides Entertainment without Screens

• Alternative to snakes and ladders board games offer an opportunity for screen-free entertainment where screens predominate. Moreover, they also promote a more balanced lifestyle by reducing screen usage and encouraging in-person engagement.
• Without relying on electronics, players can engage in social interaction and mental stimulation, which is good for their physical and psychological health. 

8. Fosters Creativity and Imagination

• Creative themes and plots are common in Candy Land and The Game of Life, which can inspire players to think creatively and unconventionally. To spice up, players can make up house rules or make up storylines.
• Playing creatively fosters imagination and can result in more inventive thinking in various spheres of life. 

9. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

• Engaging in board games may be a fun, calming pastime that lowers tension and anxiety. Playing requires concentration, which might take your mind off daily concerns.
• As an enjoyable way to relax and interact with others, playing board games regularly can enhance mental health. 

10. Encourages Focus and Concentration

• Focus and concentration are enhanced when players pay attention to the game board, other players’ movements, and strategies.
• Enhancing concentration has a spillover effect on other facets of life, such as productivity at work and academic achievement.