As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Full details on our Affiliate Disclosure page.
How to play Chutes and Ladders: put every pawn just off the board next to square 1, spin, and move forward that many squares. Land at the bottom of a ladder and you climb up. Land at the top of a chute and you slide down. The first player to reach square 100 by exact count wins. These rules follow Hasbro’s official Chutes and Ladders instructions, and the game needs no reading, so children as young as 3 can play.
The box these rules cover: Chutes and Ladders (Hasbro)
The classic Hasbro board with a 1-to-100 track, a spinner and character pawns. It is for ages 3 and up, and it costs about $15.
Price band: $10–$20 (about $15) · Check today’s price on Amazon
Chutes and Ladders at a glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 to 4 on older boxes; the current Hasbro box includes 3 character pawns |
| Ages | 3 and up |
| Game length | About 15 to 30 minutes |
| In the box | Gameboard, spinner with arrow and base, character pawns and stands |
| Goal | Be the first player to reach square 100 |
| Reading needed | None, just counting |
Setting up Chutes and Ladders
- Punch out the character pawns and put each one in a stand.
- Have an adult assemble the spinner by attaching the arrow and base to the spinner card.
- Put the board where every player can reach it.
- Each player chooses a pawn and places it next to square 1, off the board. Pawns do not start on square 1.
- Decide who goes first. The current rulebook says the youngest player starts; the older rulebook has everyone spin, with the highest number going first. Play then passes to the left.
How a turn of Chutes and Ladders works
- Spin the spinner.
- Move your pawn forward one square at a time for the number you spun. On your first turn, a spin of 5 puts you on square 5.
- Follow the numbers. The track snakes back and forth: right from 1 to 10, up to 11, left to 20, and so on up the board.
- If you end on a ladder or chute square, follow it (see below).
- Your turn ends, and the next player spins.
Two or more pawns can share a square, so there is no bumping or sending anyone home. That makes the game gentle for young players.
Ladders and chutes
Climbing a ladder
If your move ends on the picture square at the bottom of a ladder, climb straight up to the square at the top. For example, ending on square 9 sends you up to square 31. The pictures show a good deed at the bottom and its reward at the top.
Sliding down a chute
If your move ends on the picture square at the top of a chute, slide down to the square at the bottom. For example, ending on square 49 sends you down to square 11. The picture at the top shows a naughty deed, and the bottom shows the result.
Squares that do nothing
Only the end of your move counts. You do not climb or slide if you pass over a ladder or chute, land on a square that one just runs through, or land at the top of a ladder or the bottom of a chute.
How to win Chutes and Ladders
The first player to reach the winner square, number 100, wins. There are two ways to get there:
- Exact count: you must land on 100 exactly. If your spin would take you past 100, don’t move, and try again on your next turn.
- The square 80 ladder: end your move on square 80 and climb its ladder straight to 100.
Tips for playing Chutes and Ladders with young children
- Count each square out loud as you move. It is great counting practice for preschoolers.
- Point out the numbers as you go to help kids learn to read numbers up to 100.
- Talk about the pictures. Each ladder and chute tells a little story about good and bad choices.
- If waiting for an exact spin at the end is frustrating, agree before you start that any spin that reaches 100 wins.
- Keep the mood light. Nobody controls the spinner, so a long slide down is just luck.
Common Chutes and Ladders rule questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you start on square 1? | No. Pawns start off the board next to square 1. |
| Can two pawns share a square? | Yes. Any number of pawns can be on one square. |
| Do you slide if you pass a chute? | No. Only the square you end on counts. |
| Do you need an exact spin to win? | Yes, unless you climb the ladder from square 80. |
Looking for another first board game? Our best family board games covers picks for every age.
Chutes and Ladders rules FAQ
What age is Chutes and Ladders for?
The box says ages 3 and up. Children only need to count to play, so no reading is required.
How many players can play Chutes and Ladders?
Older Hasbro boxes are for 2 to 4 players. The current box includes three character pawns.
Do you have to roll the exact number to win Chutes and Ladders?
Yes. If your spin would take you past square 100, you stay put and try again next turn. Landing on square 80 and climbing its ladder also wins.
Who goes first in Chutes and Ladders?
In the current rulebook, the youngest player goes first. In the older rulebook, the player who spins the highest number goes first.
Is Chutes and Ladders the same as Snakes and Ladders?
Yes, it is the American version of the traditional race game, with chutes in place of snakes.
