Games Kids Can Play

Creative Games Kids Can Play

There are many creative games kids can play that will allow them to express themselves. Many children enjoy artistic pursuits, which can take many forms. Here are a few ideas to free the creativity in your child:

• Hold picture races to see who can complete the best picture in the shortest time
• Host an art show and display the pictures your children have created, or even sell a few to benefit a charity
• Let the children write and star in their own drama production
• Allow kids to play creative word games online with your supervision, such as PBS Kids Between the Lions Word Play Game

Educational Games

Parents love games that kids think are just good fun but Mom and Dad know is teaching a valuable lesson at the same time. Educational games kids can play can range from the tried and true games that are obviously for learning to less structured games and play time.

Young children especially learn about the world around them through their playtime. If you've ever watched young children play house, you'll soon see the elements of their life, of which they are trying to make sense, emerge. The children will have one child in the midst who organizes the others. They will have jobs, deaths in the family and may even perform a wedding ceremony for two cats in the household. This type of play allows them to process life on a level they can handle. Many children's museums around the country have hands-on play centers that cater to this style of learning and to the tactile needs of children as well.

Board games such as Monopoly, Money Bags, Sudoku, Auntie Pasta's Fraction Board Game and Yahtzee can help children learn valuable math skills while spending priceless family time. Other educational games kids can play include knowledge games such as Trivial Pursuit, 10 Days in the USA, and Settlers of Catan.

Games in the Car

Families today spend a big chunk of their lives traveling to and fro. It seems there is always another practice, game, or event to attend. Make the most of the time in the car to play educational games that will expand your child's brain power. Car games can range from the very simple "I Spy" games for small children to an ABC game where children must spot words that start with each letter of the alphabet. There are also many manufactured car games if you prefer to buy something pre-made. Many families use the brochures found at rest areas and hotel not only to find out about local attractions but to let their children play "Travel Agent". The children read about the locations to tell the other children (their clients) about the destination. Thus, they are learning while playing.

Online Games

There are thousands of online websites with kids printouts, games, educational flash cards, and more. Parents should install nanny filters and keep the computer in the same room they will be in most of the time to help protect children. Also, talk to your child about Internet safety rules. A few websites that offer online games for free or a small subscription fee include:

• The Kidz Page
• The Playground at Time4Learning
• Yahooligans!
• Kids Games
• Kaboose

Traditional Games

Long, lazy summer afternoons spent with the neighborhood kids are an important childhood rite of passage. But kids today often are so enthralled with electronic gadgets that they have forgotten traditional games of yesteryear. Take the time to introduce a new generation to traditional games kids can play, such as:

• Capture the Flag
• Ghost in the Graveyard
• Red Light/Green Light
• Mother May I?
• Jump Rope
• Clapping Rhymes such as Little Sally Walker

There are many games kids can play, but the most important thing is to keep things fun and interesting and let the children learn on their own as much as possible. While he may need Mom to explain the rules to him and his friends, most kids prefer to learn on their own after the initial explanation. Keep plenty of interesting board games and ideas on hand for those appropriate game time moments.