“Mama, please play a game with me!” This is something that parents hear a lot, and we might put it off because the thought of a “kids game” seems quite boring and simplistic. But here’s how to break out of that mindset and have some fun with your children.
Try Something New
There are some really cute games out there for children that can also be enjoyable for adults. One of our favorites is called Animal Bingo, and it’s for made for children ages 2 and up. Quick to learn and relaxing to play, it will only take up about 10-15 minutes of your time. That’s doable for any busy parent.
The game includes 6 durable habitat boards and 6 sets of round animal cards. Each player picks a habitat to play with, just as you would choose a bingo board, and the object of the game is to collect the 4 creatures that live in your habitat. We like to stack up the pile of animal cards in the middle of the table, letting everyone take a turn picking one off the top. The card is placed on the matching habitat, and whoever fills his habitat first wins. Play time runs about 10-15 minutes.
I’ve played many games over the years that were designed for children and they often suffer from fatal flaws like being too complex, or too boring, or sometimes just plain weird. Bad artwork is often a thing, too. Animal Bingo has none of the pitfalls of so many early learning games. The game pieces are vibrantly colored and oversized for little hands. The artwork is undeniably adorable. And you won’t spend a lot of time explaining rules to someone with a very short attention span. I actually found it a pleasure to play this game with my children, and that really says a lot! Their older siblings are eager to join in, too. Just last night we had players ranging from ages 3 to 10 and everyone had a grand old time.
Another game that’s quick to learn but fun to play over and over with teenagers is Blind Jack from Blue Orange Games, where players must put their memory and trivia knowledge to work as they make estimated guesses and try to keep track of their opponent’s hand. With the ultimate goal being getting closer to 21, Blind Jack hones memory recall, estimating skills and general knowledge.
Here are some of our other favorites:
- Sneaky Snacky Squirrel
- Sushi Dice
- Battle Sheep (below)
Try Something Old
Think of a game you LOVED as a child and pull it out for nostalgia’s sake. You’ll have fun just because it’s so enjoyable to relive something with your own children.
Try some of these old favorites and see what your children think!
- Hungry Hippos
- Connect Four
- Mancala
- Operation
Try Something Online
Technology, used wisely and sparingly can be a learning and entertainment tool.
For example, sites like Culinary Tools have a wide variety of fun and educational games for all ages. Children can learn about cooking, healthy eating, letters and numbers, farming and running a business.
Our family loves to cook AND eat out, so I enjoyed letting my children try out the Cooking Fever game. It walks you through all the steps of food prep and serving, and then you have a goal for each round which gets harder and harder as time goes on.
There are also puzzles and logic games like Tetris and What’s Grandma Hiding? (a picture search puzzle in an old mansion). The graphics are really beautiful!
For more challenging online games that can boost learning at home, try these!
- Planet Zoo (Steam)
- Universe Sandbox (Steam)
- Age of Empires or Civilization VI
- Kerbal Space Program’s Rocket Simulator
What are your favorite games to play with children?
Even if you already have a full curriculum in place, there are ways to expand learning opportunities and provide extra support in areas where your child needs improvement.
