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The Best Games for Young Children

Young children have a lot to learn in the span of a few years. The basics of language, mathematics as well as the world around them can seem like a huge task to learn for children. Luckily, through games, you can engage young children to learn as they play. Oftentimes, the best games for young children come in the form of group games.

Make the Shape
- Draw several different shapes, including a circle, a square and a rectangle, onto separate sheets of paper. Start the game by handing all of the kids a sheet of paper and a writing utensil. Stand in front of the kids and quickly raise one of the shapes so they all can see it. After only a second or two, put the paper down. The kids have to draw the shape as they remember it on their papers. Survey the group, giving a point to every kid who drew the correct shape. Play for several rounds.
Hungry Wolf
- Line all of the children up horizontally as an adult or older child playing the wolf stands some 10 to 15 feet away from them. The wolf stands turned away from the children. The children start the game by asking the wolf "What time is it?" The wolf replies any number he likes up to five. If, for instance, he said "three o'clock," the children take three steps. This question-and-answer bit goes on until the wolf senses the children just behind him; at which point, he answers back "time to eat" and chases them back to the starting point. The first person he tags becomes the new wolf and the game continues.
Colors of the World
- Gather all of the children in a sitting circle. Pick one random player to choose a color, such as green. The player to his left has to state something made of that color, such as grass or leaves. This continues throughout the circle until all the children have contributed something, ending at the first player to pick the first color. The player who first gave an object now gets to pick a color. This pattern continues until you run out of colors.
Backs to the Board
- Divide the children into two teams and line them up single file in front of a blackboard. The first player in each team faces away from the blackboard as you draw something onto it, such as a dog, a kite or a chair. When you finish drawing, all the players save for the first two players have to try and describe the thing you drew on the board without actually saying the name of it. The player who guesses the thing first earns a point for his team. Have all the players take turns guessing. Play for as many rounds as it takes for a team to get to 10 points, thereby winning the game.

Kids Games