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Fun & Educational Games & Activities for Kids

If kids had it their way, they'd play games all day, every day. Games are interactive, imaginative and fun, and appeal to children's creative and exploratory learning styles. Unfortunately, some games also encourage passivity and sedentary action, which is counterproductive to developmental and intellectual growth. Make educational choices for your children's games and activities, so they can enjoy more game play and you can rest assured that game time is spent constructively.

Puzzles and Brain Teasers
- Puzzles and brain teasers are classic children's activities. Word searches, cryptogram puzzles, mazes, fill-in-the-blanks, memory games, match games, crossword puzzles and peg games all require and strengthen verbal or mathematic skills and encourage cognitive development. Kids can play puzzles and brain teasers on the computer, in an activity book or with game pieces, and can play individually or in groups. The versatility of these skill-sharpening games makes them perfect for home or on-the-go play.
Sports
- Even if your child is too young to play a sport, active, athletic-based games for children encourage motor skills, assist physical development and foster exercise and agility. Wiffle ball, catch, tag, kickball, relay races and Simon Says all promote physical activity, and are easy to play in your own back yard. In addition, many schools and townships have pee-wee and little leagues for children as young as three years old and up.
Video Games
- Video games have been criticized by different groups in the past, but new research shows that hand-held video games help develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, according to a study done at the University of Minnesota. Many trivia, puzzle and learning games are rated "E" for everyone, or developed specifically as a learning aid for young children. All major game consoles also now support motion-based gaming, which allows children to be active and even exercise during game play.
Board and Card Games
- Many board games, including word, tile and dice games for kids, are educational in nature. Games like Boggle Jr., Sorry!, Scrabble Jr., Guess Who?, Scattergories and Candy Land teach children vocabulary, recognition, matching and counting, while allowing then to exercise their imaginations. Popular kids' card games include War, Go Fish, Old Maid, Crazy Eights and Uno -- all of which encourage math skills and logic. Task-specific games like Pictionary and charades also encourage and help develop creative talents.
DVD Games
- Interactive, family-based DVD games are not only popular, but educational, too. Trivia games like Scene It® and Trivial Pursuit® are available in a variety of kid-friendly editions and encourage memory skills such as comprehension and recollection. Game show DVD games can help develop critical thinking skills, improve response time and encourage social interaction. Party DVD games, like Shrek Swamp Party, feature drawing and dancing activities, thus promoting creative and physical development.

Kids Games