Games for Children With Arthritis

License Plate

• A popular travel game, participants must correctly name the state corresponding with the license plate attached to a passing motor vehicle. Though some license plates display the state name, the distance and speed of the passing vehicle increases the difficulty level of the game.

Clouds

• This game requires children to describe a figure seen in a passing cloud. A second child must either describe a different figure or confirm the figure described by the first child. Ideally, children play this game in areas of frequent cloud cover or during seasons of high precipitation.

Kids Trivia

• Using flash cards designed with both questions and answers, children participate in a trivia game surrounding themes such as state information and facts, presidential names and animal facts. This can be played through several rounds with each round corresponding to different subject matter.

Mimic

• Children learn valuable environmental lessons by participating in this game that requires players to repeat or mimic a sound made by an animal in a park or forest. In addition, participants must identify the type of animal that corresponds with the sound if the animal is unseen. Ideally this game should be played during class field trips or family trips outdoors.

One Word

• In this classroom-based game, teachers first choose a distinct key word then create three sentences using the key word in the content. The teacher then instructs the students to guess the keyword used in each sentence. Ideally, teachers should use a wide variety of keywords to enhance game play.

Around the World

• With this innovative game, a teacher selects several items distinctive to different countries around the world (i.e. a Cowboy Hat -- USA). The teacher then places these items at different points throughout a classroom. Students then rotate to the areas where the items are placed to guess the country of origin. The student can either write down the answer or stand at the station as the teacher calls for the student at each station to say an answer aloud.

Medley

• To play this musical game, children are given a flash card with a line from a popular nursery rhyme or song written on it. The children must then match the lines together to complete the song. Generally, several songs should be used for large groups of children. The game culminates as the children form together to sing the song in unison.