Hobbies And Interests
Outdoor Games
Some of the more popular outdoor games for large groups include Capture the Flag and Red Rover. Both games teach children to exercise and strategize . Some younger children enjoy playing outdoor games that are both physically and verbally active, like Ring-Around-a-Rosy and Duck, Duck, Goose. Others prefer quieter games like scavenger hunts. Additional popular outdoor games include sports like baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball and badminton. Each requires a minimal amount of equipment and can lead to hours of fun while also providing children with exercise.
Indoor Games
Whether it's raining outside or your children just feel like staying indoors, there are a variety of great games that they can play inside. Games like Hide-and-Seek, Charades and I Spy require no equipment at all. Other indoor games that require minimal equipment include jigsaw puzzles, bingo and dominoes. If your children are looking for something more active to do indoors, why not try playing limbo? Twister is another indoor game that has been entertaining both children and their parents for decades.
Card Games
Which card games you choose to teach your children will depend primarily on their age. For very young children, simple matching games are often both entertaining and fun ways to improve a child's memorization skills. Other popular card games for children of all ages include Go Fish, Old Maid, Pig and War. For an added educational twist, War can be turned into a math game as well, particularly for younger children. When the two opposing cards are laid down, try having your child calculate the difference between the two cards. If your child doesn't have any playmates around on a particular day, solitaire can be fun, too.
Board Games
Board games have been around for centuries and can be fun to play both indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Popular generic board games include Checkers, Chess and Backgammon. Other great games familiar to most people in the United States include Monopoly Jr., Trouble, Clue Jr. and Candy Land. Children can also have fun and use their imaginations inventing their own board games using equipment from other games found around the house.