Home >> Games & Cards >> Kids Games

Cool, Fun and Free Games That Kids Love

Many toys today are expensive, especially electronics or video games. Quite a few games, however, don't require expensive batteries or anything beyond what you likely have in the house. Some encourage exercise and time spent outdoors while others are indoor games that can be played in any season. Some games also are educational, so your child can learn while he plays.

Sponge Tag
- Sponge tag is a variation on the traditional game of tag. It requires a single clean, wet sponge. The person who is selected as "It" takes the wet sponge and tries to tag someone else to be "it." Instead of tagging someone by hand, a player throws the sponge. If someone is hit, that person re-soaks the sponge and is now "It." That person then tries to tag someone as "It" with the wet sponge. This is a game to be played outdoors, though it can be played indoors, too, if you use a slightly damp or dry sponge instead.
Kick the Can
- Kick the Can is a mashup of the games of tag and hide-and-seek. To play, place a can in the center of the playing area. One person has to be "It," and after counting to 10 (or however long you want him to count), he tries to find the rest of the group, which has scattered to hide. If captured, a player must enter a designated holding area. If another player can get to the middle and kick the can before being tagged by "It," everyone in the holding area is released and tries to avoid being tagged. If "It" captures everyone before the can is kicked, the game is over.
Water Limbo
- This is an outdoor game for hot days that will help cool you off. One person--this can be an adult--holds up a waterhose and the kids try to limbo underneath the water stream without getting wet. You can add music. If a person gets wet, she is out and the remaining people keep going, having to limbo underneath the water stream that keeps getting lower and lower until the last player is standing. This is a win-win game because even if a child loses, she wins because she gets to cool off by getting wet.
Online Games
- If you already have a computer and are paying for an Internet connection, you can find kids games online. Some online games are learning games. PBS Kids has a wide selection of child-friendly and free games available on its website. For those who could use a little math help, Cool Math 4 Kids online is a resource for free math games. For children in grades K-8, FunBrain online has many educational games along with blogs aimed at specific genders and ages. Kaboose Funschool features games, videos and crafts.

Kids Games