Home >> Games & Cards >> Kids Games

Games for Kids 3 & Older

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides the developmental milestones for each year of a child's life. Games for kids should fit these developmental levels. Whether the games are for fun or fitness, you should take into consideration who will be playing and whether you need any special equipment or extra adult supervision to assist during game time.

Types of Games
- Backgammon requires a special board, markers and dice.
  
  Many classic games, like Tag, Frozen Statues and Mother May I, use no equipment -- just the imagination of the players. Board games and card games require some equipment but you can play them indoors on a rainy day. Individual and team sports have been around for a long time, but most require some special equipment to play. The latter half of the 20th century brought us electronic games that can be played on televisions, computers or special game devices.
Games for Preschoolers
- Use a soft ball to play Catch with preschoolers.
  
  Children aged three or four should be able to hop and stand on one foot for up to five seconds; hopscotch is a good game to develop these skills. Preschoolers should be able to kick a ball or throw a ball overhand. They should also be able to catch a ball you bounce to them most of the time. Make up your own games involving a soft rubber ball, but remember to keep them simple.
Games for Grade-schoolers
- Hide-and-seek is a favorite game for children of many ages.
  
  Children who are in early elementary school usually have short attention spans. They also have difficulty processing information if it comes from too many sources. You need to show them how to do something rather than tell them how to do it. Kids at this age may also have a difficult time with competitive games where there is just one winner. At this age, children can play all of the traditional group games like Red Rover, Red Light - Green Light, Simon Says and hide-and-seek. Games Kids Play, Fun Attic and Family Education provide instructions for many of these classic games as well as some new ones.
Games for Adolescents
- Soccer is a popular sport worldwide.
  
  By the time a child has reached midadolescence, their physiological growth is complete. Intellectually, however, they often still live in the present and do not consider the long-term consequences of their actions. They are declaring their independence and moving towards complete autonomy. Generally, most adolescents thrive on competition, both individually and as a team. Many want to be involved in team sports like football, soccer, baseball or basketball. Many adolescents love to play video games.

Kids Games