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Easy Games for Head Start Kids

Head Start is a federally funded child care program serving economically disadvantaged children from birth through age 5. Head Start programs typically operate as preschool classrooms and rely heavily on family involvement. As in many other preschools, Head Start teachers implement activities and games that focus on children’s physical, social and cognitive development.

Post Office
- Improve letter and number recognition with the post office game.
  
  Practice letter recognition during a trip to the classroom post office. Set up three to five boxes or plastic containers that have a slit on top for mail. Label the boxes with a capital letter and write the corresponding lowercase letters on several envelopes, using different colors or fonts. Children can sort the envelopes into the mail boxes. Vary the activity by having children place envelopes with groups of dots into numbered mailboxes, or sort envelopes decorated with colorful shapes into mailboxes with a black shape outline.
Fishing Fun
- Children can fish for letters, numbers or names.
  
  Create an alphabet-themed fishing game for practicing letter names. Cut fish shapes from craft foam or construction paper. Write a letter on each fish and add a paper clip. Use a fishing pole made from string, a dowel rod and a magnet to catch the fish. Older preschoolers can say the sounds of the letters on each fish as well as the letter names. Playing the game with children’s names instead of letters may be more appropriate for younger children.
Mr. Fox
- Combine math and movement with the Mr. Fox game. Select one child to be Mr. Fox and have the other children line up in a row. The players call out, “What time is it, Mr. Fox?” Mr. Fox responds with a time (to the hour) and a motion. For example, he might answer “It’s nine o’clock and time to jump.” The children move toward Mr. Fox the specified number of times. Mr. Fox can also reply “It’s midnight and time to eat!” The players then race back to the starting point. Any player tagged by Mr. Fox become the fox for the next round of the game.
Group Games
- Teach children traditional games such as "Red Rover."
  
  Draw on your own childhood experiences for group game ideas. Preschool may be some children’s first exposure to traditional games such as “Simon Says” or “Button, Button, Who’s Got the Button.” Introduce children to other games with simple rules including “Red Rover,” “Red Light, Green Light” and “Mother, May I?” Include musical games such as “Duck, Duck Goose” or “Farmer in the Dell.”

Kids Games