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Kids' Preschool Brain Games

Playing is how kids learn, and the younger a child is, the more important play is for his development. Games that children play naturally are often the ones that teach them the most. However, there are also many games you can teach a preschool child to encourage learning.

Hokey Pokey
- Hokey Pokey is a simple song that every preschooler loves to sing; it's also a valuable way to teach concepts of directions as well as teaching how to identify body parts. The Hokey Pokey game teaches right and left, and you can also use it to teach clockwise. To play, sing the Hokey Pokey song and show the child the motions. The motions are putting your right hand "in" (forward) and then "out" (backward), and then doing the same with your left hand, your right foot, your left foot and any other body parts the child can identify. While singing the song, pause at each body part to give the child time to put the correct limb "in" or "out." The alternating movement of either side in this game also helps develop both halves of the brain.
Sorting
- Sorting items by type develops categorization skills and pre-math ability. This game can be played with any type of item, and many children enjoy sorting things that adults use, not just toys. A preschooler can practice colors by sorting blocks or toys by color. She can also learn to differentiate between different categories of items by sorting objects like silverware or laundry by type.
I Spy Letter Sounds
- Preschoolers love to play "I spy," and the traditional game can be even more educational when it teaches phonetic letter sounds. Instead of spying a color, spy something that begins with a specific sound. Let the child find the item in the room that begins with that sound. This teaches phonetic listening.

Kids Games