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Simple Children's Games

Some games have been around for ages because they̵7;re simple to play and appeal to kids of every generation. Even children growing up in the information age will enjoy playing these simple games over and over again. Suitable for parties, large family get-togethers and impromptu gatherings of neighborhood kids, these games are tried-and-true hits with the little ones.

Fox and Rabbit
- A group of children stand in a circle so they can touch fingertips when their arms are outstretched. Two children, the fox and the rabbit, stand in the center of the circle. They can be blindfolded or simply keep their eyes closed. Spin the players so they don̵7;t know where the other one is. The fox is trying to catch the rabbit and the rabbit is trying to escape the fox without being heard. All the children need to be as quiet as possible. The children forming the circle keep the fox and rabbit from leaving the game area by holding up their arms. Once the fox catches the rabbit, two more children take their turn in the center. Most kids will want to be the fox, so a luck-of-the-draw system will help alleviate hurt feelings over not being picked for the preferred role.
Red Light Green Light
- Line up all the children in a row. Select one child to be the caller and place him at least 20 feet in front of the rest of the children. When the caller shouts out ̶0;green light!̶1; the other kids advance toward him, and then they have to freeze when he shouts ̶0;red light!̶1; If a child moves after ̶0;red light!̶1; is called, she has to return to the starting line and begin again. The goal is to move quickly, but not too quickly to freeze suddenly. The first child to reach the caller becomes the new caller and the game begins again.
Doggy Doggy
- Doggy Doggy is another classic game that continues to delight children. The designated "doggy" sits in a chair facing away from the rest of the group. An item such as an eraser or pen placed under the chair acts as a bone. The doggy closes his eyes while someone steals the bone and hides it in his clothes, under a leg or any spot in direct contact with his body. The children sing ̶0;Doggy, doggy, who has your bone? Somebody̵7;s stole it from your home. Guess who? It might be you.̶1; The doggy then has to guess who stole the bone. The kids can also choose not to steal the bone, leaving it under the chair. The doggy has three guesses and a correct guess gives him the chance to play the doggy again in the next round. If he can't guess correctly in his three tires, the person who stole the bone gets to be the new doggy. If it remained under the chair, the kids can decide who goes next.

Kids Games