Kids love to play – that’s just common knowledge, especially for those of us who are parents. However, did you know that there’s more to it than just having fun?
Play can allow children to learn, socialize, bond with their parents and other playmates, and even get some good exercise depending on what game you’re playing.
It’s an essential part of child development, so it’s a good idea to make sure your kids are getting enough playtime in their schedule.
Have you been wondering what kinds of games you should play with your child? Here are a few ideas explicitly picked for children around the age of 5 years old.
1. Hide and Seek
You probably know all about this one. One person, the seeker, closes their eyes and counts to 10 (or 20, or however long you want to count), which gives the other players a chance to hide.
Once the seeker finishes counting, they have to find everyone that’s hiding. This game gives kids a chance to use their imagination so that they can find the best places to hide. There’s also a lot of logic involved in seeking, which is great for developing brains.
Materials
- Nothing but some good ‘ol hiding places
Number of Players
- At least three
2. Pass the Bag
Here’s a fun game that encourages a kid’s natural creativity. First, fill a large bag (probably a garbage bag) with costume items or general clothing, such as glasses or hats.
This bag is passed around between the players while music is playing, and when the music stops, whoever is holding the bag must take out an item and wear it.
The first item that the player touches will be what they end up wearing. The game keeps going until the bag’s empty, and all of the kids are wearing funny outfits. This game’s good for a laugh or two – kids love being silly.
Materials
- A large bag
- Costume items to put in the bag
- Something to play music with (a computer, a smartphone, etc.)
Number of Players
- Ideally at least three children
3. Red Light, Green Light
This is a fun game that teaches children the concepts of “stop” and “go,” while also telling them what the colors mean on traffic lights. One person pretends to be a traffic light that tells the players at the other end of the room whether to stop or go by saying “green light” and “red light.”
The goal is for the other players to tag the traffic light. If anyone moves when the traffic light is red, they have to go back to where they started. Not only does this game allow kids to exercise, but it also gives them the opportunity to have fun and be silly.
Materials
- Enough room to play the game
Number of Players
- At least three
4. Simon Says
A classic game that even has a handheld version, this game of “follow the leader” has been popular for years. One player is “Simon” and gives the other players orders, such as, “Simon says to touch your toes!”
However, if Simon doesn’t say “Simon Says,” then the other players don’t have to follow their orders. If they do anyway, they’re out of the game! The last player left in the game wins and can become the next Simon.
This game can teach a lot of concepts, such as different body parts and exercises.
Materials
- None needed
Number of Players
- At least three
5. Digging for Treasure
Here’s something fun you can do with a sandbox, or any other container with sand that you can hide things in. There are different things you can bury in the sand, like pretend “fossils” or toy treasure chests.
The goal is for kids to find every object that’s hidden in the sand, and they’ll have a lot of fun doing it. Kids are naturally curious, and they’ll learn that there are all sorts of things that can hide where they least expect it.
Materials
- A sandbox or container of sand
- Things to hide in the sand
- Optional – a toy shovel (or kids can dig with their hands)
Number of Players
- One to many
6. Silent Speedball
Here’s a great game that both parents and teachers will love – it teaches kids the concept of being quiet! Kids stand in a circle and toss a ball around. If they drop the ball, miss catching it, or make a noise, they’re out of the game.
It gets extra fun when players try to make the other players laugh or make a sound. Not only will kids learn motor skills and hand-eye coordination, they’ll also learn to be quiet in certain situations.
Materials
- A ball (ideally a small one, like a stress ball or a beanbag)
- Enough room for players to stand in a circle
Number of Players
- A small group of at least three
7. Blind Man’s Bluff
This game is sort of like hide and seek, but with a twist: the seeker is blind, and the hiders can’t move their feet. The seeker is blindfolded and spun around while the hiders move away, and the seeker’s goal is to find them using their other senses.
Hiders can duck and move their arms and legs, but their feet must stay firmly on the ground. It’s a great way to teach kids how to use senses besides sight, but keep a careful eye on the seeker so that they don’t get hurt.
Materials
- Enough room to play the game
Number of Players
- At least three people
Making Memories With Your Little Ones
As you can see, there’s a lot of different ways that children can learn through active play. If you want to help your kids develop in the best way possible, try scheduling some playtime for them each day so that they can get their energy out and learn a few things along the way.
After all, kids love to play, and parents love to see their kids learn and grow while they do it. It’s a win-win situation.
