Which Games Should You Play With Your Kids? (A Guide For Busy Mums)
Games You Should Play With Your Kids can be a lifesaver, especially when you’re a busy mom trying to balance it all. It’s not always as straightforward as it seems—finding games that are fun, engaging, and even a little educational can feel like a puzzle in itself. But don’t worry, mama! There are plenty of amazing games out there to help you connect with your little ones while keeping everyone entertained. Let’s explore some great options!
Fortunately, this post is here to help. It looks at some games you can play with your children by age group, providing plenty of ideas to try next time they tell you they’re bored.
Peekaboo (Ages 2 to 4)
Start with something like peekaboo, which is suitable for young children. With this game, you cover your eyes with your hands and then remove them to prove to your child that you’re still there.
The great thing about peekaboo is that it doesn’t require any equipment. All you need is your hands and a child that’s awake.
Candy Land (Ages 4 – 6)
Candy Land is an option for slightly older children. It doesn’t require any reading but it helps kids learn colors and how to take turns.
Candy Land is a racing board game that’s a bit like conventional Snakes and Ladders. Various iterations have existed over the years, but amazingly, the concept dates all the way back to the mid-twentieth century, giving it some pedigree! It gets kids used to the idea of playing on a board and introduces them to “sweet adventures” which is something you’ll learn once you start playing.
Just be warned that CandyLand boards aren’t always cheap. Expect to pay quite a substantial sum to get a new copy of the game, complete with spinners and pieces.
Uno (Ages 7 to 10)
Uno is another cool game you could try for school-age kids. This requires them to think creatively and strategically and react quickly in a short time frame.
The Uno concept dates to the 1970s, originally developed in Cincinnati. The game usually has three or more players and can even be fun for adults. People consider Uno a brain-training game because it is like an entryway into more complex playing card games, like Rummy. Math and probability often come into play, and players have to learn quickly.
Kids sometimes don’t understand the game when they first start playing it. But over time, their brains learn and adapt, and they become more competent, especially if you can get excited about what you’re doing.
Crosswords (Ages 11 to 15)
By the time kids get to high school, they’re ready to take on the challenges of crosswords. These get them thinking outside the box, forcing them to use their cognitive resources to overcome challenges.
You can start by playing a crossword with your child to show them the principles. Guiding them through a few games is often the best way to inculcate them in the process. Then, once they’re doing simple puzzles by themselves, you can buy them a book of crosswords of varying challenge levels.
Crosswords will often take a long time for kids to learn. That’s because they require a combination of contextual knowledge and the ability to interpret clues. Most kids don’t have the vocabulary to take on many of these challenges, but some do. If you see them getting stuck, give them extra clues or use ChatGPT to provide insights into what the answer could be. Usually, you’ll have an “aha” moment when a specific clue clicks and you know exactly what it is.
You can also use computerised versions of crossword puzzles. These automatically create new games using background code, making it simple to have fun all day.
Matching Games (Ages 2 to 4)
Matching games are another option for younger children. These get them to match pairs of objects, testing their memory.
Memory is one of the first elements of human cognition to emerge in early childhood. Kids discover for the first time that the world always moves forward and they can remember the past but don’t know the future. When this realization arrives, it sets them up for matching games. These boost cognitive skills and attention spans, letting them be at their best before attending school.
Fun games, like Snap, are based on this principle. These get players to say “snap” and put their palms face-down on the pile to collect the cards before anyone else. It is a game of reactions more than anything.
Another game is to pair objects on a table with those hidden under a cloth. Children have 30 seconds to look at the original objects on a cloth-covered tray and then must recreate the scene in all its glory using items to hand.
Go Fish (Ages 4 to 6)
Children aged 4 to 6 can also try their hands at Go Fish, a card game where players try to create a matching set of cards called “books.” The goal is to collect the most books of cards from a 52-card deck.
The game starts with the dealer dealing each player five cards and placing the remaining pack face down on the table. Next, players ask their opponent “Do you have X card?” If the answer is “yes,” they have to hand it over. If the answer is “no,” then players must say “Go Fish!” with the opponent picking up a card from the centre pile. The game finishes when all the cards are gone.
This game is fun because it introduces young children to the idea of playing cards. It shows them that they can master these advanced skills and enjoy themselves at the same time. It also looks beautifully graphically, making it a popular choice for keeping around the home or giving away at Christmas as a gift.
Minecraft (Ages 7 to 10)
Kids aged 7 to 10 can usually get their heads around Minecraft, a video game that took the world by storm over ten years ago. It’s what they call a “sandbox” game, meaning you can do pretty much whatever you want in the game world. It’s like a digital version of LEGO, but with crazier physics.
The purpose of Minecraft is to manipulate blocks and build a new type of world to inhabit. What’s interesting about the game is that it doesn’t force you in any particular direction. You can do what you want, when you want, as long as the game’s engine will support it.
This means that you have children being highly creative and trying new things. Many start on minecraft, believing that they will only play a couple of games and end up doing it for months or years on end without a break. Often, it takes the place of other games with set themes and environments, simply because of how playful and innovative it is.
Just Dance (Ages 11 to 15)
Just Dance seems like it should be a kid’s game, but it’s really not. It requires quite advanced body coordination, making it suitable for younger teenagers.
Just Dance is a dance game where your children’s step pattern has to match the images shown on screen. The more they can master the game, the more fluid it will become, to the point where they’re absolutely dominating.
However, Just Dance isn’t just a kids’ game, it’s also something adults can enjoy too. Games are fun physical activities for the whole family, keeping you active and out of breath if you don’t want to play on the Wii.
Shape Sorters (Ages 2 to 4)
Shape sorters are games for children ages 2 to 4. These get them to sort shapes into various holes in objects, which is ideal for spatial reasoning, fine-tuning motor skills.
Shape sorters are excellent for parents who want to give their children an extra kick in the right direction. If you’ve noticed that your child is developing slowly, these can help them along.
Simon Says (Ages 4 to 6)
If you have a preschooler, you can also try them on Simon Says. This game starts with telling them a part of the body to touch or a thing for them to do, and then gets them to carry it out. For example, “Simon says tap your head and rub your stomach at the same time” or “Simon says hop on the spot five times.”
These tasks are useful because they help build fine motor skills. Children feel more confident, preparing them for the school years ahead.
Treasure Hunts (Ages 7 to 10)
Treasure hunts are amazing games to play with children aged 7 to 10. These get them to look everywhere for hidden treasures, keeping them on their feet and excited.
Simple treasure hunts are where you hide things like chocolate in your home and garden and then send kids off to find them. However, you can also play more elaborate versions where you provide hidden clues, with one hint leading to the next and ultimately a big prize that they couldn’t find otherwise.
Use these for parties and when they have their friends to visit.
So there you have it: some suggestions of games you could play with your kids over the festive break. Try to do as many of them as you can.
