Games to play with Children

Children love games. They love using their imagination and they love spending time with parents. It's not hard to see why kids are so easily enjoying life. Do you remember what it was like spending time with your parents? I still remember when my dad would play Baseball, Basketball or take us fishing. It's not really what you are doing with your kids that they will remember it's the fact that you were with them that they will always cherish.

With that being said I will list things that will surely bring smiles to your children's faces. You can play these at birthday parties or use them as entertainment while the neighbor kids are around. The point is go outside and enjoy the beauty and play with your children.

Game: Horse Rides
How to Play: put your child on your back or around your neck and gallop around the house. Kids need to be light enough that they won't injure you while horsing around.

Game: Hide and Seek in the dark
How to Play: This is extremely fun if you live in a safe, quiet neighborhood or out in the Country and if you can get other children or neighbors involved. You leave the porch light on and set up parameters that the children can not go outside of. Count to 15 while the kids hide and then you seek them out having to touch them. You can also make it more interesting by having a Home Base where if they touch this (i.e. right side of the car, a planted pot on the patio) before you touch them they are safe.

Game: Star Gazing
How to Play: At night round up the kids and go outside. Lay a blanket on the grass and look up into the stars. If you live in the city or suburbs the outdoor lights may prevent you from actually seeing the stars clearly so if it's possible a quick drive up the mountains or out in the country you can star gaze from the car. The brilliant glow from the trillions of stars will leave a lasting impression on your childrens mind and they will never forget the brilliance of this night.

Game: Red Light, Yellow Light, Green Light
How to Play: This game is funnest with lots of children varying in all age brackets. The children start out at the same point and the Announcer (usually the parent) stands about 20-45 feet away from the line of children. You scream out Green light letting the children know you want them to run towards you, yellow light tells them to begin slowing down and Red light means they need to stop and FREEZE. Anyone who is still moving after Red Light is eliminated from the game and will sit down to cheer on the rest.

Fun with this game: Say something like Red watermelon, Red fingernails, Red lipstick to trick the kids into thinking you were saying Red Light. Until you actually say RED LIGHT the kids do not need to stop.

Game: Magic Evening
How to Play: Go to Amazon or the library and get books on children magic tricks. Prepare a few of the tricks and practice until you are good at a few of them. Put a towel or sheet around your back to have a magician cape and create a wand out of the paper towel cardboard. Gather the children in the living room on the floor and have them watch your tricks. After they get excited let them learn a few tricks and practice and the next week have them entertain the parents.

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