Games are a fun way to play with the children on a level where you too can be an active participant. These games don’t require any props so can be played on short notice.

Hide and seek

Depending on the age group will depend on what you are counting too. Generally it is between ten and twenty. During this time, the other children hide. When the child has finished counting they call out, “Ready or not! Here I come!” and goes off in search of the other children. The first person found is the next person to count in the next round.

This is a fun game that can be played with three year olds and up, generally when playing with three year olds, I have hidden with them {in a nannying context rather than long day care setting}. To make it more interesting for the older children, by playing in the dark and using torches is a great modification! I have played this with children from around five, however again this was in a nannying context and was with the youngest child throughout.

On the River, On the Bank

Using chalk/rope/string/tape/etc to mark a line down the carpet and have the children stand on one side of the line. If they are standing closest to you {in front of the line} that is the bank, if they are standing over the line {further away from you} that is the river. You then call out, ‘On the river’ or ‘On the bank’ and the children jump back and forth. This can be played with children four years and up.

Port and Starboard

One player is the captain, the other children follow the captain’s orders {the children can get “out” if they miss an order but this is optional}.
The Orders are -

:  To the ship: run to the captain’s right
:  To the island: run to the captain’s left
:  Hit the deck: lay down on your stomach (or if players don’t want to get dirty, they can crouch down)
:  Attention on deck: salute and yell, “Aye, aye captain!” – must stay in that position until captain yells, “At ease!” (ie even if the captain gives a different order such as “to the ship” the crew must continue to remain at attention until told “at ease”)
:  Scrub the deck: everyone on their knees scrubbing
:  Captain’s Quarters: everyone ran towards the captain.
:  Sick turtle: Everyone falls onto their backs and waves hands and feet in the air.
:  Bow: Run to the front of the boat
:  Stern: Run to the back
:  Port: Run to the left side of the boat
:  Starboard: Run to the right side of the boat.

When playing this game, depending on the ages of your children will significantly depend on the number of orders you have. Also, keep in mind if this game is played over a period of time, the orders will become easier to remember. {There are a lot more orders but are mainly for large groups}. The game can be played inside the house or out in the backyard.

If playing with children of four years, keep instructions simple using four key orders and slowly building up depending on age group and setting.

Statues/Freeze

The children dance to the music whilst it is playing and when the music stops, they freeze. Children from four years or even younger can enjoy this game, but the concept of stopping and “freezing” may still need a little more practice.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Re-enacting this favourite will be a great way to spend the afternoon. Use the story and walk around with your children through the grass and the mud {pretend} and make it a fun experience. You could also make props using large cardboard and keep so that it can be used repeatedly. Once finished the children could then draw what they saw on their walk.

Something fun for children of all ages, but around three would be a good age to introduce and could easily be down with a mixed age group.

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