Search Results for: label/Flash Cards

I Can Read More Than You!

December 17, 2012 By 7 Comments
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This is another simple, yet effective flash card game.  Children of all ages love it because it uses the Tease, Tickle, Taunt method for motivation.

Lay out the cards and then implement a taunt, “You better not read more than me!”

flash card game
Take turns reading a card.  Make sure you implement a tease, “You can’t read that!  There’s no way.  It’s too hard!” If you read the card right you get to keep it.  If you get it wrong you have to put it back.

flash card game
Make sure your child is listening when you read a card, just in case you get one wrong.
flash card game
Opps, Audrey caught me reading the card wrong!
Finally implement a tickle when they win and say, “You won! I told you not to do that!”
flash card game
Have fun!
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Huge Holiday Gift Guide: Top 10 Educational Games

November 29, 2012 By 23 Comments
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Does your family love games as much as we do?

When it comes to games, my family is obsessive!  My 5-year-old can now beat me at Chess and Settlers of Catan and my 2-year-old will sit and play games all day by herself (she plays everyone’s  turns for them).  We even have a full day every week devoted solely to games in our preschool!  That is because we feel that games are not only fun, but they also make excellent teaching tools.

If you are looking for a great gift for your children, here are some educational games that the whole family will enjoy.

top games for kids

Reading Skills

6-yrs+
bananagrams gameThis game is like scrabble, minus all of the annoying rules.  You simply pass out tiles and start building your own individual crossword.  The game ends when all the tiles are gone.  It can be a really fast game (5-10min).  The best part is that you can use the tiles to make up your own learning games.  I like to use them as a puzzle and help my children use all of the pieces to make one big crossword.  If you have the time you could also make your own.

Roll and Play

1-yr+
toddler gameThis is a simple game for toddlers that helps build vocabulary and gross motor skills.  You just roll the die and pick a card.  Then you help your child do whatever silly activity that is on the card. Actions range from animals sounds to touching your nose.  I like this game because it helps children learn to follow directions and cooperate.  You could also go the frugal route and check out this DIY version of the game.

Flash Cards

1-yr+

flash card game

You’re probably thinking, “Flash cards for Christmas?  That’s lame!”  However, if you have a toddler or preschooler, flash cards are the best gift you could buy.  There are hundreds of ways to make your own games from flash cards, like taking turns telling a story with word cards or using them to make your own board game.  My toddler loves to carry her cards around in her “suit case” and pretend she has important work to do with them.  She flips through and looks at them all the time.  Click here for more Flash Card game ideas.
flash card gameflash card game

Strategy Games

Ticket to Ride

7-yrs+
top game for kidsBuilding train tracks to complete secret routes is the object of this game.  It is simple to play and yet it allows players to make a lot of strategic choices.  A fun aspect of the game is the ability to block other player’s routes, which, if your family is overly competitive like mine, can really spice up the game.  It takes 30 mins to an hour to play.  I love this game for older children because it introduces them to strategy building – forcing them to think ahead and plan their moves.

Blokus Jr

5+

top game for kids

This set is a Children’s version of the Classic Blokus Puzzle Game.  Players take turns putting their own colored pieces on the board by connecting them corner to corner.  The player who gets the most pieces on the board wins.  I like this game because it comes with puzzles to help teach children how to play.  More importantly, parents will want to break this quick game out when the kids go to bed!

 

Kid-cala

4-yrs+
strategy game for kidsMancala is a very simple and addictive African strategy game for 2 players.  Children will be excited about counting and planning their next move.  Game play consists of moving the pieces around the board and collecting them in your Mancala, (big cup at each end of the board).  Although, this version says it is for 6-yrs+, my 4-year-old begs to play.  Kid-cala has 3 different levels of play and a colored coated board that helps children remember which side is theirs.  

Math

9-yrs+
math game for older child

If your child likes Sudoku he will love this game.  To play, roll the die for a target number.  Then lay out number tiles in a row or column that are multiples of the target number.  However, you may not lay down tiles of the same color.  The multiple is also the points for your turn.  The player with the most points wins.  There are 5 different variations of the game, including solo-play.  This game helps sharpen addition and multiplication skills and has a component of strategy that makes it one of the best math games for older children. 

Speed!

6-yrs+
speed card gameSpeed is another multiplication game, but it is fast paced and highly competitive.  To play a regular game, two players split one deck and try to be the first to get rid of their cards.  To get rid of cards you must match your card with another that is one step higher or one step lower than two target cards.  Get a better idea of how to play Speed by watching the video.  The best thing about these cards is that you can use them to teach. For ways to teach skip counting, multiplication, and more go to Highhill Homeschooling.

Yahtzee Jr.

2-yrs+
top game for kidMatching, counting, and luck is the basis of this game.  Just like in regular Yahtzee, the object of the game is to roll as many of one character as possible.  Play is very quick (10-15min).  My 2-yr-old loves to play this game.  My 4 and 5-yr-old can play it by themselves.

Memory/Concentration

Spot It Jr.

3-yrs+
top games for kids

This is a competitive I spy game.  The Jr. version has kid friendly cards and pictures.  Be the first to find the matching pictures between two cards to win a card.  The person with the most cards wins.  There are 5 different play variations and you could also play cooperatively.  My preschoolers love the I spy books so this game is perfect for them.

*Disclosure: Game links above are affiliate links.  I was not compensated to write this post.  All opinions are my own.

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This post is part of the Huge Holiday Gift Guide!
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Filed Under: Educational Gifts, Make Learning Fun, Preschool Learning, preschool toys, Toys

Educational Carnival Games: Buried Treasure

November 26, 2012 By 8 Comments
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preschool treasure hunt game“Hunting for Buried Treasure” is one of my favorite learning games because it is so versatile and my kids love it!  This activity can be used to teach literally any subject.  All I do is hide letters, numbers or flash cards in a tub of dried corn, and my kids “play” all day.

Like I said, this game has a million different applications, but here are a few of the basic guidelines:
The treasure hunter (pirate), closes his eyes while I hide the treasure deep in a mountain of corn.  On the count of three, the game begins.  The “hunter” races to the bin and frantically digs for goodies.  Without the aid of pick or shovel, the little treasure seeker has a mere ten seconds to uncover as much as possible.  Three, two, one, and done!
Now its time to divide the booty.  I have my little ones hold up their items.  They must identified, solve, or describe the items to my satisfaction or they lose them!  For every 10 they get right, I trade them a small reward.  That is really all there is to it.
So, the next time you are looking for a way to energize one of your lessons, consider “Hunting for Buried Treasure.”  
preschool treasure hunt game
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Filed Under: Educational Carnival Games, Elementary, Flash Cards, Learning Games, Learning Letters, Make Learning Fun, Money Games, Preschool, Toddlers

Flash Card Musical Chairs

September 11, 2012 By 12 Comments
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early learning at home


Do your kids need to get their wiggles out?  

Put a new twist on an old game.  Help your children learn and burn off some energy by playing Flash Card Musical Chairs.  This game is so simple, but the kids love it.  I watch a 1st grader sometimes and he begs me to play this game.  

Just like in the regular musical chairs I start the music and the kids run around the chairs. Sometimes I have them jump like a bunny or take big Goliath steps.  When the music stops everyone sits down as fast as they can.  The first person who sits down gets to do a flash card first.  I like to give everyone a turn to do a card and then I reward them with a Popsicle Stick. 

early learning at home
You could adjust play so whoever sits down last doesn’t get to do a card, but I like to give everyone a chance as long as they are playing the game right.  I don’t use one less chair and I don’t take away chairs.  Obviously, you can play any way you want.  I love this game because kids of all ages can play, but I can still challenge them individually by selecting flashcards according to their individual abilities.  

Next time your kids need to burn off some energy, don’t just make them drop and give you 20.  Wear them out and teach them something at the same time.

Have Fun!

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Educational Carnival Games: Cups and Card

August 21, 2012 By 12 Comments
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Although I don’t like to encourage gambling, the old Shell game can be very a fun carnival game for kids!
carnival games for kids

Although I don’t like to encourage gambling, the old Shell game can be very a fun carnival game for kids! Instead of taking your child’s money, you will be improving their memory, concentration, and general knowledge.  Once you turn plain old flash cards into this exciting new carnival game, you will be amazed at how eager your children are for learning time.
You will need: 3 large cups, flash cards that fit in the cups, and a reward like Popsicle sticks.  
carnival games for kids
How to play:  Place the 3 cups in a row in front of your child.  Tell your child to watch carefully because you are going to hide one of the flash cards in a cup. Start shuffling the cups around, being careful not to let the card fall out.  Encourage your child to keep track of the cup that he thinks the card is in.  You will want to adjust the speed at which you shuffle the cups depending on the age and ability of your child.  Next, have your little one choose the cup he thinks has the card.  If he gets it wrong show him where the card is and then try to shuffle the cups again to see if he can find it.  If he finds the card, have him tell you what is on the flash card to get a reward.  If your child is having trouble finding the card you can use 2 cups instead of 3.  If it is too easy for your child, add more cups. 
carnival games for kids
Have Fun!
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Filed Under: Carnival Party Games, Educational Carnival Games, Flash Cards, Frugal Fun for Kids, Homeschooling, Learning Games, Make Learning Fun, Parents as Teachers, Preschool, Reading Activites, Toddlers