Raise your hand if you are stuck inside with your kids for the next few weeks! One of our favorite things to do as a family is play games! It’s the perfect activity that is fun for everyone and the kids are learning while we play! Today I’m rounding up some of our favorite family games. Keep in mind my kids are ages 3-7, and not all of these games are 3-year-old-friendly….but some are! These are also mom and dad approved games….meaning that they aren’t torture for us to play (I’m looking at you chutes and ladders! (someone ALWAYS ends up in tears when we play that game. Sometimes it’s me)).
1. Skip Bo. This is listed first for a reason. Everyone loves this game! Players use skill and strategy to create sequencing stacks of cards in ascending order (2,3,4). I recommend it for ages 5 and up.
2. Math Dice. This is the perfect dice game to introduce or reinforce early math skills in children. Roll the 12-sided Target Die to get your target number, then roll the five 6-sided Scoring Dice. Add, subtract, or add and subtract – use whatever equation you need to hit your target number. Such a fun way to practice math skills. You can have older children do more complex math equations while younger kids just do addition. I recommend it for ages 5 and up.
3. Spot It. Test your observational skills and your reflexes by spotting the items that are the same between two cards. Sadie (4) and Hudson (7) both love this game!
4. Astro Trash. This one is so fun! We got it for Christmas and it’s a great way to learn right vs. left AND you don’t have to wait your turn, you just play! Be the first to rid you planet of trash to win! Littler ones can play with some help from you. I recommend it for ages 5 and up.
5. Pit. This is a game I played growing up and it’s a family favorite! We are introducing it to Hudson this week and I can’t wait. Shout your deal and trade your cards to “corner” the market, be the first to get all the cards of one product, ring the bell and win the hand. It gets a bit rowdy and is best with 4 or more players. I recommend it for ages 7 and up.
6. Uno. Everyone loves Uno! It’s a great way for little ones to learn their numbers and colors. We usually play with Sadie (4) to help her, but she’s getting the hang of it!
7. Dr. Eureka. The brilliant Dr. Eureka has important experiments for you to complete! Pick a challenge card, 3 test tubes and 6 colorful balls to solve his scientific formula. Carefully move your materials from tube to tube without dropping them and position the balls as illustrated on the challenge card. This game is a great, hand-on, dexterity-based, brainteaser that can be played with friends or by yourself. I recommend it for ages 5 and up.
8. Mexican Train. We love playing this as a family (little ones need help but love placing the dice down). It’s great for counting skills!
9. Sneaky Snacky Squirrel. This is a preschool age appropriate game that everyone in our house loves. Your forest friends are hungry and they need your help. Spin the spinner, squeeze the matching colored acorn with your squirrel squeezer, and place it into your log. Be the first to fill your log with delicious acorns and you win. I recommend it for ages 3 and up.
10. Guess Who. This is a classic and quickly became a favorite in our house! Hudson (7) and Sadie (4) can play it together which is a huge bonus! I recommend it for ages 5 and up.
11. Operation. I had to add this in too because my kids just LOVE it so much! And it helps with hand-eye coordination and learning body parts too!
