Low Cost, High-Imagination Games
Many families are all too familiar with electronic game systems. So when your kids forget them at home, the batteries died, or you just want a break from technology–try these simple ideas for games or activities.
Alphabet geography. One person names a place, like Saskatoon. The next person must name a new place that begins with the last letter in the name of the first place (in this case, the letter n), like Nevada. Places cannot be used twice in one game. If you can’t think of a new place when it’s your turn, you’re out. Last player standing wins.
I’m thinking of an animal. The first player says, “I’m thinking of an animal” and provides a clue about that animal, “It lives underwater.” The next person tries to guess the identity of the animal. If the guess is incorrect, then the first player gives another clue. This continues until someone guesses correctly. Whoever guesses the animal thinks of the next animal.
Opposites. This is a word-association game in which you say a word and your kids must say the opposite word. Your choice of “night” would be answered by “day” and so on. Older kids can get progressively harder words. This game not only passes the time but increases your child’s vocabulary skills.
Fortunately/Unfortunately. This is a story game. One person leads off with the opening sentence of a story. “Wally got ready to go to work.” The second person supplies a sentence that starts with the word unfortunately. “Unfortunately, Wally could not find any clothes to wear.” Players then alternate good, (“Fortunately, Wally lived next to a clothing store”), and bad, (“Unfortunately, Wally’s wallet was in his missing pants”), sentences until the story ends.
Packing. This game starts with the phrase “I’m going on a trip and I’m packing….” Players take turns adding items to the list. Each person must name the whole list before they add their own item. Make the game more challenging by making the list alphabetical, “…an alarm clock, a book, a camera, a diamond necklace…” and so on.
Face Race. If you have lots of kids to entertain, split them into two teams. Pin two large sheets of paper to the wall. Draw two large ovals for faces. Give each team a marker. A player from each team must draw a single facial feature (eye, nose, mouth) and then pass the marker to the next player. The team that finishes their face first wins.