30+ Simple Children’s Games at Home to Promote Holistic Development

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Summer break means kids are home, and that’s a perfect opportunity for meaningful bonding time with your children! AVAKids presents a list of fun, unique games to keep your kids entertained while boosting their physical and intellectual development, all from the comfort of your home!

1. Balance Beam Game

You will need:

  • Colored masking tape (multiple colors for extra fun)
  • Floor space for playing

How to play:

  • Clear and clean the floor space in a room.
  • Tape lines on the floor to create straight or curvy paths.
  • Use various colors and create rules for how children walk on them. For example, if it’s blue, the child must walk with one hand on their head; if it’s green, the child must hop.
  • Children must follow the rules and only walk on the tape, not on the empty floor. Stepping off the tape is a foul.
  • The child who completes the length of the tape without stepping off wins.
The child who completes the length of the tape without stepping off wins.

The child who completes the length of the tape without stepping off wins.

2. Sound Guessing Game

This children’s game is both fun and educational. It helps develop children’s listening and concentration skills.

You will need:

  • Many household items with distinct sounds.

How to play:

  • Gather items like water bottles, cups, remotes, books, combs, pens, jars, Lego blocks, fashion watches, etc., each with a unique sound.
  • Let the child see and remember the items.
  • Take the items away and ask the child to turn away or close their eyes.
  • Choose an item and make a sound with it. If the child guesses correctly, they get a point.
If the child guesses correctly, they get a point.

If the child guesses correctly, they get a point.

3. Ball and Cup Game

Encourage your child to make their own toy using simple household items. You will need:

  • A plastic water bottle
  • A ping pong ball
  • String or yarn
  • Hook screw
  • Scissors

How to make it:

  • Take a bottle with a narrow neck and wide base.
  • Cut off the bottom to create a wide hole.
  • Attach the hook screw to the ping pong ball.
  • Tie one end of the string to the hook and the other to the bottle. You can remove the bottle cap, thread the string through, and replace the cap to secure it.
  • Make this toy once, and your child can use it many times with friends.

4. Coin Toss into a Cup

Hand-eye coordination can be improved through coin-tossing games. This children’s game is for the whole family to enjoy together.

You will need:

  • Coins or other small currency
  • A large plastic or paper drinking cup.

How to play:

  • Each child receives five coins. Place a cup on a nearby chair or table.
  • Ask the child to step “x” steps away from the cup, where ‘x’ is their age. Adults move five steps further away than the children to throw the coins.
  • Children must toss each coin into the cup.
  • Whoever gets the most coins in the cup wins.

5. DIY Plastic Bottle Bowling

Bowling is a great game for 3-4-year-olds. If bad weather prevents you from going bowling, design your own bowling alley at home!

You will need:

  • Ten empty water bottles or soda cans
  • A tennis ball or plastic bowling ball
  • Space to play
  • Markers
  • Tape
  • Non-toxic paint

How to play:

  • Use tape to create the bowling lane. Consider the child’s age and physical abilities to determine the lane length.
  • Remove labels from bottles/cans and paint them, letting them dry.
  • Arrange the bottles at the end of the lane.
  • Let the child use a tennis ball or plastic ball (slightly larger than a tennis ball) to knock down all the bottles.

6. Fill in the Blanks

This game can be used to review knowledge and is a great brain teaser for kids. You just need a whiteboard and a marker.

How to play:

  • Ask the child a question and draw small blanks for the letters in the answer. The child will guess the letters and the answer.
  • In the classic version, you guess letters that are in the answer phrase or word. In this version, you alternate between guessing letters that are “in” the word and letters that are “not in” the answer phrase or word.
  • So, if the child guesses a letter that is “in” the word or phrase on the first turn, on the second turn they will guess a letter that is “not in” the answer phrase or word.
  • Each player is allowed seven incorrect guesses or as many turns as you set.

Quick Tip: Make the game more interesting by using riddles about the child’s favorite movie, TV show, or singer.

Besides games for kids, parents can also explore toys for boys and toys for girls.

Fill-in-the-blanks game helps kids review knowledge.

Fill-in-the-blanks game helps kids review knowledge.

7. Pen and Pencil Games

Pencil and pen games can be played anywhere – at home, in the park, or in the car. This is a great game for 4-year-olds.

You will need:

  • Regular paper
  • Pencils, crayons
  • Eraser

Games you can play:

Tic-tac-toe is a game you can play with paper and pencil. The game is played on a 3×3 grid. The first person places an ‘X’ in one of the squares, and the second player places an ‘O.’ The first player to successfully get three X’s or O’s in a row (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal) wins. You can also play this on a whiteboard.

Pictionary is similar to a word guessing game. However, the person who has to express needs to draw a picture for the player to guess.

Name, Place, Animal, Thing: Divide the paper into four sections: name, place, animal, thing. The child will read the alphabet under a time limit. When the timer stops, the child will say which letter they stopped on, and players must write down the name of a person, animal, place, and thing that begins with that letter.

Drawing: This is a classic game where children can create images with pencils and crayons.

This type of paper game helps develop children’s creativity effectively.

Kids playing with pen and paper.

Kids playing with pen and paper.

8. Sock Toss

This is a game for 5-year-olds. Sock toss is similar to basketball, using a laundry basket instead of a hoop and socks instead of balls.

You will need:

  • A bunch of colorful socks
  • A laundry basket or bin
  • Space to play

How to play:

  • Roll socks into small, tight balls and tie them.
  • Stand a few feet away from the basket.
  • Take turns tossing the socks into the basket.

Quick Tip: You can increase the challenge by choosing a basket or bin with a smaller opening.

9. Soap Bubble Blowing

Soap bubbles can be hazardous as they can damage carpets, furniture, and electronics. So, let your child play in a safe place inside the house or in the backyard.

You will need:

  • Dish soap
  • Water
  • Straws

How to make it:

  • Put a few drops of dish soap into a dish.
  • Add some water and mix gently until small bubbles or foam begin to form.
  • Ask the children to dip the straw in and blow gently and slowly.
  • Observe the large soap bubble forming.

Quick Tip: Turn the fun game into a competition to see who creates the biggest or longest-lasting bubble. Children can also use their hands instead of straws.

Competition: Who can blow the biggest bubble?

Competition: Who can blow the biggest bubble?

10. Obstacle Course

This is an outdoor game for preschoolers. If you have a large house with enough space and designated areas for children, try this game on rainy days.

You will need:

  • Hula hoops
  • Several chairs
  • Blankets
  • Exercise balls
  • Other items you may wish to add

How to play:

  • Create an obstacle course with specific rules about what to do or how to move around each obstacle.
  • For example, if there’s a chair or table, tell the children they need to crawl under it. If there’s a hula hoop, they must use the hoop twice or three times before moving to the next obstacle, etc.
  • The child only gets points if they have passed all the available obstacles.

Quick Tip: Lay down mats and have safety precautions around the play area to prevent injuries.

In addition to obstacle course games, parents can let children play freely with household items – it’s cost-effective and helps children develop.

11. Leader Game (Simon Says)

You will need space to play and a list of actions to perform. This game is also helpful when you want children to do something.

How to play:

  • Choose a theme for the game – physical activity, gestures, or expressions.
  • Self-appoint yourself as the leader or take turns with the children so everyone gets to be the leader at least once.
  • All players must follow what the leader does: stomp their feet, clap, jump, cook, act silly, etc.
  • Many children enjoy being the leader.

12Puzzles

Children love solving puzzles. Pick up a few puzzle books to keep your child occupied for the day. You will need lots of puzzle games, books, and ideas.

Types of Puzzles:

  • Picture puzzles are also fun, but these won’t keep children busy for long unless there are more than 25 pieces.
  • A jigsaw puzzle book might be a great idea, as you can do puzzle after puzzle to keep the child engaged.
  • Word puzzles are a great option if you want to improve your child’s vocabulary.
  • Hot wheels toys are great for young children.

Quick Tip: Keep a few puzzle books or games that your child doesn’t know to keep them occupied on a rainy day.

13. Building a Fort

Building a fort doesn’t require boulders and cement; gather things around the house. What you need depends on the type of fort you want to build: chairs, tables, pillows, blankets, sticks, cardboard boxes, etc.

Types of Forts:

  • Cardboard forts are probably the easiest to build if you have appropriately sized boxes. Gather a few large boxes and use tape to fasten them together. Build it however you want, but make sure your child can sit or sleep comfortably inside.
  • Blanket and pillow forts are perhaps the most popular type for children because they are soft and fun to make. You will need various pillows. You can also use stacks of blankets, towels, and some sturdy furniture to hold the fort.
  • Teepee tents are the simplest homemade cone-shaped indoor tents, which can be made from a sheet and some sticks.
  • Blanket and furniture forts can be made quickly. Simply clear a table and completely cover it with a large blanket or sheet. Fold one corner of the blanket to create the fort’s entrance.
  • You can also combine forts with pillows, blankets, and cardboard
Tips for parents: 5 easy and fun ways to make a toy house for your child.

Tips for parents: 5 easy and fun ways to make a toy house for your child.

14. Dominoes

Setting up dominoes and then watching them fall in a chain reaction can be a fun activity. You will need a domino set.

How to play:

  • Set up the dominoes in any pattern you like. Your child will help you design and arrange them. This can take a few hours or longer, depending on the number of dominoes in the set.
  • Once everything is ready, you can ask your child to knock down the first domino to see the chain reaction while you record a video.

Quick Tip: Try different patterns and time them to see which pattern takes the longest for all the dominoes to fall.

15. Marshmallow Toys

Marshmallows are not only for eating but can also be used with crackers to make toys.

You will need:

  • A bag of marshmallows
  • One or two bags of graham crackers

How to play:

  • To connect two marshmallows, you can use a cracker as a connector.
  • Use marshmallows to create a house, car, soldier, snowman, or anything else.
  • With marshmallows, children can create anything; their imaginations will soar with this activity.

16. Create Your Own Story

Another way to boost your child’s creativity is to let them tell you a story. You will need a few storytelling ideas.

How to play:

You can give a topic and ask the child to tell a story. With younger children, start a story and ask the child to continue it midway. This will give them some ideas.

Quick Tip: Children’s stories don’t always make sense, but don’t stop them or correct them while they are telling it. Let them weave the story as they wish. The stories are fictional. However, sometimes children’s stories can be things that have actually happened to them. You may need to talk to your child to find out if it’s just imagination or reality.

17. DIY Catapult

This children’s game requires time and patience but is also quite fun. Children will feel the thrill of making their own catapult and then using it to launch marshmallows.

You will need:

  • Popsicle sticks
  • Rubber bands
  • A plastic spoon

How to make it:

  • Stack 5 popsicle sticks and tie them together with rubber bands at both ends. Make four more similar sets, each with four stacked sticks.
  • Place one bundle of sticks horizontally and three bundles of sticks vertically, and tie them to the horizontal bundle using more rubber bands.
  • Tie the plastic spoon to the remaining popsicle stick bundle, placing it vertically on the other side of the larger popsicle stick stack (horizontal stack) and securing it with a tie.
  • Now you can play by placing marshmallows on the plastic spoon and launching them into a cup or mouth.

18. Ice Block Excavation

Every child loves playing with ice, especially on hot days.

You will need:

  • A tall/long container
  • Colorful trinkets such as beads, marbles, etc.

How to play:

  • Fill the container with water and drop the toys into it.
  • Place the bottle in the freezer until the water freezes.
  • Easily push the ice block out of the bottle and let the child use the bottle, salt, and small eyedroppers as tools to melt the ice and rescue the trinkets.

19. Reading Books

What’s more enjoyable than snuggling up in a warm blanket and reading a book on a rainy day? If you’re familiar with this feeling, why not let your child experience it too?

You will need one or two books. You can choose a book and have a fixed reading time during the day. You can read your book, and the child reads their book in silence.

During your break, encourage children to talk about the book or story and their feelings about it. If your child is too young to read independently, you can read to them.

Children who listen to parents read books will develop skills and intelligence.

Children who listen to parents read books will develop skills and intelligence.

20. Box Jumping

Box jumping is a fun motor activity suitable for children aged 18 to 24 months and preschoolers. This game helps children develop their walking and standing skills.

To play this game, you need to prepare:

  • 5-6 cardboard boxes (e.g., shoe boxes)
  • Paintbrushes and paint

How to play:

  • Guide the child to paint the boxes, which will make them more interested and curious.
  • Place the painted boxes in a row; the more boxes, the better.
  • Place a toy the child likes at the end of the row, then ask the child to jump over the boxes without touching them.
  • After the child gets the toy, ask them to return to the starting position by jumping.
Box jumping is a motor game that helps children develop their walking and standing skills.

Box jumping helps children develop their walking and standing skills.

21. Pushing Toys

Pushing toys is a motor activity game: children push toy cars, strollers, ride-on toys, etc. This is a useful way to help children improve their motor skills. This game is most suitable for toddlers who are starting or have just started walking because it helps them learn to maintain their balance.

You will need:

  • A sturdy push toy with a handle that fits the child’s reach.

How to play:

  • Let the child hold the push toy firmly. Then, stand in front of the child to guide or call them to walk towards you.
  • Have another person stand behind the child to provide support: catch them if they fall and encourage them to move forward.
  • You can let your child play this game with another child who can already walk inside the house.

22. Cleaning the Room

Did you know that cleaning the room is both a way to increase physical activity for the whole family and help children develop good habits? Therefore, cleaning the room is also considered a fun and engaging game for children at home!

You will need:

  • Many items and all the child’s toys: pillows, stuffed animals, dolls, etc.
  • A basket or container

How to play:

  • Place the child’s toys on the floor.
  • Bring the child into the room with a basket or container and ask them to pick up the soft toys and put them in the basket.
  • Initially, you will instruct the child to clean up soft toys, then plastic toys and other household items like placing plastic bowls and plates on the floor and asking the child to pick them up.

23. Pillow Toss

Pillow toss is a fun motor game for preschoolers and older children; this game helps children develop throwing, crawling, and sitting skills. This is a game for children that can be played anytime, but the most suitable and fun time is before bedtime.

To organize this game for your child, you will need:

  • 6-7 small pillows
  • A basket or container

How to play:

  • Spread the pillows on the bed, dividing some near the foot of the bed and some at the head of the bed.
  • Have the child start at one end of the bed, pick up the pillows and toss them into a basket or container placed near the bed on the floor. The child can crawl or walk as they wish.
  • The child will continue until they have picked up and thrown all the pillows into the basket.
  • For convenience, you can place the basket or container close to the bed to make it easier for the child to toss the pillows.

24. Telephone Game (Whisper Down the Lane)

Telephone is a fun game that helps train memory and coordination skills in group activities for children. You can organize the game with 2-3 teams, each with 2-3 members, to create a competition to see which team can transmit the message quickly and accurately.

To organize this game for your child, you will need a large space.

How to play:

  • Call a representative from each team and whisper the same sentence to each child.
  • Then, the representatives return to their teams and whisper the sentence to the person next to them. Each child in the team will pass the message to each other.
  • The last person in the team will say the sentence out loud for everyone to hear.
  • The team that transmits the correct sentence the fastest wins.

Note:

  • You can change the difficulty of the game by saying longer sentences or speaking faster.
  • Add some special rules such as “if you transmit incorrectly, you must return to the beginning of the team” or “if you transmit incorrectly, you must perform an exercise” to increase the humor and attractiveness of the game.
Telephone game for kids

Telephone game for kids

25. Hopscotch

This is a very fun traditional game that is familiar to most Vietnamese children from the past to the present. Hopscotch is suitable for children aged 5 to 6. You can organize this game for children outdoors or indoors, as long as there is enough space.

To guide children to play this motor game, you will need to prepare:

  • Chalk or other items that can be used to make a hopscotch grid

How to play:

  • Use chalk to write numbers in the squares on the floor with the number of squares you like. You can write numbers and letters.
  • The child stands at the starting position and jumps into the square they choose. You can specify which square the child should jump into.
  • Reading letters and numbers will help children become more familiar with letters, and they will learn them faster.

26. Bubble Wrap Stomp

Stomping on bubble wrap (the kind used for packaging) is a game that delights many children. In particular, while playing, they will develop good sensations during movement. This is a motor game for children suitable for children aged 18 to 24 months and is quite popular.

Game that helps children develop good sensations while moving.

Game that helps children develop good sensations while moving.

You will need:

  • Large pieces of bubble wrap or many small pieces of bubble wrap.

How to play:

  • Spread the bubble wrap on the floor.
  • The child must go barefoot and step on the bubble wrap one step at a time. When the bubbles pop under their feet, it makes them feel excited and happy.
  • When the child is bored of walking, you can stimulate them by asking them to jump on the bubble wrap to make the bubbles pop.

This game helps develop gross and fine motor skills in children.

27. Musical Chairs

Musical chairs is a popular game for children in preschools. Playing this game helps children develop motor skills very well.

To organize this game for the children, you will need to prepare:

  • Many small chairs

How to play:

  • Place the small chairs in a zig-zag pattern.
  • The children will walk around the chairs to the music.
  • When the music stops, the children will sit in the nearest chair. Children who don’t sit in a chair are eliminated.
  • You can increase the difficulty by removing a chair after each round to make the game more exciting.
  • The game continues until only one child remains sitting on a chair, and they are the winner.

28. Ninja Warrior

With this Ninja Warrior motor game, children can show off their obstacle-avoidance skills to escape the ropes and get the toys. This game for children is suitable for preschoolers aged 4 to 5.

You will need:

  • A long rope
  • Some other household items

How to play:

  • Items will be hung on the rope at different distances in the room. The more items, the better, to create a maze network with many high and low ropes.
  • The child needs to climb or crawl through the rope without touching it to get the items.
  • If the rope is low, the child needs to jump or step over it; if the rope is high, they will bend down or crawl.
  • The faster they get the items, the more points they get. The child with the highest number of points wins.

29. Dance and Freeze

This is one of the most popular games for 3-year-olds. Dancing is always the best way to exercise and also to develop motor reflexes in children. This preschool movement game will be more fun and exciting if there are many children participating.

What you need:

  • A device that can play music: speaker, TV, phone, etc.

How to play:

  • Play music and let the children dance freely in the way they want.
  • Then, change to different songs. Require the children to change their dance moves each time the song changes.
  • Have a helper observe the children. The child who dances beautifully and with variety wins.

This game helps develop children’s dancing skills, one of the talents for children.

Dancing to music helps to form motor reflexes in children.

Dancing to music helps to form motor reflexes in children.

30. Role-Playing (Pretend Play)

Role-playing is a game for children that helps develop creativity, thinking in organization, and social skills. This is also a game that trains children’s ability to coordinate with parents when playing, such as listening, sharing, and accepting parents’ ideas.

When playing, children will gain more important life skills without being forced; on the contrary, they will not feel tired and pressured.

In addition, role-playing also stimulates the development of actions, facial expressions, language, and psychological emotions of the child.

What you need:

  • Costumes and props
  • Clothes like dresses for girls
  • Various other toys

How to play:

  • Children, parents, or other players embody specific characters.
  • When playing, children can become the character they want to be, want to impersonate, or reenact such as: organizing a tour, going to the supermarket, reenacting family activities, being a teacher, a doctor, or taking their sibling out, going to the doctor, etc.

The above article lists all the super fun games for kids at home that AVAKids has compiled. The above games not only make children happy but also help them become active, agile, and develop many necessary skills. Spend time playing with your child, and they will enjoy it and bond with you more!