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Home ยป Blog ยป Educational Games and Activities for Kids

Sep 21, 2012

Educational Games and Activities for Kids

I have found it a challenge at times to find quality games to play with my kids that we can all enjoy together, especially with a wide age range (6-16). I was so excited when my youngest was able to play a card game, UNO with the rest of us.

educational gamesHowever, it can be hard for little hands to hang on to 6 or seven cards at a time, and be able to see the numbers on them. I found this solution a while ago, and it works great.

All you need is two recycled plastic lids (from butter tubs, cool whip, larger size yogurt....). Staple them together in the lower middle with the lips facing in, and you have a card holder.
card holder for kids

This truly makes it easier for young ones to hold, and adequately see all their cards, and it's so simple too!

On vacation this year, we stayed at a rental house where a number of games were provided for our enjoyment. One that I had never heard of before was called Bananagrams.

bananagrams

If you team up a grown up or older child with a younger child, you can help them with their spelling skills too.

On this same vacation, at a novelty store, I found a game that will help my kids with their states, capitals and geography.

states

This Melissa & Doug License Plate Game lets two play at the same time, by flipping the squares which are attached to the board, when you see a state's license plate. They can also practice learning each state's capital, which are included, at the same time.

 

We have also ordered these Live Butterfly Gardens a bunch of times now, and the whole family enjoys watching the transformation of the larvae to butterflies, and then letting them go outside.

butterflies

We are trying a new kit this year, a Grow a Frog Kit.

grow a frog

When you buy these kits, the larvae or tadpoles do not immediately come with them. A coupon is included in the box to send away for your live creature. Apparently these frogs can live for years and years. Will keep you posted...

I will be the first to admit that my children love their Nintendo DS's way too much, but I have found a game that I believe truly helped my youngest with reading and spelling, starting when he was 4-5 years old.

ds game

It's called Super Scribblenauts, and it works by creating whatever your child can spell, and it gives them options if they spell it incorrectly. I do admit, if your child is a very beginner reader, you will be helping them a lot at first, but it's worth it, because it really did speed up and reinforce my son's reading and spelling skills.

It's always nice when learning and fun can be combined!
Hope this gives you some ideas, and I would love to hear about any of your fun and educational ideas!

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Previous Post: « Scrumptious Blueberry Coffee Cake
Next Post: Menu Plan for the Week of September 23rd »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jen @ frazzled 5 says

    September 21, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    Thanks for the ideas. With 5 kiddos, I need all the help I can get:)
    Hugs, Jen

    Reply
  2. Laura says

    September 22, 2012 at 1:54 am

    such great tips! love the plastic card holder!

    Reply
  3. Katie Drane says

    September 22, 2012 at 3:15 am

    I love the card holder! Definitely using this with my daughter. I had the frog kit as a kid...loved it. The frog lived for 4 years!

    Katie
    http://www.funhomethings.com

    Reply
  4. Mariel says

    September 22, 2012 at 7:45 pm

    Yay! I'm always looking for fun things to do in homeschool. I would love to have you come share some of you great ideas over at the link party on 'Or so she says...', happening right now. Hope to see you there! http://www.oneshetwoshe.com

    Reply
  5. Nancy McGinley says

    September 24, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    My little one has a huge desire to play card games but has trouble holding cards. I LOVE your simple solution and I'm going to make one ASAP!

    Reply
  6. Bonny Yokeley says

    September 25, 2012 at 10:16 pm

    Your homemade card holders is awesome. When my oldest was young, he had the hardest time holding cards, so he'd lay his down and hide them behind a book or pillow. I always thought there should be a holder, but I never came up with one myself. Eventually I bought some, but your way is great!

    bonny @ thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com

    Reply
  7. Sarah Marie says

    September 30, 2012 at 8:31 am

    awww love the grow a frog... when i was little we had one.. his name was gilly....(they send the name with the frog) he lived for 12 years! so much fun
    My mom found him at Lark toys in Kellogg MN

    Reply
  8. Debra Kapellakis says

    October 7, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    I am awaiting the results of frog growing kit. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Margo says

      October 7, 2012 at 8:21 pm

      We got our tadpole in the mail, and he's still alive after two weeks. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

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