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 Games Activities, Educational Games and Activities for Kids, Joyful HomemakingHowever, 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.
Educational Games Activities, Educational Games and Activities for Kids, Joyful Homemaking

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.

Educational Games Activities, Educational Games and Activities for Kids, Joyful Homemaking

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.

Educational Games Activities, Educational Games and Activities for Kids, Joyful Homemaking

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.

Educational Games Activities, Educational Games and Activities for Kids, Joyful Homemaking

I will be the first to admit that my children love their video games 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.

Educational Games Activities, Educational Games and Activities for Kids, Joyful Homemaking

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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9 Comments

  1. 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

  2. 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

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