4 Table Games for Kids

When the weather denotes indoor play, think about table games. These games can be used individually or with a small group of children. Table games not only help children develop thinking skills, but also develop social skills such as cooperating with others. Learning to wait one's turn and to win or lose gracefully are skills that can take a lifetime to master.

Use games to promote quick and successful learning. Here are 4 table games for the children that you can make together. Preserve these game boards by covering them with clear adhesive paper.

Lotto Games:

These are simple matching games and are useful for reinforcing colors, shapes, numbers, letters, and name recognition. A lotto board can be made from cardboard or oak tag. It is divided into a 2 x 4-inch, 3 x 3-inch, or 5 x 5-inch grid, depending on the age of the children. A deck of cards is constructed from oak tag and decorated with drawn shapes and colors, stickers, or even stamps collected from junk mail. The lotto boards also have similar stickers or stamps for matching purposes. Each player has a different lotto board. The players, in turn, draw a card and show it to the others. Anyone having the same picture on her board covers it with a counter or piece of paper. Play continues until the first board is completely covered.

Domino Trails:

This is a game played with a set of cards designed in two parts like dominoes. A line divides the card in half and a different color or number is drawn or stamped on each side of the line. Small pieces of wallpaper also can be used to promote good visual discrimination. Players are each dealt five cards. One player at a time lays down a card. The next player must match either end of the first card with one of her own. Players keep taking cards from the pile to keep the game going. Show children how to make creative domino trails by turning them in different directions.

Toothpick Games:

Materials:

Box of blunt-ended colored toothpicks (or regular toothpicks colored with markers)

What to do:

1. Invite children to play a "color pattern" game.

2. Encourage them to pick out red, yellow, green, and blue toothpicks.

3. Set them on the table in the following way: red and yellow in the shape of a pyramid; then green and blue vertically; followed by a red and yellow toothpick set horizontally.

4. Challenge the children to follow this pattern across the table or challenge them to follow new patterns that you develop.

How to use:

Here are some other toothpick games to play:

1. Copy The Pattern: Take the toothpicks and lay out a pattern, all in one color (vertically and horizontally). Challenge children to copy it.

2. Finish The Pattern: Lay the wooden toothpicks in a more complex pattern with diagonals and boxes. Challenge the children to continue it.

3. Make Letters: Show children how to write their name or initials using the colored toothpicks.

Toy Car Racing Game

Bring out the miniature cars and make your own racetrack game.

Materials:

Large sheet of paper

Markers

Dice

Small toy vehicles

What to do:

1. On a large sheet of paper, draw an oval track with enough lanes for 3 or 4 cars.

2. Draw lines to section off each lane into spaces one car-length long. Make sure each lane has the same number of spaces.

3. Players will roll one die and advance the correct number of spaces. The first one to the finish line is the winner!

4. To make the game longer, increase the number of laps each car must make before the finish line.

5. To add a new twist, put a star on 2 or more spaces in each lane. When a player lands on that space, he draws a card with directions such as: go back 1 space, or flat tire--lose a turn.

Here are 4 table games to make for your children, I'm sure you can think of others. No need to go out and buy expensive board games when you can make fun and creative games with household objects. Enjoy quality and bonding time together - it's precious!

Source: Personal Experience