Creative Games for Kids

Tic-Tac-Toe Backpack

Materials:

solid-colored backpack
pencil
fabric paints or markers
buttons, mini pompons or foam X's and O's
adhesive-backed hook-and-loop tape

Steps:

1. Empty the backpack and flatten it out.

2. Use fabric paints or markers to create a tic-tac-toe grid (draw the lines in pencil first for some guidelines). Let dry.

3. Find two sets of five matching buttons, or use mini pompons or foam X's and O's to make game pieces.

4. Place a small piece of adhesive-backed hook-and-loop tape in each square of the grid and another piece onto each charm or button.

5. Store the game pieces in the small pocket at the side of the backpack.

This game of concentration will help keep your child's mind occupied on a rainy day.

Materials:

8 to 16 lids from frozen-juice containers
paint
paintbrush
small objects that would lie flat under the lids
glue

Steps:

1. Paint one side of each of the lids.

2. Turn the lids over and glue or stick one of the small items to each lid.

3. When all the lids have something attached, flip them over, painted side up and arrange in rows.

4. The first player begins by flipping two lids over. If they match, the player removes them and takes another turn. If they do not match, the next person takes a turn. The winner is the player with the most matches.

Make scoops for a fun game of catch with whiffle balls or tennis balls. Here's how.

Materials:

bleach bottles (with handles) or detergent bottles
scissors

Steps:

1. Wash and air dry the bottles.

2. Remove the paper labels by running them under hot water.

3. Cut off the base with scissors and discard.

4. On the handle side of the container, starting from the cutout end, cut out a portion to form a scoop. Be sure to trim any sharp edges.

5. To play, give each person a scoop. Toss a whiffle ball into the air to a friend, who tries to catch the ball with the scoop. It's a great beach game. When you're done, use the scoop to build sand castles.

* Note: When you have no ball, take a child's sock and fill it with sand. (Use the scoop as a funnel.) Tie a knot and you have an instant ball to toss and catch with the scoops.

This is a great idea for homemade checkers.

Materials:

light-colored cotton bandana
ruler
felt-tip pen
square sponge dipped in paint (optional)
smooth rocks, shells, acorns or buttons
ribbon or rubber band

Steps:

1. Use a ruler and a felt-tip pen to draw a grid to resemble a checkerboard--eight squares down and across

2. Fill in alternating squares with the pen, or use a square sponge dipped in paint.

3. Next, look for smooth rocks, shells, acorns or buttons for game markers. Each player will need 12 of the same type of item. Have several larger items ready to be used when a marker becomes a king.

4. When the game is over, place the markers in the center of the bandana and bring the corners together. Tie with a ribbon or rubber band.

Materials:

large piece of tagboard or an old window shade
pencil, pen and crayons or markers

Steps:

1. On a large piece of tagboard or an old window shade, draw a basic map of your neighborhood. Make your home the focal point. Help your child determine the main streets, highways and landmarks. Draw and color interesting buildings or geography features.

2. Your kids may want to include their favorite places like a flower garden or playground. Use the map the next time you head out into the community, and add details as you discover them.

For preschoolers, have them look through magazines to find pictures of things in their community. Help them to cut and glue them to the appropriate places. They can use toy cars, blocks or tiny people to play on their community map. Roll up the map for easy storage.

Make people by cutting out photos of people and snap them into milk caps.

Materials:

plain, standard-size paper napkin
orange or grapefruit
markers

Steps:

1. Open the napkin and then twist each of the four corners tightly to form four two-inch creature "legs."

2. Set an orange or grapefruit underneath the centerpoint of the napkin, allowing the "legs" to touch the countertop.

3. Push the creature slightly and watch it wobble, hover and "walk." For even more fun, use a marker to draw a silly face on the napkin.