Fun game for 4 year old: The 20 Best Board Games for 4 Year Olds • Mindfulmazing.com

The 20 Best Board Games for 4 Year Olds • Mindfulmazing.com

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Inside: 20 of the very best board games for Preschoolers. Plus the Best Board Games for 3-year-olds, the best board games for 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds too! Updated for 2021 – 2022.

Can you
guess what my son’s favorite time of the week is?

You might think it’s dessert time, or going to the park time, (and while he certainly does love these activities) his most favorite time is board game time.

We love trying out new board games.

So:

I’m here to give you the straight-up and recommend 20 of the best board games for preschoolers.

Now:

Having said that. Some of them are painful to you as a parent. I know, I get it.

But some
of them are actually really fun!

These board games for 4-year-olds are sure to knock your socks off.

 (**Your kids will thank you. **)

Note: All board games with small pieces pose a choking hazard to kids (especially ages 3 and under) be sure to check the hazard warnings before making any purchases. Many of these games, even the ones specially designed for preschoolers contain small pieces. Please never leave your child unattended when playing games.

The Best Board Games for 4 Year Olds

1.

The Ladybug Game

Help the ladybugs find their way home!

This Lady Bug board game was actually invented by a 1^st grader and is an ideal first board game.

Kids will fall in love with the characters and enjoy the story of the Ladybug Adventure as they learn to count and read.

The parents’ choice foundation calls the Ladybug game “a colorful and lively little board game for beginner game players.”

This game uses colors, numbers, words, and symbols to help young kids catch on.

Highlights:

• Interactive play
• Introduction to math concepts
• No reading required
• Ages 3+
• 2 to 4 players
• Time to complete: 20 minutes

2.

Operation

Your kid will love playing doctor in this classic game of Operation.

Cavity Sam is feeling a little sick, and kids will love to “operate” on him and make him feel better. Kids will try hard to avoid the buzz in this fun game of silly skills.

This one takes me back to my own childhood.

Now, who doesn’t love a little nostalgia?

This is a family classic (with an updated look and funny ailments). Learn more here.

Highlights:

• Kids can play solo or with friends
• Teaches eye-hand coordination
• Recommended for 6 years and up, but really my son played at 4 years old and LOVED it! (Just beware of small parts around small kids)

3.

Feed the Hungry Caterpillar Game

Transform your caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly with this game of counting, collecting, and building in this fun game of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Children move colorful, 3D sculpted caterpillars from fruit to fruit, collecting unique butterfly pieces each time they stop to “eat”.

The first player to collect all five butterfly pieces wins the game. Get it here!

Children can practice decision-making by moving in any direction on the board. They mix and match beautiful butterfly illustrations to create a different work of art in every game.

Highlights:

• For 2 to 4 players – ages 3 and up.
• No reading required

4.

Connect 4

Challenge a friend or parent to rule the grid in this classic Connect 4 game.

Do you go up, down, to the side, or diagonally? Start in the middle of the edge? The object is to get 4 discs in a row, and you win!

Hands down, one of the best board games for 4-year-olds!

Highlights:

• For 2 players, ages 6 to 99 (but really any
  preschoolers can play this game)
• Teaches strategy and counting
• Fun for all ages (including you)
• Disclaimer – not for children under 3, choking
  hazard on discs

Perfect for your next kiddo’s birthday party, fun family night, or engaging classroom activity. Look no further than this classic game with a twist! Gratitude Bingo is the PERFECT way to have fun and cultivate a growth mindset.

5.

Hi Ho Cherry-O

Preschoolers will have so much fun picking fruit to fill their basket in this fun game, Hi Ho Cherry-O.

And what’s great about this game is that they won’t even realize they are developing math skills with counting addition and subtraction.

Take turns picking pretend blueberries, cherries, and apples from your tree and putting them in your basket. The first to pick all the fruit wins.

Highlights:

• Classic beginner’s game.
• Simple gameplay for preschoolers.
• Great gift idea for boys and girls
• Ages 3 and up
• For 2 to 3 players
• Challenges math skills
• Helps kids practice counting and numbers

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6.

Candy Land

Candy Land should be every child’s first game, and it’s a colorful way for any preschooler to experience the joy of gameplay.

This game teaches color recognition and matching while reinforcing lessons of taking turns and being a gracious winner or loser.

Travel down the “magical” road to find sweet surprises! This adorable game features gingerbread men as movers, colored cards, and fun illustrations that kids love, with different destinations like Cookie Commons and the chunky Chocolate Mountain. Make your way to the castle to win!

Highlights:

• Classic beginner game
• No reading required
• Great game for little ones

7.

Kerplunk

Oh Kerplunk, how we love you!

Don’t let the marbles fall! This blast from the past (with a cool new look) will have you skillfully removing the sticks from the tube while dropping the fewest marbles possible.

I just bought Kerplunk for my five-year-old for Christmas and he loves it.

We each count our marbles at the end to see who dropped the most. We are still working on the gracious losing part, but all in all this game is fun and easy to use for a child.

Highlights:

• Easy Set up
• Ages 5 to 10
• Counting
• Contains marbles so choking hazard – not for
  kids under 3 years old

Pro Tip

Mindfulmazing absolutely loves Pete the Missing Cupcakes Game! Rated A+ and lists this as one of the best board games for 4-year-olds.

8.

Pete the Cat the Missing Cupcakes Game

Join Pete the Cat and his friends as they work together to get the missing cupcakes back from Grumpy Toad.

Players collect colorful cupcakes as they sing songs, act out physical activities, and identify favorite animals, foods, and words in this fun board game.

This is made by Briarpatch which is recognized worldwide for its well-designed preschool games and puzzles.

Highlights:

• Little learners first game
• Literacy – Kids make picture/word associations
• Social Skills – children use simple strategies and decision making
• Imagination – Kids express themselves without words
• 2-4 players – ages 3 and up.

9.

Soggy Doggy Board Game for Kids

Soggy Doggy is the showering, shaking, doggy bathing game for kids and the entire family. Players roll the dice and move their playing piece around the game board, taking turns washing Soggy Doggy. But watch out! You never know when he will shake to dry off and you’ll get wet!

The real fun starts (and kids love this) when your pet gets wet! If you land on a space with a ‘paw’ you get to pump water from the shower to wash Soggy Doggy. If you land on a space with a ‘facet’ you get to turn the tap to see what happens next.

Highlights:

• An action-packed suspense-filled board game
• For 4+, 2 – 4 players.
• Warning choking hazard, not for kids under 3.

10.

Dr. Seuss Matching Game

Play the classic game of matching a memory with everybody’s favorite Cat in the Hat

Flip over tiles and find colorful pictures of familiar friends.

Collect the most pairs to win.

Highlights:

• Matching
• Memory Skills
• Turn-taking and playing together
• Not for children under 3 – choking hazard

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11.

Hungry Hippos

Have a chomping good time with the hippo-feeding Hungry Hippos game.

Are you ready to join the feed frenzy? Release all the marbles onto the game base, and then start chomping. Move fast, the player whose hippo chomps the most marbles wins.

Highlights:

• For kids who just want to have fun and be a little wild
• Ages 4+ – 2 to 4 players
• Small pieces – not for kids under 3

12.

Wildcraft a Herbal Adventure

A Cooperative board game that explores healing herbs. It teaches 25 important edible and medicinal plants and their uses in first aid situations.

Players learn about connecting the icon on the challenge or trouble cards with the icons on the plant cards.

Players move up the mountain to huckleberry patch and get back to grandma’s before nightfall.

It’s beautifully illustrated, nature-based, educational. Don’t miss out! Learn More here.

Highlights:

• No reading required
• Ages 4+

13.

Dinosaur Escape Game

Try to get all your dinosaurs’ safety to Dinosaur Island before the volcano erupts. Work together to move the dinosaur around the board. Everyone plays together to get the dinosaurs to safety.

Little boys love dinosaurs, and The Dinosaur Escape Game will not disappoint.

Highlights:

• Teaches kids simple strategy
• How to take turns
• No winners or losers
• 2 to 4 players Ages 4+

If you love board games, you might want to check out our epic guide: The best board games for elementary-age children.

If you are looking for some fun family night ideas, look no further, we’ve listed 45 fantastic traditions to keep the family connected all year long.

14.

Hoot Owl Hoot

This is an award-winning, color-coded cooperative matching game! Hurry Owls! It’s time to go home.

Players will work together to help the owls fly back to their nest before the sun comes up. This is a co-operative game meaning everyone works together and no one is left out.

Co-operative games foster non-stressful play situations, emotional development, shared decision making, creative problem solving, a sense of community, positive self-esteem, playfulness, and much more.

Kids will work together and play together, and they play for FUN! Grab Hoot Owl Hoot now!

Highlights:

• Learn simple strategy
• Learn social skills
• No reading required
• For 2 to 4 players, ages 4 and up.
• Frustration-free packaging
• Winner of seven awards

15.

Chutes and Ladders

Be the first to reach to top: Players scramble to the top of the game board without slip-sliding down. Land on good deeds to climb ladders, but watch out for the chutes

Children can practice counting and number recognition as they travel along the gameboard to get to the top.

Buy Now

Highlights:

• CLASSIC BEGINNER GAME: Do you remember playing Chutes and Ladders when you were a kid. Introduce new generations to the classic gameplay of this kids’ board game for 2 to 4 players
• NO READING REQUIRED TO PLAY: For kids ages 3 and up, Chutes and Ladders can be a great game for kids who haven’t learned how to read yet
• CLASSIC UP AND DOWN GAME FOR PRESCHOOLERS: Spin the spinner and move the pawn up the ladders and down the chutes. Chutes and Ladders is a classic game that children enjoy playing over and over

16.

Sequence for Kids

Sequence for Kids, uh-huh, amazing.

This game does not require reading for your little ones.

Players play an animal card from their hand and place a chip on a matching animal space on the board.  Each card is pictured twice on the game board, so players will need to choose wisely as they try to get 4 in a row.

Grab this classic here.

Highlights:

• Class game of Sequence made just for kids
• Great for kids ages 3 and up.
• Helps kids develop strategy building skills and logical thinking skills
• Wild cards add excitement to the game
• Reading is not required

17.

My Feelings

My Feelings Board game is another game we added to the collection at Christmas. If you’ve read any articles on my blog you’ll know that my son suffers from BIG emotions, so I thought what better way to help him understand his big emotions than through play.

This game is fantastic for helping little ones learn and express their emotions. You’ve got to add this one to the collection.

18. Let’s Go Fishin’

Let’s Go Fishin’ teaches hand-eye coordination as players use their mini fishing poles to try to catch the most fish.

With a rotating pond and hungry fish that open and close their mouths, this classic kids’ game provides fast-paced fishing fun that will lure kids into playing over and over again. 

It’s the perfect board game for 4-year-olds.

Buy Now

Highlights:

• Fast-paced gameplay: features a rotating pond and fish that open and close their mouths
• Object: players use mini fishing poles to try to catch the most fish
• Fine motor skills: gameplay helps develop hand-eye coordination
• Bonus: this top-selling classic game includes a lucky Ducks make-a-match card game!
• Great gift: for 1-4 players, ages 4 and up

19.

Guess Who

I simply adore the Guess Who Class game.

Beloved 1980’s version of the classic mystery face game is back! I remember playing this game right up until I was a teenager.

There’s a mystery person on your opponent’s card. Can you find the matching face in the crowd? Start with your game full of silly-looking characters. Then ask the right questions to eliminate the wrong faces! Does your person have blue eyes? Is your person wearing a hat? Once you’re down to a face or two – solve the mystery by guessing who! If you’re the first to identify your opponent’s mystery person, you win.

Highlights:

• Ages 6+
• 2 players

20. Zingo

It’s not just bingo. Zingo is a matching game that encourages pre-readers and early readers alike to match the pictures and words to their challenge cards. The Zinger dispenses tiles and fun as young minds quickly race to be the first player with a full card and yell “ZINGO. ”

With two levels of play, this matching game builds language skills through fast-paced play.

Buy Now

Final thoughts on board games for 4 year olds

I’m sure with this gigantic list of games you are sure to find something your preschooler or toddler will love!

Board games are such a wonderful way to build skills, all while having fun!

Tell me below, which one is your favorite?

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Hi Friends, I’m Tina

Published author of the growth mindset activity journal “Amazing Me, ” mom and founder here at Mindfulmazing.

Passionate about raising mindful, resilient, and compassionate kids, I’m committed to sharing calming strategies, positive parenting tips, and growth mindset resources. Our resources are now used in over 15,000 homes, schools and counseling offices! Visit the shop here.

Hi Friends, I’m Tina

Published author of the growth mindset activity journal “Amazing Me,” mom and founder here at Mindfulmazing.

Passionate about raising mindful, resilient, and compassionate kids, I’m committed to sharing calming strategies, positive parenting tips, and growth mindset resources. Our resources are now used in over 10,000 homes, schools and counseling offices! Visit the shop here.

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Indoor games: 20 ideas to keep the kids entertained on a rainy day

Photo: iStockPhoto

Another rainy or bone-chilling day? We see you over there: Restless kids fidgeting on the couch, the clock ticking slower than usual, and you’re fresh out of ideas for things to do. Well you’ve come to the right place. We have your back with this list of the best indoor games you haven’t already tried.

1. Pencil-and-paper games

From Battleship to Sprouts, we’ve created a must-play list of pencil-and-paper indoor games that beat TV any day. Gather some pencils and paper and check out our best of pencil-and-paper games.

2. Building

You don’t need a fancy building set for this. Popsicle stick cities, card towers, even buildings out of blocks, or indoor forts out of boxes or pillows, will do just fine. If you want to get competitive, whoever builds the highest tower wins. If your kids love building and want a more advanced set of blocks, check out these magnetic building sets (ages 3-99) your builders are sure to enjoy.

3. Magical Mama (or Papa)

Be your kids’ very own Harry Houdini—without the locks, chains and water tanks, of course. Simply place a coin under one of three cups and shuffle the cups around. Then ask your children to guess which cup holds the coin. Sneaky parents can place the cups near the edge of a table and secretly drop the coin. Watch your tots’ eyes light up in amazement when they learn the coin is gone!

4. Card games

Card games are great for challenging young minds and creating hours of indoor fun. Grab a box of cards and check out our favourite traditional card games.

5. Puzzles

Exercise those creative, cognitive and problem-solving muscles with a good puzzle. You can use a store-bought variety or have the kids make their own. Have your children draw a picture on a sturdy piece of cardboard or Bristol board. Then use a pencil to outline puzzle pieces directly on their drawing. Cut out the pieces with a good pair of scissors, mix them up and get solving. Indoor games and craft in one fun activity!

6. Freeze!

Choose some of your kids’ favourite tunes and turn up the volume. Ask them to dance until the music stops. When it does, they have to freeze in whatever position they find themselves in – even if they have one leg up. To make the game more challenging, ask the kids to freeze in specific poses: animals, shapes, letters or even yoga postures. Toddlers in particular love this game.

The winner gets her very own gold medal! Make your own ribbons with this easy craft:

7. Board and family games

For a comprehensive list of the best of family indoor games from Nursery Rhyme Games and Candy Land to Clue, check out our handy list of top 20 family games.

8. Paper-bag skits

This indoor game is ideal for larger groups — a sleepover favourite. Divide the kids up into groups. Give each group a bag filled with props, such as a spoon, toy jewelry, a sock, ball or ribbon. Then give them 15 minutes to construct a skit around the props. This game is so much fun that it doesn’t have to be competitive. If the kids want, though, they can all vote on a winning skit.

9. Indoor hopscotch

This schoolyard favourite is sure to be an indoor hit, too. Set up your hopscotch game on any floor surface. Masking tape will do perfectly to form the nine connecting squares. Boxes 1-3 will be placed in a single line, one on top of the other. The next two boxes (4, 5) will be placed side-by-side, followed by a single box (6), two more boxes (7, 8) and the final half-circle “home” base (9). Next, choose a marker, such as a coin, stone or beanbag. The first player will throw the marker into square 1 without letting it bounce or touch the lines. If successful, the player will then hop — one foot on single squares and two feet on side-by-side squares — avoiding square #1. The player may rest on “home” before hopping back. On the way back, he or she picks up the marker on square #1 and, if successful (lands within the lines, hops or jumps with proper footing, doesn’t fall), takes another turn and throws it into square #2. When the player is unsuccessful, the next player takes a turn. Players resume their turns by throwing the marker on the last box played. The winner is the first player to throw the marker home (#9), and smoothly complete the whole course.

10. DIY balance beam

While you have your masking tape out, why not make your own balance beam? We all know how much kids love walking in straight lines every chance they get. Put on some music, and one at a time the kids can take their turn walking one-foot-over-the-other across the straight line of tape. Make the game more challenging by having the kids walk backwards or balance with one foot on the line. We also love this beam to continue balancing practice with! It’s challenging enough to help develop their gross motor skills but safe in elevation as they learn to navigate the beam.

11. Hide and Seek

No list of indoor games would be complete without Hide and Seek, now would it? In this classic game, one person (“It”) covers his or her eyes and counts aloud while the other players hide. When “It” is finished counting, he or she begins looking for the hiders. The last hider to be found is the next “It.” Warning: this game is often a source of giggle fits. Families with older children might want to take things up a notch and play Hide and Seek in the dark. Just to be safe, make sure there are no loose items on the floor. If you want, allow “It” to carry a flashlight or turn the lights on once “It” finishes counting.

12. Treasure hunt

Kids love finding hidden objects — especially when there’s a prize at the end. Simply write your clues on some slips of paper — get creative. Place the first clue somewhere easy to find, like inside your child’s snack or cereal bowl. Then leave as many clues as you like around the house, making a trail to the final clue. Instead of a prize, the treasure hunt can lead to various coins around the house. This way the kids get to collect all the coins and put them in their piggy banks in the end. If you want to create the most amazing treasure hunt, follow these 11 tips.

13. Indoor bowling

A great way to reuse water bottles (or you can purchase an indoor bowling set). Line six-10 water bottles up at the end of your hall or living room. Place a line of duct tape at the starting line. Grab a medium-sized indoor ball and start bowling! If you want, keep score and give out trophies at the end. (Note: if you need to stabilize the water bottles or make the game more difficult, simply fill them up with some water. Don’t forget to screw the tops on tightly!)

14. Hot Potato

This game will have everyone giggling. Ask the kids to sit on the floor in a circle. Turn on some tunes and have them pass the potato (a bean bag or soft ball) around the circle as fast as they can. When the music stops, the player holding the potato leaves the circle. Keep going until only one player is left and wins the game.

15. Picnic memory game

Former preschool director and grandmother of three, Marsha Colla, has some innovative games up her sleeve, including this fun and simple verbal memory game, which, Colla says, “challenges the children and makes them giggle. ” To play, everyone sits in a circle. The first player says, “In my basket for the picnic, I packed…,” and then says what item he or she packed. The next player then says, “In my basket for the picnic, I packed…,” and then recites what the first player packed and adds his or her own item to the basket, and so forth.

16. The listening game

One of Colla’s go-to indoor games for her preschoolers and grandchildren, this game is sure to both educate and delight little ones. Take out several miscellaneous items. Have the children look at all the items, and then take them away. Next, ask one child to hide his or her eyes and listen as you pick up an item and make sounds with it. Ask the child to guess which item made the sound. Examples of items might be a comb (run your fingers along it), a glass (gently tap it), cymbals, shakers, sandpaper, blocks rubbed together, a pot and spoon. Be creative and have fun!

17. Bubbles

You don’t have to go outside to enjoy bubbles. For this indoor game, you need a plate and straw for each player, some dishwashing soap and water. Place a dime-size drop of dish soap at the centre of each plate. Pour a little water onto the plate and gently mix with the dish soap until some suds start to form. Have the kids place the straw in the suds and blow very gently. Watch as massive bubbles start to form. To make this competitive, see who blows the biggest, or longest-lasting, bubble.

18. Simon Says

This traditional favourite will never get old. To start, choose one player (probably a parent for the first round) to be Simon. The rest of the players will gather in a circle or line in front of Simon as he calls out actions starting with the phrase “Simon says”: “Simon says…touch your toes.” The players then have to copy Simon’s action, touching their toes. If Simon calls out an action without uttering the phrase “Simon says,” the kids must not do the action. If a child touches his toes when Simon didn’t say. .., he or she is out of the game. There are lots of great ways Simon can trick players into doing actions when Simon didn’t say: Simon can perform an action without uttering a command, for example, or he can perform an action that doesn’t correspond with the command. Fun! The last player left in the game wins and becomes the next Simon.

19. Touch-and-feel box

Most preschoolers flock to the classroom sensory table as soon as the teachers pull it out. So there is little doubt they will love this entertaining challenge. Find a shoe box or any box that has a lid on it. Cut a hole in one of the sides of the box —large enough for your child to fit her hand in. If you want, get creative and decorate the box with glitter and question marks. When you’re ready to play, put an item inside the box and have your children guess what it is. They can ask questions about the item if they need to, or you can offer clues. Get as ooey-gooey as you wish (fresh pumpkin seeds or slimy spaghetti are great choices for Halloween), or use such simple objects as a brush, a toy, a piece of fruit. To make it competitive, you can give a point to the first child to name the object.

20. Indoor basketball

You can’t be too little for this version of basketball. All you need is a bucket and a rolled up sock (or a small, light ball). Each player takes a turn at throwing the sock-ball into the bucket. When a player scores a bucket, he or she takes a step back and throws again until missing. The player who shoots the ball in the bucket from the farthest distance wins.

This article was originally published on Nov 12, 2019

Outdoor games for children aged 3-4 outdoors and at home

The importance of outdoor games for children of any age cannot be overestimated. At 3-4 years old, the child is still learning to control his body, so it is important to continue classes and offer games aimed at coordination, the ability to repeat different types of movements. It is important for children to be physically active outside, but if this is not possible, encourage children to play indoors as often as possible.

A feature of outdoor games for children of early preschool age is that they should not be competitive in nature and be quite simple. Children enjoy imitating adults or other children, and they also begin to enjoy games with verbal instructions.

We will offer you some simple games for children 3-4 years old, both for the street and those that can be played at home or in a children’s group.

The slower you go, the further you will be. Stop

Children of this age love games in which you need to freeze in place, because they are just in the process of mastering this skill.

The leader stands with his back to the participants at some distance. Then he says: “You go quieter – you will continue. Stop”. While the driver is talking, the children go to him, as soon as the driver says “stop”, everyone freezes in place. The driver turns around and examines the children: those who do not freeze are eliminated from the game. The rest continue the game until they reach the leader.

Jump those who…

This outdoor game for children can be played both indoors and outdoors.
Toddlers usually like to listen to such simple instructions-tasks that are directly related to them.

The host says: “Sit down, all those who ate porridge today” or “Jump, those who love ice cream.” Usually the game is accompanied by funny discussions about who likes what or what they ate. This is not scary, since the game thus stimulates the development of speech. In the same way, you can learn and repeat the names of colors: “Jump on your left foot, those who put on green.”

Depict how…

We all know the game when a child thinks of a word, and others need to guess what he has depicted. But such small children can only think of the simplest things, for example, animals, because it will not be easy to guess what is hidden.

However, to diversify the game, you can invite the child to imitate daily activities: for example, how he brushes his teeth or plays in the sandbox, how you drive a car. Guessing in this case is not necessary. If there are several children, they can all represent the given action in their own way. Such a simple game is usually liked by children and develops not only physical abilities, but also imagination.

Train

This is a very fun outdoor game for children, in which there is absolutely no competitive nature.
Children pretend to be a train by lining up and holding onto each other. The task of the game is to repeat the movements behind the helmsman. The helmsman can walk smoothly, turn, stop, back up, sing songs. The steering should be changed periodically.

Monkeys

Another game aimed at repeating movements. Tell the children that monkeys love to make faces and imitate others. Invite one child to repeat the movements and facial expressions for you or another baby. You can either choose a leader or invite the children to work in pairs.

Color signals

The game will help children learn to concentrate and memorize simple instructions. Make some simple signals out of colored cardboard, for example, circles of different colors. Tell the children that you need to run on the green signal, freeze on the red signal, and when you show the yellow signal, jump. Start with 2-3 signals, and when the child remembers the movements, introduce new ones.

Who is faster

All children stand in a circle (it can be drawn with chalk on the pavement). The host thinks of an object to which everyone (including the host) needs to run as quickly as possible, touch it and return to their place in the circle. The one who returns last becomes the leader. With the help of this game, you can repeat the names of colors, suggesting that you run and touch one (or 2-3 if there are few children playing) objects of a certain color.

Simple

dodgeball

We are all familiar with the game of dodgeball. One child stands in the center, and the other two try to hit him with the ball. However, these young children will enjoy simply running away from the ball. The tagged one (the one who was hit by the ball) should not be out of the game. Just invite the children to change places from time to time and take turns throwing the ball. And, of course, pay attention to the fact that the ball is soft enough.

Hot-cold

This game is loved by children aged 3-4.

Hide an object or toy and have the child find it using your instructions: you will say “hot” when the child is close and “cold” when the child is moving away from the object.

Collecting toys

Pick up a few specific items. While the children are counting to 10, arrange the items around the room. Children need to collect all the items in the basket as soon as possible. When the children learn the rules of the game, complicate the task: offer to collect objects by jumping, clapping, walking on toes, crawling.

Ball games

Children at this age can learn different types of ball games: offer to throw the ball with your hands or feet, shoot the ball into the “gate” or put it in the basket, as in a basketball game.

Sports equipment

Remember that children at 3-4 years old can already master scooters, rollerblades, balance bikes and bicycles with extra wheels on the sides. In winter, skiing and skating.

The child must have different balls, jump rope, and you can also buy badminton and tennis rackets for children.

Outdoor games for children of other ages:

From 1 to 2 years old

From 2 to 3 years old

From 5 to 6 years old

From 6 to 10 years old

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Games with children of three or four years old – what are the games aimed at with a three-year-old child?

September 22, 2021

Games with children 3-4 years old at home allow you to spend time with your child in a fun and interesting way and at the same time develop the necessary skills. A wide variety of games should be selected using toys, dolls, boxes, beads, etc.

What is the goal of playing with a three year old at home?

Children of this age need to develop:

• Attention and memory.
• Color perception.
• Movement coordination.
• Fine motor skills of hands.

We have selected the most interesting and exciting activities for you.

Games with inexpensive toys

A mosaic with colored carnations and a plastic base where the elements are inserted, cubes and any board game will do.

Minimal adult involvement

This is a game with cutlery, pots, food containers and other safe items.

Educational games for children 3 years old at home

There are a huge number of educational games created by specialists specifically for playing with a child of 3 years old. There are classes for every age group. The main condition is that the child was interested.

Outdoor, active games

The most beneficial activities for health and general physical development. Children love to play ball, catch up, arrange group sports competitions.

Games with children 3-4 years old. What to do with the baby at home?

Game #1. Hospitable host

What you need:

• dolls or animals;
• beads, assorted colors;
• doll utensils.

How to play?

Put the beads in the box. Invite the baby to treat the “guests” with sweets. Put raspberries (red beads) on a plate for your favorite bear, grapes (green and blue beads) for a chanterelle, candy orange beads for a doll, etc.

What does the game give?

The kid learns to distinguish colors, pick up small objects, carefully arrange them on plates. Games with a child of 3 years old should benefit the baby and practice regularly, and not from time to time.

Game #2. Wizard

What you need:

• small box;
• ropes and cords;
• table and chair to make your baby comfortable.

How to play?

Put ropes and strings of different lengths, thicknesses and colors into the magician’s box. Show how, with the help of ropes and laces, it is possible to lay out various figures and objects on the surface of the table. For example, an orange cord closed in a ring is the sun, a green rope is an apple, blue is the sea, etc.

What does the game give?

Games with a three-year-old child improve the perception of color shades, develop imagination, teach accuracy and perseverance, introduce the shape of objects.

Important! Such games require the organization of a workplace for classes. In order not to spoil the posture of the child, take care of the presence of a comfortable chair. The most optimal option is a “growing” chair with a set of settings according to the baby’s parameters.

Game #3. Little gardener

What you need:

• colored cardboard;
• buttons;
• scissors.

How to play?

An adult will cut out “apples” from cardboard and a tree. Loops need to be sewn to the fruits, buttons to the twigs. Let the little gardener make his own apple garden by attaching fruits to the branches.

What does the game give?

The child collects trees with different colors of fruits – red, green, yellow. Games for children 3 years old at home, the result: the fingers are trained, coordination and fine motor skills develop, the ability to classify objects.

Game #4. Artist

What you need:

• tray;
• semolina.

How to play?

Sprinkle a thin layer of semolina on a tray. Draw figurines on the semolina with your finger.

What does the game give?

Develops fantasy and imagination, artistic skills and fine motor skills.

Game number 5. Lacing

What you need:

• Ready-made lacing game according to the method of M. Montessori.

How to play?

Lacing games available in toy stores are extremely versatile. Instructions are included with them.

What does the game give?

This is a very effective exercise that develops the eye, fine motor skills of the hands and sensorimotor coordination, creativity, spatial orientation, the concept of “up – down”, “right – left”.

Game number 6. Embroiderer

What do you need?

• large sheet of cardboard;
• colored laces or very thick threads.

How to play?

Make holes in the cardboard. Show your child how to thread threads or laces through them, creating patterns and patterns.

What does the game give?

Develops imagination, accuracy, perseverance and eye, helps to train fingers and creativity.

Game No. 7. Tailor

What do you need?

• cardboard sheet;
• sheets of paper;
• colored thick threads.

How to play?

Draw pants or a skirt on a sheet of cardboard. Make a hole in the clothes. Invite the child to “fix” the clothes. To do this, cut out a circle of paper of a suitable size, and then attach it, closing the torn one. The patch can be applied using threads and a wooden safety needle.

What does the game give?

Develops fine motor skills and the eye.

Game No. 8. New Year

What do you need?

• sheets of colored cardboard;
• threads.

How to play?

Draw a Christmas tree silhouette on the paper. Cut wood with scissors. Draw and cut toys of different sizes, shapes and colors. Let your little one decorate the Christmas tree by attaching the toys to the branches with thread and a wooden needle.

What does the game give?

Develops fantasy, imagination, motor skills.

Game number 9. Guess it!

What do you need?

• Miscellaneous small items that can be held in the hand.

How to play?

Ask the child to close their eyes. In turn, put different objects into his palm – cubes, balls, etc. Ask them to describe what it is.

What does the game give?

Develops imagination and logic.

Game No. 10. Guess the walk

What do you need?

• bucket;
• a wide variety of items that you will find on a walk – leaves, sticks, pebbles, etc.

How to play?

On a walk, enthusiastically put things in a bucket. Then ask the child to close their eyes. Let him take turns taking out objects from the bucket and say – what is it. Tries to compare a leaf and a pebble, a stick and an acorn, etc.

What does the game give?

General development, the ability to memorize and analyze, guess based on tactile sensations.

Game #11. Little sculptor

What you need:

• colored children’s plasticine;
• modeling board.

How to play?

You can use a ready-made set for children’s creativity. An adult shows how to sculpt different figures.

What does the game give?

The child trains the fingers and develops fantasy and imagination.

Game #12. Find circles

What you need:

• colored cardboard;
• velvet paper;
• landscape sheets.

How to play?

Cut shapes out of different textures. Let the child, without looking, by touch, identify objects.

Game #13. Builder

What you need:

• wooden cubes;
• mat.

How to play?

Invite the child to build a turret first, then a more complex structure. During the game, sing songs and read poems about builders and construction.

Game #14. Little fingers

An adult touches the baby’s fingers, massages them and reads a rhyme, for example, about a magpie-crow or “our fingers are tired.”

Game #15. Gossamer

What you need:

• box;
• thick threads.

How to play?

Cut holes in the box. Let the baby thread the threads through the holes. These are very useful games with a three year old child.

Game #16. Raincoat

What you need:

• blue and gray thread;
• blue grey;

How to play?

Make holes in the cardboard. Let the kid draw clouds on the cardboard, and put threads-streams of rain through the holes. Despite the seeming simplicity of the game, children love it very much and are ready to play it literally for hours.

Game #17. Little singer

An adult sings a song cheerfully. The kid sings and dances. On the Internet you can find a lot of children’s songs and learn them.

Game #18. Cheerful reader

An adult starts counting a rhyme and suddenly stops. The kid continues, and so – in turn.

Playing at home with children aged 3-4 must necessarily include reading books and memorizing poems. Read with children of this age the poems of Marshak, Korney Chukovsky and Agnia Barto. Buy beautifully illustrated books. They will become your baby’s best friends.

Game #19. With water

Babies just love to pour water from one container to another, catch different objects from them and splash around.

Game #20. Choosing clothes for a walk

An adult offers to choose clothes for a walk on his own. Let the baby look out the window, tell what time of year it is and what other children wear. And then he will pick up panties, tights, panties, etc. according to the season. You can do it by touch with your eyes closed. Thus, the gathering for a walk will take place in the form of a game and will not end in hysteria and whims.

What to play with a 3 year old child. Conclusion

Don’t be afraid to be imaginative. It is not necessary to use only examples from the network. Remember your own childhood! Show your child your favorite games you played when you were that age. Pay attention to the baby and do not leave it to yourself. Of course, kids should be able to keep themselves busy, but when it becomes a system, there are always problems.

Playing with a 3-4 year old child at home helps to establish an emotional connection between parents and babies.