Eliana and Antonio playing Fairytale Frenzy 9-14-09
TOGETHER TIME ACTIVITY: PLAYING GAMES!
Games are a great way to bring people together. Games are also a great way to teach teamwork, discipline, cooperation, initiative, strategy, and good sportsmanship. Here some ideas.
* Organize a monthly family game night.
* Pull out favorite board games you played as a child and teach them to your children. Classics like Monopoly, Scrabble, Checkers, Chess, Sorry, Yahtzee, Life, Battleship, Chinese Checkers, Clue, and Connect Four.
* For younger kids, play simpler games like Candyland, Chutes & Ladders, Mouse Trap, and Hungry Hungry Hippo.
* Engage in hilarious games that use the body like Twister and Charades.
* Group games are tons of fun. Try Catch Phrase, Pictionary, and Balderdash.
* Check out the book Great Games by Matthew Toone. http://storyconnection.net/blog/2009/09/14/book-review-great-games-by-matthew-toone/
* Card games are great for critical thinking, strategy and thinking on your feet. Try Go Fish, Slap Jack, Gin Rummy, Old Maid, Crazy Eights, PIG or DONKEY, Battle, and Cheat!
* Outdoor group games are perfect for picnics and family get-togethers. Try Duck Duck Goose, Red Rover, Red Light Green Light, Hide and Seek, Freeze Tag and Dodge Ball. Not only are they fun – they are great exercise too!
* Moms, try playing hand games with your kids. “Down by the Riverside,” “Welcome to McDonald’s,” “Numbers,” and “Apple on a Stick” are fun ways to pass the time at the doctor’s office or any time you have to wait with your kids.
* You can also try your hand at creating your own board game or card game. In my family, we love to play a game I created called Fairytale Frenzy. You can even play Creepy Crawly Card Games based on my children’s book, Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach. http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=madamePoulet Scroll to the bottom to print out instructions and the creepy crawly cards.
* Next year, my book, Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales, will be published by Libraries Unlimited. It will provide parents and teachers with a technique to turn a favorite story into a fun board game!
Note: The above commercial board games are registered trademarks of their respective companies.
There are so many great games you can play with your kids. Together time is fun and games!
Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
