Kids games: simple ways to occupy bored kids

What’s the time Mr Woolf

Kids games which involve counting are always popular with children particularly if it involves a bit of chasing Mr Woolf.

You or the person who is IT stands with their back to everyone else, with the children some distance away.  The children shout “What’s the time Mr Woolf” and you or the person who is IT shouts back a time for example 6 0’clock.  Each child then takes a 6 steps nearer to the person playing IT  After a few, or not so few times of shouting the time, the IT person shouts “Dinner Time” and runs after the children and tries to catch them.  Whoever he catches is then IT.

Mr Wolf can be played in the garden, at the beach or in the park and although very simple can keep small children occupied for quite a long time and of course it helps with counting and numbers.

If you are struggling to remember some of the games you enjoyed as a child then the following book is a great resource. Old Fashioned Children’s Games: Over 200 Outdoors, Car Trip, Song, Card and Party Activities

if you are not familiar or have forgotten the nursery rhymes you sang as a childe.  There are many books and CDs available – take a look at this one which can be ordered from Amazon. Sing and Learn, Vol. 1 (A Collection of Nursery Rhymes to Help Little Ones Learn and Develop)

Dead lions

Everyone has to lie very still and the first person to move, or make a sound is OUT.  Good almost anywhere, when you fancy a bit of peace and quiet.

I spy

The junior version.  I spy with my little eye is great when children are old enough to read, but trickier and a bit frustrating for small children.  Try this instead. I spy with my little eye and ask your children to describe something without saying what it is.

Painting 

Kids games which are the non messy kind can save a great deal of angst.  Painting paving stones or the patio just with water or water based paint.  Alternatively use chalk as an alternative. Such a simple idea but can keep children entertained for quite some time.

Playing “washing up”, or “measuring”  

Bubbles and a washing up bowl filled with water and a few plastic cups and jugs, kids really love.  You can also play  filling up and emptying containers.  Also good of course translated to bath time.

Play“Spying”

Kids games which involve “spying” on the birds or insects in the garden can be very interesting for small children.  Watching ants marching along a path or a caterpillar in a hedge is another simple but free pleasure.  And this week there is the Big Butterfly Count which is an opportunity for your kids to “spy” on the butterflies in the garden.

Paper Balls 

If the kids keep arguing get some paper and get the children to scrunch the paper up into paper balls and throw it at each other.  When they run out of paper, put a bin in the middle of the room and get them to throw the paper balls into the bin.

Make a den 

Another kids game that can easily be overlooked whether it is rainy and your at home or you are out and about is creating a den.  This could be in the corner of the lounge , the kids bedroom or in the garden.  Building a den is what childhood memories are made of.  Keep old rugs and sheets for the purpose. Use clothes pegs to hold the den together over chairs or whatever is available to use as a wall.

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