Ten Minute Games For Bored Kids

I have called this article ten minute games but actually these games can take as long as you want.  The thing with kids depending on their mood they can spend all afternoon paying with card board boxes and then another afternoon, nothing seems to keep them occupied.  So here are some ideas which will help.

What’s the time 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.

Singing games – if you are not familiar with many there are many books and CDs available – take a look at this one which can be ordered from Amazon. Schoolyard Rhymes: Kids’ Own Rhymes for Rope Skipping, Hand Clapping, Ball Bouncing, and Just Plain Fun

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:  Not the messy kind but painting the paving stones with water or water based paint or if you prefer chalk.

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.  This is such a simple game but will keep kids occupied for ages.  Also good of course translated to bath time.

Play “Spying”:  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.

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:  Whether it is in a 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.