Interactive Indoor Games For Kids

We all have happy memories of when we were kids without a care in the world. Most of the time we busy ourselves with thoughts of swimming in the river or climbing up a tree or spending the afternoon with the neighbor's kid. Yes, these are the fond memories of a child…a child that need not worry about kids' indoor games or outdoor games just as long as they are fun.



Children nowadays though have a different idea of fun. Because they have been exposed to the different technological advancements in the field of entertainment, we would mostly see kids nowadays wired to the computer of the game console or handheld gaming devices that separate them from physical games and activities. For these kids the idea of fun is advanced game play experience, 3d accelerated and rendered graphics, surround sound and AI (artificial intelligence) interactivity. These are the components and the requirements of a fun activity or game to them. Though there is absolutely nothing bad about enjoying the fruits of technology sometimes there are other forms of activities that can be substituted for the technology enhanced version of fun.

Interactive yet imaginative

One of the more popular kids indoor games that still captures the imagination and the interest of young and old alike are board games. There are several types of board games ranging from goal oriented games like Snakes and ladders to more action based games like monopoly. Aside from those games there are also games that feature words and general knowledge as qualification for accruing points. These are games that often use dice to decide the number of steps or moves to take in a turn. Aside from the family classics like Scrabble and boggle, board games have taken a leap forward in terms of the setting, the goal of the game, the rules and of course the story of the game. One of the more modern board game is Warhammer.

It is a turned based game that features biomechanical suits, highly advanced war tanks, jet fighters, soldiers and other implements of a real war. The game is still turn-based and strategy and technique is a must for players of this next generation board game. Another popular next generation board game is Dungeons and Dragons. Some have labeled the game as the devil's game because of the characters and the players in the game but with moderation and supervision it can be a very exciting and mind stimulating game.

Other than what was mentioned there are several hundreds more board games that are available out there that can be used as good kids' indoor games and an excellent alternative to video games. These games can stimulate interaction and a kids' socialization skill. It's a good way to develop personal relationships with family members, friends and other people.

These games were designed for people especially the kids to learn the value of human interaction and socialization to help keep kids balanced and stress free. Video games sometimes alienate children from other children resulting in poor communication and adaptation skills of today's children. 

Indoor Games That Little Kids Can Play

Some people have made a living taking care of other people's kids. Some people have actually devoted their entire lives to the kids that they are taking care of they forget what time it is and never got off to marry and start their own families. Truly some people would rather play kids indoor games with the children they are looking after than go out on a date. These are the people that really make a difference. 



Now for those who are inclined to join this elite club of nannies and baby sitters look ahead, the life you are about to choose is a fulfilling yet often times sad one. Because no matter how much love you give to the child you are taking care of at the end of the day, they are still not yours. But if it's any consolation, they will look up to you for the rest of their lives.

The play time nanny

If you are really eager to get into the baby sitting life there are a few things you must know. First of all you should have a list of activities that you are planning to do with the child when the folks are out. Here are some of the sample activities you could do when it's your turn to baby sit the tots:

1. Creative activities. One of the sure fire ways to get kids interested and focused is by doing some art. Art was always a good excuse to color in things in a weird way or 'accidentally' color in the walls or the floor or whatever. Now for the baby sitter, be prepared for several things, first is the crayons, pens, pencils and other coloring implements. Make sure that you have with you non-toxic, food grade and biodegradable coloring materials. Also be prepared to spread some newspaper over the floor to avoid any accidents. Designate an area where your kids can do all their coloring. Enforce to them the area they are allowed to play in.

2. Kids' indoor games. A good way to kick off a night of baby sitting fun is by opening up a can of indoor games. Traditionally, indoor games are the games people play when it's raining or snowing outside. These games are mostly board games or card games that are family oriented and kid friendly. Nowadays there's more to indoor games than just board games and card games. Other games like the Uno and twister have been a frequent addition to any arsenal of indoor games. Now for the baby sitter, be ready to have some serious fun with the kids because once they are hooked with this it's almost impossible to make them go to bed.

3. Music. People say music can calm even the most savage of beasts. It is also true for some children. Leading experts proved that kids that are musically inclined are more balanced in their adult life. Other experts say that kids exposed to classical music are much more intelligent than children who weren't. When you make them listen to music treat is as though it was just another one of those kids' indoor games.

Indoor Games For Kids When On Camp

There's a certain time of the year when kids from all walks of life and all ages anticipate every year. That time of the year is not Christmas nor is it Halloween. It's that time of the year when kids are let loose from the routine of school into a world all their own where no one cares if they are out later than 6. Summer time is one of the most anticipated events of the year for good reasons too. During summer, kids can get a few weeks of rest and relaxation from the daily school grind. Nothing but kids indoor games, hours of playing, relaxation, hanging out with friends and fun until the sun goes down.



Games to go

But what are some of the things that kids can indulge in during this long respite from school. Some parents take the time off to join their kids on holidays and vacation trips. Some families plan the trip for the rest of the year, some may even take longer. Some families start of their family getaway by planning on whether to spend time in the old country or spend it in the boathouse near the lake. Whatever the destination may be the most important thing on these trips is the time spent together by the whole family.

There two kinds of vacation trips that families go on during the summer, one of them would be a cross country drive to the upstate farms and families that we love/hate to spend time with. Grandpa with the old banjo on the front porch while grandma's whipping up a serving of moonshine, now that's the kind of family straight out of the Dukes of Hazzard. On the other hand some families go all out with their vacations, they put together a couple summer's worth of savings to go outside the country on a tropical island getaway. The most common places that people frequent are Hawaii, the Bahamas, Jamaica and South American countries where the sun is hot and the beach is hotter.

Whether or not you and your family will be an out of towner or just an upstate visitor one of the most important things to remember is that wherever you're going the most important thing to have is a good time. A secret to a real good time is the activities that plan to have when you're there or on your way there. Packing up a few games wouldn't hurt instead it could make your trip more pleasant and enjoyable. Some kids nowadays have long forgotten the value of family interaction through value reinforcing games.

Family games like Monopoly and Scrabble are good games to play with the closest of your kin. It's sad though that the digital age has made interaction more of an experience with computers rather than people, but through games on the road and during family trips these games reinvent itself with children.

They are more than just kids' indoor games; they are tools to making families come closer together through social interaction and quality time.  

Indoor Games For Kids At School

It's tough being a parent, but it is indeed tougher being a teacher with a room full of kids that have tons of energy to burn. The major concern is that kids nowadays have little interest in games that people used to play. Some kids even have no idea what kids' indoor games were like. The only idea of gaming they have is what comes out of the box.



What is happening now?

What is the current state of children and how they play? Well for the most part kids nowadays are hooked with gaming consoles and portable handhelds that they have and use to play video games. Since the introduction of the hand held gaming devices like the game and watch games people have been finding new ways to fit a whole new world of adventure in the smallest possible playing format.

Aside from the fact that portable game consoles nowadays have the capacity to run online applications, some hand held game consoles also have the ability to play multiple games in one handheld and the catch it you never have to change the disc. That right, because of the introduction of large capacity portable storage devices integrating it to the hand held console was only a matter of who would do it first.

Game ideas in school

Now apart from that one other thing that's stealing kids' attention from traditional games is the influx of Massive multiplayer online games or MMOGs. These are games that were developed to be played by millions of people at the same time on a large scale platform we call virtual worlds. The secret allure of these games is that people can be whoever they want to be in these worlds. They can be a king, a ninja, an assassin, a farmer or even the president of the universe if they want to.

Anything goes and the catch is that the longer they play online the faster they will level up and the more opportunities open up for the player and their character. What's the setback, kids have little or no time to play games with their families or friends because they need to spend at least 5 hours a day to complete missions and everything.

What needs to be done?
In a social networking website a farming game developed by a California internet game company is currently under raps for the game they developed. Experts are saying that people are spending more time on virtual farms rather than attending to their work, their school, chores and other things that they need to accomplish. People are more concerned with waking up in the middle of the night to harvest daffodils or corn. Now what some groups are doing is that they are reintroducing games for children.

In some schools part of the curriculum that they have is to have play time strictly observed by everyone including teachers. Schools play a big part in rejuvenating the interests of children in kids' indoor games or outdoor games because children spend a lot more time in school than in anywhere else.

Indoor Games That Little Kids Can Play

Some people have made a living taking care of other people's kids. Some people have actually devoted their entire lives to the kids that they are taking care of they forget what time it is and never got off to marry and start their own families. Truly some people would rather play kids indoor games with the children they are looking after than go out on a date. These are the people that really make a difference. 



Now for those who are inclined to join this elite club of nannies and baby sitters look ahead, the life you are about to choose is a fulfilling yet often times sad one. Because no matter how much love you give to the child you are taking care of at the end of the day, they are still not yours. But if it's any consolation, they will look up to you for the rest of their lives.

The play time nanny

If you are really eager to get into the baby sitting life there are a few things you must know. First of all you should have a list of activities that you are planning to do with the child when the folks are out. Here are some of the sample activities you could do when it's your turn to baby sit the tots:

1. Creative activities. One of the sure fire ways to get kids interested and focused is by doing some art. Art was always a good excuse to color in things in a weird way or 'accidentally' color in the walls or the floor or whatever. Now for the baby sitter, be prepared for several things, first is the crayons, pens, pencils and other coloring implements. Make sure that you have with you non-toxic, food grade and biodegradable coloring materials. Also be prepared to spread some newspaper over the floor to avoid any accidents. Designate an area where your kids can do all their coloring. Enforce to them the area they are allowed to play in.

2. Kids' indoor games. A good way to kick off a night of baby sitting fun is by opening up a can of indoor games. Traditionally, indoor games are the games people play when it's raining or snowing outside. These games are mostly board games or card games that are family oriented and kid friendly. Nowadays there's more to indoor games than just board games and card games. Other games like the Uno and twister have been a frequent addition to any arsenal of indoor games. Now for the baby sitter, be ready to have some serious fun with the kids because once they are hooked with this it's almost impossible to make them go to bed.

3. Music. People say music can calm even the most savage of beasts. It is also true for some children. Leading experts proved that kids that are musically inclined are more balanced in their adult life. Other experts say that kids exposed to classical music are much more intelligent than children who weren't. When you make them listen to music treat is as though it was just another one of those kids' indoor games.

Indoor Kids’ Games from Outdoor Games

Prolonged rainy days surely would give your children unnecessary cabin fever. Being confined to the house or the room for a few days, many parents have learned to organize instant games to keep their children in company during those boring days. Naturally, kids love the outdoors but because the weather is uncooperative, it is best to organize indoor kids’ games that children would surely rave about. Are your children bored and tired of playing those usual board games and puzzles? It is time to convert several outdoor games into indoor activities.



Children would surely love it if they would be given the opportunity to play outdoor games while inside the house. Tag is one of the common outdoor games that could be easily facilitated indoors. Move several indoor furniture aside to give way to more movements. Children would need to chase each other in and around the house. As they chase each other, they would put those they ‘capture’ in a ‘jail.’ Other children would try to ‘release’ captured children. It could be very fun and sweaty. Make sure the indoor area is wide and spacious enough for the activity. All possible causes of indoor accidents should be set aside.

An indoor scavenger hunt would be equally fun and exciting. Do you need ideas for the game? Here are some: ask for something that is green, that ties, that is fuzzy, that has a face, that is soft, and so on. Whoever among the children would be able to find the items asked for would score points. Whoever does so at the quickest time would qualify to win prizes. As you organize the event, make sure you promote and foster sportsmanship. Do not forget to ask the children to clean up and fix their mess.

How about indoor relay races? Again, if there is a spacious room in the house, the activity would be possible. Divide the children into teams. You could start by making piles of mom’s and dad’s clothes. Assign the teams into piling mom or dad’s clothing. The team that could pile up higher clothes at the quickest possible time wins. The items could include shirts, pants, socks, and other personal clothes. It would be fun seeing the kids dig through piles of clothes. Observe and see how you and the children would experience unadulterated and thrilling fun.

Do you want to enjoy hide and seek? Of course, the game is possible. In all of the outdoor sports that could be converted into indoor kids’ games, hide and seek is the one that could be facilitated and played even if there is not much space in a room for movements and running. There is no need to set aside furniture. In fact, they could be used as items where children could hide. You as a parent or a facilitator could opt to join the game.

Hide and seek could be played more enjoyably during idle hours or when there is not much enough light in a room.

Indoor Kids’ Games for New Year's Eve Party

New Year is simply one of those occasions when kids should be made more excited. Thus, the idea of throwing a kids' party during New Year's eve would be most welcome to your household, neighbors and friends. You should prepare indoor kids’ games that hey surely would enjoy. If you decide to host such a party, remember to focus on kids as the season means much more to them than to adults.




Needless to say, children are naturally playful. They possess that uncanny ability to make happy feelings about simple joys that come their way. Parties are social events most kids treat as the embodiment of their overall perception of fun. When special occasions happen, they expect the hosts to throw and organize indoor kids’ games that are especially tailored for them.

The end of the year season is truly the season for kids. The season is kicked in by the Halloween and then by Thanksgiving in November. Then there is the Christmas break in December to make way for Christmas and New Year. But children never do get tired, especially when it comes to having fun. You would be surprised by how they retain their high level of energy and their interest in indoor kids’ games. You would be very delighted.

Children are almost always excited about New Year because it is that time of the year when they get to look positively forward to a more fun coming year. Make that event a bang. Organize and facilitate fun, happy, and interactive indoor kids’ games. Take note that children could be easy to please. Just stay fun and exciting and you would surely have them rolling in joy. In the end, you would surely cry in happiness or in laughter to see them having fun.

If you are planning to throw out a New Year's Eve party for kids, it would surely be a fun activity. The party would surely entertain your kids as well as the kids of your friends, relatives and neighbors. Children would be very glad. They would remember the event and would always look forward to spending a New Year party with you.

For sure, their parents would owe you because the New Year's Eve party would make their kids occupied, so these parents can have all the time to go out and treat themselves to romantic dates and dinners. Many people in your neighborhood would appreciate it most if you would hold the New Year’s Eve party and take the responsibility to take care of their children. You could please your own children as they would appreciate it that you are throwing a party for them and for their playmates.

By that, the New Year's Eve party becomes a heroic deed, and it is for a handful of different reasons. As you intend to make the event fun and worthwhile, spend time planning for and devising indoor kids’ games that every child in the party would truly enjoy.

Indoor Kids’ Games as Opportunities for Bonding

Children hate rainy days. This is because they are left unable to go outdoors and play with their playmates. But there is no reason to wallow and be idle indoors. Nowadays, there are many indoor kids’ games that could be facilitated inside the house to keep children in company. You may be surprised how such indoor games could turn idle days into fun and recreational ones. As parents, you too could join the fun, thrill, and excitement.

Experts advise parents to join in the fun and participate in various indoor kids’ games. This could be because

of the mere reason that doing so could be an opportunity to bond with the children. Family time is quality time. These times must be filled with laughter, memories, and excitements. You could join the games or stand to facilitate the activities. In physical indoor games, you could serve as a fair referee or a facilitator. Remember to have fun yourself and to conduct yourself accordingly. You should strive to be as credible as you could be when making decisions for the games. Children should not develop an impression that you are favoring other children as doing so might bring about other significant impact.

Children would surely love it if they would be given the opportunity to play outdoor games while inside the house.  They naturally love to play. It is actually their right to play various types of indoor kids’ games especially when the weather is bad for outdoor playing. The inside of the house could be turned into an instant playground, though there is not much space available. Use this as an opportunity to get to know them better. You could make use of games to have their attention and win their affection. Children who could play with their parents are usually those who grow up with find memories of their childhood.

Play to enjoy. Do not let the children develop the impression that you are just forced to play with them. As much as possible, make it a point to regularly join your children in their regular indoor kids’ games, if they have any. Through this strategy, they would naturally feel and think as if it really delights you to spend time with them. Do not let them think that you are pushing yourself too much because they would easily sense it.

Most of all, enjoy indoor kids’ games. If you are sincerely and are truly enjoying the games, you would all end up having the best fun time.  It is not hard or difficult to do so. Having fun with children when playing is very natural. You do not need to be a parent to do so. Just think about your childhood years and reminisce. If you could relive those fun times, the better. When in games, try to be competitive and serious in winning. Compete honestly and patiently with your children. Sometimes you need to let them win. Take such time. Eventually, you would find yourself getting closer and closer to your kids.

Indoor Kid’s Games – Not For Children Only

Games are one of the more important activities for toddlers and adults to interact and bond. Some of these are well-known, and some are enjoyed not just by children. Adults can be children, too, at least on rainy days.

Hot Potato

The “potato” here has to be something soft and lightweight (a small plastic ball, perhaps or a very small stuff toy) that cannot break if it falls on the floor or gets thrown onto something hard.



This is actually a version of the musical chair. Music is played and the “potato” gets passed around. When the music stops, the “potato” suddenly gets “hot” and has to be thrown to the next child.

If there is no music, and someone is still holding the potato, she is out. Whoever drops the potato is counted out too.

Animal charade

This is going to be great if there are silly children around. Children sit around in a circle and one child goes into the center.

The “animal” child acts out with NO SOUND only a very small portion of any animal action (a lion’s roar, a rabbit jump, etc.) he imagines and get the group to guess it. The animal child stretches the action if nobody gets it. Anyone guessing correctly gets to play the animal.

Hot Lava

Put some papers on the floor as “stones” to step on, the rest of the floor is a flood of “hot lava” from a volcano. There are two sets of “stones” for each team to travel, with parts that merges, meaning there are only a stone or two for use.

The object of the game is to transfer “dinosaurs “eggs” (rolled up socks) one by one from one end of the room to the other. The fun part is when two teams will fight out the parts where there is only one stone to step on.

Any “accident” and the team member has to start from the starting line again.

Trip to Spain

Two children from each team are blindfolded. Once they are, the floor will be littered with soft objects (stuffed toys, pillows) as the obstacle course.

The blindfolded children are then made to walk and go to the end of the room across the obstacle course. Their team mates will guide each one of them, meaning telling them where to go to avoid hitting objects on the floor.

It is fun because both teams will be shouting directions and there will be shouting. The first one to reach the goal wins for his team.

Zoo

There will be pairs of children for this game. Each pair will represent an animal they want. (Make sure there are no duplicates.)

The children will all be securely blindfolded and scattered around the room. At the signal, they will look for their pair using only SOUNDS of their animal. There will be barking, meowing, clucks, quack-quacks and all kind of animal sounds in the room.

The winning team is the one who met each other first.

Considerations

Prizes could be candies and other goodies. Disputes and arguments (if any) shall have the game restarted. Any game wanted by the children to be played over and over should be played, unless there will be objections. Indoor kid’s games should be enjoyed, not disputed.

• Guessing Games: In this game you have to blindfold the young child. When they cannot see anything you have to jingle keys or snap your finger and have them guess what the sound was. This will help them to think of what things sound like.

• Hot or Cold: A great indoor toddler activity that teaches the child to listen. In this game the adults tell the toddler where to go in the room to find what is hidden and the child has to listen to the adults and make it to the object. The adults cannot say things like "a little more" or "step forward" they can only say hotter or colder. Hotter means that they are getting closer and colder means that they are getting further away from it.

• Memory: A game played with a deck of cards that are laid face down so the children cannot see the other side. This indoor toddler activity is modified for toddlers to use only 4-8 cards so they can easily find the mates to begin with. Going from the left of the dealer and continuing clockwise you take turns flipping over two cards to see if they are a match. If they are you get another turn. Then when all of the cards are gone you count up your mates and see who has the most and that is the winner.

• Hand Puppets: Needing some fun for those rainy days? This is a great way to pass away the time when the weather is looking bad. All you need for this indoor toddler activity is some hand puppets for the adults so they can put on a show or you need enough hand puppets for all so they can play it together. A glove with faces painted and hair attached on the fingers make great hand puppets/finger puppets.

• Story Time: The best time spent with your child is reading a good story to them. It helps them to have inspiration and want to read for themselves and they can learn to read at a younger age. You could have an older child read to them or the adult that is watching them can read to the toddlers. Usually this gets the children making some interesting stories up from the pictures. Tip!! A good story before naps or bedtime helps them to unwind and settle down.

• Indoor Tents: Build the tent out of blankets and your kitchen chairs or other household furniture. Use pillows, stuffed animals or anything soft for the sides and flooring. We used some old sheets and tied some string to the four corners. I then tied them to door handles, bedposts, or baby cribs for their roof. Just be sure it is sturdy and nothing will fall on them while playing. One of our children's favorites and will keep them busy for hours!

Ideal Board Games as Indoor Kids’ Games

Children naturally love to play. It is actually their right to play various types of indoor kids’ games especially when the weather is bad for outdoor playing. The inside of the house could be turned into an instant playground, though there is not much space available. What is this strategy? Simple. It is through the use of board games. The games may not be physical in nature, but they could also be as fun. Perhaps, your children would love those board games that they would decide to regularly play them even when the sun it out. Board games are indoor kids’ games that they could play in the afternoon or during night with the entire family.



Let playing board games be an activity children would truly cherish. Children would need more than the usual card games, the tried and tested indoor games used. You may also need to know specific board games that could really be ideal for kids who want to play indoors. Here are some of those board games and why they are ideal for children.

Classic Bullseye board game. This is based on the popular TV classic dart quiz. The game confronts children with hoards of tricky questions with corresponding rewards for every correctly answered ones, the Bully’s star prize. Go through various rounds. Undoubtedly, this is a great entertainment that even older family members could participate in and have fun.

Corx. This game enhances eye-hand coordination of children. Teach your young kids how to play Corx and see them have much fun. The game has playing pieces that are embedded within the game. You are supposed to toss any hard or flat surface. If the objects bounce on the ends, score points are earned. You could use this to introduce to your young children the concept of scores, rewards, and winning. The game could also be described as a replica or a mini martial art.

Magic cube. This is of course an al time favorite. It could accentuate children’s cognition and coordination abilities and skills. Younger children, as young as three years old, could surely enjoy magic cubes. The colors would be fun to begin with. They would surely love it when they see the cubes are movable and are interchangeable.

Family Guy. The Family Guy is the game for your kids if you are a follower of the dysfunctional family. To play, ask a question and se how answers come magically. There are 20 custom griffin family phrases that have been intentionally included in the packages of the games.

Monopoly card game. Have you been playing Monopoly for some time? Monopoly card game is one clear variation. It could be enjoyed by children aged eight years old and above. Think of the Monopoly Deal, which is a card game. The dynamic game of acquisition, trading, and dealing surely is a great way for a quality afternoon indoors.

All these indoor kids’ games could be easily facilitated. Buy the board games packs commercially at your favorite retailers. Who says keeping children occupied and having fun is hard on rainy days?

I Spy – The Classic Indoor Kid’s Game

I Spy certainly looks like one of the oldest “car games” around. It is one of the simplest mental-visual games around. Games, as in all things, are most fun when they are simple. It certainly fits the bill as one of the better ones in indoor kid’s games.   

The game also has so many variations not just as a car game but both as indoor and outdoor games. The object is changed to people and they are usually played in classrooms (when the teacher has not arrived yet, etc.), cafeterias, or school grounds where there are people.



The game of looking

These “car games” had a long history themselves. Maybe, they were developed as soon as the first cars rolled down the streets. Whatever the story is, it is better than the current electronic gadgets that grab the entire child’s attention and only to himself.

 This old game (and other games like it) has given the chance to have the parents interact with the kids and with themselves. Moreover, this is one game where the kids can use their imagination and creativity.

At this point in today’s technology, kids are being bombarded with all sorts of electronic stimuli. Some of them are portable (game boxes, phones with games, etc.) that they can bring out of the house.

Sadly, all of them had taken out the child’s chances to think. Most of them are all about finger and arm dexterity and reflexes.

The game

In playing with little children, it would be good if you can help build your children’s understanding of, say, color. You could say, “I spy with my little eye, something moving with the color of….”and mention the specific color.

If it gives them some problems, you can then go with explanations like “a cross between …” and give out familiar colors. After some time, without their even knowing it, you had given them some lessons on colors (identifying it) and alert meticulousness (looking for it).

Playing with more than one child is even easier. One person goes first and the first person to guess the object or person will get to spy the next object. When the child guesses the object, then it is that child’s turn to spy something.

You can keep it going and forth with them. If your turn comes up, you can then put it the little color and alertness lessons in your “spying” declarations.

Older children

If the child is a little bit older, you can use letters. “I spy with my little eye, something starting with the letter B.” If the child knows some basic reading skills, you can easily play this game with him or her.

If one of you never guesses the object and “gives up,” the person who did the spying gets to take another turn. Or you can get to be specific: “I spy with my little eye, something that begins in letter a, so red and so delicious…” etc.

Other car games

There are many other car games as there as children who can think of games like it. Which make indoor kid’s games more colorful, interesting, fun, funny, and never boring.

Educational Indoor Games For Kids

What's worse than rain on a perfect day? It's the lack of a good thing or a productive thing to do. Nowadays, children, instead of having to play kids indoor games would rather spend their time playing with their top of the line gaming console or their latest handheld portable game devices. Though there is nothing wrong with these advancements in technology we have to pay a certain price that some people are not even aware of.



One of the perils of technology taking over the play time of children is the separation of children from their friends. In the past children would gather together in a vacant lot to play baseball or tag or horse or whatever it was that kids play at the time. These physically challenging games helped children develop muscle tone and promoted exercise that in a way helped them in taking care of their bodies. Aside for the physical rewards that games children play bring it also promotes social interaction, attitude adjustment and cooperation among peers. These games helped them see that there are things that can be done individually and as a group.

Because of the isolating nature of these high tech devices children are more inclined to sliding back into their own worlds safe from anything that the outside world can dish out. Though there is a certain safety and comfort that these devices bring it isolates children from their peers and social skills that they should have are not developed. This results in kids having little tolerance to failure, low self-esteem, the need to find an easier way out and fault finding. To remedy this situation some parents are reintroducing children to classic indoor games that can be played by the family, with the family such as:

- board games. Since then, board games have always dominated the indoor games for kids scene since the beginning of gaming history started. Some of the classic games that captured the hearts and imagination of kids and adults alike are board games like Monopoly, Snakes and Ladders, Scrabble and other turn based board games. These games develop strategy and critical thinking in kids because of the high level of decision making involved in them. Recently board games have been given a facelift and have enjoyed new edition to their line. Games like Warhammer 3000, Tactics the game, Vampires: Bloodlines and other games introduced recently.

- card games. Unlike before when card games were considered plain and boring, many card games come with a twist these days, making it a popular choice for kids' indoor games. The secret to a good card game is the ability of the player to more cards to complement the core of their games. In Japan, card games like Yu-gi-oh: Duel Monsters, Pokemon card game, Duel Masters and other recent developed card games give the old Trump cards a new twist and a new flavor. The Japanese have conquered the world with these card games and they have brought dying kids indoor games new life.

They have created and developed a new interest in these games; card games from the Japanese include a high level of strategy and skill in predicting an opponent's move. And because its turn based the level of excitement is higher than ordinary car games.

Classic Board Games as Indoor Kids’ Games

If you are a parent who is encountering problems when thinking about indoor kids’ games that would keep your children in company during those bad weather days, brace yourself. Your favorite board games could fit the bill. Take a look at several classic board games. Maybe it is about time you introduce them to your children, if they are still not familiar about those. Such board games could be considered as classic as they have already stood the strenuous test of time.

Here are five of the classic board games that have successfully transcended from generation to generation. Many people hold these games dear to their own hearts. It is about time you introduce them to your children as their new indoor kids’ games.



Chess. This board games is considered as among the most popular. The game could be traced to as far back as the early 7th century. It is a strategy at its best. Chess is one board game that would make kids think, strategize, learn, and be scheming. Some children may not like the board game but others do. It is time you make them realize how chess could be more fun than expected.

Monopoly. One of the planet’s most popular board games get even more popular. This board game is played like purchasing property and real estate. You have to develop the ‘acquisition’ and make sure opponents would lose their money long before you do. Monopoly has gone several versions and is now reaching out more to children. There are variations for kids like Disney editions, cat and dog edition, and deluxe editions. Kids would surely have a grand time.

Checkers. This is another of those popular board games that could be repackaged to be introduced as an indoor kids’ game. Almost everyone could recognize the classic black and red checkered playing board used in the game. Among all other board games, this one is considered the simplest and easiest to learn and to play. Checkered has been around since the 1500s, when people started playing with less interesting pieces.

Scrabble. This board game is another classic. Not surprisingly, it has diehard followers. You could be one of them. However, among all the usual board games, this one may not be readily appreciated by children. This is because the game might get a little nerdy. It involves widening of the vocabulary. The goal of the game is to outwit all players. Some kids may feel intimidated as the board game could test their ability to spell and find the right English words. Once children get a hang of it, they surely would be able to enjoy scrabble and win it.

Life. This board game is a relatively newer game compared to the others. It is designed to resemble real life. Children could go through making choices that could eventually affect what they do in life. It has plenty of options; each choice holds a promise of happiness and satisfaction. You could turn this board game into one of the popular indoor kids’ games that your children would love.

Choosing Indoor Kid’s Game

What could be the trickiest parts during family game nights is choosing what game should be played. Even if it is another indoor kid’s game, the question what to play crops up especially if there are many kids of different ages including some toddlers perhaps.

Unless the whole family had converged on one or two favorite games, one or two kids would have divergent favorite-game-at-the-moment.

Options

There are several solutions to making a fair choice. All of them is simply to avoid conflict from any or all members.



First, try to come up with everyone listing what they want to play for the evening. Then, come up with a list for games that everyone might not be too interested but would not mind playing. The next phase would be to put this in a bag, have one member pick out a name of the game, and that would be the game to play.

The next one is the most democratic of all but is the most brutal. This one will put all the choices in the bag, including those that others completely do not like. Whatever is the game picked out (including those least liked by most) shall be the game of the night.

The main consideration for the second option is to make the children know this game-selection method beforehand and that there should be no grumbling afterwards.

The third method would have the kids themselves assigned to choose which game to play. Moreover, each child will be assigned days when he or she will have the chance to choose the night’s game. (There might be less grumbling, although there will be nights when some are playing half-heartedly.)

This can be done far in advance so the kids concerned will have prepared for it. If it is a new game, he or she will take charge in orienting everyone the rules and guidelines and everything else about the game.

Learning skills

They can also have the added chore of setting everything up and cleaning up afterwards. This technique teaches them leadership and organizational skills which they will have to play by ear, including on the spot decisions and all.

Aside from these, the children shall learn structure, guidance and responsibilities like set-up and clean-up.

Another system would be to keep track on who won and who lost in the games. The winners will then have the privilege of choosing the next game on the next game night.

This is not to pamper the winner or giving him or her special treatment. Let every child know that being a winner is an achievement and worthy of feeling proud. On the other hand, let the losers feel that it is simply one more opportunity to make good the next time. (Make sure the games should not be advantageous to those with physical advantages, etc.)

Losing and winning

It is good practice to say “good game” to every player and “congratulations” to the winner. Winners probably would be given the privilege of not having to help clean up. But if he gloats over it, he will do the cleaning by himself.

After all, the whole thing is an indoor kid’s game, and the object of the game is simply having unadulterated fun.

Charade – All-Time Popular Indoor Kid’s Game

The game of Charade is thought to have been invented in France, but more as a game of riddles. The clues are given in sentences instead of the modern “acting out” of the hidden word or object.

The acted charades later became popular in England. In the novel Vanity Fair, William Thackeray made mention of the game.

It was very popular in the 30s till World War II. There were a few TV shows in the 60s based on the game’s mechanics, and today it is still a classic party game.



Charades is often played as an after-dinner game by adults. But with a bit of coaching, kids are certainly good, if not better than adults, especially when it evolved into an action-oriented game.

Some props

There are some things needed for the game: a stop watch (one with a visible minute hand), a pen and some paper, index cards to write words, sentences, phrases, names, and a referee to keep time and the score.

Game mechanics

The object of the game is for a team’s member-player to act out a word, an idea, a person’s name, boom, movie, etc. his team mates will then have to guess the answer in the shortest possible time. The “hidden” word or idea is given by the opposing team.

The team members pepper and shout out what they think is the word or sentence is. The actor nods or shakes his head, and repeats and repeats his actions.

He can change it any which way, all in the hope of making his teammates understand it. They can begin by asking if it is an object, a person, a place, etc.

This makes for a somewhat easier guessing. When a team member finally gets the word correctly, he points at him/her and present the index card the actual word.

The referee takes note of the time. He can also be the arbiter in cases of disputes. Scoring is to be agreed by the two teams, and whoever has the highest correct guesses wins.

Dos and don’ts

The opposing team is not allowed to do anything to derail the other team who is doing the guessing. The member who guesses the right word gets to do the next acting of the word.

The team who gets it within the time limit wins the point for that round. Win or lose, the other team will do the next round of acting and guessing. The scores will be tallied after the designated number of games.

Preparations

Before the game, each team will write out the words on the card for the other team to act out. (The harder to guess the words are, the better.) They give these cards to the referee for safekeeping.

Sometimes, themes are written on the card which can be announced by the referee. So that children will have an easier time acting them out, only one word is used for guessing. Sometimes, the topics are limited to a few groups like animals, places, or famous celebrities. An indoor kid’s game should not be hard.