The match game allows children to work on their memory pertaining to a current area of study or everyday items. This game can be played individually or in teams. Give each child or team a pile of images, and a separate pile of words that define the images. They will compete against each other, or simply take their time working alone to match the items to the proper words as quickly as possible. The game continues until one team or person matches all items correctly. This is an excellent game for helping young children to learn the names of basic items.
Scavenger hunts are a fun way for children to be active and put their detective skills to the test. Hide a variety of objects or little prizes around a space. If the weather is nice, you can hide them outside in a yard. Then create a list of clues to the whereabouts of each item. Children can work alone or in teams, trying to find the items before the others do. Make the hunt more or less difficult by varying the clues and hiding places according to the age of the children. Players can keep the prizes they find.
The picnic game helps children to get creative while working on their listening skills. Have the children sit in a circle. Start off the game by saying, "I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing ...," filling in the blank with something picnic-related. The next child in the circle has to repeat what you said and add a new item. The game continues until all children have had a turn and repeated all items before them. If a child has difficulty remembering an item, you and the other children can give clues to help him. This game is effective in helping children to get to know each other and break the ice in a new group.
In the silent question game, children use expressions to convey thoughts and answers to one another. Pair children up and have one child ask the other a question. The partner must try to answer the question without speaking, using gestures and acting things out. Once the questioner guesses the answer correctly, they switch roles. Children can learn to pay attention and think creatively about how to answer without the use of speech.