Kids can spend a lot of time on simple puzzles and other noncompetitive games such as dot-to-dot or coloring worksheets. In particular, puzzles come in all different skill levels and can be done individually, in pairs or in cooperative work groups. Puzzles are educational, as they not only improve motor and spatial skills, they also can have simple words and shapes on the puzzle picture. Worksheet games like dot-to-dots, word searches, color-by-number or simple word scrambles can be provided in the kindergarten classroom as well. These worksheets are easy to find online for free and can be theme-based or seasonal.
Kids enjoy pretending. In role-playing games, children can pretend that they are grown up. One very common kindergarten game is playing school. One child is the teacher and other participating children are the students. They can be given tests and worksheet activities. The teacher can use a whiteboard. The children can take turns being the teacher and learn this important social skill.
Another fun kindergarten game that appeals to girls in particular, is playing family. Children pretend to be the father and mother and siblings. There may also be a baby -- sometimes a doll -- that the family has to take care of. Children learn how to play cooperatively as they come up with all sorts of scenarios such as cooking and dinner activities, feeding and diapering the baby, going on vacation and more.
Boys may enjoy some role-playing games of their own as well. Boys may pretend that they are firemen saving lives and putting out the fire of a burning building. Buildings can be constructed with wooden blocks or cardboard boxes.
Young children of both genders may also benefit from performing short skits in front of the class based on a particular lesson being taught in the classroom.
A tea party is more than what it sounds. Kindergarten teachers can set up a tea workstation in the classroom where students can learn how to pour liquids, use spoons and taste different flavors, as well as take turns. Real tea can be used, or other types of drinks such as juice, milk or water can be substituted.
This simple tea party game can be expanded to include invitations, telephone responses, time management and dress up activities. A different group of students can be invited each day to the tea party. They must read the invitations and respond to the person inviting them by using a toy telephone (calling a number on the invitation). Then, they must dress up for the party choosing clothing from a dress-up box in the morning and use a clock to determine when the tea party is to take place. Tea parties will require some adult guidance, but will be fun for students in the classroom.
Kindergarten teachers can use noncompetitive games to teach basic skills to kindergarten students. For example, kids can play store and learn how to count money. Children can use a large doll with clothes to learn how to button, zip and tie bows. Kids also can play with a toy clock and learn how to tell time.
Listening skills can be improved by playing a circle-time game. Children sit in a circle, and a ball is passed from child to child. When a student gets the ball, she is allowed to say something about herself or say a word beginning with a certain letter. Then the ball is passed to the next child and it is her turn to do the same.