Kids Learning Games » Cookie Sheet http://www.tankozuba.com Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:40:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Learn to Write With Unique Kids Games http://www.tankozuba.com/learn-to-write-with-unique-kids-games http://www.tankozuba.com/learn-to-write-with-unique-kids-games#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:59:49 +0000 admin http://www.tankozuba.com/learn-to-write-with-unique-kids-games

As a teacher, I know the importance of games for kids. I also know how hard it is to come up with games that kids like to do. However, it can be easier than you think, especially when it comes to writing games. Writing is everywhere and you can do it wherever you go.

Sand and Glitter Games
I don’t know what it is about glitter but it makes sand come to life. Kids of all ages love glitter. In fact, I have a cookie sheet with just a little bit of sand and glitter in it and adults find themselves drawn to it. People can’t help but to doodle in the sand. Make this simple and easy craft and your kids will write all the time. Your only chore will be pulling them away.

You will need:
• 9x12x1/4 cookie sheet
• 1 cup sand
• 1 tablespoon glitter (any color or multi-color)

Mix the sand, glitter in the cookie sheet, and let the kids have at it. Kids can draw their name, pictures, and all kinds of stuff in the sand. Let their imagination run wild!

Freezer Bag and Paint Games
This is ooey gooey fun. Something about squishy paint makes kids go wild. The paint just oozes all over the bag to create some fun filled pictures. Creative kids learn how to manipulate the paint to make their pictures last longer.

You will need:
• Heavy duty freezer bag
• Heavy duty duct tape
• Glue
• Temper Paint

Instructions:
1. Mix the paint and glue to get a thick consistency. You do not want the paint to be runny but more of a honey type texture.
2. Pour the paint into the bag about ¼ full.
3. Squeeze out the air before sealing the bag.
4. Once the bag is closed, tape the edges with the duct tape to prevent accidental leakage.
5. Use your finger to draw in the paint and watch it ooze back into place covering what you just drew.

iPod/iPhone Games
The iPod/iPhone has several apps that allow drawing. All you need to do is go to the App Store and download them. Some of them are free and others cost anywhere from $0.99 to $9.99 depending on what they do.

You will want to monitor the apps you download for your kid based on the age of your child. Some of them are more appropriate for younger kids and some I would not dare give to a child. Use your best judgment as you know your own kids and you know what they would like.

Finding games for your kids is easier than ever. Not only can you find cool stuff to do around your house, you can download games and take them with you on your iPod to go. If only we were so lucky when we were kids.

]]> http://www.tankozuba.com/learn-to-write-with-unique-kids-games/feed 0 Christmas Games for Elementary Age Children http://www.tankozuba.com/christmas-games-for-elementary-age-children http://www.tankozuba.com/christmas-games-for-elementary-age-children#comments Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:37:48 +0000 admin http://www.tankozuba.com/christmas-games-for-elementary-age-children If you’re planning a Christmas party for a group of elementary-age children, there are a myriad of really fun games you can include. Be sure to have lots of prizes and take lots of pictures because some of the games can be silly!

To get the kids moving around, start with the “fill the stocking” game. In this game, create teams so there are at least 3 people and no more than perhaps 6 people on each team. Have a stocking for each team. Place the stockings on the wall and have also a bowl of candy and spoons. The first person on each team will put the spoon in their mouth (backwards, so the bowl of the spoon is sticking out) and get some candy out of the bowl. Still holding their spoon in their mouth, they must walk or run to the stocking on the wall and get the candy in the stocking. They run back to the line and the next child has a turn (each child should have his or her on spoon). The game continues until the candy bowl is empty.

The obvious prize for the stocking game is a big bowl of candy!

Another active game is an “unwrap the game” relay. Provide two piles presents at one end of the room (these can be presents with real teats inside, or “dummy” wrapped presents). The children are divided into two teams and a relay is created. One person runs to the stack of gifts, unwraps it, throws away the paper and runs back. Then the next child in line runs up, unwraps a gift, throws away the paper and runs back. If the paper lands outside the trash can, the child must run back and put it back in the trashcan before returning to the line and allowing another person to take a turn.

If these to games are played first the kids might want a little rest. Now’s the time to play a sit-down Christmas party game, like “remember this”. Get a large cookie sheet or baking tray and fill it with Christmas-themed items. You might include an ornament, a candy cane, a Santa hat, garland, ribbon, etc. There should be at least 20 items on the tray. Give each child about 20 seconds to look at the items, then cover the tray and remove it from sight. Give the children another 20-30 seconds to remember everything they saw on the tray. Have them quickly write don their guesses. The prize is for whoever remembers the most items!

Another good sit down game and one that’s also a learning game is a word find game. Provide children with a list of Christmas words and have them find other words within those words. For example, if one word is “reindeer” they might find in, deer, red, den, and so on. Longer words are best, so think of words like Christmas, snowballs, poinsettia, holly berry and the like).

Children love games that involve sitting in a circle and having fun that way. Here’s a “circle” game children are sure to love. This tests their ability to remember little details about other people, like their voice. Have handy a sleigh, either one cut out of cardboard or a small one purchased a gift or dollar store. Blindfold one child and have another child hold the sleigh. The child with the sleigh calls out to the blindfolded child something like this:

Santa, where’s your sleigh?

Someone’s come and taken it away.

Who has it? Who?

The blindfolded child has to guess who has the sleigh. Give the child 3 chances to get it right before giving the sleigh and blindfold to other children.

For another sit down game, give each child a piece of paper and a pencil. Tell them to close their eyes and then tell them what to draw. Give them the shapes, but don’t tell them exactly what they are trying to draw (though most children will figure it out). So, first tell them to draw three circles, with the largest being on the bottom and the smallest on the top. Then tell them to draw dots for eyes, and buttons for a coat. Keep going until you have described a snowman. Then have the children open their eyes to see what they have actually drawn. Award a prize for the drawing that most closely resembles a snowman.




By: Christina Marks

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