It’s a mystery as to why games are not automatically included in learning routines. Playing games can provide so much! Kids learn while playing; the monotony of worksheets and workbooks are broken up; they help to lighten the mood around the home; they offer something all family members can participate in, together; they can make everyone laugh, smile and joke and can even provide healthy competition. There are so many games available and can be found by subject if an extra boost in a particular subject is needed for your child. Playing games can be as important as all the core subjects and although kids might not realize they are actually learning, they are!
I’ve provided a list of some of our family’s favorites.
| MATH | ||
| Smath | age 6+ | |
| Head Full of Numbers | age 7+ | |
| Money Bags | age 7+ | |
| Math Noodlers | grade 4-5 | |
| Sequence Numbers | age 7+ | |
| Skip Bo | age 7+ | |
| Uno | age 7+ | |
| Clumsy Thief | age 8+ | |
| Pay Day | age 8+ | |
| Monopoly | age 8+ | (also falls into the life/critical thinking realm) |
| Prime Club | age 10+ | |
| LANGUAGE ARTS | ||
| Sequence Letters | ages 4-7 | |
| Build a Sentence | age 6+ | |
| I Have Who Has? | grades 5-6 | |
| Scrabble | age 8+ | |
| Boggle | age 8+ | |
| AmuzeAmaze | age 8+ | |
| WordSmithery | age 8+ | |
| Scattergories | age 12+ | |
| CRITICAL THINKING | ||
| Jenga | age 6+ | |
| Connect Four | age 6+ | |
| Blokus | age 7+ | |
| Battleship | age 7+ | |
| Labrinth | age 7+ | |
| Ticket to Ride | age 8+ | (many versions available including France, Japan and USA themes) |
| Stratego | age 8+ | |
| In a Pickle | age 10+ | |
| Risk | age 10+ |
Of course, there are the all-around classics such as chess, checkers, card games, Sorry, Trouble, Clue, Candy Land, Backgammon and Cribbage.
Let’s not forget puzzles! Puzzles are another fun activity which can help bolster cognitive, spatial and critical thinking skills. The end result, a completed puzzle, is so rewarding! We have used Mod Podge and puzzle glue to adhere our finished puzzle together to showcase our “masterpiece”!
Speaking of year-end assessments, check out Testing isn’t Just for June!
By Lauren Lawless
