75 Fun Things to Do with Kids During Lockdown

While we stay at home during the pandemic, we need to keep the kids entertained, ourselves sane, and everybody happy. Today, we have a fun list of 75 fun things to do with kids during the lockdown. We separated this guide in 2 parts – games and activities (some with a powerful educational and skill-development component) you can do indoors in your apartment or city home and outdoor adventures, games, and activities for the lucky ones who happen to also own a yard with their house.

We understand that during this time of restrictions and confusion you may not feel in the mood to play, but hear us out: many of these fun things to do in lockdown apply to adults as well. They are family-oriented activities requiring just a handful of supplies and you can turn many of them into new hobbies or out-of-the-box fun ideas to do on future rainy days. So let’s get started, shall we?

Indoor Fun Things to Do with Kids: Games and Activities to Spend the Lockdown (and Future Rainy Days)

As a parent, you probably know by now that this entire crisis with the pandemic and social isolation takes a huge toll on our physical and mental health. Adults have to deal with their own anxiety and depression issues while they have to keep an eye on their kids not to spiral out of control. On this list of indoor fun things to do with kids while in isolation at home you will find activities that are beneficial for children and adults alike, for the mind, spirit, and body. They help pass the time pleasurably, teach everybody something new, develop skills, and allow you to create an environment of safety, control, emotional health, bonding, and self-discovery. So let’s get down to having fun!

1. Board Games

One of the easiest and most versatile forms of couple or group entertainment of our times, board games address all people of all ages and interests. If you reserved a few Saturdays a month for board game nights with your friends, you know how fun things can be. Select the best and funnest board games to play in the family. Play competitive ones or collaborative ones. Go into complex strategies if you have to keep up the pace with your older kids (who probably play these games better than you) or select age-specific games to allow the little ones to shine.

fun things to do in lockdown boardgames

2. Play Games to Enhance Literacy Skills

When was the last time you played Scrabble? How is your vocabulary these days? If you want to keep your kids entertained while improving their literacy skills, we recommend you reserve an evening or a weekend for Scrabble, Super Sleuth, or Boggle. We also recommend Dixit – it may not tap into word creation per se, but it does prompt the use of words in connection to image processing. Such games boost kids’ storytelling skills, jog their memory, and foster the use of imagination.

3. Play Games to Enhance Math Skills

Ah, Math, and helping kids with their homework… Well, if you want to make Math fun for them (and for you), an assorted platter of Equate, Tri-Facta, or Math War may turn the daunting Math into something fun, relatable, and enjoyable. You can take advantage of this entire situation to polish your own calculus skills and help kids understand things in a smoother, funnier way. After all, learning through play is the best way of learning!

4. Puzzle Games

Puzzle Games

In the same vein of playing and developing cognitive skills, patience, and many other abilities, puzzle games are the best way to spend this social isolation period in an entertaining and educational manner. Puzzles go great for any age and interests. One of the best fun things to do with kids in lockdown, solving puzzles, and putting up together beautiful images is a family activity that can continue after this crisis is over.

5. Card Games

We are not talking about poker here, but about some of the best card games to play with children and family members. You can play all the good old-fashioned classic card games like Slapjack or Crazy Eights. Better yet, you can take things up a notch and consider trading card games like Magic the Gathering. Sure, Explosive Kittens is a party game for teenagers and adults, but you can order online any card game that everybody wants to try.

6. Lego

You saw this coming, didn’t you? If grownups are playing with their elaborate and expensive Lego sets, why wouldn’t kids? The kids in your home already have a few Lego sets and hundreds of pieces (you mostly step on), so setting up a “Lego session” for the entire family to enjoy should be a breeze. As fun things to do with kids in lockdown go, “picking the Legos off the floor and putting them back in their box” is also an educational activity.

lego for kids

7. Playdoh

Play-Doh is an all time favorite, especially for younger kids who are into arts and crafts. The creative potential is endless and you can always order more supplies to pass the isolation time with flying colors!

playdoh fun indoors

8. Make Some Slime at Home!

Some of the best science experiments for kids to perform at home include fun putty and making slime. You have countless options to make slime at home. The basic ingredients for slime or fun putty are glue, borax, water, a bowl, and a mixing tool. Food coloring and glitter also help 🙂

9. Pen and Paper Role Playing Games

All you need is a good storyteller and the basic books, rules, and sheets of pen and paper RPGs. Download all the materials online if you don’t have the means to buy books and beginner kits. You can try some Dungeons and Dragons campaigns and make a story long and intricate enough to keep the entire family entertained for weeks if not months. The longer the campaign, the better the quests, the thicker the plot, the most developed characters you will enjoy. There are many such RPG games requiring pens and papers, and you should try a few to engage the entire family in a magical atmosphere where everybody is a hero. The campaigns can continue long after this crisis is over, too.

10. Cosplay Contest

fun things to do indoors

A druid, an elf, and a superhero enter in a living room… Speaking of role playing games, don’t hold back! If you are going to spend a few weeks saving princesses, learning wisdom from witches, and battling monsters, you should immerse in the atmosphere completely. So dress up like the characters you play every time you start a new session with the Dungeon Master. If you are all into Comic Con, geek stuff, and superhero action movies, nobody can stop you from improvising costumes with items you already have in the house and organize a veritable costume contest. Enact favorite scenes from comics, TV shows, or movies, have the other family members play along (or act as “cosplay jury”) and turn dress-up into an act of art!

11. Painting

fun things to do in lockdown painting

Think watercolors, crayons, painting by numbers, contouring, color splashing, the works. It may be messy, but it is also fun and educational. If you have small kids that love drawing or using colors, make room in the kitchen and let them play to their strengths.

12. Pebble Art

If you want to up your ante or the kids’ levels of entertainment and skills, paint on pebbles or rocks you brought in the house last time you went shopping. Make sure the pebbles/rocks are clean (for safety, wash them in the bathroom and make sure you remove all dirt, debris, or mold). Choose river stones with flat smooth surfaces if you can and let the little ones paint faces, butterflies, flowers, etc. Organize an art exhibit once they finish their projects and put the best pieces on display for everybody to see.

13. Face Painting

face painting fun stuff to do at home

As a parent, we are sure you are more than happy to learn face painting to entertain the kids and help them with their “method acting” skills for the next role-playing game or costume party. Alternatively, you can help the kids learn how to face paint each other and have a bunch of superheroes, animals, fairies, and other magical creatures roaming around the house and making an adorable mess. These are the moments all of you will cherish in the future when you look back and reminisce about the fun things you did during the 2020 pandemic.

14. Theater Play

If your kids are into role-playing and dream of becoming stage superstars at the school annual play, offer them the chance to impress you. School is closed and it is not likely you will take them to the theater or to the movies any time soon. Allow them to select a story and stage a play for you. This will keep them busy with the decors, rehearse their parts, adjust the screenplay, fight, make up, and even send you official invites to the premiere. Theater play in the living room with their parents and siblings as the enthusiastic public can help the little ones overcome stage fright, own their personalities, discover new abilities, and, who knows, make some career plans! The older ones can even learn how to sew their own costumes and use the face painting skills to become their characters.

15. Hide-and-Seek

Adults are these serious beings, forever preoccupied with serious matters. Well, if this pandemic and social isolation situation taught us anything, it taught us to truly value the time we have now, remember the inner child we left behind so long ago, and seize the opportunity of letting go. There is no better way to pay tribute to childhood than a serious game of Hide-and-Seek in the apartment. Kids will love it and you will have the chance to remember those incredible times when life was about fun and play.

16. Charades

When was the last time you played Charades with your adult friends? Well, it is time to polish your skills and engage the young kids or your teenage children in a competitive game of Charades to spend a pleasurable evening or Saturday afternoon in the family. Charades, just like Mafia, make some of the best campfire games for adults (and society games in general), but you can adapt them to younger ages as well.

17. Build an Indoor Fort / Teepee

fun activities to do in lockdown

Building an indoor fort is the most pleasurable and fun things to do in lockdown. An activity that engages the entire family, the fort, or indoor teepee will become a home inside the home that can host a wide range of activities. We will discuss them in a few moments.

  • Consider bed sheets, the couch, chairs, hiking poles, the tent sticks, pillows, blankets, and anything else you can find in the house.
  • Embellish the fort with Christmas lights and gather the houseplants around the teepee for a more exotic, jungle look.
  • Add pillows and blankets inside, a lamp that does not generate too much heat, a tray for drinks and snacks, and so on.
  • Building the fort is a fun activity in and out of itself, but is also a useful one, as the new “construction” can generate plenty of new ideas about what to do indoors during the lockdown.

18. Daily Story Time

Before this entire lockdown situation, many parents complained they did not have the time or the energy to read to their children. You can now make up for lost time reading a few pages or even a few chapters to the little ones. Use the above-mentioned fort or indoor tent you just built for a magical atmosphere of comfort and coziness.

19. The Bookathon for Older Kids

Few people – kids and teens included – have any more excuses not to read books. Sure, video games and the Internet come with their fair share of educational and entertainment value, but now it is time to go back to the old-fashioned timeless book. Either they enjoy paper books or ebooks, as long as they read everything is just fine. So plan a reading marathon for the older ones. By no means tap into school books.

Allow your children to expand their literary tastes beyond the realm of the curriculum. Talk to them about the books they would like to read, make a plan, and keep the score. A novel a week is easily doable. At the end of each challenge, take the time to discuss that particular book. Compare opinions, and invite other family members to your improvised weekly book club. Use the indoor fort as an incentive. There is nothing like reading a good novel in a teepee far from the maddening living room 🙂

20. Camp Inside the House

You already have a tent, so why don’t you step up your game and turn a weekend day into a camping day in the living room? It would go better outdoors, it is true, and if you have a back yard and a patch of green lawn, take advantage of it in full. However, you can create your camping site in a small apartment as well if you get creative with the decor. Prepare some finger foods and add the soundtrack (you can find on YouTube hours and hours of streams murmuring, nature sounds, or birds chirping). There are plenty of indoor activities to do with the kids, but indoor camping is pretty crazy, perfect to shake the daily routine!

21. Living Room Picnic

If organizing a camping day in the living room seems to be a bit too complicated, turn things down a notch and organize a picnic. Since now we all enjoy family time together and gather together for Sunday lunch or dinner, why not going out of the box for once? Organizing a picnic in the living room is very easy and allows you to trigger your kids’ imagination and interior design skills.

You know you can make an educational and fun moment out of anything, right?

fun things to do at home

Place a duvet or a mattress on the floor, cover it with some blankets (green if you have, to mimic the green pastures of the picnic park), and add pillows for comfort. Finger foods, grilled chicken, lemonade, and other picnic-oriented dishes, light nature music in the background, and you have the perfect Sunday with the family!

22. Cook with the Kids

Cooking is a crucial independent life skill we should teach all our children from the youngest of ages. Do not make it a daunting educational moment, but a fun one. Cooking for the sheer pleasure of it is amazing. Just as it having a few helping hands around to help you with peeling vegetables, mixing in a bowl, or reading the steps of a recipe for you. It is messy, but it is fun, memorable, and very useful.

23. Bake a Cake with the Kids

Since you will be making their favorite cake, why not engage them in the process? It is going to get messier and messier as time goes by, but it will be the best cake or pie anyone of you have ever tasted. And, if you are planning a picnic in the living room, you cannot skip desert!

fun things to do indoors

24. Decorate Some Cupcakes

This activity requires some planning from your part, but you can get the kids involved with no problems. Do you know those tons of videos on how to decorate cupcakes in the craziest, most adorable ways possible? Pick a few and test them in your own kitchen. Your helpful and skilled sous-chefs can mix the colors in the frostings or be responsible for sprinkling the cupcake decorations over the freshly baked goodies. This activity is as messy as painting in the kitchen, but the results will be gorgeous, delicious, and memorable.

25. Organize a Movie Night

Of course, everybody watches movies and TV shows today, but offering your kids (and yourself) a true cinema experience in the comfort of your living room is another thing. Now that you cooked and baked and decorated cupcakes, all you need to do is pop some corn, bring a tray of refreshments, and pick a movie everybody wants to see!

26. Organize a Drive-In Cinema Experience

fun things to do during lockdown

Parents can sit on the couch. However, the kid can come to the drive-in cinema in the latest model of cardboard car you can build together. All you need is a large cardboard box, scissors, tape, and markers. Cut out the box to resemble a car, draw handles, decorate it, tape it together, and have the little one experience a joyful way of watching a movie. Did we mention that building the car together plays into the kid’s imagination and craft skills? Take the opportunity to teach a lesson about cars in general if you have a penchant for them!

27. Magic Carpet Ride

One of the most loved means of indoor transportation for little children is on daddy’s back or on daddy’s shoulders. However, how about mommy and daddy putting the kids on a carpet and dragging the carpet around the house? Consider this some sort of sleigh ride on the floor with a speck of Aladin’s magic and a welcomed indoor physical activity for adults. According to some of the parents we know, this is one of the best and fun things to do with kids – lockdown or not.

28. Create Your Family Tree

fun things to do in lockdown

You can spend a few afternoons during the lockdown creating your family tree. Print a sheet, add some family photos, discover connections, reminisce, and even teach kids a few things about genetics. A trip down the memory lane is a comforting exercise for adults as well. Gather materials and take the opportunity to call some family members you haven’t spoken to in a while to ask for information. Your kids will love this activity, as it will reveal more about who they are. If you have some fun or exciting family stories to tell, this is the right time!

29. Create a Family Album

In the tech-savvy world, we live in we almost forgot we, the adults, still have tons of printed photos in albums, envelopes, and boxes. Many of the kids today, used to smartphones and computers, have little knowledge of what classic photography was. Take an afternoon or more to put together a family album, talk about the people in the photos, reminisce about the moments captured by the camera, and bring the family closer by sharing memories.

fun stuff to do in quarantine

30. Teach Kids Photography

If you know your way with a camera – digital or otherwise – one of the best and most fun things to do in lockdown is to teach them everything you know about photography. Since children nowadays are all in favor of hi-tech, start taking photos with your phones and work your way up to DSLR settings, point of view, light, distances, focus, and more. As they grow older, your children will appreciate you for teaching them a useful and timeless skill.

31. Treasure Hunt

Write the clues on pieces of paper, hide them in the house in various places (and an apartment is a perfect place for such an activity), and send the kids from one room to the next in the search for the great prize. A good indoor treasure hunt should end with the discovery of an exciting “treasure”, be it a fresh cake for everybody to share or a new game for the whole family to play.

32. Scavenger Hunt

Naturally, the best scavenger hunts take place outdoors, but we have a few scavenger hunt ideas you can adapt to the indoor environment as well. Such activities are fantastic ways to shake off boredom, ignite kids’ imagination and cognitive skills, and even challenge you to become creative.

33. Listen to Some Fun and Educational Podcast Together

Online and homeschooling these days have their advantages and downsides. However, education is crucial at all times. One of the best ways to engage children in a learning session in a fun, relaxed, and playful method is to listen together to a bunch of educational podcasts. Many come with teaching resources, downloadable material, and attractive presentations adapted to all kids’ ages and interests. Here is a list of podcasts for children to inspire you, but remember that you will find dozens of such ideas online. Just pick the best topics for your children and enrich your knowledge together!

34. Visit Online Museums

In all honesty, we have to admit this year’s holiday plans kinda went down the drain. This does not mean you cannot still have some fun and immerse in culture and discovery from the comfort of your own couch. During the COVID-19 pandemic, famous museums in the world offer free virtual tours of their collections. It is an amazing opportunity for children and adults alike, as seeing the Louvre or the Hermitage with your own eyes or other great museums of the world is costly. You can spoil yourself and the kids with virtual tours of places you might have never dreamed of visiting in person.

35. Visit Other Interesting Sites Online

The truth is nothing beats the experience of visiting a national park, a museum, an amusement park, or a haunted house in person, but we have to adapt to the current situation. Here is a list of fun and free places to see online during the pandemic. Take this opportunity to make notes on places and things you might want to visit during your future vacations. After all, this pandemic is not going to last forever.

36. Make Invisible Ink

Yet another fun science experiment for kids to do at home, making invisible ink is fascinating even for adults. If you get things right, save a batch of ink for the next activity on this list of fun things to do during the lockdown!

37. Organize a Mystery Solving Party

Consider this a hybrid between a treasure hunt and a theme party. Everybody loves a solid whodunit mystery, so take your time and check out this guide on how to throw a detective-themed party. Adapt it to your situation and spend a few hours solving clues, discovering and interrogating suspects, investigate, laugh, have fun, and solve the crime! The invisible ink you already made comes in handy here.

38. Organize a DIY Music Concert

If one or some of your family members plays an instrument, you are all set. However, if you want to have some fun together (trying not to terribly disturb your neighbors), organize a music concert with “home” instruments you can find in the kitchen, such as spoons, pans, pots, lids, and more. You might want to wear some earplugs and make sure your neighbors do not complain (if you live in an apartment). If you live in a house, unleash the rock stars in your kids and put on a concert for the ages!

39. Build a Robot

You can start building a robot out of cardboard boxes and other items in the house, or you can take things up a notch and help the kids build one with Arduino boards and robot-building kits. The ones coming with technological backup will most likely move around the house for the enjoyment of the entire family.

40. Watch Online Tutorials and Take Free Lessons

Are your children showing interest in a certain topic or skill? Do they have drawing skills or writing skills or anything like that? Good, because you can watch tutorials together. For instance, Illustrator offers free drawing lessons for kids stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Others offer online piano lessons, cooking lessons for children, financial education for kids, and more. You can take advantage of some of these classes as well!

41. Make Your Family’s Comic Book

It is one thing reading a comic book and quite another creating one! If one family member draws well and another is a natural-born storyteller, you can all engage in the creation of your family’s comic book. Daily adventures, mom and dad superheroes, your faithful furry pet companion (that now can finally speak), your favorite comic book villain and you have plenty of work on your plate!

42. Create Your Family’s Newspaper / Magazine

Is the creation of a comic book a bit too complicated? Challenge the children to put up the weekly family magazine. It can include drawings and photo collages, interviews with the parents and grandparents, the recipe of the week, the latest news, a top of last week’s favorite activities, suggestions of new activities for the next days, and more. It is a creative, educational, and quite challenging activity for children who show an interest in storytelling, journalism, and visual arts. Keep these magazines, as they will put a smile on your face and some tears in your eyes when you all grow older.

43. Learn Magic

Speaking of fun things to do with kids during the lockdown, there is no such thing as the proper way to learn magic. From card tricks to quirky attention diversion tricks, you and your kids can become true wizards and witches in the comfort of your homes. You can learn magic yourself just to entertain the kids while you are all stuck at home, or you can all learn something and practice together. We don’t recommend you replicate some of David Copperfield’s or Houdini’s more dangerous acts, but living room magic will make the little ones feel at Hogwarts.

44. House of Cards Contests

You play cards and you learn magic tricks with cards, so why wouldn’t you organize from time to time a house of cards contest? The one family member building the tallest and most complex house of cards that do not fall wins a prize!

45. Grow a Plant from Seed

Whoever has a green thumb in your family should lead the way when it comes to fun things to do during lockdown inside the house. Look for plants you can grow from seeds of fruits or vegetables you already have in the house. One of the easiest plants to grow is beans – all it takes is a bean, some gauze, and a cup of water.

However, for more elaborate balcony-gardening projects, you can grow a lemon tree from the seeds of a lemon you have in the fridge. Teaching children about growing plants and caring for them is important and useful. If you want to mix fun with utility, start growing herbs and spices. From chili peppers to parsley, thyme, or basil, you can grow almost all scented herbs you use in your kitchen, on a windowsill, or on the balcony. Take the game up a notch and recycle some items in the house to turn them into plant pots! How about turning an old pair of boots into a pot for plants?

46. Play the Recycle/Upcycle Game

While school teaches our children a lot of useful things, the formal academic environment misses out on teaching them some life notions and abilities. They become the parents’ responsibility. How to live sustainable lives is a lesson we can teach at home as fun games and activities to do during the lockdown and beyond. Teaching kids to recycle and upcycle regular household items is one of the most useful skills they will benefit from in the future. So for this particular life lesson and game you need broken or old objects, items that might surely end up in the trash bin, and stuff around the house you want to repurpose. It is a healthy and lucrative exercise for children and adults alike.

47. Learn Napkin Folding

As arts and crafts go, folding napkins in more ways than the traditional triangle one is a skill for the ages, especially for those family members who take cooking, plating, and fine dining seriously. There are countless online tutorials teaching you how to turn the common napkin into a work of art, so use them and learn something new!

48. Teach Kids How to Knit

If you know how to knit, try teaching your kids too! It may not be a life or survival skill, but it is fun and useful nonetheless. More than learning how to make a sweater or a winter scarf, knitting teaches people patience and understanding patterns. It is a calming activity that keeps the mind focused but relaxed. It also develops fine motor skills and attention to detail. You could all learn how to knit and challenge yourselves to make something wearable by the end of the social isolation period!

49. Teach Kids How to Sow

Now this is a skill that people need for their adult independent lives! You can start easy, teaching kids how to sow buttons and make knots and stitches, fix a seam, or patch a hole. If you have a sowing machine in the house, you can make the lessons more complex, teaching boys and girls how to fix zippers, upcycle old clothes into new ones, and even make clothes to wear.

50. Home Yoga for Kids

Kids have a lot of energy and being stuck in the house does not help at all. Just as it doesn’t help adults physically and mentally. Why don’t you try some yoga lessons in the living room together with the children? Yoga helps everybody understand mindfulness, relax, stretch a little, and unwind. It works great for kids as it instills both discipline and relaxation in a non-invasive manner. Physical activity is of utmost importance while in lockdown and Yoga is not a pretentious one. All you need is a mat and some videos. Achieving physical and psychological balance these days is crucial to make it through the pandemic without anxiety, depression, frustrations, or anger.

Outdoor Fun Things to Do with Kids: Games and Activities to Spend the Lockdown (and Future Sunny Days)

The lucky ones owning a back yard have a bit more freedom than those of us who are stuck in apartments in crowded cities. A patch of lawn and a hedge are enough to spend some free time enjoying the warm weather and breathing in some fresh air daily. For those living in matchbox studios, working from home on the house porch would be enough to declare ourselves happy, but those who already do this need other ideas on fun things to do during the lockdown.

Obviously, having lunch/dinner outside every other day, playing with the pets, and organizing a picnic from time to time in the back yard are among the easiest projects to implement these days. So let’s put our creative caps on and see other entertaining activities we can do outside with the kids without leaving the premises and preserving social distancing!

51. Outdoor Sports and Games

Don’t think about building a tennis court on your front lawn. However, consider physical activities, games, and sports along the lines of circle games and group games that require a bit of running and physical effort. The exercise is beneficial to all family members. You can engage in competitions or collaboration games, split into teams, and have some fun outside while you move your bodies and clear your heads.

52. Fairy-Garden Scavenger Hunt

This is a two-parter activity, starting with a backyard scavenger hunt. This time, challenge the kids to find items they can use for a fairy garden: pebbles, plants, flowers, decorations, scraps, etc. Make this collaborative game or a team effort. Building a fairy garden is a fun way to spend an afternoon outside with the family, so make sure everyone has something to do.

53. Build a Fairy Garden

Fairy gardens are the best way to engage kids of all ages in gardening and sustainability – especially because we encourage you to build them from scraps, upcycled and recycled household and garden items, and objects you do not use. Fairy gardens, in all truth, work best for very young children. The older ones can start their own flower or vegetable garden in a corner of the yard if they have a soft spot for growing things with their own hands.

54. Build a Bird Feeder

Did you see that pandemic viral picture of a picnic table built for a squirrel? Yes, the quarantine showed people have no limits when it comes to creativity. However, if working in wood for squirrels does not appeal to you, how about building some bird feeders for the feathered friends visiting your property? It is a good educational and skill-developing activity for kids, not to mention a fun one for the entire family!

55. Lawn Twister

You can play Twister in the living room, but it is more fun to do it on the lawn! Check out this guide on other lawn games to play in your yard during the lockdown and after! Start by painting the “Twister board” directly on the lawn with a grass-friendly spray that washes away next time you water the turf and have a full afternoon of twisting and laughing!

56. Potato Sack Race

Mixing physical activities with competition and prizes? Yes, please! This is one of the most challenging outdoor and lawn games and activities for kids and all you need are some sacks we are sure you have around in the garden shed.

58. Obstacle Course Race

Keeping the entire family moving outside, consuming excess energy, relieve anxiety and frustrations, and getting as much fresh air as you can is an easy achievement if you consider mixing in some obstacle course race ideas with potato sack competitions and other lawn games. Here are some obstacle course ideas for adults, but you can easily adapt them to your kids as well!

59. Hopscotch on the Porch or Driveway

For a second, we thought of including hopscotch as an indoor activity, but your neighbors downstairs would not agree with us or with you. So we moved hopscotch into the category of the outdoor fun things to do in lockdown. A piece of chalk and the pavement in front or in the back of your house should solve this issue. However, if you don’t want to let the kids play on the driveway, paint the hopscotch on the porch with a washable paint or “draw” the lines with a roll of tape. You can also use an eco-friendly spray paint for the lawn. Anyway, hopscotch is a fun childhood game that keeps kids entertained for hours. If you were good at it back in your day, enter the game yourself and show them how it’s done!

60. Make a Volcano!

You could, in theory, make a volcano in the bathroom sink or bathtub, but you would not like the messiness. So learn how to make a DIY volcano as a home science experiment for kids of all ages. The older ones interested in science and chemistry in particular will have a field day with this! The back yard or the house porch is ideal for this fun and educational activity!

61. Pinata Party in the Garden

A Pinata party in the garden is a family project with all the trimmings, especially if you build the pinata yourselves. You can use cardboard, paper mâché, colored tissues, a clay pot, and more. Fill it with treats and toys, put on some fun music (on a decent volume as you don’t want to disturb the neighbors), have a snack, and hit that pinata for a fun garden party you will all remember!

62. Bird Watching

What you need for this relaxed and educational back yard activity with the kids is a blanket and the best pair of binoculars for bird watching and nature observations. If you want to turn this game into an educational moment, take some notebooks and pens, write down all the birds you see, make a sheet for each of them, take their photo if you can, and learn some biology between two laughs.

63. Flying Drones

As long as you do not disturb your neighbors and you do not invade anyone’s privacy, you and the kids can play with the drone and have a unique view on things around the house or neighborhood. Some drones for beginners have excellent flying potential, but if you have one with field-of-view camera and first-person view transmission, make sure you don’t break any laws!

64. Backyard Mini-Golf

If you have a mini-golf set in the house or you are willing to build a mini-golf course from scratch in the back yard, now it’s the perfect time! Since there are golf sets to install in corporate offices, we are sure you can handle things when it comes to your own lawn. All you need to do is polish your special, secret golf skills, tricks, and hacks and give your kids a good run for their money!

65. Camp Around the Fire

As we said, it is not likely we will go on vacations any time soon, but this does not mean we cannot welcome the spirit of vacation on our porch or patio! If you have an outdoor fireplace you are all set! Spend an evening outside by the fire, even make some marshmallows, sing some songs, gaze at the stars, tell scary stories, tell jokes, laugh, and warm up your hearts!

66. Astronomy and Star Gazing

Using a telescope for kids – as we just mentioned star gazing above – is the best way to teach them science, open their minds about the universe and challenge them to discover the mysteries of the sky. You can use the telescope from a city apartment, sure, but having a back yard for your astronomical observations and scientific debates is ten times better. There is not enough engaging science taught in school, so fix this problem by introducing the kids to one of the greatest questions of all times: what is out there?

67. Microscope Studies

If the kids in your family are science buffs, a microscope and a table in the back yard is all they need. Some kids started looking at the intricate microscopical construction of a leaf and ended up one of the brilliant doctors we praise today. Just like some love to look at the greatness above us and wonder about the outer space, others love to look at the tiniest building blocks of our existence and find answers there. Nevertheless, performing microscope studies on plants and insects they find in the yard with the help of a powerful microscope for kids may be the best gift you can offer your children during this pandemic.

68. Lawn Scrabble

Playing Scrabble in the house is one thing, but cutting carboard or wood pieces, writing letters on them with thick markers, and turning the lawn into a giant Scrabble board is quite another! The rules are the same. The hardest part is to create the actual board, but we do recommend a tablecloth. Such a DIY project can keep you busy for days. When everything is into place, keep the conversation going on your patio!

69. Ring Toss Game

This classic carnival game goes great in your back yard. You need some bottles, a crate, and some rings. Parents turn the game into a quick fun Math lesson as they encourage the kids to keep their own scores.

70. DIY Outdoor Chess/Checkers Table

You don’t need a pandemic to practice your chess or checkers strategies. However, since we are in lockdown and we already discussed it is important to recycle and upcycle old items, let’s see how you can turn a game of chess into a fun outdoor activity with the kids.

  • Find an old outdoor table you want to turn into a chessboard;
  • Fix it, paint it, and polish it nicely;
  • Paint the chessboard directly on the surface of the table;
  • Set the table on the porch as an invitation for all players to take their chances against you or the most skilled member of the family.

We all know you can’t play a mean game of chess or checkers without the proper set. In fact, it is one of those fun things to do with kids outside with or without a lockdown. Refurbishing an entire table to meet your competitive needs is an outdoor activity that mixes craft with family fun. It is also a lucrative endeavor, as you will have this chess table for the years to come!

71. Yard Yahtzee

Yahtzee is one of those fun things to do with kids that are timeless. All you need is a plastic bucket you can find anywhere around the house. Use a Sharpie to make dots on wooden cubes and keep the score for everyone to see! A giant lawn Yahtzee game works perfectly during the lockdown and way after!

72. Recycle Bottle Bowling

Do you have some plastic water bottles around? A tennis ball lying around somewhere? The you are all set! You don’t need to craft a bowling set in wood or other materials when you can reuse plastic or even glass bottles. The tennis ball is not quite a bowling ball, but hey, outdoor games for the lockdown should be challenging, shouldn’t they?

73. Giant Lawn Jenga

Speaking od recycling and reusing, what do you do exactly with those unused wood pallets you keep? How about taking a saw and some wood polish and turn them into Jenga blocks? Just make sue they all have exactly the same dimensions! If you want a clearer picture of how to make Jenga blocks of wood scraps, check out the video below!

74. The Kubb Lawn Game

Remember your own childhood with this all time classic lawn game! You can make the Kubb pieces on your own if you have the patience and the skills or you can order them online. Few kids nowadays know how to play Kubb, so this is where you come in! Did you forget yourself? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

75. Play With Water

Summer is coming and water games are the surefire way to tame the heat that is upon us. Water games can take a variety of forms, from a good old fashioned water pistol fight to installing an inflatable pool in the back yard. Check out this guide on the best water games to play at the beach or in your garden and beat the scorching sun! Put some ideas aside for those sunny days after the crisis is over too!

Bottom Line

This was our list of fun things to do with kids in lockdown! We are sure you already tried some, so feel free to tell us which are your favorite activities for indoor and outdoor entertainment. Also, complete our list with your own ideas and ask us for more guides and suggestions! Stay home, stay safe, and live life to the fullest!

Best Football Cleats for Wide Feet

Looking for the best football cleats for wide feet? You’ve come to the right place. Having the perfect pair of football cleats will dramatically improve your performance on the field. Furthermore, improving your performance means you spend focus more on enjoying your game time. Ideally, your cleats will perfectly match your foot and also have the right studs for the surface you are playing on. Finally, it’s important that you football cleats are the right style for your position on the field.

Unfortunately, if you have wide feet it can be a little more difficult to find the right size pair of football cleats.  That’s because most cleats are designed for people with narrow feet.

But don’t let that get in the way of signing up for football! We’re here to help. This article will offer advice on choosing the right pair of cleats so that you know what to look for. Lastly, we’ve identified the 5 best football cleats of different styles for wide feet. So read up, order the pair the suits you, and hit the field.

The Importance of Having the Perfect Cleats

Here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t settle for cleats that don’t quite fit right:

You will certainly do better in a pair of cleats designed for wide feet

If you wear cleats that are too tight, then as a result, it can interfere with your ability to move quickly across the field.  You will have less stability, and consequently this may lead to more falls and performance problems. Finally, the amount of power you can drive through your legs may be negatively affected if you are wearing poorly fitted cleats. So, don’t let your performance on the field suffer because you skimped on buying the right shoes!

You will be more comfortable with cleats designed for wide feet

Above all else, comfort is critical if you’re going to give your 100% effort and talent to the game. If you are currently wearing cleats that are even a little too narrow for your feet, you will probably have sore feet within 20 minutes of putting them on. When you are in constant pain, you won’t really be enjoying your time on the field or performing your best. Furthermore, you may even develop blisters and cuts on your feet if the cleats are too narrow for your feet. Football already has risks, therefore, you want to do everything you can to minimize more damage to your feet.

You will have less risk of injury if you wear cleats designed for wide feet

The right pair of cleats will provide you with a stable platform and balance. You will be able to drive off the line more easily, stay on your feet longer, and be able to change direction more easily. However, if your shoes are a little too narrow, you will increase your risk of twisting an ankle and falling. It can be quite dangerous to run onto the field with poorly fitted cleats! So, to sum up, minimize injuries and maximize your potential by buying cleats that fit.

Tips for Buying Football Cleats for Wide Feet

Ask your coach and team mates for advice

Your coach has probably had dozens of players with wide feet on his team over the years. He will surely have a great understanding about which brands and models make the best football cleats for wide feet. Therefore, the coach should be the first person you ask before buying a pair of cleats. Also, if you’re new to football, you probably won’t know your position right away. Consequently, its best to wait until at least after your first practice before you pick up a new pair so that you know what position you’ll likely play.

Moreover, if you notice that any of teammates have wide feet, talk to them. You could also ask them which shoe manufacturer or model they use. They will undeniably share with you if they have found a great cleat for wide feet or let you know which ones to avoid.

Think about the upper material

The upper is the top part of the shoe and most uppers are made from one of two materials:

  •   Leather
    This is the traditional material used to make football cleats. Very durable and comfortable, leather also offers excellent protection for your feet. However, the only downside of leather is that it is heavier than some synthetic materials. Also, leather uppers tends to be found in more expensive pairs of cleats.
  •   Synthetic
    Synthetic materials are manmade, in other words, they’re not found in nature. They are often used in modern football cleats because they are cheap and light. The most common synthetic materials include acrylic, polyesters, nylon and various kinds of plastics, for instance. However, the downside of using synthetic materials is that they often aren’t as durable as leather. To clarify though, synthetic cleats will almost always last you through the full season, if not two seasons of football.

Choosing football cleats with the right upper is particularly important if you have a wide foot. Leather works well, because it will stretch to match the size of your feet over time. It does take a few weeks though, so it may be painful during that time.

Synthetic materials don’t stretch, so they won’t become any more comfortable as you wear them. However, you can find some cleats with specially designed synthetic uppers that have additional room for wide feet.

Consider the purpose of the shoe

Football cleats come in three styles:

  •   High-tops
    High-tops are the largest football cleats you can find on the market and offer the most protection for your feet. The shoe extends over your ankle to reduce the risk of ankle sprains and other injuries.  The high top football cleats work well for players in positions where they will be moving laterally, which is why linemen often wear high-tops.
  •   Mid-cut
    Mid-cut cleats are designed to offer some support for the ankles while still allowing the player to be maneuverable on the field. Also, mid-cut cleats are the primary choice for many running backs, defensive backs and wide receivers.
  •   Low-cut
    Low-cut shoes are very light and offer excellent maneuverability. The disadvantage of these shoes is that they tend to have less durability and offer less protection for the player’s ankles. Low-cut cleats tend to be narrower because they are designed for speed. It can sometimes be difficult to find a low cut cleat for wide feet. You may find that a wider mid cut shoe is the most comfortable option if you have a wide foot.

Consider the studs on the shoe

Studs are essential not only for avoiding slipping on the field, but also giving you the grip to power forward. Moreover, there are only two choices when it comes to studs on the bottom of the cleat:

  •   Molded studs
    Molded studs are glued onto the bottom of the shoe. They are usually made from plastic or rubber, both of which are perfectly fine for most types of play. Additionally, because they’re not removable, they tend to be the cheaper type of studs.
  •   Detachable studs
    As the name suggests, detachable studs can be removed from the bottom of the shoe and further replaced by other studs. This can be very useful because you can change the type or layout of the studs on your shoes to suit the conditions of the pitch. You can also use longer studs if playing on wet grass or in the mud. By contrast, short studs are needed when playing on artificial turf.

If you are a beginner and/or not looking to spend a lot of money on cleats, then molded studs are probably the best choice. But, if you know your team will play on both grass and astroturf and don’t mind spending more, consider investing in detachable studded cleats. Either type of stud configuration is fine for people with wide feet. Your main consideration will actually be the width of the shoe’s sole plate.

Consider the sole plate

The sole plate is the hard component of the shoe that sits underneath your foot. Some shoe designs that are designed particularly for speed will have a narrower sole plate. Your feet may fit inside the shoe thanks to a flexible upper, but if the sole plate is quite narrow, then you might still have issues with stability or comfort.

5 of the Best Football Cleats for Wide Feet

Here are 5 pairs of cleats that are unquestionably good for athletes with wide feet. They are all very comfortable, well-made, and will make your time on the field much more enjoyable. We’ve selected top shelf brand name shoes, but none of these none of these cleats will break the bank.

New Balance MF897 Mid Cut Football/Turf Shoe

New Balance Men's T4040v4 Turf Baseball Shoe
  • Revlite midsole
  • No-sew material application
  • Removable insert

New Balance is widely regarded to be one of the best brands for players with wide feet. In fact, most of their cleats have additional space around the forefoot. This consequently makes them quite comfortable for players with wide feet and is a great option.

The New Balance 897 football cleat is an affordable shoe with a mid-cut design. Therefore, they are perfect for players who are new to the game because they are well made and cheap. Also, because they are mid-cut, you could buy these cleats and play a variety of positions on the team. They come with a light weight and breathable synthetic/mesh upper. The molded studs are made from TPU (Thermoplastic Urethane), subsequently providing excellent traction on dry fields. This pair of cleats uses a moisture-wicking LIGHTNING DRY™ collar that will surely your feet dry in hot weather.

Under Armour Men’s Hammer Mid RM Football Cleats

Under Armour make some excellent pairs of cleats that are also perfect for players with wide feet. The UA Hammer Mid RM shoes are among their lesser know but undoubtedly well-reviewed models. This cleat comes with a durable synthetic upper for a lightweight and durable feel. Furthermore, the synthetic heel counter is there to provide additional support for your foot as well. Additionally, die-cut EVA footbed offers the right mix of comfort and stability for when you tear up the field.

The outsole has molded rubber studs, which are perfect for dry grass or artificial turf. They are a very lightweight pair of cleats that can be used by players in many different positions. These cleats are a great choice for any keen football player who wants a lightweight pair of cleats at a very affordable price.

Adidas Men’s NastyQuick Mid Football Cleats

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Adidas is another brand that tends to have markedly more width compared to cleats from other manufacturers. The Adidas Men’s NastyQuick Mid Football Cleats are one of the best options for players who want a quality shoe. At the same time, this is a good brand and design for those who don’t want to drop too much money.

These cleats are very lightweight and therefore designed for players who want to focus speed and maneuverability.  The QUICKFOAM upper is made from a combination of leather and synthetic materials. They come with the techfit™ tongue system, which is specifically designed to protect your feet during cuts. These cleats have a synthetic overlay on both the toe and heel to protect your feet during tackles. The molded studs are designed in a unique pattern with 12 points of contact on the forefoot and also large bladed studs on the heel.

Under Armour Men’s Highlight MC Football Cleats

This is another great pair of cleats from Under Armour most specifically for linemen. They are extremely comfortable, with the insole contouring easily to the mold of your foot. The Highlight MC upper is also quite durable and offers excellent protection for your feet.

The UA clutchfit support system offers essentially a second skin of wrapping for your foot, making this ideal for contact or falls. Despite being a high-cut cleat, they are quite lightweight.  These cleats are great choices for players of any skill level, particularly if you plan on hitting hard.

Nike Men’s Lunarbeast Pro TD WIDE Football Cleat

Nike designed this pair of cleats from the ground up to suit players with wide feet. It uses a fabric and synthetic upper with the NIKESKIN crosshatch design. The hook and loop strap helps to secure your forefoot in the shoe, improving your stability.

These cleats have a low profile forefoot that makes changing direction while on the move easy. The low collar design is really good for making quick cuts as well as sharp turns. They also include a seven stud detachable TPU spike plate, delivering excellent traction. This pair of shoes is a great choice for a mobile linebacker, particularly if you’re dealing with a range of turfs.

Thanks for reading Football Cleats For Wide Feet. Do you have other favorite football cleats for wide feet? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section. For more sporting equipment guides, subscribe to the blog or follow us on social media! Make sure you check out the best cleats for lineman as well.

Featured Image via Pixabay

The Best Card Games to Play of all Times

The Best Card Games of All Time


History of Card Playing

Many families own a pack of playing cards as there are so many fun games to explore. But have you ever considered where all of these games originated? Let’s take a look at the history of card playing and where it all began (and why)!

Earliest References for Playing Cards

Scholars believe that playing cards were first invented in the ninth century by the Chinese. Their designs and symbols resembled Chinese paper money of that time. This suggests that people traded these cards the way we trade money today. It wasn’t until the 13th century that the novelty of playing cards reached Europe.

The Europeans had completely different card styles than the Chinese. Many styles of these styles were supposedly invented by a famous knight called Etienne Vignoles. France created the four suits in the 1400’s as we know them today: Hearts, Diamonds, Spades, and Clubs. Shortly thereafter, England adopted this same structure around the year 1462. This was right in the middle of the War of the Roses, which is often culturally connected to the symbols on modern playing cards.

That being said, Germany really took the cake when it came to printing playing cards in the highest volumes. This made card games even more popular, with a huge increase in distribution and accessibility.

Number of Cards in a Pack

It’s believed that the first deck of printed cards contained 32 in the pack. Today, we have variations from 24-52 cards per pack. Some suggest that the 52 cards were developed based on the 52 weeks in a year. If you add up the numbers in each deck, you will have a sum of 365, the exact number of days in the year.

Materials Used and Designed

In the early years, cards were printed on wood and bone. Later on, they started being printed on a wide variety of materials throughout the centuries. This variety could be seen in a variety of places like India, Persia, Egypt, and Europe. Germany, for example, used wood-cutting techniques and copper resources to create engraved picture. These pictures, made with fine handiwork, resulted in stunning playing cards. Those playing cards, then as now, made for cherished collector’s items.

When the card-playing trade landed in the United States, soldiers brought the cards home with them in their pockets. This led to cards being made out of paper. Now they’re now packaged small enough to carry with you anywhere you go.

Card symbols have drastically changed since the ancient Chinese began creating them. Historians believe that the four different suits represent four classes in Medieval society. Clubs represent peasants, diamonds for merchants, spades for the military, and hearts for members of the church.

As cards became more popular amongst gamblers, their designs simplified to not distract players. Gamblers didn’t want their opponents to see what cards they were holding, so cards developed to have stars on the back so you couldn’t see through them.

You can pick up a pack of playing cards from almost anywhere now as they’re printed on paper. Cards are now available from in standard form to themed, and you can even purchase cards with large print and braille. They might have lost their rarity, but the accessibility of playing cards today means that there are many more game variations to choose from, suitable for everyone preschool aged children to adults.

Using Playing Cards as Money

Cards have been used for playing games, generating income, and as a popular form of entertainment throughout the centuries for people of all ages.

France was the first country to use playing cards in exchange for goods due to a money shortage. Soldiers needed payment for their duties, but with no coins to hand to them, the Governor demanded all the playing cards in the colony. He then cut up the playing cards into quarters, signed and stamped them and handed them to soldiers as a form of payment. When coins finally returned to the country, people swapped their cards for money. All playing cards were then destroyed in order to stop the black market currency exchange. This exchange of playing cards crept back into the colony many years later. At that time merchants accepted the playing cards instead of money. During this time, playing cards were made out of paper – which was a rarity. So shopkeepers welcomed cards instead of money.

Using Playing Cards for Entertainment

As obtaining playing cards became easier, most people used to own a pack of cards for entertainment purposes. The King, prisoners, prostitutes, sailors, noblewomen, and everyone in between used cards to kill time and connect with others.

Playing cards also helped people of different languages communicate freely and engage in entertainment. Games are the ultimate language barrier breaker. Use this list of best card games to make international friends next time you’re abroad. Teaching a game through actions and practice is loads easier than learning or teaching a new language.

People have been known to compete with cards, seeing who could stack them into “card houses” without knocking them down. Many people use cards to perform magic tricks as well. Even to this day, playing cards are basic gameplay in households to bring people together.

Not sure how to play, or looking for a new way to play? Don’t worry. From old games to current games to games meant for solo play or playing with teams, we have you covered. Whether its games meant for children or for adults, you will find some of the best card games here. Without further ado, let’s get right to the list of the best card games in history.


Old Card Games


Gin Rummy

Gin Rummy was established in 1909 and is a derivative of the original game of rummy. This game is ideal for two to six players.

Using a standard deck of playing cards, the objective is to have a sequence of cards that follow the same suit in numerical order (i.e. 4, 5, 6 of clubs or 8, 9, 10 of hearts, etc.). Alternatively, you may win by having the same number in different suits, such as a 6 of hearts, 6 of clubs, and 6 of spaces. The first person to score 100 wins the game.

How to Play

Shuffle the cards and hand out 10 cards each if there are two players, seven for three or four players, and six for five to six players. Choose a dealer.

For any excess cards, create two piles; one called a ‘stock’ where the cards are face down, and the other called a ‘discard pile’ with cards face up. Begin by taking one card from either pile.

Play continues clockwise until a person knocks on the table to end the round. The knock will indicate that the player has completed all sets in a hand and is ready to go out. Then the people lay the cards down face up while saying “Gin”.

The score is then tallied per the face value of the cards: one point for aces, 10 points for face cards, and all other cards have the value of the number on the card.  


Canasta

Since 1948, Americans have enjoyed teaming up for a great game of Canasta. Using two standard decks of playing cards, including all four jokers, four people can play this game in two teams.

The object of this game is for each player to collect as many cards of the same suit. Each meld (which is a suit of card) makes up points, and the person with the highest score at the end wins canasta.

How to Play

Each player is dealt two hands out consisting of 11 cards each. The dealer must put all remaining cards face down in the center of the table, creating a draw and discard pile.

The play begins with the player to the left of the dealer and then continues clockwise with each additional player.

During each round, a player draws a card from their own pack, or chooses one from the deck For each card you pick up, you must replace with one of your own cards.

The play continues until a player goes out, and this happens if you have the lowest points for that round. The score is tallied by adding how many cards of the same suit you have, and the first team to get 5000 points wins the game.


Spades

Since the 1930’s, Spades has been a popular trick-taking card game that was invented by college students. It was created for two to seven players.

The object of this game is to have the highest number of tricks per round. A trick is matching cards by suit or number.

How to Play

Before beginning the game, players decide on a winning score. It’s typical that the first player to get 500 points wins the game.

Players have an even amount of cards, and the person with the highest card is the dealer. The next player proceeds clockwise and so forth with the aim of following suit.

If you don’t have the proper card in your hand to follow suit, you can then trump (a spade) or discard.

The person who wins the trick leads the next round, and the game continues until there are no cards left. Players cannot play a spade unless this is the only card left in their hand.


An Age of Electronics

With this electronic age, communication is almost a thing of the past. People are always looking at their phones for one reason or another, and verbal conversation is done through emoji’s and texts.

Games can be played on many devices from phones to gaming platforms, therefore, physical card playing is becoming obsolete.

There are many reasons that playing with an actual deck of cards is better than playing a virtual game over the internet.

Reality card playing gives you the opportunity to exercise your hands and brain. Eye-hand coordination is important, and watching a child’s eyes light up with excitement when they win a game against Mom is priceless.

One of the best reasons a physical game of cards is so important is the thought of bringing family and friends together for a few hours of socialization and relaxation.

A serious game of cards will keep your creative juices flowing, your brain working, and fun and laughter are the medicine to calm stress.


Single Player Card Games


Solitaire

Let’s begin with the ever so popular game of Solitaire. It was once a competitive two-player game that has now become a peaceful game to enjoy in your leisure time.

The object of the game is to stack all of the cards in descending order into four piles, ie. King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, etc. You can only create sufficient piles by alternating between colors.

How to Play

Start with a standard deck of 52 cards. Create seven rows with the cards face down. Add one card under the first row, two under the second row, three under the third row, and so on.

The last card on each row should be face up so you can see it. With the remaining cards, create a pile that you can use later.

With the cards laid out, see if you can move them across to each other to create a descending order; if you can’t, reach for a new card from the excess pile.

Once you’ve created a full line from King to 2, you can add these to one of the four piles accordingly.


Forty Thieves

Another fun Solitaire game is Forty Thieves. This game requires two standard decks of playing cards and a large playing space.

The object of this game is to make eight foundation piles in suit order from Ace to King. This objective is very similar to solitaire, although it’s more difficult as you have to match cards with the same suit.

How to Play

You start this game by forming 10 columns with four cards each – all of which are face up. Form a face-up pile with the remaining cards.

You can only move one card at a time into descending order. Once a column is free, you can move a single card into its place. If you’re struggling to make a move, replace this card with one from the excess pile.

The game is over when all the cards are piled in the proper order.


Quiddler

Play a short word game of Quiddler to sharpen your brain, while you work toward building words from all the cards in your hand. You can play this game alone, or with up to eight players.

The object of this game is to create the most words or the longest, and gain extra bonus points! Each round becomes more challenging as the number of cards dealt increase – beginning with three and ending with 10.

How to Play

Each player is dealt three cards, and the remaining cards are face down. On each hand, you have to create a word with as many of your cards as possible. If there’s more than one player, you take turns forming a word from the left of the dealer.

Each as the rounds increase, you pick up a new card from the spare pile. Scoring is like Scrabble; some of the letters are worth more points, and some letters are worth double points. The person with the highest score wins Quiddler.

If there are multiple players, the game stops when a player cannot form a word, and they’re then out of the game.


2 Player Card Games


Blink

Start with a fun and exciting game of Blink. Don’t look away because this fast-paced game moves so quickly it’s over within two minutes!

The object of this game is to get rid of your cards the quickest. Match your cards to those in the pile by color, shape or number.

How to Play

Everyone is dealt with the same number of cards to match their cards with the card on the table.

There are no turns and you can only play one card at a time to match the one at the top of the pile.

When the first person runs out of cards, the hand is over, and that person will win the game.


Peanuts

Another fun way to keep your hand and eye coordination in training is to play a fast-paced game of Peanuts. This is an ideal game for two players but can be just as much fun with three or more players. But the more people who play, the harder the concentration level!

The object of this game is to play cards into the middle foundation piles and score the highest points from doing so. The first player to score 150 points wins, and if multiple players reach this score, the person with the highest score overall wins.

How to Play

Each player is issued their own deck of standard playing cards. Each deck should be distinctively different from the others because they will get mixed up throughout the game.

The game begins with each person shuffling their own deck of cards and placing 12 cards down and one up in a pile of thirteen. Four more will be placed face up in four columns next to the pile of 13.

When an ace appears on the table by either player, the ace is then placed in the middle of the table for each person to build on up to King.

After each round, the cards in the middle are shuffled.


Cribbage

Cribbage, also known as “Noddy” in early English terms, is another card game that can be enjoyed by two people.

The object of this game is to earn points by making various combinations of cards on the pile, using a Cribbage board for making scorekeeping simple. The first person to get to 121 points wins the game.

How to Play

Each player takes a card from a pack, leaving at least four cards remaining. The person with the lowest card begins the game.

The first player presents their four cards face up to show the total numerical value. The ace counts as one, royals count as 10, and the remaining cards represent their face value.

The dealer then places a card in a pile and each player must present a card to make up to the value of 31 – but no more.

If it comes to your turn and the only cards you have left will make the total above 31, you’re out of the game.


Solid Wood Folding Cribbage Set

Purchase a Solid Wood Folding Cribbage Set and get everything you need to play the game. Although the game is intended for two people, four people can play in teams of two, and it is easy enough for anyone in the family to learn!

The object of this game is to try to build card combinations that total 15.

How to Play

Players take it in turns to create combinations that total 15 using the cards they’re handed.

If you’re unable to make 15, you’re out of that round and deemed the loser.


Speed

If you are looking for an exciting, fast-paced card game that two people can play, you will enjoy a fun afternoon with a card game of Speed. The game can only be played with two people and will be enjoyed by all ages.

The object of this game is to be the quickest to place cards in numerical order – either ascending or descending – until you have no cards left.

How to Play

The play area consists of four piles and each player is dealt five cards at the beginning of the game.

Each player then places a card on either pile in a descending or ascending order with the intention of throwing other players off.


3 Player Card Games


Karma

Karma is a fast-paced card game that can be played by three people from ages 8 to adult without a problem.

The object of this game is to play a card that is the same rank or higher than the one in the pile so that you’re left with no cards at the end of the game.

How to Play

Each player is handed three cards and any remaining cards are placed in a pile on the table.

The game begins with one card face up on the table and the player to the dealer’s left places their best card on top.

The game continues with players taking it in turns to beat their opponents’ score. You can take a chance to pick up a spare card from the pile to play that instead of yours.

The person holding the least amount of cards at the end wins the game.


Ideal Rage

Ideal Rage is another game that can be easily played with three players from ages 8 to adult. This game comes with 110 cards and is a fast-paced game of revenge.

The object of the game is to score the highest number over the course of 10 rounds.

How to Play

Before the game begins, each player will guess the number of cards they will end up with at the end of the game.

The first player will lay down a card on the table; the first card will determine trump. All players will take turns trying to lay down cards with the matching trump color. Use a Rage Action card to change the color of the trump.

Score points for using Rage cards, by guessing the number of cards you will have, and for each trick you collect.


The Oregon Trail Game

Although the Oregon Trail Card Game is for two to six players, you will have a great time playing with just three! This blast from the past game that was once played as a video game can now be played the good old fashioned way from a box.

The object of this game is to help one member of your wagon part survive and safely arrive at Willamette Valley. The game involves working together to traveling over rivers and other obstacles while fighting to survive.

How to Play

Begin the game by placing the start card at one end of the table and the finish card at the other end. Deal supply cards to each player (5 cards for 2-4 players, 4 cards for 5 players, and 3 cards for 6 players).

Each player takes a turn to connect the trial to continue the route. The first team to reach their destination wins the game.

Be careful not to die, or your name will be erased and replaced on a tombstone card!


Duo

The lively, fast-paced game of Duo will have you anxiously awaiting to play your next turn. This game can easily be played with three people, but works best for two to six players.

The object of the game is to be the first one to run out of cards by matching two out of three components on the cards.

How to Play

Each player is handed a stack of cards and the game begins with one card face up in the middle of the table.

The first player draws their card that matches by either number, symbol or color. The game continues as such. But if you don’t have a similar card to the one in the center, you must take one from the draw pile.


4 Player Card Games


Uno

Uno is a classic family card game made by Mattel. Since the early 1970’s, this exciting game has been the center of every family get together throughout the country. For an interesting twist, try the game with a partner, or compete in a tournament.

The object of this game is to match the colors and cards in your hand, being the first to lay them down on the table. Win the game by being the winner of 500 points.

How to Play

Each player begins with 10 cards. The first player must match the color of the card in the middle, or pick a WILD card.

But, if you have a round where you can’t play, you must draw a card from the excess pile.

The game continues until the winning player is left with one card, and shouts, “UNO”.


Phase 10

A great four player card game for a Saturday night get-together is the exciting game of Phase 10.

The object of this game is to complete all 10 phases of this game without getting left behind. Each time you complete a phase, you can move on to the next, but if your opponent gets stuck with cards, they must add them to their score and repeat the phase.

How to Play

Each player chooses a card from the draw pile. You then choose a card of your choice to throw to the discard pile and the game moves on to the next player.

When you receive your cards, check the card information you’re given to solve (usually a math question). With your set of cards, you want to have the correct card combinations to win that round.


Dutch Blitz

Try your hand at a fast-paced game of Dutch Blitz. This game is suited for two to four people.

The object of the game is to be the first person to run out of cards from your Blitz pile It’s a race to put the cards from your Blitz pile onto the center Dutch piles in order of the same color.

How to Play

Each player lays three cards in front of them and creates a fourth pile of 10 cards face down. Face up the 10th card so everyone can see it.

Taking it in turns, each player places one of their cards on top of the center card in numerical order. You can switch the suits at any time, so long as the cards as in numerical order.

The first person to reach 150 points wins the game.


Euchre


Not Parent Approved

For a great family game night choice with the tweens, Not Parent Approved: A Card Game for Kids, Families and Mischief Makers will be a popular hit. Designed for four to ten players ages 8 and older, this amusing game will keep the entire family entertained for hours!

The object of this game is to fill in the blanks from the words on the cards and get the highest score.

How to Play

The cards are evenly distributed amongst players. Each round begins with a card that has a question on it.

Players present their card that has the most suitable answer on it. The player with the most question cards at the end wins the game.


Card Games for Kids


Go Fish!

Start the day off with a classic game of Go Fish! This colorful game full of excitement will have your little one fishing for the winning match! For ages 3 and older, this game can be played with three to six players.

The object of this game is to introduce little ones to numbers and teach them how to match them up while they are giggling because you have more cards than you do.

How to Play

Each player is given five cards and all remaining cards are placed face down in a pile.

One by one, each player takes it in turn to read out a question to the player beside them. The recipient then holds up the correct answer from their card selection.

If you don’t have a card that suits the answer, say “Go fish”. The game continues until people run out of cards.


Memory

Although this classic card game can be played with a standard deck of 52 cards, you will keep your child’s interest much longer when you play the Original Memory Game by Hasbro. They can play solo, or with friends. The more people that play, the bigger the challenge!

The object of this game is to match cards to similar pictures to help improve a child’s memory. For each round you get right, you score points. The person that makes the most matches wins the game.

How to Play

Each player is handed an equal set of cards out of 48, and there’s always a card in the center of the table.

As players take their turn, they put down a card that matches the one in the middle.


Smack It!

Sit down with anticipation, waiting for the first person to smack the pile with this exciting game of Smack it! The whole family will enjoy playing this fast-paced card game, and it won’t take hours to learn because it is that simple. This card can be played with a group and is recommended for ages 6 and up.

The object of this game is to teach patience and self-control to the kids, and it allows everyone to work together as a team to accomplish a goal.

How to Play

Each player takes a card from the divided piles and places it face up in the center of the table.

Everyone will anxiously wait for a smack it card to turn up, thus allowing the first person to smack the deck and win the pile.

Don’t be surprised when Grandma asks to play again, because it is that much fun!


Family Scavenger Hunt Card Game

This exciting Scavenger Hunt Card Game will have the whole family scouring to find the items listed on the cards. Everyone 6 and older will enjoy this game, but younger children could play as a “helper” for an older player. Although it should be played with at least two players, you could create a version of your own for one.

How to Play

Everyone is dealt 10 cards each, and you choose items found outdoors, or play the indoor game; that way you can enjoy the sunshine, or play inside on a rainy day.

If you can’t find an item on your card indoors or outdoors, you can pass, and the game moves on to another player (or another round, if playing individually).

These colorful cards will keep minds intrigued for hours of play!


Old Maid

This card game goes back many years and can be played with a standard deck of playing cards, but colorful games will hold the attention of a child much longer. Purchase a special game of Old Maid Illustrated Card Game that is specifically designed for children ages 4 and older, and watch their eyes light up with excitement!

The object of this game is to guess the 22 careers to help children learn different occupations.

How to Play

Evenly distribute the cards amongst players and each player holds up their card and states the occupation from the picture.

The player left with the Old Maid card loses the game.


Card Games for Adults


Never Have I Ever

Be careful what you say in the popular Party game of  Never Have I Ever. The game is best played in a group. As seen on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Never Have I Ever is the fun game of telling the truth, but will you?

The object of this game is to be the first player to get 10 “wall of shame cards.” Remember, what that means is that the winner is the person who has done the most crazy stuff. So, if you’ve led a particularly wild life and don’t mind sharing, you’re going to do well in this game.

How to Play

Evenly distribute cards amongst all players, and take turns to read out a statement on the card.

When one player reads from the red question card, everyone else will answer the question using the best blue card they have.

If you have done the activity read out by a player, you raise your hand, or choose another method.

When the card proves that the person is guilty, the card will then go on the individual’s “wall of shame.”

This is a great game to break the ice at any party or play the game to get to know your partner better. The game can get pretty raunchy in terms of topics, so we don’t blame you for some selective lying.


Poker

Get your friends together and make it a Poker night! The game is designed for adults only (if you’re betting money), and it is best to play with poker cards designed specifically for the game.

The object of this betting game is to have the highest rank of cards. For example, the highest rank is King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and Ace, but no suit is higher than another.

How to Play

Evenly distribute cards and chips amongst all players. Take it in turns going around the table and placing a bet with chips.

You can fool other players into thinking you have bad/good cards, but how much you bet depends on your risk and the value of your cards.

After each round, everyone presents their cards to each other to see who has the highest value. Whoever does, wins that round.

There are loads of various combinations of this game that you can play. The most common hands known are ranked from five of a kind to nothing. Pro tip: if you’re new to poker, go easy on the money betting. Watch and learn from the experienced players at the table.


Keep Calm

Keep Calm the Game will have everyone shaking in their shoes when they must decide what they would do in each scenario. Gather your friends and try to relax and keep calm no matter what happens! Not recommended for players under the age of 17.

The object of the game is to collect six Situation cards, and the first person to do so wins.

How to Play

Keep Calm will give a scenario and you must figure out which one of your answer cards would best fit. The game can get pretty creative with a wide range of options.

If you are at your wit’s end, throw down a panic card, leaving everyone else in shambles!


Battle of the Sexes

What does he know about cooking? What does she know about football? Find out when you play this hilarious card game version of Battle of the Sexes. This is a fun game to play in a group, or just with the two of you (assuming you’re not the same sex).

The object of the game is to be the gender that answers the most questions correctly.

How to Play

Teams are divided by the sexes. Each team receives an equal amount of cards, each with questions on them.

In this game, the guys must answer questions that the girls will most likely know, and the girls must answer questions that the guys would know.

This would make a great after dinner game, or play as a group at the next grown-ups only party. It also makes for a fun drinking game.


Easy Card Games


Spoons

Sit down, play a round, and with great luck, you will snag up a spoon! This easy card game of spoons will create a constant array of movement around the table. This game is designed for three to six players ages 7 and up, but can be played by more when using additional plastic spoons.

The object of this game is to be the first to collect the four cards you have been waiting for, and grab a spoon each round.

How to Play

The game begins by passing all the cards around the table, racing to collect four of a kind.

There is always one less spoon on the table than players. So, each round, someone is going to get left out.

For a twist in the excitement, keep score by giving each person a letter for each spoon they miss.

Keep going until the first person has lost so many times that they have the word “spoons” spelled out under their name.

Remember, it’s just a game, so there is no need to fight for the spoon until someone gets hurt.


Family Feud

Who doesn’t like the long-running television game show Family Feud? With the Family Feud Strikeout Card Game, you can play this easy game on-the-go, or at home, it’s that simple! For three or more players ages 10 and up, the cards come in a convenient box that is easy to tuck away! This is a great game for family nights, especially on a rainy day.

The object of the game is to be the team with the highest score at the end of the round. The way to win is simply by correctly answering the most survey answers.

How to Play

Players split up into two teams. It’s fun to do this by young and old, girls or both, or any random comination.

The game consists of answering the survey answers correctly. The first round is a head-to-head challenge with one member from each time.

For the second round, you’ll work as two teams to guess the survey answers. The team with the highest score at the end of the game wins.

Complete with all the survey questions and the strikes too, the whole family can enjoy this easy game of Family Feud.


Ratuki

Pull up a chair and stay awhile, because once you start, you will be addicted to this game of Ratuki. This fun game is easy to play and exciting to win! It’s suitable for ages 8 and up and for two to five players.

The object is to be the person who lays a 5 down on the top of the pile, and when you do, shout “Ratuki” and take the pile! The person that wins the most piles, in the end, wins the game.

How to Play

Each player is handed an equal amount of cards. Next, the dealer places one card at the center of the table prior to starting.

Start the game by building piles from 1 to 5, and try to slam the pile before your opponents. Continue stacking the cards in numerical order.

But it’s not as easy as it sounds because each card has a different way of presenting the numbers to cause confusion.


Pokeno

Much like Bingo, you can also Pokeno by marking spaces on a card. But the twist comes with a standard deck of cards. Between two and twelve players can enjoy this game. Adults can appreciate this game along with kids over the age of six.

The object of the game is to be the first to score a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line (similar to Bingo).

How to Play

Each person is dealt a Pokeno card printed with five rows of cards across and down that represent various Poker hands.

The dealer calls out one card at a time, and the players will match the spot on their Pokeno cards hoping to win the round by covering all five spots in a row on the card.

Several variations of this game have been played using coins in place of the chips. Additionally, you can add another twist with special games such as four corners or picture frame.

Make your next party a pokeno night!


Trading Card Games


Pokemon: Trading Card Game

Every millennial’s childhood dreams can come back to life with a classic game of Pokemon. Imagine acquiring 100 assorted Pokemon Trading Cards with a bonus of six Holo Foils free!

This is a great way to build your collection or add to the collection you have already established.

The title says it all, and with 100 of these sweet cards, you should have enough to get into the game quickly! When you have a friend gathering, this is a great way for everyone to dig out their Pokemon collection.


Yu-Gi-Oh!

With a collection of 500 assorted Yu-Gi-Oh cards, you will have no problem finding the cards you need to add to your collection.

With this collection of cards, you will also get Ultra Rare and Holographic Cards with a collectible tin.


World of Warcraft

Begin with the World of Warcraft TCG Dark Portal Starter Deck.

These cards come in a hard case, and it contains the cards you will need to get started including the possibility of a few character cards, and maybe a loot card too.

This is possibly one of the most addictive games in history, but don’t be scared off. It’s also super engaging and quite fun.


DragonBall Z

This one really never gets old. Get the game going with a DragonBall Z Trading Card Game Starter Deck.

In this set, you will get all the exclusives of a starter deck.

The set includes a pre-constructed deck of 60 cards, 5 Prizm Technology cards, 4 Parallel cards, and 3 foil parallels.


Magic: The Gathering

Who could ask for more when they are offered 1000 Magic the Gathering Cards with a bonus of 25 rare cards in the same package?

Combined with revised cards, along with the latest editions, this set will make a great beginning for the new trading card player, and it will make an excellent addition to a collection that has already begun to build.

This one is the best set for the money!


Card Battle Games


Stratego

With Stratego Battle Cards, you will stay busy setting up your front line for battle and defending your flag while trying to catch the enemies flag, all at the same time! For two players from ages 8 and up, this game is easy to learn and can be completed in approximately 10 minutes.

The object of this game is to have the card with the highest rank. Also, if you find your opponent’s flag, you win the game.

How to Play

Each player has eight cards each and choose five of them to place down on the battle line.

You then fill in the empty slots in your battle line by choosing a card that will make your opponent struggle.

When it’s your turn, you must move one of your pieces or you’re out of the game.

Exercise your brain and strategic skills with this battle card game.


Adventure Quest Worlds

For a great game of anything goes, this game of Adventure Quest Worlds is the best choice for a battle on battle card game. This fantasy card game is easy to play, and can be played with two people or four.

The object of the game is to line up your attack with a poison, pet, or a powerful weapon before your opponent comes at you with their own plan of attack that will backfire on you before you even have a chance.

How to Play

Each player begins with seven cards and the remaining cards are face down on the table. You then take it in turns to play as many cards you can in one go.

During your turn, you can make only one weapon, spell attack or pet attack card. Read more about how to play Adventure Quest Worlds.

Think about your strategy and remember, anything goes in this fast and easy card game.


Game of Thrones

This card game based on the super popular book and television series is out of print. However, the game is still widely available as a collector’s item. For those unfamiliar, the fantasy series takes place on the imaginary isle of Westeros. The Iron Throne is the seat of power in King’s Landing, the Westeros capital. Over millennia, more than half a dozen families have variously held onto the throne.

In the card game, you too can take up the sword as a member of any one of the major houses of Westeros. You will battle other players for control, kill competing characters, and aim for control of Westeros. It’s a fast paced strategy game especially fun for fans of the book or television series. You will continuously be trying to outwit your rivals and steal power, so its good game for competitive friends.

How to Play

The game is fairly complicated to play, with a steep learning curve. Players must provide their own decks for the game. After shuffling, players draw the top seven cards from their individual deck. You will also receive power points that can be used throughout play.

The game is played in rounds, each round divided into seven phases. Included within these phases are action moves that can be taken based on your card and character. At the outset, plot cards will be revealed by players to set down important baselines for gameplay and setting. Get the full scoop on Game of Thrones: The Card Game here.

Conclusion

There you have it, our definitive list of the best card games out there on the market. Now that you have all these card game ideas, you should have no problem keeping the kids busy. Whether it’s a rainy day or family game night, a lot of these card games apply to all ages. Furthermore, your friends will be begging for another one of your entertaining party game nights!

What do you think is the greatest card game of all time? Have we missed any great games or personal favorites on our greatest card games of all time list? If so, please let us know in the comments section.

Best Board Games for 3 Year Olds

 

The Best 5 Board Games for 3 Year Olds

There is nothing better than family game nights, especially while your kids are still young. Get the fun started early, with a great batch of board games for 3 year olds. Once our kids hit the teenage years, it can be hard to keep everyone together. So start early!

Oftentimes, parents are apprehensive about playing board games with preschoolers. Don’t get too caught up with the negatives. Preschool age is the best time to have them associate simple rules with having fun. 

Board games geared towards the 3 year old crowd are often team games or games featuring easy competition. Board games for 3 year olds can offer great learning opportunities for all sorts of things. Whether its numbers, letters, colors, vocabulary, or critical thinking, board games for 3 year olds are good brain builders. 

Here are our 5 favorite board games for 3 year olds. You should consider any one of these for your little one’s next birthday or surprise present.

Our top Board Games for 3 year olds 

best board games for 3 year olds
Peaceable Kingdom Feed the Woozle Educational Insights The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game Hi Ho Cherry-O Peaceable Kingdom Stack Up! Award Winning Preschool Skills Builder Game Wonder Forge Richard Scarry’s Busytown, Eye Found It
2-5 players 2-4 players 2-4 players 2-6 players 2-6 players
For ages: 3+ For ages: 3+ For ages: 3-6 For ages: 3-5 For ages: 3+
Cooperative game? Yes Cooperative game? No Cooperative game? No Cooperative game? Yes Cooperative game? Yes
Teaches: Counting, Dexterity, Motor Skills, Balance, Body Awareness Teaches: Colors, Matching Teaches: Colors, Counting, Matching Teaches: Color-matching, Balance Teaches: Counting
Check Price Check Price Check Price Check Price Check Price
  • best board games for 3 year olds

  • Peaceable Kingdom Feed the Woozle Award Winning Preschool Skills Builder Game
  • 2-4 players
  • For ages: 3-6
  • Cooperative game? Yes
  • Teaches: Colors, Shapes, Numbers, Counting
  • Check Price
  • Educational Insights The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game
  • 2-4 players
  • For ages: 3+
  • Cooperative game? No
  • Teaches: Colors, Matching
  • Check Price
  • Hi Ho Cherry-O
  • 2-4 players
  • For ages: 3-6
  • Cooperative game? No
  • Teaches: Colors, Counting, Matching
  • Check Price
  • Peaceable Kingdom Stack Up! Award Winning Preschool Skills Builder Game
  • 2-6 players
  • For ages: 3-5
  • Cooperative game? Yes
  • Teaches: Color-matching, Balance
  • Check Price
  • Wonder Forge Richard Scarry’s Busytown, Eye Found It
  • 2-6 players
  • For ages: 3+
  • Cooperative game? Yes
  • Teaches: Counting
  • Check Price
 


Peaceable Kingdom Feed the Woozle

best board games for 3 year olds

To start with, we’ve put Feed the Woozle at the top of our board games for 3 year olds recommendations because of the fun factor. It teaches your young one dexterity, gross motor skills, body awareness, balance, language development, and counting! First, it’s incredible that a simple board game can do so much for the development of a child. Plus, it offers enough variation for a multitasking parent to stay relatively engaged. 

The idea behind this game is that the “Woozle” loves eating hairy pickles and fuzzy donuts. Accordingly, and working together, players help feed him 12 crazy treats before all of the snacks are gone.

One of the best parts about Feed the Woozle is that it can grow with your child, because it has three different levels. Feed the Woozle makes a good board game for 3 year olds, but you could start your 2 year old off with this too. The game doesn’t require any reading, so even very young children can participate in this game! In additional to all of the wonderful developmental benefits of this game, children will also learn how to take turns. So if you have kids spaced apart by a year or two, this is a good way to help them guide in social skill development. Feed the Woozle is also a nice game for the kids on early age playtime get togethers.

Cooperative games such as this one are known to support emotional development, positive self esteem, shared decision making, and creative problem solving. They can also develop a sense of community through a non-stressful play environment.

Your child is sure to love playing this game, and you’ll have fun playing with them! The best part about it is that you’ll get to directly see the benefits that they gain from it.


Educational Insights The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game

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Depending on where you live, there’s a good chance your child has already been exposed to outdoor animals. Maybe you have a cat or dog in the house who goes nuts watching squirrels from the kitchen window. Either way, the Sneaky Snacky Squirrel is a good segue into teaching your kids about the great outdoors. 

This can be a thrilling and multi-functional board game for 3 year olds. The squirrels are hungry and it is up to the players to collect five acorns in order to win.

Each player takes turns spinning the spinner and then using the large squirrel tweezers to retrieve an acorn and put it into the matching color on their own log.

Not only does this exciting game help to teach colors and matching, it also helps to teach strategy with options like “lose” “steal” and “pick” an acorn. The use of the squirrel tweezers helps to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. 

This game also helps with great social skills like turn-taking and good sportsmanship. So, it’s great for playing amongst siblings and little friends. Keep in mind, the “acorns” that come with the game are small and can present a choking hazard. If your child is still in the stages of eating random objects, wait a few more months on this one.


Hi Ho Cherry-O

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A fantastic fall activity for the little ones is going fruit picking. This might be in an apple orchard if you live in the right climate, or maybe an orange grove. The late stage toddler years are formative. So, board games for 3 year olds that offer fun introductions to the outside world are particularly beneficial. 

Hi Ho Cherry-O is a timeless classic game for 3 year olds and preschoolers that makes counting fun for everyone!

Each player chooses a fruit (cherries, blueberries, oranges, or apples) and races to fill their fruit basket first. Turns are taken with the spinner where the player gets to count the number and put that number of fruit into their basket. Otherwise, their basket spills or a bird eats a piece of fruit, and they must return fruit to the tree. Whichever player fills their basket first wins!

This fun game teaches social skills such as turn-taking, patience, and good sportsmanship (not everyone is the winner!). Furthermore Hi Ho Cherry-O helps to teach and reinforce math skills like addition and subtraction in an exciting way.


Peaceable Kingdom Stack Up! Award Winning Preschool Skills Builder Game

4

Stack 12 blocks before the Stack Smasher comes!

In this fun, low-stress, cooperative game, players work together to stack 12 blocks before the Stack Smasher smashes their tower. To begin with, they spin once to find out which color of block they must add to the tower, and spin again. On this second spin, they’ll get a tricky challenge for adding the block. One challenge might be putting the block on top of the stack with their eyes closed.

There are three levels and sets of directions to play this game so that it grows with the children and their abilities. Stack Up! is the kind of game that can still be lots of fun to play for several years.

Stack Up! teaches great hand-eye coordination for kids, as well as color matching and balance. Lastly, it’s a great game for reinforcing teamwork in a playful and positive manner.


Wonder Forge Richard Scarry’s Busytown, Eye Found It

5

This game includes a game board that is over six feet long! In summary, players will have to work together as a team while they bustle through Richard Scarry’s World of Busytown on an adventure. Throughout the game, they’ll be searching for secret objects.

Pig Will and Pig Won’t are on a task to gobble up all the food on Picnic Island. It is the players’ goal to find all the hidden objects in Busytown before the piggies eat everything. Each player takes a turn spinning the spinner in order to make a move. The players aim to make it onto the ferry and to Picnic Island before the pigs have devoured all the food. Finally, once they’ve escaped to the ferry, they win!

Teamwork is imperative for this interactive and engaging game, and it also teaches counting and turn-taking. This age is a truly critical time for connecting your child with the idea that success often depends on cooperation. If your kid can enter preschool with a team player mindset already grained, they’re on the right track. 

Furthermore, this is a great board game for 3 year olds because it presents a truly imaginative world. Every parent wants their kids to have a budding imagination to keep the creative juices flowing.


Board Games for 3 Year Olds: Final Thoughts

If you are ready to introduce board games to your little tyke, go ahead and play one of these great games. Any one of them is sure to be a hit with your kid and with you too. As a rule, for parents, it’s important to stay engaged with your child when you’re playing. Undoubtedly, all parents have to multi-task here and there, but you want to be sure your kid is on the right path. Therefore, when you’re playing board games with your 3 year old, leave the phone in the next room.

Looking for more board games for 3 year olds? Check out our guide to the best strategy board games of all time and our list of board games with marbles. Have you played any of these games? Leave your thoughts in the comments section, tell us what you think!

Gift Exchange Games for Large Groups

Are you hosting a gift exchange and want to spice it up a little? One easy way to bring the gift of giving to a big group is to incorporate a fun game into the mix. It will take away some of those overwhelming feelings and get everyone in the mood for a party. Whether you’re in charge of your child’s birthday party, a family holiday get-together, or an office party games are ideal.

Therefore, we’ve made a list of great gift exchange games for large groups. Perhaps you can make things unique this year with a gift exchange for groups of friends, family, or co-workers. Make everyone stand in awe of your hosting abilities by giving them some low stress and generous fun. Try one of these great games and let us know what worked the best for your group.

White Elephant Game

My all time favorite gift giving game is white elephant. This can work amazingly with a group or even a smaller party. Firstly, it’s easy to play anywhere, whether you’re at home, in the office, or hosting a gathering at a bar or restaurant. Part of what makes white elephant fun is its versatility.

Next, the rules to the white elephant game are very simple so far as gift exchange games go. First, everyone coming to the party brings along a wrapped gift. The gift needn’t be prepared with any particular recipient in mind. Second, all the gifts are placed in one area together.

When it’s time for the actual opening, the first person chooses the gift they would most like. However, the next person can either choose a gift from the table or steal the gift from the individual before. This continues down the line until everyone ends up with a present. Those who were stolen from may go back to pick up a new gift, which can’t be taken by anyone else. 

What makes the white elephant game unique is the aspect of taking a gift, as well as the idea behind the gifts. You can bring anything you like, provided it is wrapped. However, most people bring silly, unique gifts that you might not see anywhere else. Unpredictability really amps up the fun factor. Plus, white elephant can turn a usually stuffy situation into something incredibly entertaining!

Cheer Exchange

Cheer Exchange is a fun gift exchange game that will work with groups of just about any size. This may take a bit longer with a crowd, but that just adds to the fun. First, everyone goes to the party bringing a wrapped gift, just like White Elephant. It’s usually good to set the gifts at a certain price limit. Once everyone is there and settled, the game begins.

The host should give directions to the guests to get the game going. For example, you might say something like “If you’ve already done all of your holiday shopping” or anything else. Those who fit that criterion will then stand up. The ones who remain standing will swap gifts with each other. Then you go on to the next set of rules, trading between those who remain standing each time. After someone has swapped, they no longer need to stand up in the next round as they have a present of their own.

The game continues until each person has had a chance to exchange their gift with someone else at the party. I’ve found that to keep this gift exchange game fun, it’s best to think up goofy criterions first. You may want to have your statements be on a raunchy never have I ever level, or even mildly embarrassing. Always think about your audience first.

Hot Potato

Hot Potato might be known as a silly children’s game, but it can be a lot of fun for adults as well! In this scenario, everyone brings a wrapped gift as per the usual rules. The gift needn’t be for anyone in particular, but set some group standards. Next, everyone will be put into a circle (or many circles, if required) and a gift is handed out to the group. Only one present will be used at a time. 

The game plays out as you might expect. The person with the gift passes it on beginning when the host starts a timer. The people pass the gift around until the timer stops. The person who is holding the gift when the timer goes off gets to keep it. They leave the circle and are finished participating. Meanwhile, the game goes on with the next gift. This goes on until everyone has a gift in hand. It’s a fun game that will cause a lot of laughs in my experience.

I would suggest it, especially for a family get-together. You can replace the timer with a clip from a song instead. The more inside jokes you work into the soundtrack, the better! 

Musical Chairs

We’ve all played a game of musical chairs in school. However, the gift exchange game based on musical chairs is a bit different. First, everyone shows up with their individually wrapped gift as with all of the previous gift exchange games. However, when arriving at the party, they will then place their gift on a chair somewhere in the room.

Gameplay begins with the host starting a song, something for the holiday or occasion, and everyone circles the presents as it goes on. The song is stopped at the host’s discretion. Finally, the present that’s in the seat in front of the partygoers is theirs to keep. The guests can open their gift and then use the seat for the rest of the festivities!

Musical chairs make for a nice gift exchange game for large groups and parties because it’s a nice introduction. Who doesn’t want to start off a big gathering with a new toy? 

Secret Santa

Secret Santa is the ultimate classic gift exchange game. This traditional but fun game rounds out the fifth spot on our list of games. This is a name drawing game, but it contains a bit more spice. To begin with, everyone participating has their name put into a hat. This occurs in the days or weeks leading up to the celebration. Once all names have been put in the hat, the host allows each person to pull a name from the hat. If you won’t have an opportunity to gather everyone before the party, randomly allocate names yourself. Do you have a bunch of friends returning home from all over the place? In that case, try using this Secret Santa name generator to avoid host bias. 

It’s the responsibility of the individual who receives a name to get that person a gift. Sometimes this may be small gifts over a period of time, especially useful in an office situation. Other times you may just get one larger gift for the person you chose out of the hat.

Make sure everyone is on the same page first to avoid crazy spending discrepancies. On the day of the actual party, each person brings a gift labeled for the person who will be receiving it. They should bring their present and discreetly place it in a communal area. When playing, each participant unwraps their present and then tries to guess who bought it for them. This aspect is often the best part of the whole game since it shows how well you know each other. 

A few tips on giving the perfect Secret Santa gift. Personalize and tailor the gift to your match’s needs and wants or personality. Make the gift reflect them or, if you don’t know them that well, make it reflect yourself. Lastly, when in doubt, inject humor or thoughtfulness into your gift idea.

Gift Auction

No money is required for this fun game, at least no real money! Everyone brings a gift to the party and trades it in for some Monopoly money. The amount doesn’t matter as long as everyone has the same available at the start of the game. Once everyone is ready, the real fun can start.

The host can act as the auctioneer for the selling and buying of gifts. First, a gift is presented and people can bid their “money” on it, if it’s something they think they’d like. Whoever bids the most gets the gift in the end. You keep the auction going until everyone has a gift. This is a fun and interactive way to get a big group excited and interested in what’s going on. Who doesn’t love a pretend auction? 

Left or Right

Left or right is a fun gift exchange game that allows for some creativity on the part of the host. Before the party begins, the host needs to make up a story that contains many instances of the words ‘left’ and ‘right.’ You can also find some online if you prefer, but creativity is usually half the fun. Once that’s done, the party gathers as normal with everyone bringing a wrapped present.

Everyone will sit with the present they brought in, and the host will explain the rules. As the host reads the story, the packages change hands to the left or right each time the host says these words. The story continues until the end. At this point, each guest has a gift in their hands. They get to keep it, and everyone can open their new and exciting parcel.

If you’re dealing with a group of people who don’t know each other well, this makes for a nice opening activity. 

Dice Exchange

Dice Exchange is an interesting one and can easily accommodate a large group of people. Everyone attending goes out and gets a gift that anyone would enjoy. They bring that present, wrapped, to the office or home where the party is going to be held. In this case, they keep these presents with them until the game begins. 

Everyone sits in a circle (or groups if there are many people) and dice are handed out. Not every person gets one. Every few people are handed a die, and they are then allowed to roll the die. A song of some sort, holiday or otherwise appropriate, starts and the game off.

If the person with the die gets a 3, they get to trade the gift they brought with someone else. Whether they get a gift or not, they pass the die on to the next person and play goes around the circle. This continues until the song ends and everyone keeps the present that has landed in front of them.

Love dice games? Make sure you check out our extensive list.

The Numbers Game

The numbers game is a fast paced gift exchange game to build some healthy competition into your party. Everyone shows up, and as they do, you take their gifts and mark a number on each one. You will then hand them a paper with the same number on it. Ask them to write down an unusual fact about themselves. That paper goes into a hat, and the presents are all collected for later.

Once the time comes for gifting, the host will pull a piece of paper from the hat and read out the fact, but not the number. People can then guess who the fact is about. The first person to get it right gets that present and are out of the game for the rest of the time.

The game continues until everyone has a shiny new gift. This one is a lot of fun, and you can get people participating pretty quickly. There’s something about fighting for a gift that gets people all riled up. It’s also a nice game to reward those who know the most about everyone else in the group. 

Whose Gift

If you have a group that likes to get rowdy and have a lot of fun, this Whose Gift is the game for you. All of the gifts are wrapped and put in a central location. You decide on an order for participants in whatever way you want. You can draw names or come up with something a bit more creative.

Once the person comes to the table, they get their gift. The game actually begins with people opening up their presents. Then the fun starts. The person who received the gift has to guess who brought the gift. If they get it right, their turn ends, and you move on to the next person. However, if they get it wrong, and this will happen a lot – they have to sing a song or do something equally embarrassing.

If you’re looking for something additionally rowdy, check out our truth or dare list for good challenges. This gets everyone to lighten up some and have fun. It also really makes a party exactly that. You’re already in the mood to enjoy yourself after watching everyone and perhaps making a fool of yourself, too!

Trivia

This one is especially useful for the holidays, but trivia can be good fun at any time of year. It’s a great way to get lots of people involved and will work no matter how large the crowd. It starts as expected, with each individual showing up and bringing a nicely wrapped gift. Then they are seated with the gifts in a central area so the game can begin.

This one is fun! The host will have drawn up some trivia questions beforehand, and each will be associated with a gift. The host will show the wrapped gift and then ask a trivia question. The players raise their hands if they know the answer.

The host calls on them and whoever gets it right first gets the present associated with that question. If it’s a holiday party, you can use holiday trivia. If it’s a birthday party, you could incorporate subjects important to the birthday person. You can go in so many different ways with this exchange. 

Once the first person has received their gift, it moves on to the next until each person has a gift. It can get people going and excited as everyone wants to show off their smarts and get a gift to boot. This is a favorite for many, and it’s not hard to see why that is.

Gift Exchange Games

These are the best of the best when it comes to gift exchange games for large groups. You are sure to find the right one that works for your particular situation. Many of these are well-known, others are less so. If you want to incorporate more creativity or want to go with something convention, both are easily possible. No matter what style you like, one of these games is bound to please you and the group coming to your party. If this still isn’t enough for you, try combining some of these together into a more multi-layered game. 

So get out there and be the best host that you can be. With this set of ideas, you’re already well on your way to making someone’s night, and hopefully the whole group. Enjoy yourself and have fun. That’s the most important aspect of a gift exchange or party anyway.

Make sure you check out our best yankee swap gift ideas as well.

Featured Image via Pixabay