Fun Games, Building Blocks for Kids

Building blocks can be great fun for kids. Both girls and boys enjoy creating with blocks so avoid stereotyping this activity as merely a boy’s game. In fact now days they make blocks in several categories and with a variety of colors that appeal to both genders.

Blocks are an important educational activity because they not only promote creativity but they help exercise fine motor skills. There is definitely higher level thinking and problem solving going on when creating with blocks.

If you have younger children, try purchasing larger building blocks for them to use. This will eliminate the possibility of choking on smaller pieces and will also diminish levels of frustration for the child. They just don’t have the fine motor skills to manipulate small pieces and will become very frustrated and perhaps disinterested in blocks altogether.
Older kids are able to manipulate smaller pieces with ease and understand the severity of putting these small pieces in their mouths.

Don’t limit yourself to looking for traditional wooden blocks, although they are both durable and long lasting, there are several different kinds of building blocks on the market that deserve to be looked at as well.

Companies make a wide range of styles; some have really interesting and brightly colored blocks. There are blocks made of wood, foam, and cardboard. Some blocks come with the alphabet printed on them while others can be used to create colorful geometric patterns. Some building blocks for kids have nubs that fasten together like legos and yet another brand use bristles that allow the blocks to adhere to each other.

As you can see there are many types of building blocks for kids available. Try to find age appropriate styles to best suit your situation. Then sit back, or join in, and watch as your children begin building giant towers and amazing castles.

How do you play Ladder Ball/Ladder Golf?

Before beginning a game the playing field needs to be set up. Ladder Ballgoals should be assembled and placed across from each other. We usually place ours about 40 ft. apart but this distance can be modified to work best for the players involved. You will also need to decide on a toss line. We usually use the front edge of the base extended as the acceptable toss line. But, you can create a line using a piece of rope or something similar.

Ladder Ballis played in rounds, each round consists of all players tossing 3 bolos. The first player must toss all 3 bolos before the next player is able to toss theirs. Winner of the round earns the first toss in the next round.

Boloscan be tossed any way as long as they are tossed individually. Most find it best to toss the bolos underhand style. Some players allow the bolosto bounce off the ground, while others prefer to play with a no bouncing rule. This should be determined before play begins.

The game is played to exactly 21 points. If a player goes over 21 their points for that round don’t count and they continue the next round with the previous point total. For example, if a player has 19 points going into a round and scores 4 points, none of the points count and the player goes into the next round with 19 points.

In case of a tie, extra rounds can be played. The winner must win with a two point lead over the other player or team. This two point lead rule only applies to overtime rounds.

Ladder Ballis really very easy to play for people of all ages. It is a fun enjoyable outdoor game that can be played just about anywhere.

To see Ladder Ballbeing played check out the previous post and watch the video of the National Championship.

Indoor Kids Games--Board Games

So far I’ve spent most of my time blogging about games and activities to get your family up and moving outside. Although it is important to keep our kids active during the summer, sometimes it just isn’t possible to be outside. For us that means it’s rainy, but for some of you that may mean it’s just too hot to be outside. That is when you want to have some indoor kids games to help keep them busy.

With all of the new interactive gaming systems sometimes we forget about the classic indoor kids games that kids will actually love. If you are looking to spend some quality time with the kids I suggest locating some of these board games I’m sure you remember playing as a kid.

For kids age six and up try Sorry. A game of luck, strategy and determination where players chase each other around the game board trying to be the first to get all of their pieces from start to home.

If you have children eight or older they might enjoy playing Scrabbleor Monopoly. Scrabble is an indoor kids game where players try to score as many points as possible by forming words from letters on the tiles and placing them on the game board creating a crossword of sorts. Monopoly is a riveting game of luck, chance, and wheeling and dealing--all of which can make some lucky player rich, rich, rich!

For kids nine and older the game of Life might be just the right fit. Life is a classic board game that breaks down an entire lifespan into a series of choices and chance.

All of these fun indoor kids games have several versions to choose from. If your kids are really into the bells and whistles, look for the electronic versions. They are still board games but have some component that is electronic. Be sure to check out all of the choices to find the one that will best fit your family to ensure an enjoyable game day.

Indoor Kids Games

What do you do when the weather turns bad and everyone is stuck in the house? Wouldn’t It be great if you had a reparatory of indoor kids games you could pull out to help pass the time?

Where do you start? Well, there are several publishers that have compiled books filled with indoor kids games and activities. Some include activities that can be played outside as well. Two of my favorite books are Reader's Digest Great Big Book of Children's Games (Hardcover) and the McGraw Hill Great Big Book of Children's Games (Paperback). These books have the same author but different publishers and vary slightly.

The Reader's Digest Great Big Book of Children's Games includes ideas for ball games, water games, chase games, card games and well known childhood games- some classics and many new. These indoor kids games are organized by age appropriateness. The book offers ways to play several versions of popular games as well as suggestions for make-your-own versions.

The McGraw Hill Great Big Book of Children's Gamesfeatures more than 450 indoor kids games and outdoor games as well. These are arranged according to appropriate age groups, the games run the gamut in theme and mood. There are games designed for quiet times and intellectual stimulation as well as those that contribute to physical development, such as strength and wrestling games and races and relays. This book presents parents with a vast array of games for children of all ages.

Games play a crucial role in a child’s development. Parents are always looking for fun ways to encourage this growth. These two books of indoor kids games are loaded with ideas to accomplish just that. Of course there are several other books of indoor kids gamesavailable that are also worthwhile checking out.

The Washer Toss Game

Now that the weather has warmed up, we are all starting to plan our summer events. Everyone knows how important it is to have several forms of entertainment available at these outings, so how about trying aWasher Toss Game?

I’ve seen two forms of the Washer Toss Game. One is constructed in the shape of a box about twelve to fourteen inches square with a PVC pipe cut to match the depth of the box then glued in the middle. Points are scored by throwing the washer into the box (1 pt.) or hopefully the cup (3 pts.) Each washer toss game of this short comes with two boxes and six washers. The game can be played with either two or four players.

The other style of Washer Toss Gameis designed in more of a rectangle shape with three holes cut in the surface of the box. For this game the box is placed upside down, with the holes facing up. The hole closest to the pitcher is worth 1 pt., the middle hole is worth 3 pts., and the hole furthest away is worth 5 pts. The object is to toss the washers into the holes in the board at the opposite end. The team or player to reach 21 is the winner.

This is another great game for gatherings of all types. Both styles of the Washer Toss Gameare relatively easy to transport and have virtually no set up involved. It has been my experience that people of all ages and skill levels are attracted to this game. Even those hard to please teenagers seem to really get a kick out of playing. Keep in mind rules can be modified to benefit all players young and old alike.

If you are in charge of entertainment, why not give the Washer Toss Game a try? Whether your next event is a barbeque, tailgate party, or trip to the beach a washer toss game is sure to be the source a few smiles wherever it is played.

Croquet Game

As you are thinking of ways to get your kids up, moving, and outside this summer don’t forget the classical Croquet Game. I’m sure many of you parents, me included, remember playing with our parents. I don’t know if I thought the game was fabulous because I actually liked it, or because I was getting the chance to take part in something with my parents. Either way, just thinking about the Croquet Game brings back good memories.

The game of croquet is actually believed to have been adapted by the French around the year 1851. There are several people, not only from France but from England as well, who claim to have “standardized” the game. Even though croquet was introduced as an Olympic game in 1900 at the Paris Olympics, it wasn’t until the 60’s that the Croquet Game really took off in the United States.

With the Croquet Game players can participate as teams or individually. Usually four to six color coded mallets and balls come in a set. But if you have a large gathering, people can be split into pairs and each pair takes turns striking the ball when their turn comes around. Don’t worry if you don’t remember the rules, most croquet sets come with everything you need to get the game started—rules included.

These old fashion games often get over looked because they lack the modern day bells and whistles of today’s popular video games. But I ask you, what is more beneficial learning how to interact with a T.V screen or real people?

The neat thing about a Croquet Game is that it is multi-generational. Even Grandma can play without too much stress or strain. If you have rally young players there are also sets designed just for them made with foam. What a great way to pass an afternoon with family or friends creating many life long memories.

Ladder Ball

If you are looking for a fun outdoor game that literally everyone from five to ninety-five can play, this is it. Ladder Ball is quickly becoming the outdoor game of choice because of its ability to be packed and transported with very little effort. Most Ladder Ball sets come with a carrying case included. Ladder Ballis perfect for camping, family reunions, summer parties, and out door bar-b-ques. It does not require a large area to play, because the goals can be set up a couple different ways. In fact some manufacturers claim that you can even play indoors, although I wouldn’t recommend it unless you have a large open room.

The story is that Ladder Ball originated with the American cowboys who used split rail fences and their cow wrangling Bolas (Bolos) to play the game. Ladder Ball, also known as Bolo Toss (now you know why) can be played as teams or individually. It is similar to horse shoes, but can be played in the back yard without the wear and tear on your lawn.

The object of the Ladder Ball game is to toss three bolos, which consist of two golf balls connected by nylon string, to the opposite goal trying to wrap them on one of the three bars. Each bar scores different points. Points can either be voided or subtracted if your opponents balls land on the same bar or knock yours off a bar. Play continues until one team reaches the exact score of 21. The wonderful thing about the Ladder Ball is that rules can be easily modified to fit any age or skill level.

If you are looking for fun inexpensive entertainment for most any type of gathering a Ladder Ball game might just be what you are looking for. Give it a try; you may just start a new tradition!