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.

Kids Games that Aren’t Really Games

I guess usually when we think of games we associate it with a competition of some kind. But there are several activities children enjoy that aren't extremely competitive. While competition can be a good thing so can kids games or activities that encourage creativity and imagination.

Take dress up for example. Both girls and boys love to dress up and role play. In fact one way children explore the world around them is through role play. Children love to be the mom or dad. How many times have you overheard your child repeat the phrases you use every day?

Through participation in role playing kids are able to test their words and actions. Then they can gage reactions of others and modify their behavior to produce a favorable outcome. By playing these fun kids games children are learning valuable problem solving, critical thinking, and social skills like empathy and cooperation.

Children don't need much to participate in dress up or role playing, but having some props helps to facilitate the activity. Costumes or accessories are a fun way to transform into someone else. These can be purchased or collected from relatives, garage sales, or second hand stores. Many stores carry career orientated costumes, a super idea for classroom role play.

Toy companies make several toys such as kitchen sets, strollers, gas pumps, grocery stores and carts, tables, doll accessories, Doctor accessoriesand much, much more that are conducive to the role playing environment. Again, they aren't a necessity but they sure are fun.

Fun kids games like role playing are very valuable in the development of our children. Role play stimulates creativity and reinforces morals and values. It helps develop imagination and emphasizes social behaviors we find acceptable. Shouldn't we do everything to encourage kids to participate in this fun educational activity?

To see some suggestions of role playing props or costumes check out the Fun Kids Game Store.

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.

Washer Toss Game Review

The washer toss game is another type outdoor tossing game that they whole family will love. It looks relatively easy especially when you see that the boards are only ten feet apart. But there is a certain amount of skill and strategy involved. Now don’t let that scare you into thinking kids can’t play, because they actually do quite well.

My family prefers the three hole washer toss game. The rectangular box is usually covered with some type of carpet. That causes the washer to slide on the surface. This is where strategy comes in. Often times you are able to get washers to slide across the carpet and into the proper hole in order to score 21 points for the win.

The disadvantage of this style of washer toss game is that it doesn’t pack up as easily as the bulls-eye style. But I have found that you can turn them right side up and use them to store or carry our supplies. That way it doesn’t matter that they don’t collapse or fold up.

The other kind of washer toss game I have seen and we have played is the bulls-eye style. There are single bulls-eye and double bulls-eye as well as an octagonal bulls-eye. These are essentially a box with a cup in the middle. The object is the same, first player to 21 wins. Points are scored by either getting your washer into the box (1pt.) or the cup (3pts.)

The advantage of this style is that manufactures often make the washer toss game to clasp together for transporting.

Whichever style you prefer I know your family will love playing the washer toss game. And if you are worried about kids and throwing washers, both games can be played with bean bags instead.

To see a wide variety of washer toss games check out this selection.

Ladder Ball Review

Ladder ball also known as Ladder Golf is an outdoor game of toss. Very similar to horseshoes but you don’t have to worry about the weight of the horse shoes or having your lawn torn up. The object of ladder ball is to toss your bolos toward the rungs and get them to hang there. Very fun, any age can play. Winners are the person or team to reach exactly 21 points first.

Most ladder ballsets come with two goals and six or more bolos. However I have seen a few brands that only have one goal. So make sure you know what you are purchasing. I prefer the sets with two goals. It is much easier to play with teams if there is a goal on each end and the game moves a little quicker.

Goals are generally constructed with plastic PVCpiping. Some sets are made of a combination of woodor metaland PVC. Of course the ladder ball sets with a combination wood or metal and PVC are going to be a bit sturdier and will withstand rougher play. Unfortunately they do cost a bit more. However, when weighing the cost of replacing a goal with spending more in the first place, you may come out ahead by purchasing the more expensive ladder ballmodel to begin with.

The disadvantage of some designs created with wood or metal is that they don’t break down quite as small as the ladder ball sets constructed with PVC alone. Most ladder ball sets come with a carrying case to make transporting it much easier.

The bottom line is that there are several brands of ladder balland each is great in some way. You just have to look at how you will use it and choose the best model for you and your family. Personally I prefer the sets constructed with wood. We’ve had the plastic set and it lasted about one summer. I decided to purchase the wooden ladder ball set as a replacement and am very pleased.

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!