Fun games for kids that are 3 and 4 years old?

Question

For my new summer job I am working in a creche looking after lots of young kids. There are some books, lego, paints, cars, dinosaurs etc to play with. I started today and it went quite well. There were occasions where the kids got bored of these games and I was wondering if anyone has fun games in which you could suggest I arrange for these children incase they get bored? Also when we are all in the garden they all just run around which is good for them but I'd like to try and play and teach them a few things. The problem is I am lacking in ideas

Answer 1

play duck duck goose!!!!!

NOTE- this game is always fun!!!!

Answer 2

board games like candyland, (I forget the name of the one with the cherries) but games with beginner-couting, no reading.  Mother May I and Simon Says are also some good ones.  Duck duck goose sometimes gets out of hand, keep an eye out.  you could also play a very disorganized version of kickball (with a beach ball for safety)

Answer 3

You could play ball games, such as 'time bomb'.  This is played by standing all the children in a circle around you with at least 50cm between each child.  You stand in the middle with the ball.  You then throw the ball to each child in turn.  With older children you could try and catch them out by throwing the ball with no sequance and faster. The nearest child to the ball has to catch it.  If they miss they then have to kneel on one knee, if they miss again they go on two knees, then they loose an arm behind their back, then they have to sit out. (its impossible to catch a ball with both arms behind their back).

Great for developing thier catching skills.

Indoor games: you could play duck,duck,goose.  Children sit in a circle wth thier legs crossed and their hands on their knees (for health and safety reasons).  one child is chosen to go first. this child then walks around the circle touching the heads of the other children saying duck, duck, duck, until they dicide to say goose.  when they say goose the child whose head was touched last has to stand up and race the chosen child around the circle until one of the children gets back to the place they started.  The child left standing then gets to say the duck,duck,goose.

I have quite a few ideas if you want to email me for some, feel free.

Answer 4

coloring, tag, hide and seek, the quiet game is good, watching movies/

Answer 5

Aw , cute.

Ok , you can do a whole bunches of things with little kids.

Your ideas are good now , but the thing is , kids like to play altogether.  And your stuff is sortuh juhs them and a friend or two.

You should do group activities , such as Duck Duck Goose ,

make plays or something where they can dress up ,

Capture The Bacon sortuh thing[Two teams , ball or juhs any object in the middle , and give them numbers , call one number , a kid from both team run out and try to get the ball first.]

Or.Red Rover Red Rover.

Answer 6

lazer tag ,twister , hungry hippop, abc games

Answer 7

The problem is 3 and 4 year olds have a very short attention span.  I would scour toy shops just for ideas and make a list of things to do.  You could also try a book store or library.  I see books all time with craft ideas for kids.

Watch shows like Sesame Street and perhaps you could get some ideas from that.

Answer 8

i spy - hide and seek - tig - poker.

Answer 9

Get them making bird feeders then when you hang them in the garden you can teach them about different birds. Also making plant pots from yougart pots and planting things is good and the kids love looking after them even better if its things they can eat. Make flags and kites decorate the garden and make them aware of the mini beasts in the garden. there are so many things you can do with kids this age!

Answer 10

hide and seek; hop scotch; oranges and lemons.

Sorry that get bored with (note the grammar) the board games but how about reading a story to them - about 20 minutes is about long enough - one with plenty of pictures to show then as you go along; your local library would be able to help you choose appropriate ones.  Also how about a nursery rhyme session for 20 minutes each day. (Mary Mary quite contrary etc ; again your local library should be able to help you there).

Answer 11

water balloons, keeps them entertained for HOURS