Board Games for Toddlers and Preschoolersby Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger 31 Dec 2008 01:14 PM
Yesterday, after a long day running around the house (my oldest son said it was exhausting work), and a quick dinner, I decided to settle things down for my own kids and one of their friends who spent the day with us. I suggested that we bring out a board game. "What's a board game?" the little girl asked. In all of her six years of age, she had never played, let alone heard, of a board game. I admit I was pretty surprised, but maybe I shouldn't have been. There aren't a lot of board games being played these days. Because the players were 2, 4, 6 and 7 (along with my husband and myself), I decided to pull out chutes and ladders. This is a classic game that is simple to learn, reinforces counting and cause and effect and is generally a lot of fun, especially when one of the very competitive adults (no names please) is ahead and then lands on a square that sends her all of the way down to the bottom of the board. Older kids or parents can help younger ones with the counting, and the spinner is easy enough for toddlers to spin. Another game that can be played easily is one called Picnic. In it, there are four boards into which various large picnic items fit, like a puzzle. Also include is a large die with pictures of the picnic items, such as a bottle of juice, an apple, a loaf of bread, a cupcake and a pear. Players take turns rolling the die and trying to get all of their picnic items into their board. My two-year-old can do everything by himself, and this game is teaching him sequencing and taking turns. Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right. Related Articles: What to Do When You Can't Afford Preschool Is Your Toddler Clingy? It Could Be the Holidays Making the Transition to a Toddler Bed Learn more about Mary Ann Romans  Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat. Relevantbaby tags User Comments  Dale Harcombe (10373) 31 Dec 2008 09:24 PMOur pre-schooler grandchild has just learned That's my Fish. The other one she likes is Rat a Tat Cat.  Mary Ann Romans (26886) 01 Jan 2009 06:10 AMI haven't heard of wither of those. Can you tell me about them? Community Tags board games, baby, Family Time, preschool, toddler Discuss this article
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