I recently came accross a site with tips for moms. What's that got to do with games you might ask. Well they had this nice top 10 list of non-computer games for kids. Read on.From askamum.co.uk:
Technology is so prominent in children’s lives that many of the toys on the market are geared towards the TV and computer. If you're after an activity that's a bit more communicative, then these games are guaranteed to provide your kids with hours of fun without giving them square eyes.
1. Swingball
Perfect for the spring and summer months, and available from numerous toy retailers, swingball is a great choice for outdoor play. It’ll keep your child active, encourage hand-eye co-ordination, and it doesn’t even require a large garden. It’s a great game that kids can play with a parent, sibling or friend.
2. Pictionary
Many of us will remember this game from our childhood. A team trying to guess words by sketching clues to each other is not only fun – especially when dad is artistically challenged! – but is also great for children’s fine motor skills.
3. Dominoes
Sometimes it’s the simplest of games which provide the most entertainment. Children love – and will want to continually repeat – the process of lining up the dominoes before knocking them all down again.
4. Hopscotch mat
Available from Early Learning Centre, these hopscotch mats can be assembled inside on rainy days and outside when the sun’s shining. It’s also the kind of game children can play by themselves – great for when you have chores to do.
5. Kerplunk
Players take it in turns to remove a straw from a cylindrical structure whilst avoiding the marbles which fall through the tube. The winner is the player with the fewest marbles at the end. Kerplunk is a competitive and noisy game that’s instantly appealing for children.
6. Twister
This game is perfect for play-dates and parties, because loads of players means a lot of tangling up. The big spots on the mat are also good for younger children learning to identify colours.
7. Mancala
Originating from Africa, this lovely wooden game with marble counters involves players ‘sowing’ their marbles into holes in the board, much like the art of sowing seeds (in its native country, the game is actually played with seeds.) The object of the game is to gather more marbles than your opponent. The slow pace means it’s a perfect game to play before bed-time.
8. Jenga
This game has been described by the manufacturers as a ‘physical and mental skill.’ Building a tower from wooden blocks and then carefully removing them without collapsing the structure is a game that can involve all the family.
9. Top Trumps
There are so many varieties of this game that you’re sure to find a set about a topic your child loves. From football players to High School Musical, the cards are especially useful for long car journeys.
10. Guess Who
An old classic, this is a board game with a twist. Each player has a board containing cards with images of people on them. Players select one card and then compete to be the first to guess which card the other has chosen. The game is also dependent on description, meaning it’s great for developing your child’s vocabulary.
source: askamum.co.uk
