Kids Want to Play When You are Exhausted? Quick and Easy Game

Quick and Easy Game for Kids - © Katrena

Sometimes it seems as if the kids have unquenchable energy when I'm ready to rest and relax. Here is a quick and simple game that my kids have thoroughly enjoyed playing over the years. It is well-suited for someone who wants or needs to stay seated and does not require any special equipment other than a chair. This game may be played inside or outside and works great when you have children of different ages and abilities.

1. Find a place to sit where there is room in front of and on either side of the chair. (The area in front of the chair is the bridge.)
2. Have the child or children go to one side and wait.
3. Call a child's name and ask a question (see below for some ideas). Make sure the others know not to answer anyone else's questions.
4. If the child answers correctly, tell him/her that he/she has permission to cross the "bridge" if he/she dares.
5. If the child answers incorrectly, give him/her the correct answer and try another question until he/she answers correctly.
6. Repeat the process until each child has crossed the bridge.
7. Continue playing with different questions and the kids move in the opposite direction.

This game is great for groups with various ages and abilities because you can customize it to suit the needs of each child. For example, if you have a very young child, you might ask if she can clap her hands, touch her toes, count or name objects, identify a color, or sing a song. This is a great way for you to assess how well the kids are learning subjects in school, such as math, English, social studies, science, a foreign language, etc. You might also use the game as a fun way to teach information like one's address, phone number, social skills, rhythms, and even dance steps.

Fun and Easy Game for Kids - Photo by PaulLemiski Joel Savard at Wikimedia Commons

You can make the game more challenging by having the kids to crawl, hop, skip, roll, or jump across the bridge. Of course, you might also assume a "troll" personality and attempt to catch them as they go by. Each time you play the game, you can make it fun and different.

I hope you enjoy playing this game! Find more great ideas, such as scavenger hunt clues, printables, and articles at the Wildflower Bouquet site map.