Games 4 Everyone
From Babies to Grandparents
From Babies to Grandparents
Play can be messy! It can make your muscles ache, your heart race, your pupils dilate, your sweat glands go into over drive, leaving you out of breath!
If you have experienced any of those symptoms, then what you experienced is pure and utter 'FUN! FUN! FUN!'
Yes! Yes! Yes! Play is fun and can leave you feeling exhilarated, energetic and most of all, happy. And since happiness is not reserved for the very young, this page is dedicated to everyone and anyone who enjoys feeling FABULOUS!
If you have experienced any of those symptoms, then what you experienced is pure and utter 'FUN! FUN! FUN!'
Yes! Yes! Yes! Play is fun and can leave you feeling exhilarated, energetic and most of all, happy. And since happiness is not reserved for the very young, this page is dedicated to everyone and anyone who enjoys feeling FABULOUS!
Mud-Dough
The thought of getting your home smeared with mud, does not invite any grown up to want to partake in anything that may cause potential damage. But can you really miss out on the fun you all will have?!
To set up, make sure to lay down an old plastic mat, or tear open a couple of bin liners, sticking at least two or three together with tape, enough to cover the area you will be working on. At the end of play, these can be wiped down and reused time and time again.
Activity 1. To start, first collect some mud in an old bucket/bowl. You may need to add a little water to soften then get squeezing and squishing with your hands or feet till smooth! Who needs to buy slime or play dough when you can make your own mud-dough!!!
Activity 2. Have fun making lots of different figures and shapes and even some very silly noises. You can turn it into a game - guess the shape or animal.
Activity 3. You can even build your own mud house, adding some PVA glue (optional), then leave to dry. Once dry, decorate however you fancy.
Activity 4. If you have access to an outdoor space, like a park or garden, simply get stuck in it. Stamp in it. Slosh in it. Dive into it. After all it's only mud and it can be washed off, whilst the memories of mucking around in a mud bath will last forever.
To set up, make sure to lay down an old plastic mat, or tear open a couple of bin liners, sticking at least two or three together with tape, enough to cover the area you will be working on. At the end of play, these can be wiped down and reused time and time again.
Activity 1. To start, first collect some mud in an old bucket/bowl. You may need to add a little water to soften then get squeezing and squishing with your hands or feet till smooth! Who needs to buy slime or play dough when you can make your own mud-dough!!!
Activity 2. Have fun making lots of different figures and shapes and even some very silly noises. You can turn it into a game - guess the shape or animal.
Activity 3. You can even build your own mud house, adding some PVA glue (optional), then leave to dry. Once dry, decorate however you fancy.
Activity 4. If you have access to an outdoor space, like a park or garden, simply get stuck in it. Stamp in it. Slosh in it. Dive into it. After all it's only mud and it can be washed off, whilst the memories of mucking around in a mud bath will last forever.
Magic Show
Why pay to see a magic show, when you can recreate one at home.
Step 1.
There are so many quick and easy YouTube videos that can teach you and your children some amazing tricks - but you/they will need to practice.
Step 2.
Once ready, set a date for your show. Make or decorate a poster advertising the event.
Step 3.
If you haven't got one, then why not make yourself a wand. You can decorate a pencil, or tightly roll up a piece of black card (or paint it black). And don't forget to add a white tip at the end - masking tape or white paper will do the trick!
Step 4.
On the day, to add a bit of drama, dress up! Fancy dress or evening wear, anything to make the event feel very special.
Step 5.
Then sit back and enjoy watching or performing your very first magic show!
Step 1.
There are so many quick and easy YouTube videos that can teach you and your children some amazing tricks - but you/they will need to practice.
Step 2.
Once ready, set a date for your show. Make or decorate a poster advertising the event.
Step 3.
If you haven't got one, then why not make yourself a wand. You can decorate a pencil, or tightly roll up a piece of black card (or paint it black). And don't forget to add a white tip at the end - masking tape or white paper will do the trick!
Step 4.
On the day, to add a bit of drama, dress up! Fancy dress or evening wear, anything to make the event feel very special.
Step 5.
Then sit back and enjoy watching or performing your very first magic show!
Abracadabra!!!
Hide and Seek
Hide and Seek is such a classic, well-loved game the whole family can enjoy! Did you know, there are many different variations to this game. See below for just a few ideas!!
Activity 1.
If space is limited, or you are playing with a much younger child, choose an object (e.g. toy) to hide. Or for babies 'Peek-a-boo!' They simply delight in seeing you one minute, then disappearing behind hands or a blanket, before reappearing!
Activity 2.
When it comes hiding objects or yourselves, you can set a time limit. It then becomes a race against time to find that object or player. It is such fun to watch both kids and grown-ups thriving under pressure.
Activity 3.
If you have hidden an object that is tricky to find, the seeker(s) can be told if they are getting 'hot' i.e. if closer to the hidden object or 'cold' i.e. if they are moving further away.
Activity 4.
If there are three or more players, why not hide several objects, for the seeker to find. If you fancy a more heart-racing, competitive activity, each seeker can try and find the most objects as quickly as possible, thus beating their opponent.
Activity 5.
For older kids, playing hide and seek in the dark is such a thrill! To add a bit of drama, decide on a theme and dress up e.g. combat (wearing dark clothes and muddied faces), ninjas, Halloween costumes... If you have torches (or a light on your phone), the seeker can use the torch light to find the hidden persons/object.
Activity 1.
If space is limited, or you are playing with a much younger child, choose an object (e.g. toy) to hide. Or for babies 'Peek-a-boo!' They simply delight in seeing you one minute, then disappearing behind hands or a blanket, before reappearing!
Activity 2.
When it comes hiding objects or yourselves, you can set a time limit. It then becomes a race against time to find that object or player. It is such fun to watch both kids and grown-ups thriving under pressure.
Activity 3.
If you have hidden an object that is tricky to find, the seeker(s) can be told if they are getting 'hot' i.e. if closer to the hidden object or 'cold' i.e. if they are moving further away.
Activity 4.
If there are three or more players, why not hide several objects, for the seeker to find. If you fancy a more heart-racing, competitive activity, each seeker can try and find the most objects as quickly as possible, thus beating their opponent.
Activity 5.
For older kids, playing hide and seek in the dark is such a thrill! To add a bit of drama, decide on a theme and dress up e.g. combat (wearing dark clothes and muddied faces), ninjas, Halloween costumes... If you have torches (or a light on your phone), the seeker can use the torch light to find the hidden persons/object.
Ball Games
Simply jumping into a pool full of soft balls is fun for a lot kids. But you do not have take them to go a soft play centre to experience such joy. You can create a similar experience right at home.
You can fill an empty bath, tub or lay a bed mattress on the floor for that extra bounce. You can use rolled up socks, or I have bought a huge bag of soft balls from a local charity shop for a £1 and have used these for many other games, including a floor game of pool, skittles, bowls, dodge ball, coconut shy...
For babies (6 weeks+) you can lay them on their bellies and let them follow the movement of a large colourful ball rolled on the ground, back and forth from you to them - it's amazing how their bodies tingle and wriggle in delight at the sight.
For the more mobile tots, simply rolling, shuffling, crawling, pushing, throwing, kicking, running after after a ball can be played over and over with equal excitement, time and time again.
You can fill an empty bath, tub or lay a bed mattress on the floor for that extra bounce. You can use rolled up socks, or I have bought a huge bag of soft balls from a local charity shop for a £1 and have used these for many other games, including a floor game of pool, skittles, bowls, dodge ball, coconut shy...
For babies (6 weeks+) you can lay them on their bellies and let them follow the movement of a large colourful ball rolled on the ground, back and forth from you to them - it's amazing how their bodies tingle and wriggle in delight at the sight.
For the more mobile tots, simply rolling, shuffling, crawling, pushing, throwing, kicking, running after after a ball can be played over and over with equal excitement, time and time again.
For older kids, many outdoor games, including tennis, dodgeball, football, rounders, cricket, hockey... can all be adapted for indoor. So, if it is a rainy day and you are stuck indoors, you can transform a bedroom or living room, into a playing field (albeit much, much smaller).
Simply swap a hard ball, for a small soft one, making sure the space is clear, free from any breakable objects, then get creative. During lock-down, my kids and I transformed every sporting game we could think of, making it just as fun and as competitive, as though we were playing as part of a bigger in or outdoor team.
And if you do not have the right equipment, this is a great opportunity to get creative. I have transformed:
For a game of Air Hockey, I used several large, old yogurt pot lids plus old shoe laces (you can use string or ribbon). I pierced two holes into the lids, then threaded the shoelaces through, using them as grips, like handles on the lids. The spare lid was used to knock across the floor and on any wood or laminate floor, they will go flying across!!!
There are just so many fantastic games and creative ideas to explore. Simply check out the wonderful world-wide-web for more ideas.
Simply swap a hard ball, for a small soft one, making sure the space is clear, free from any breakable objects, then get creative. During lock-down, my kids and I transformed every sporting game we could think of, making it just as fun and as competitive, as though we were playing as part of a bigger in or outdoor team.
And if you do not have the right equipment, this is a great opportunity to get creative. I have transformed:
- a rolled up sock and scrunched up scrap paper into a ball.
- A stick found out the park, into a pool cue stick.
- My dad's old walking canes into a golf club and hockey sticks.
For a game of Air Hockey, I used several large, old yogurt pot lids plus old shoe laces (you can use string or ribbon). I pierced two holes into the lids, then threaded the shoelaces through, using them as grips, like handles on the lids. The spare lid was used to knock across the floor and on any wood or laminate floor, they will go flying across!!!
There are just so many fantastic games and creative ideas to explore. Simply check out the wonderful world-wide-web for more ideas.
- Balloon Volley
- Baseball
- Basket Ball
- Bowls, Bowling
- Croquet
- Cricket (without a wicket)
- Dodge Ball
- Football / Foosball
- Golf (Mini Golf)
- Hockey, (on Roller Skates)
- Keepie-uppie
- Quidditch for Muggles
- Rounders
- Tennis, Short Tennis
- Volley Ball
Guessing Games
- A Soft Touch: For babies and tots, brush various parts of their bare skin with something soft like a feather.
- Can U Feel It?: Close eyes, guess where other player touches your skin with a thread or feather
- Charades
- Guess Who
- I Spy
- Letters Numbers Words: Guess what the other player writes with their finger on your back
- Pictionary
- Statues: Guess the emotion or what the other player is doing, captured in a freeze frame.
- Toilet Roll: Using a toilet roll(s), guess what the other player is miming, transforming the object into e.g. a hat, ring, shoe microphone, reigns, chair.. Variation: Use a chair
- What Am I?: Use your senses to guess the object
- Where Am I?: Blindfolded, allow the other player to guide you, touching objects as you walk by.
Hide and Shriek!
- Blind Man's Bluff
- Blindfold Walk: Blindfolded player moves towards another player, following their sound
- Blindfold Obstacle Course: Blindfolded player, follows another player's instructions, getting them past various obstacles
- Hide & Seek
- Hide & Seek using objects
- Hide & Shriek in the dark
- Hide & Sneak - move about undetected by the seeker
Dance Off
- Ballroom Dancing: Teach yourselves a dance routine
- Dancing King/Queen: have a dance competition
- Disco Divas: Dress up and dance to music
- DJ: Put together a play list
- Musical Bumps
- Musical Chairs
- Musical Shapes: Freeze into e.g. an animal, emotion, shape, object...
- Musical Statues
- Rock n' Roll: Play music while you rock your baby
Dressing Up Games
- Barber Shop: Come up with the most weird and wonderful hairstyles
- Bargain Hunt: Without purchasing, go to different shops trying on outfits
- Dress up: Try different outfits, put together unusual ensembles
- Make Up Artists: Play around with make up.
- Kids make up and paint the adults toe nails, vice versa
- Photo Shoot: Take fun pictures, ridiculous selfies
- Tattoos: Draw designs on each other
The Great Outdoors
Nothing quite beats being out and about in the great outdoors. After being cooped up indoors, simply stepping out into the open will send tingles all over as the body as it basks in the natural daylight!
There is so much to do, without spending a penny. All you need is a sense of adventure and a visit to your local library or if you have internet at home, tap into the world wide web to get some great ideas. Here are just a few ideas Kiddirama would love to share.
Whilst going out for a stroll...
There is so much to do, without spending a penny. All you need is a sense of adventure and a visit to your local library or if you have internet at home, tap into the world wide web to get some great ideas. Here are just a few ideas Kiddirama would love to share.
Whilst going out for a stroll...
- Spot and name all the different creatures you can find. Observe their behaviour; how they interact with other creatures, what they feed on, find out who's boss and who's at the end of the pecking order..
- Plants and flowers are equally fascinating too. Go on a hunt for as many different trees and flowers as you can find. See who can name the most. Prepare beforehand either a book from the library or search on your phone, a list of pictures and names for all the different types of trees, plants and flowers.
- Spot all the different colours. It can be turned into a game 'First to find purple...' and everyone takes off to find something purple.
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- Using a compass or a map to see if you can find your way around a new and unexplored place, noting all the different landmarks along the way.
- Collect leaves and sticks to build your very own bug house. Or you can make your own dyes, patterns and collages from pressed leaves and crushed flowers for a craft project.
- Play a game of hide and seek in the woods, hiding behind trees and bushes.
- Take a small ball or Frisbee and if you happen upon an open space you can stop to play a game.
- Make up a song, rap, rhyme, rhythm or chant whilst you walk.
- Try walking whilst leading from various body parts, such as your nose, knees, chest, shoulders, eyes, toes etc
- Feed the ducks (using the correct feed and not bread or biscuits).
- Walk along the river or canal. Spot any boats or waterfowl.
-
Space Saving Decor
Kids are spending much more time at home so I'm sure space is premium!
So, Kiddirama has come up with some great space saving ideas that can help tidy some of that clutter away e.g. under bed, on a shelf, inside or on top of a cupboard. Simply follow the steps below to guide you...
So, Kiddirama has come up with some great space saving ideas that can help tidy some of that clutter away e.g. under bed, on a shelf, inside or on top of a cupboard. Simply follow the steps below to guide you...
Step 1.
Decide where you are going to store your box. The size of the box will need to fit into the space i.e. whether it will slide under a bed, fit into a shelf or sit on top of a cupboard.
Step 2.
Source your material. Using recycled items for your arts and craft projects are a must. Simply look around your home and you will be amazed at what you can find. Recycled materials are often made with good lasting materials, perfect for any short or long-term project. Supermarkets are usually happy to give away any empty sizable boxes and packaging.
Step 3.
If you need your box to be hard wearing, reinforce it either with a thick strong tape or even layer it like you would a paper mâché (there are plenty of websites that can show you how to make a paper mâché).
Step 4.
Time to decorate. If your box will be seen or put-on display, source materials that will go with your surrounding décor. You might have some left-over paint or wallpaper from the last time you decorated. Perhaps design a themed box – if it is for storing shoes, you can do foot painting... Be as creative as you want to be, there are plenty of websites that can give you ideas. The more creative and colourful your box, the more it will brighten up your space.
Decide where you are going to store your box. The size of the box will need to fit into the space i.e. whether it will slide under a bed, fit into a shelf or sit on top of a cupboard.
Step 2.
Source your material. Using recycled items for your arts and craft projects are a must. Simply look around your home and you will be amazed at what you can find. Recycled materials are often made with good lasting materials, perfect for any short or long-term project. Supermarkets are usually happy to give away any empty sizable boxes and packaging.
Step 3.
If you need your box to be hard wearing, reinforce it either with a thick strong tape or even layer it like you would a paper mâché (there are plenty of websites that can show you how to make a paper mâché).
Step 4.
Time to decorate. If your box will be seen or put-on display, source materials that will go with your surrounding décor. You might have some left-over paint or wallpaper from the last time you decorated. Perhaps design a themed box – if it is for storing shoes, you can do foot painting... Be as creative as you want to be, there are plenty of websites that can give you ideas. The more creative and colourful your box, the more it will brighten up your space.
Go Green n' Crafty
Getting crafty does not mean you have to be wasteful, especially when it comes to sourcing your materials. Kiddirama has come up with some fantastic ideas to help you go green and stay green!
Step 1.
First, you may want to create a storage box (*see ‘Space Saving Décor’) where you can store all your materials for art and crafting.
Step 2.
Next, start collecting items you would normally recycle or throw away e.g. cereal boxes, egg boxes, yogurt pots, lid, plastic bottles, food containers, paper (incl. old letters and envelopes), bubble wrap, packaging, glass jars and bottles etc.
Step 3.
Cut outs from old papers, flyers and magazines will have some fantastic images you can use, for free!
Step 4.
Visits to the seaside, I have always collected lots of seashells, which are great for decorating both inside and outside spaces.
Step 5.
Old wellies, even old clothes that can be cut up and used as scrap are perfect crafting material.
Step 6.
Supermarkets are usually happy to give away any large empty boxes and packaging, if you ask nicely.
Step 1.
First, you may want to create a storage box (*see ‘Space Saving Décor’) where you can store all your materials for art and crafting.
Step 2.
Next, start collecting items you would normally recycle or throw away e.g. cereal boxes, egg boxes, yogurt pots, lid, plastic bottles, food containers, paper (incl. old letters and envelopes), bubble wrap, packaging, glass jars and bottles etc.
Step 3.
Cut outs from old papers, flyers and magazines will have some fantastic images you can use, for free!
Step 4.
Visits to the seaside, I have always collected lots of seashells, which are great for decorating both inside and outside spaces.
Step 5.
Old wellies, even old clothes that can be cut up and used as scrap are perfect crafting material.
Step 6.
Supermarkets are usually happy to give away any large empty boxes and packaging, if you ask nicely.