Set aside the conversation hearts (except when doing science experiments) and show your kiddos how much they mean by filling the day with oh-so-sweet Valentine’s Day games and activities. From playing musical hearts to making suncatchers to concocting potions, the following ideas are fun ways to share the L-O-V-E. Be sure to check out our favorite DIY Valentine’s Day cards, jokes, and Valentine’s Day gifts kids can make.
There’s nothing quite like a classic game of ring toss, and this pink version is perfect for Valentine’s Day festivities. Start collecting your bottles now, and order some heart-shaped bracelets to use as rings.
3. Heart Counting Game
Deirdre Smith
It’s craps meets math with a clever counting game from the Kids Activities Blog. Roll the dice then add the same number of beans to the heart. The first overflowing heart is the winner! Play again and again—it’s a lovely (and educational) way to celebrate the holiday.
Want to walk all over hearts? It’s acceptable—and encouraged—during a session of musical hearts. Each heart has an entertaining activity written on the bottom. When the music stops, the kids start! Creative mom Amy incorporates reading and acting into each prompt and shares her awesome list of activities on her site, Teach Mama.
Tiny conversation hearts are big on charm but short on taste. Kids can use these little love messages to start a different type of conversation. First, fill recycled plastic bottles with various forms of liquid. Drop in candy hearts and observe what happens next! Check out Fun-A-Day for the lowdown.
Want to put the kiddo’s knowledge to the test? See if they know their ABCs by heart with a colorful set of letters. Find out where Jamie of Hands On As We Grow grabbed her game set, or try your hand at making your very own.
7. Heart Hopscotch
Toddler Approved
It’s hopscotch, Valentine’s style. Use cardstock (what else?) in red, pink, and white, add numbers or letters, grab something heavy(ish) to throw, and start hopping! You’ll be crushing on how much your kids are learning, from letter or number skills to physical coordination. Get more details on this simple Valentine's Day game by visiting Toddler Approved.
The clever clues and hand-written love notes in this simple but brilliant treasure hunt we found too sweet not to share. Cut out large hearts for hints and attach treats to each for added sweetness! The treasures at the end can be anything from simple toys to gift cards. Get great tips for making clues by visiting Thriving Home.
Stuffed animals falling off shelves, superheroes poking you behind pillows, and LEGO bricks underfoot (ouch!). If your house is anything like ours, it’s total toy chaos. But rather than resign yourself to a house of disorder, we’ve rounded up the best, most clever toy storage ideas that all but guarantee to work organizational wonders for the toys and gear growing like gremlins. So whether your house is being overtaken by art supplies or a precarious stack of board games, we have a solution for you!
Problem: A hoard of stuffed animals is crowding your kid out of their bed.
Solution: Stuffed animals have a tendency to multiply faster than rabbits. Take advantage of an unused corner by storing toys in a hanging hammock. Now your little one will have a space on the bed to put their second, third, and fourth-best lovey.
Problem: The toys are jumbled together in one bin and no one can find the item they want.
Solution: Snag storage containers with individual bins, like IKEA’s Trofast system, but take it to the next level by labeling each one so there’s no confusion as to where each toy goes when playtime is over—making it super easy to find the toy they really want when it’s time to play again. Snag a custom set of vinyl labels from Made by Sunni—they’re not only well-made, but the pictures also make it easy for pre-readers to know what goes where.
Problem: Too many LEGO sets, not enough time to sort them all.
Solution: We know that even the best laid-out LEGO storage system is no match for a kid who is asked to put their LEGO away. It's hard to keep bricks color-coded or grouped by type—eventually—everything winds up mixed all together. Make it easy on yourself (and your kids) by ordering a few Swoop Bags. These bags have a six-inch edge to help contain small pieces, come in small, medium, or large (they're big enough to play with those LEGO inside the bag), and you can choose between all sorts of fun colors. It's a storage and carryall solution (thanks to the handy pull-cord that doubles as a carrying strap) in one!
Problem: You don't want to buy yet another storage container.
Solution: Make your own toy storage out of paper bags. We love this cute DIY storage bag from Hello Wonderful because it's easy to make, practically free and it makes a one-stop spot for loose toys. All you need is a few paper bags and paint.
Problem: Your Picasso-in-training can't find their favorite colored pencil when they need it.
Solution: Pencils and markers rolling all over the place? Set up an artist station with a lazy Susan carousel. This one comes with removable storage spots (art on the go!) that can also pull double duty as craft central: think puff balls, paint brushes, and paints. There's (finally) a home for every sharpened pencil, animal-shaped eraser, gel and glitter marker set, and more.
Problem: Your kid has outgrown their loveys on display but isn't ready to donate them.
Solution: All those stuffed animals are turning into monster-sized dust bunnies and while your kid is old enough to not (really) need them, they're too young to want to get rid of them. To make everyone happy, fill this storage-cum-bean bag by Posh Creations for an extra cuddly (and dust-free) spot to sit.
Problem: Flimsy cardboard puzzle boxes lead to lost and mismatched pieces while stacks of board games stuffed in a cupboard end up never being used.
Solution: Enlist the help of mesh bags and a storage bin. Not only will they be easily accessible, but the storage bin will up the design factor in your family room and free up closet space.
To buy: 24-count mesh bags on Amazon, $19, storage bins on Amazon, $38
Best Toy Storage Solution for Bunk Beds & Cramped Bed Space
Walmart
Problem: Bedtime buddies and books don’t have any place to go when it's time to sleep.
Solution: You know better than to suggest your little ones drop extra loveys and books onto the floor to make some space to sleep which is why this solution is what you both need—easy-to-access pockets to stuff those stuffies and books while making room for a full night's sleep (finger's crossed!). This genius storage solution is especially clutch when you have an awesome bunk bed or loft bed situation.
Problem: Barbie, Ken, and their friends are all looking for a place to crash.
Solution: Your kid will be able to locate Black Panther, Ironman, or Barbie and friends in no time thanks to this toy storage idea that uses an over-the-door shoe organizer. Best part? When you want to keep the toys out of sight, just shut the door.
Problem: Your home has an awkward nook, cranny, or closet and it's hampering any creative toy storage solutions.
Solution: Lean into the awkward spot and use it to your advantage. Build out the space and turn that sore spot into an extra special space with a built-in play house (that can also house those stacks of toys behind closed doors).
Problem: Your kid’s reading obsession (while great) is bordering on book hoarding.
Solution: Take advantage of walls by installing an open-faced bookshelf so your little bibliophile will have access to all their favorites. If there are too many books in your collection, do a monthly rotation so they all get some love.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
Test their keyboard skills with fun typing games (most of them are free!)
Your kids are probably really good at tapping away on a phone or iPad. But how are their old-fashioned typing skills? It matters. After all, they’re not going to be typing their future term papers on a mobile phone (we hope). Thankfully, there is a slew of fun—and free!—typing games that’ll teach them to know their way around a QWERTY keyboard. Read on to learn more about these cool online games for kids.
There's a zombie apocalypse, and the first responders need your help! Become Tommy Q with his baseball launcher, and type the right letters in order to take out the zombies wandering through your backyard. Use the arrow keys to move up and down and line up with the approaching monsters. Type the letters to launch the balls and put the zombies down. Choose from easy to hard (zombie pace) and easy-to-challenge letter sequences (from easy to hard words, top row to bottom row).
This maze-based puzzle typing game will have your kids guiding the world's top scuba divers through three different levels. Somewhere along the way is a treasure chest, but to open it, players have to type the number they see on the screen to move Keyman in the direction indicated by arrows (think Pac-Man but with letters). You'll face letter-eating Pirhanas, red barriers that require players to think and type ahead of time, and once you grab the treasure, there's one minute left to collect all the gold coins you see. You can select different levels of difficulty, so even the youngest kids can practice typing.
This is, in our opinion, the best typing game site available without a subscription. The site features 13 fun games, all of which were "created in real classrooms together with teachers." The approach is simple: Instead of making kids start their typing lessons using all 10 fingers right off the bat, the lessons focus on three or four keys at a time, and kids are encouraged, in the beginning, to just use one finger to type the letters. The idea is that once they know where all the keys are, they'll naturally become better typists.
The games are split into three sections: "Let's Build a Keyboard," which focuses on showing kids where the keys are on the keyboard. The first lesson, for instance, is a construction-themed game that asks kids to type three adjacent letters at a time—QWE, for instance—then guide a crane to drop the letter blocks into the keyboard grid.
The next section, "Let's Hop on the Keys," asks kids to enter specific keys, one at a time, to make something happen (there's a ducky maze game that is super fun!).
The last section, "Keyboarding Kickstart" finally asks kids to use all their fingers to type away (each game shows kids which fingers go on which keys).
All in all—we still can't believe this site is free.
What'll keep kids playing this game (at least for a little while) is the simple satisfaction of popping a balloon. Over and over. Typists simply have to type the letter beneath the balloon before it floats away. Then—POP! There are three levels and four different keyboard regions to practice before taking on the whole keyboard.
Slice up fruit ninja-style by typing the letters that are shown beneath each fruit. The tricky part of this otherwise simple game is that if you accidentally hit the letter shown above a lit bomb, it's GAME OVER. So pay attention! The game has three levels of difficulty (parents, we invite you to TRY the most difficult level; it's hard!) and allows players to pick which section of the keyboard they'd like to practice.
If you can get past the pop-up ads, this "Space Invaders"-style typing lesson is super fun! To play: Type the words shown beneath each alien invader to blast them out of the sky before they reach the ground. There are 40 variations of the game, each of which emphasizes a different skill on the keyboard. Typists won't just learn their letters, they'll also have to practice typing punctuation marks, capital letters, and numbers. Bilingual? There are also Spanish, German, and French ways to play the game.
You have to watch an ad before you can start the game, but if you've got kids who enjoy race car games, this will be their go-to typing training. To play, maneuver your car around other cars as fast as you can by typing the words that appear in whichever lane you want to take. It's a lot to think about in very little time so brand new typists may want to steer themselves elsewhere.
Note: This game is made for typists who already know their way around a keyboard.
This BBC-sponsored typing program starts at the beginning by showing kids basic hand positions for typing and which fingers to use for which keys. It then lets them build on their skills slowly with the help of singing cartoon animals who act as personal coaches. At the end of each level, typists can print out a special certificate of accomplishment to reward their hard work.
The alien Alpha Munchies want to eat your food! The only way to stop them? Type, type, type! Kids will love blasting the bad guys out of the sky by punching letters on the keyboard. The simple game, which pays homage to '80s-themed arcade games, lets kids practice specific sections of the keyboard before finally using the whole keyboard as their typing progresses.
We know your kids will love these toddler games—what they won’t know is that they’re learning too
Learning through play is a natural, exciting way for toddlers to develop important skills. And they’re good at it too. After all, toddlers were made to play. So the next time your toddler is itching for something to do, reach for one of these games for toddlers that include everything from family board games to more physically active toddler games that keep little learners moving, thinking, and engaged. Get the wiggles out and bring on the giggles with these 10 games to play with toddlers.
HABA
1. First Orchard
Work together to harvest the fruit before the raven gets to the orchard with this fun game to play with toddlers. FirstOrchard from HABA’s My Very First Games line will have toddlers practicing taking turns, following directions, counting and matching colors. With larger fruit pieces than the original Orchard, this board game is designed specifically to engage and entertain the youngest gamers.
A laundry basket and a pile of clothes or toys is no chore for your kid. Turn it into one of our simple toddler games for fun you can put on repeat. Show them how fun it is to spill all the items on the ground with a playful “uh oh” as you dump them. Count the items as you put them in. Then dump it all again to repeat the activity. Try different variations, like putting items of a certain color in first with this easily-adaptable toddler game.
The award-winning Roll & Play game from ThinkFun provides toddlers with an interactive experience. Roll the plush cube to land on a color. Pick a card from the pile with the corresponding color and follow the instructions. This game will have your toddler roaring like a lion, singing a song, and doing many other activities that encourage creativity and develop motor skills.
One of the most reliable toddler games around, an obstacle course can be set up inside or outside and help builds gross motor skills. For an indoor game, gather up pillows, couch cushions and any other sturdy objects toddlers can climb on, jump over or go under. Set them up in one room or multiple rooms and hallways. A hula hoop or circle made with string works for jumping into and out of, either inside or out in a yard. An obstacle that involves throwing, hitting or kicking a ball can be fun, particularly for an outdoor course.
Looking for simple toddler games? Why not try a scavenger hunt? Make a list with illustrations of common household items for your toddler to seek out. When they find one, they can color in the picture. Bring the game outdoors and, one-by-one, ask your toddler to find a stick, leaf, rock and other items in your yard. Collect them in a pile and let them explore. Or skip the work of creating your own list and use the Toddler Scavenger Hunt Cards from Mollybee Kids. The cards feature brightly colored illustrations of items and activities, like find a book and point to a picture or word.
Looking for an easy game to play with toddlers? Play Odd One Out. Gather a set of items that are all the same except for one. Then have your child find the odd one out. Blocks where the odd one is a different color or shape work well. Crayons of all one color, except for one, are another good option. You can even try putting out nine socks and one shoe. Talk about what makes the odd one out different from the others. Reinforce counting skills by counting the objects as you observe them together.
7. Simon Says
With a group, one person is Simon. The other players follow the instructions when it comes from Simon—“Simon says touch your nose.” They don’t follow the command when the “Simon says” is left out—“clap your hands.” You can eliminate players who don’t follow the rules or keep it casual and not eliminate anyone. A modified version of the classic game can work for two people. Have the grown-up give the commands and the younger player follow them, all while using the same “Simon says” rule.
The whole family can get in on this game for toddlers. Monkey Around is interactive board game that includes 40 activity cards, a game board and a bean bag banana. Pick a monkey card, perform the activity, and add the completed card to the tree. With activities for one player or multiple players, you’ll be balancing the banana on your head or turning in circles together.
Another game to play with toddlers, this one uses tape or chalk to create a line about three feet away from a bucket or basket. Have your toddler stand behind the line and try to throw the ball or beanbag into the bucket. Count the number of baskets made. As your budding pitcher gets more skilled, you can move the line back. This simple game is a fun way to encourage counting and gross motor skills.
10. Hot & Cold
One of our favorite games for toddlers is Hot & Cold. Have your toddler pick their favorite toy or stuffed animal for you to hide. As they search around the room, call out “hotter” as they get closer or “colder” if they move farther away from it. If the game feels a little hard at first, leave a piece of the hidden item visible until your little seeker gets the hang of it.
A pillowcase race is one of our favorite indoor games
Whether the weather is keeping you inside or you’re just not feeling an outing, active play is not only stimulating for the body but it can also boost the brain. From balloon games to literally acting like animals, we’ve found 28 inventive ways to get kids moving indoors and keep their little minds occupied. Check out our favorite indoor games for any time of year.
Active Imagination
iStock
Take the kids on a walk through the forest without leaving the living room. For each prompt, demonstrate a movement while you tell the story out loud. For example:
You are walking down a path in a forest (walk in place).
You see a deer leap across the path (leap!).
You chase after the deer (run in place).
But you trip on a branch and fall (slowly fall in place).
You roll down a hill (roll around on the floor).
You can take this in any direction you want and make it last as long as you need to!
In this scenario, you're going to "plant" your kiddo and watch them grow.
Have your child curl up in a little ball on the floor. If they're small enough, you can carry them to the spot.
Declare you are a gardener, and you are planting the rarest seed.
Tickle their back while you say, "Water, water, water!"
Lightly tap their back while you say, "Sun beats down, sun beats down!"
Now the seed can start to unfurl. "Oh, the seed is reaching through the soil!"
As your child slowly comes to standing, at each stage say things like, "Oh, the leaves are unfurling!" and "Look, there's a flower on the top."
Finally, have your child stretch to the sun.
You can end it there, or you can go and pick the flower, having the kiddos collapse in a giggling heap as you "chop" at their heels.
The Alphabet Workout
iStock
This one takes a bit more prep, but it's super easy to learn and guaranteed to burn off energy in no time. First, you need to associate a specific exercise with letters of the alphabet (example: A, 5 burpees, B, 10 jumping jacks, C, 10 jumps in place). You can repeat exercises, so you don't have to come up with 26 new ones! You can also find a pre-made one, like this one from Leash Your Fitness.
Next, you take turns doing the exercises based on your name. Adjust to kids' ages and fitness levels. For example, you can do middle and last names if the kids need more. Or choose random words. Your heart will be pumping in no time (It makes a great break from work for adults, too.).
Pool Noodle Jousting
Okay, we'll admit this one could be a recipe for trouble among certain siblings, but it's ever so easy and ever so fun! Just be sure to establish rules like no hitting faces, body parts, etc.
All you need are two pool noodles. If the kids are small, you can cut a pool noodle in half.
Choose a few colorful old socks; fill each sock with dry rice, beans, or something similar, and tie the ends together. Place sheets of paper on the floor—with one for each color of the sock. Your child can toss the homemade bean bag onto the corresponding color of paper.
Can your kiddo waddle like a walrus? Walk like a penguin? Gallop like a horse? Call out animal names and watch as your child imitates the creature’s antics.
Fill a balloon, toss it into the air and count how many pats your child can bat the balloon before it falls to the ground. Add another balloon to make the game more challenging.
Balloon Ball
All it takes to play balloon volleyball, baseball, basketball, or hockey is hot air (to blow up the balloons!) and a little ingenuity. Use trash cans on opposite sides of the room as baskets and a simple painter’s tape line to divide the room for a volleyball net. For hockey and baseball, use pool noodles to bat balloons in the air or on the ground.
Balloon Challenge
Blow up as many balloons as you can, and divide them up so roughly half are inside a painter’s tape-made circle and half are outside of it. Then free the kids, challenging one to get as many balloons into the circle while inviting the other to keep out as many as possible. It’s a Ying/Yang situation that’ll wear them out faster than you can say, “nap time!”
Active Indoor Games for Kids
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Mirror Mirror
Take follow the leader to a whole new level. Pretend your child is a mirror and have them imitate your movements—reflection style. Reverse the course and give them a chance to play the role of leader as you mirror them.
Family Freeze
Are you looking for games for kids that don’t require materials, cards, boards or anything else? Try a quick game of freeze. Let the kids run, dance, twirl or move to their beat. Yell, “freeze,” and watch them suddenly turn into statues.
Musical Chairs
Don’t count out the games you played as a child. Set up chairs in your playroom, turn on the tunes, and play a game of musical chairs.
Indoor Hopscotch
A long stretch of wood or tile flooring is all your little ones need to play indoor hopscotch. Lay out the game using painters or washi tape so it won’t stick to your floors. Then off they go, tossing and hopping down the alley until they reach 10. Get more on this sweet idea over at Toddler Approved.
Pillowcase Race
Who doesn’t need an excuse to change the bedsheets? Have the kids stuff themselves into their pillowcases, then send them off down a carpeted hallway or across a room with a rug toward an imaginary finish line. Add in obstacles to make it more challenging and to keep the fun rolling.
Potato Relay
To play this silly game, all you need are buckets, potatoes and kids with a good sense of humor. Set the buckets up at one side of the room. Next, ask each child to carry a potato between their legs (no hands allowed) across the room and plop it in the bucket before turning and running back to tag the next player in line.
Indoor Games for Kids That Like Color
Erica Loop
Paint Race
Who can paint a portrait, landscape or still life the fastest? Choose a subject, hand out the canvases and race to see who can paint their masterpiece the fastest.
Rainbow Race
Add science to your indoor games for youth! Preschoolers and younger kiddos will get a kick out of this fun-filled full “STEAM” -ahead game. Drip a few drops of food coloring into water and freeze colorful cubes. When the ice is ready, place different colors on one side of a piece of poster board paper and race the cubes to see which one melts the fastest—and wins!
Color Wheel Magic
Preschoolers will dig this simple game you can make with construction paper. Place colored papers around on the ground cakewalk style and turn on some music. Then start your crew out around the circle. Whatever color they’re on when the music stops becomes their challenge color, and they need to race through the house to find an object in that color. The first one back to the circle wins!
Indoor Bowling
Gabby Cullen
Put your plastic dixie cup collection to use. Line the bottles up bowling pin-style and use a soft, squishy ball to bowl!
Icy Building Blocks
Erica Loop
No blocks? No problem! Freeze colorful cubes of ice and use them to build skyscrapers in your kitchen. Have a parent-child contest to see who can build the highest tower—without toppling the freezing blocks.
Raid the dress-up bin or pile all your best costumes together. Then call out open-ended prompts your kids can respond to with their clothing choices. Dress up as someone who helps others. Dress up as someone who builds things. Dress up as a hero. Have kids race against each other or set a timer for singletons as they take on this best-dressed challenge.
Cup Flip Fun
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This simple game is a total energy burn. To play, grab 20 paper or plastic cups from the cupboards and scatter them around the room—10 facing up and 10 facing down. Divide your crew into the Up Team and the Down Team before setting a five-minute timer. Once the timer is set, send the teams off to flip cups in their direction (up for Up Team, down for Down Team).
Storybook Show
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Combine two favorite activities into one when you help your kids get their favorite book ready for its stage debut. Think out costumes and dialogue as you prepare them to act out their favorite book for the most approving audience around—you and your parenting partner! It’ll be standing ovations and encore applauses when they’re done.
Family Wrestling Match
iStock
This simple activity pits your kiddo against mom or dad in a battle of physical strength. To play, create a circle using painter’s tape or something that will easily peel off your floors. Make sure it’s big enough to move around in. Plant yourself firmly in the middle before motioning to your sidekick Matrix-style to try and wrestle you out of the circle. Set a timer for each round, or keep it going until you finally get pushed out.
Dance Party
iStock
Host an indoor dance party with a game-filled twist. Turn on your kid's favorite tunes, and dance follow the leader style. The leader twirls, whirls and swirls around the room while everyone else follows.
At-Home Obstacle Course
iStock
Indoor games get an activity boost with this obstacle-filled option. Use all the cardboard delivery boxes in your basement or pile pillows together. Then have your ninja warriors test their skills on the course that gives them a legit reason to climb the furniture.
Scavenger Hunts
iStock
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Make your kids’ day with this simple activity that you can play virtually anywhere. Write a list of random items your kids can find around the house. Then, send them off with your phone to find and snap pictures of each of the items. Make the list as long or as short as you like and change it every time you play.
Color Hunt
Stage a rainbow-filled scavenger hunt at home. Give your child pieces of colorful construction paper and ask them to find something around the house that matches each one.
If your kid knows the difference between the Triassic and Jurassic periods, or rattles off the names of dinosaurs you’ve never heard of (because, let’s be honest, they didn’t even have those dinosaurs when we were kids) with the authority of a museum curator, there’s a new exhibit in town you have to experience. Dinos Alive: Immersive Experience opened last weekend, and it’s the latest venture from Fever (of Immersive Van Gogh fame) to come through Seattle. It’s a full-sensory experience that transports kids through time, bringing them face to face with lifelike dinosaurs that are as captivating as they are exciting, especially for kids. Read on to find out what to expect, and how to make the most of this adventure when you visit.
See Larger-Than-Life Dinosaurs
Every Seattle kid knows the best places to see dinosaurs are at the Burke and PacSci. But that's about to change. For kids who are itching for a new dinosaur adventure, Dinos Alive: Immersive Experience is it. With over 80 animatronic prehistoric creatures on display, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more realistic experience in the city. The organizers have gone to great lengths to make this more than a chance to see dinosaurs move. They’ve worked hard to set the stage in this oversized warehouse. Mist spills out over the displays, and dinosaur roars echo through the halls even before you round the last turn into the exhibit.
Once inside the Dinos Alive exhibit a combo of little details help to deliver the full package. Birds call in the distance, lush greenery is everywhere and you can see projected waterfalls and other natural features off in the distance. As for the dinosaurs—their blinking eyes, moving tails and gnashing teeth are enough to convince your kids they’re standing in front of real live dinosaurs. Most of the exhibit is at kid height. So curious tots can get up close and check out the details that help bring these creatures to life in the modern world. It's a pretty big thrill, to say the least.
Learn While You Explore
Beyond the special effects, there are opportunities to learn too. Each dinosaur has its own special plaque explaining important facts and figures your kids will devour like a hungry T. rex. The name, family, weight, height and other stats are easy for kids to track as they walk from one hulking creature to the next. And the descriptions will help inform your visit and spark kids' interests in paleontology. Families can even download an app and scan QR codes to enhance your experience with your kid’s favorite accessory—a phone.
Who to Bring
Because there is a lot to learn and see, Dinos Alive works well for kids of all ages. Older kiddos can bone up on their dino facts and expand their knowledge as they make their way from the Hesperosaurus to the Spinosaurus to the Velociraptor. While toddlers and pre-schoolers will have fun following glow-in-the-dark footprints prints on the ground and marveling at the dinosaurs who seem so real to them. Fair warning: a few of these dinosaurs tower overhead, and they may overwhelm little kids. Plus, their grunts, growls and roars rival any fierce lion or tiger you see at Woodland Park Zoo.
Explore the Playland
After you’ve seen the dinosaurs and tossed balls in the virtual aquarium, it’s time to play. Kids will find four interactive stations here where they can play paleontologist. Dig for fossilized bones in the sandboxes or race against dinosaurs on the track. These two exhibits are great for kids of any age. Kids can also sit and color their favorite dinosaur from the exhibit at the art table. There’s lots of room here to spread out, and when they’re finished, kids can project their masterpiece onto the screen for everyone to enjoy. But our favorite find here (we think your kids will love it too) is the chance to ride a dinosaur. Kids who are feeling extra brave can climb atop one of the animatronic dinosaurs for the ride of a lifetime. As fierce as they seem, it's a pretty gentle—but totally thrilling—ride.
Tame a Dinosaur
Just before you hit the gift shop at the end of the experience, you'll have a chance to interact with a dinosaur in virtual reality. Headsets and joysticks line the wall, and staff members are available to help get you started with this simple game. Once the headset is on, you'll be transported to an island where you get to keep a dino as a pet...sort of. A cute and innocuous game, it works like this: you throw a bone to a trained dino who fetches it and returns it to you, just like Fido would. It's a great option for older kids who want to give VR a try. It's not recommended for kids under six. If you've purchased the VIP experience, this activity is included. But you can also add it on for just $5 when you get there.
The New York Times just bought Wordle, everyone’s favorite free game on the internet.
If you haven’t heard of Wordle, you’re probably not on Facebook. In the past few months, cryptic posts started popping up with a curious green, yellow, and grey grid and numbers that made no sense without any context. It looked like this:
Then they were popping up every day, as more and more users began engage in the game. The game exploded in popularity, and has since had people starting fan pages, tweeting about it, and even diving into the psychology of why everyone seemingly got addicted to the simple game at the same time.
One of the most appealing aspects of the game is the sense of community it invokes: it’s one game per day, and everyone plays the same one. There are no levels to aspire to, no option for binge-gaming, and no way to really one-up other players. It’s pretty perfect in its simplicity — and its free. You get six chances to guess a word. That’s it. That’s the entire game. And many of us are addicted.
Yesterday, The New York Times announced that it had purchased the game from its creator, Josh Wardle, a software engineer in Brooklyn. They paid a price “in the low seven figures.” He announced the sale on his Twitter page, noting that the game would “be free to play for everyone.”
And because we’ve all loved playing it so much, people are very happy for Wardle!
I’m happy for Mr. Wordle. He made a game for his partner because she loved word games, then he shared it with all of us for nothing. Now he gets a million unexpected dollars. Because he loved someone!
Why are people mad the Wordle guy got paid? Pay the sweet Wordle man! Give him jewels and gold for his glorious letter squares! He got less than half what it could have been worth in a bidding war and he kept it a free game. Shower him with champagne and furs!
I’m glad the Wordle guy got paid. He made something that brought a tremendous amount of joy to people, and selling to the New York Times strikes me as one of the least noxious ways he could have gone about it.
Games for kids don’t have to include a screen, batteries or a smartphone charger. Whether you’re on the hunt for outdoor games or indoor games for kids, we’ve got you covered. Check out the completely cool classic two-player games that will keep your kiddos busy all summer long—and throughout the rest of the year too. Get ready for some serious nostalgia with these all-time favorite finds!
You spend hours of sunny summer camp hours playing cat’s cradle with your BFF. Now it’s your child’s turn! Check out the super-fun string game instructions from Moms Minivan here!
Do you have a basketball net or access to one? The first player picks a spot and tries to make a basket. If they get the ball in the basket, the other player has to follow from the same space and in the same way. Miss the shot and get an “H.” The game continues, adding an O-R-S-E one by one as players miss shots. The first one to spell HORSE is out. Change the game and pick a different word to spell!
Are you on the search for outdoor games for kids? Let the sun lead the way during this game of tag. Head into the yard and look for your shadows. Pick one player to be it and yell “go.” The “it” player tags the other player’s shadow to win. Not only is this a fun-filled summer game, but it’s also an easy way to social distance when you head outside to play.
Mother, may I take a step forward? Like red light/green light, this old school game helps kids to build self-control skills. If you haven’t played the game in years, one player asks, “Mother may I ..?” And the other either says, “Yes you may” or “No.” Even though you’re the mama, take turns playing the role of mother for this game.
Does your child sometimes struggle to stop when you say freeze? Help your kiddo to build self-control with this nostalgic playful pick. Create your own pretend play street, stand across from each other and call out “green light” to move and “red light” to stop. Switch callers every other game and keep the activity going.
Introduce your child to a good old game of jacks. This indoor game is an easy activity to take the boredom out of a rainy afternoon. Grab a bouncy ball, pick up a pack of jacks, and get ready for a game of pick up. Not only is this a fun-filled family activity, but jacks also help your young child build fine motor and math skills. Don't remember how to play? Find the rules here.
Put your stockpile of sidewalk chalk to work with this outdoor game for kids. Draw a hopscotch board together, find the perfect pebble to toss and play the number-filled game together. If your child tires of the traditional board, change things up and use letters, shapes or almost anything else your creative kid can draw.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor games or indoor games for kids, hide and seek is an old school pick that the littles always enjoy. Turn the tables on your kiddo and let them play the role of the seeker as you hide!
A childhood fave from way back, 20 questions gives your littles the chance to flex their critical thinking skills. Pick a person, place or thing, and let your kiddos ask away. Of course, they can only pick “yes” or “no” questions for you to answer. Bonus—this game also helps your child to build counting skills!
This one’s another standby that’s great for long car rides, days at the park or just about anywhere else! Spy something that’s a color, that starts with a specific letter or is a certain size. Kick the game off yourself, and then let your kids take their turn spying with their own eyes.
Sharpen memory skills and reinforce your kiddo’s alphabet prowess with this simple alphabet story game. The first player starts by saying, “I’m going on a picnic, and I’m going to bring …” Then, the player adds an item that begins with the letter “A” (i.e. “apples”). The next player repeats what the first player said, and adds their item beginning with the letter “B” (“I’m going on a picnic, and I’m going to bring apples… and bananas”). And so on. The object of the game is to get as far into the alphabet as you can while still remembering all the alphabetized items.
One, two, three, four, let’s have a thumb war! Stick out those dominant hands and get your thumbs ready to wrestle with this simple game that can be played anywhere thumbs are found. Don’t remember how to play? Here’s an easy how-to video by Howcast.
Simon says to try this game with your kids instead of handing them your phone the next time you’re waiting for anything. Simon also says click here to find the rules of the game—as if you didn’t already know.
Get your game hands on and “shoot!” Want to know how to be a Rock Paper Scissors star? Watch this fun video from Buzzfeed on “How to Win at Rock Paper Scissors.”
Star Wars fans look forward to May the 4th all year long––the official Star Wars Day. If you plan on celebrating, pick up some new swag to help show your love for this epic film franchise. We’ve rounded up some fresh Star Wars gear to keep you in Jedi mind.
The Mandalorian Baby Grogu-inspired Stand for Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)
New Amazon Echo Dot? You'll want to dress it up with the newest Otter Box release that's inspired by The Mandalorian. This Grogu-shaped case is easy to install, has a non-slip base and doesn't take away and Echo Dot functionality.
Dress up your Fire Stick remote and make it easier to find with a Grogu Green or Bounty Blue cover! The silicone cover makes for the perfect feel and protects your remote from all those accidental drops.
Shop the 2nd Gen remote for $16.99 and the 3rd Gen ($56.98) remote on Amazon.
The Mandalorian: The Child, Stand for Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Gen
Dress up your Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Gen, you will! This Mandalorian stand is not only adorable, but its made with a precision-fit, non-slip base.
Star Wars Chewbelta Chewbacca Car Seatbelt Shoulder Cover Pad
Travel in true Wookie style when you strap this Velcro seatbelt cover on. Made with soft "fur" and a padded backing, you can harness your inner Chewbacca and rest easy on any and all car rides.
Find this hilarious seatbelt cover on Amazon, 17.93
Star Wars 2-Quart Slow Cooker
The whole family can eat well thanks to this 2-quart Slow Cooker. The smaller sized crock pot is great for appetizers and small side dishes, and is bound to spark conversation at family gatherings. The classic black and white coloring details your fave fighter ships, including the Millennium Falcon and several TIE Fighters.
Make counting fun when you're learning with OBI-123: A Book of Numbers. Told with whimsical rhymes and engaging artwork, your young Jedi's won't even notice they're learning! Can't get enough? You can also find an ABC version with C-3PO!
Rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor sun can hamper these Reflective Sabers that are perfect for rear wipers. No tools are needed for installation, and they are easily removed using the Velcro attachments. They are the perfect addition to your "Toyoda" or any make, really.
Star Wars Darth Vader Bluetooth Speaker with Speakerphone Voice Activation & Charging Cable
Play music from your phone, computer or tablet in total dark side style with the Bluetooth Darth Vader Speaker. In addition to playing music in high quality sound, you can also answer phone calls through the speakerphone, and charge the device for hours of listening time. One thing's for sure, this is the scariest looking speaker out there!
You can choose from Darth Vader or a Storm Trooper on Amazon, $26
Star Wars Tin Lunchbox
Tote your lunch in Star Wars style when you pick one these retro style tin lunchboxes. Coming in six designs (including a BB-8 shaped style!), the metal-latching boxes boast beautiful and colorful designs. The collapsable metal hand makes for easy carrying and the sturdy construction means no more squashed sandwiches.
UbiKORT 3D Illusion Night Light Millennium Falcon Table Lamp
Who doesn't need a nightlight of the Millennium Falcon? Lighting up in 7 colors and packed with 9 extra LED lights means you'll be enjoying this nightlight for a lifetime to come. Bright enough to cast a calming glow, this light makes a perfect addition to your little Star Wars lover's room.
This nightlight is yours for less than $20! Find it over on Amazon.
Star Wars Bladebuilders Jedi Master Lightsaber
Light side, dark side––you can be on all the sides when you snag this Bladebuilders Jedi Master Lightsaber kit. Packed with light daggers, dual connector, expansion hilt, elbow connectors and a cross connector, you can literally come up with 100 combinations. This is the ultimate kit for your young padwan.
Make your room a Star Wars haven when you have these peel and stick wall decals. Made from vinyl that is easy to remove and won't peel off paint, these are the perfect room decor for kids who tend to change their mind often. The only complaint on Amazon about this set is that Princess Leia is in her slave outfit, so use at your own free will.
You're in trouble now, but this time you'll have to rescue BB-8 from within the Star Wars universe! Play as Rey, Chewbacca, Kylo Ren or Finn as you attempt to move around the Trouble board and get to BB-8 first. It's a new take on a classic and simple game that's great for kids (and adults) of all ages.
You can find this game, as well as other Star Wars themed options like Monopoly, Clue and Risk on Amazon, $17.99
Star Wars #1 Dad Adult Long Sleeved T-Shirt
You can't help but be Numero Uno with this Darth Vader Dad shirt, and no can argue with you! Made from premium cotton and long-sleeved, this black T-Shirt is all Darth Vader, all the time.
It’s 4 p.m. and you finally close the laptop as your child’s virtual school day ends. Or, maybe your child physically went to school today but had limited time at the playground. And it shows. They need action!
Physical activity helps a child stay regulated (process and adjust to their environment) and promotes the maturation of their nervous system. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it is even more important to make children’s physical wellbeing a priority to combat the potential negative effects on their physical, social, and psychological health. Physical activity in children is even associated with higher academic performance!
These top 10 afterschool activities are perfect for getting the wiggles out of your kids, no matter what materials or space you have!
1. Obstacle Course
Give your child a minimum of 3 to 4 steps. Get creative with what you have at home (both indoors and outdoors) when coming up with tasks at each “station”. A few ideas to start with: throw balls into a laundry basket, do 10 jumping jacks, jump in and out of a hoola-hoop, crawl under chairs. Try getting your child to complete as much of the course as independently as they can. Challenge them to remember each step in the sequence (and in the right order) to help develop their memory and other cognitive skills!
2. Simon Says
A classic! “Simon says do a handstand.” “Stand on 1 leg.” A simple game of Simon Says can help promote body awareness as your child engages in different movements. They’ll also have to use their auditory comprehension skills to follow the directions and listen for whether or not “Simon” said!
3. Ball Bounce
Bouncing on a large exercise ball against a wall can give your child just the amount of physical input their body needs. To add some cognitive demands, ask your child to sing their ABC’s while bounding, or go back and forth naming different animals for each letter of the alphabet without repeating.
4. Animal Walk Relay
Make a “path” around the house using tape, flags, or colorful dots. Have your child get from point A to point B by pretending to be the animal you name. Bear walk, bunny hop, crab walk, frog jumps – this one’s sure to work their muscle strength and coordination!
5. Go for a Ride
Kids can take a ride on their bike, scooter, skateboard, or whatever they choose! For an added language benefit, play “I Spy” while riding to help improve your child’s vocabulary by understanding and using descriptive words.
6. Towel Tug
Lay a towel on the floor and weigh it down with objects. Or, have a sibling sit on it! Have your child pull the towel across the room. Keep them motivated by asking them to make a prediction of how many times they think they can do this!
7. Scorpion Game
Parents—here’s a new sensory-motor game that also gives you time to interact with your kids! You pretend to be a scorpion, holding a pool noodle as your stinger and keeping your eyes closed. Your child is the squirrel that has to try and “rescue” stuffed animals from the ground by picking one up and running it back to the other side of the room. If your child gets “stung” and you tap them with the noodle, they must do an exercise you choose (jumping jacks, star jumps, or sit-ups, for example).
8. Dog Catcher
Make two bases across from each other, connected by a path of pillows. You are the dog catcher and your child is the puppy. He or she must rescue their stolen “bones” (balls) or animal friends (stuffed animals) by taking the pillow path to your base and back when you pretend to go to sleep. If your child wakes you up or accidentally steps on the floor, the dog catcher (you) have to try and tag the puppy!
9. Lava Floor
Pretend the floor is lava! You and your child can make a path in the living room to get from the couch to the door without touching the floor. Use pillows, bean bags, and other objects you find to help your child practice their balance, coordination, and creativity!
10. Jump Up!
A great way to give your child’s body some vestibular input (balance and awareness of their body’s position in space)? Jumping! Kids can jump on a trampoline or on a mattress you put on the floor.
Some children may have trouble with balance, coordination, strength, are constantly moving, or become easily distracted. If you have concerns in these areas of your child’s development, an evaluation by a physical therapist or occupational therapist can help. TherapyWorks is a company that provides these services (in addition to speech therapy, feeding therapy, and social work) via teletherapy. You will be connected with a therapist who specializes in your areas of concern and can provide more tips for at-home activities for your child!
Sprang, Ginny & Silman, Miriam. (2013). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Parents and Youth After Health-Related Disasters. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. 7. 10.1017/dmp.2013.22.
I'm a mom entrepreneur and Co-Founder of TherapyWorks, a pediatric therapy company that provides services via telehealth. I recognized the need to make high-quality pediatric therapy more convenient after one of my own children needed therapy and launched TherapyWorks with my Co-Founder, an experienced speech language-pathologist, with that in mind.
