Thinking games for kids are some of the easiest indoor activities you can find. They also work when you are on the go! Ever been waiting in the doctor's office, with whiny kids and you need something other than "20 Questions" and "I Spy With My Little Eye..."?
I thought so.
Next time you are standing in line to pay for groceries, or waiting for the bus to arrive, try one of these six screen-free thinking games to keep kids' minds occupied and brains exercised.
1. Imaginary Traveler.
Taking turns, and continuing with consecutive letters of the alphabet, kids imagine where they might go and what object they want to take along on their trip. Each player must remember and repeat the sentences created by previous players.
For example, It first player says, "I'm going to Aunt Amanda's and I'm taking my Aardvark." The second says, "'m going to Aunt Amanda's and I'm taking my Aardvark. I'm going to Bermuda and I'm taking my Blue Balloon," and so on. Encourage participants to be as silly as possible.
For an easier game, players need not repeat the previous sentences, but simply create their own based on the letters of the alphabet.
2. Story Time.
One child begins a story with a single sentence. Building upon that sentence the next child continues the story with his own sentence to continue the story. You can vary this game so that the story is told with alternating words, phrases, sentences or paragraphs.
3. I See A Rhyme.
Taking turns, complete the sentence "I see a ____." Each player must rhyme the last word with the previous player's word. For example, "I see a bat", "No, I see a hat", "But I see a cat!" When you've exhausted one rhyme, start with a new word! Just be careful not to start with, "I see an orange," because everyone knows, nothing rhymes with "orange!"
4. Fortunately/Unfortunately
This imaginative thinking game is inspired by Remy Charlip's book, Fortunately. One player starts a story with a sentence such as "Fortunately, the bus is coming." The next player counters with a contrary sentence such as, "Unfortunately, it turned into an airplane and flew away!" The next player starts again with "Fortunately..." Continue until everyone has collapsed in a fit of giggles.
5. Name Five.
First, choose a category such as states, flowers, animals. Next, going through the alphabet, each player must name five things in that category. For example, if animals is the category, the first player might list, aardvark, antelope, ant, anteater, and ape. The next player starts with B and might list, baboon, bee, bear, bullfrog, bird. Continue on until the alphabet has been exhausted.
6. Timed Categories.
This is the only game in which you have permission to use a phone! You'll need a stopwatch and if you don't wear a wristwatch, you are allowed to use your phone's stopwatch. Pick a category such as animals, games, plants, purple foods and challenge you children to see how many items they can come up with in that category in one minute.
One final note: Don't forget to factor in the ages of your littlest participants. Each game can be altered accordingly. Name Five might became "Name Two," for example. And don't be surprised if your kids want to make up their own thinking games. It's a sure sign that their brains are in good working shape.
More super fun ways to stretch your brain and improve thinking skills:
The Iowa Farmer's Wife says
great ideas! will be using some of these on our road trip tomorrow!
Mom and Kiddo says
Here's hoping for a sane and safe road trip!
Raising a Happy Child says
Great post! We play story time a lot, but it's time to introduce other games on your list!
Malia {Playdough to Plato} says
I can't wait to try these out with my oldest son. I have a feeling that the Fortunately/Unfortunately game is going to be a huge hit. Pinning it!
Mom and Kiddo says
Thanks Malia! I hope you have fun playing the games.
Mackenzie says
Great ideas! My little guys would love these! We'd love to invite you to join us at Saturday Show & Tell on Cheerios and Lattes! I know everyone will love your great kid-friendly ideas! Have a great weekend!
Mackenzie 🙂
http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com/saturday-show-tell-20/
childrens party supplies says
This are good tips and ideas! I was thinking about some theme for my kids party and this seems pretty interesting.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I love those games, Susan. You've given me some ideas about games that I did as an actor and to try and adapt them for my kids!
Susan says
An actor? How cool! I taught drama for many years so my games are influenced by that. Fortunately/unfortunately is one we used to do - I think it may be from Theatre Sports/Improv. Maybe we can get our heads together one day and write something for our blogs.
Erica MomandKiddo says
That would be fun, Susan. I'll give the idea a think to see what we could do.
Patrick says
These are great Ideas! I shared them with my fans on facebook - http://www.facebook.com/uswoodtoys. I'm sure they will be used. Thank you for sharing.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Patrick!
Emma @ P is for Preschooler says
Love these! *Stealing* these ideas for our upcoming road trip! (I could have some fun with that Fortunately, Unfortunately one, lol!)
Erica MomandKiddo says
That's a fun one!
Daniela says
Awesome!! Very good actibity ideas for traveling in the car
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Vickie maduzia says
I will be sharing these fabulous ideas with my "RidesRUs" business! I work for a lady who employs 17 moms around in our school district, we shuttle kids to school and then take them to their homes after school. We all LOVE what we do, and love any ideas on how to engage the kids while we have them in our vans! Thank you so much for sharing these fun games!!
Oh --and you asked what other kind of thinking games we do? The only ones I know of (before reading this blog post!!) are:
1) I SPY. Where you pick out something in the room you're in, and the other people have to ask yes/no type questions to guess which object you're thinking of.
2) Fifteen Questions. Similar to I spy above --- but the object can be any random thing! We played this in the car today and the objects today were: Tomato, George Washington and a KNEE!! Start off with "is it animal, vegetable, mineral, or person?" And then ask questions about SIZE of the object (smaller than a car? Bigger than a basketball?) and questions about where you would find it (is it in my home? Does it live in the jungle/desert/ocean) etc. The main rule is, whoever is IT has to write down the object first! On a scrap of paper -- so they don't change their mind halfway through the questions haha
Thanks again for your fun ideas, I can't wait to try these with my RidesRUs kids -- and they will be such fun games on road trips with my own family!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Great suggestions.