If your kids can't go outside because the weather is too cold or rainy, you can still keep them entertained with simple indoor games. These easy games, which are designed for young children between 3 to 6 years old, require common household items and a medium or large open area like a family room or play room.
Listening Game
This simple indoor game, recommended by retired preschool teacher Jean Warren, helps young children develop and hone their listening skills.
To play, give each child a flashcard with a different color on it. For young preschoolers, stick with basic colors like red, green, blue and yellow. For a more challenging game appropriate for older preschoolers, incorporate lesser known colors like tangerine or teal.
Make up a story that includes all of the colors. For example, your story might begin like this: "Once upon a time, in a land with green trees and blue skies, there lived a princess who only wore pink and purple."
Whenever a child hears her color, she raises her hand.
Older preschoolers can also keep a tally of how many times they heard each color mentioned.
Indoor Scavenger Hunt
This game will help that energetic preschooler wear off some energy when he can't play outside.
Collect six to 10 items that have matching pairs, such as socks and mittens. Place one of the items in a laundry basket and hide the matching item somewhere in a family room or children's play room.
For younger preschoolers, make the game easier by hiding each item so part of it protrudes from the hiding place. For example, one part of a mitten might hang over a toy box.
Older preschoolers enjoy the challenge of completely hidden items. You can help them find items with hints like "you are burning hot" or "you are freezing cold" to indicate whether they are near or far from the hidden mate.
Call your preschooler into the room and ask him to take something from the laundry basket and find its match somewhere in the room. Set a six-minute deadline for older preschoolers who want more challenge, or give unlimited time to younger children.
Mom Says "Act Like an Animal"
This variation of the classic children's game "Simon Says" teaches young children to follow directions while increasing their knowledge of various animal behaviors.
You will need a large open playing area. Ask children to stand in a line approximately arm's length away from each other.
Tell them you are going to ask them to act like different animals, but they should only do so if you say "Mom says" first. For example, if you say "Mom says walk like a penguin," they put their two feet together and waddle toward you. However, if you say "Jump like a kangaroo," they must not move because you did not say "Mom says."
Anyone who acts out an animal behavior without hearing the words "Mom says" is out of the game. The last person remaining is the winner and calls out the animal behaviors in the next round of the game.
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