“I’m running to Target” … it’s a phrase that I feel like most ladies say on wellll (if you are anything like me) a regular basis. The first weekend after the social distancing started in my area, I told my husband “I’m running to Target” (this was before I knew the simple joy & ease of Target Drive Up).
Let’s be honest after a week of trying to be a full time working from home mom of 2 little ones and a teacher learning the ropes of virtual learning, I needed a minute to myself.
I also needed some more options of things for my kids to do, especially my 3 year old (trust me I was quick and safe)! I went straight to the game aisle.
At the time he was only playing 1 game “the block game” (more on that later) and we needed some more options.
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I love that he is willing to play games. It teaches him a whole slew of vocabulary, self-control, and social skills that makes my teacher heart super happy!
We incorporate games throughout our day. Games that are designed for older toddlers we wait until my 1-year-old is sleeping. However, if it’s something quick and simple we love to have him participate too!
In this post, you will learn about games 3-year-olds like to & will be able to play.
1. Stephen Joseph Wood Blocks Building Game
AKA “The Block Game” This is a game we got him for Christmas (it was a Target clearance find from the summer before) when he was about 2.5.
It comes with blocks and cards. We pass out the cards (he always gets the easier cards and they are clearly marked) and pick one by flipping it over.
On the card is a picture of a design of blocks. Then we have to make the model of the picture using the blocks provided with the game. We take turns and he doesn’t seem to mind if we ever “have a winner”.
It’s a great game for visualization, vocabulary (up, down, left, right, etc.), and fine motor skills to place the blocks where you need them to be.
We started this game when he was around 2.5 and he needed a bit of support with it. Now that he has played it for a good 6 months he definitely has the hang of it and doesn’t need much support!
*Update this game is no longer available. I have since found these blocks and cards which are very similar. They would easily create the same type of outcome.
2. Candyland
This was the game I was looking for at Target that day! Thankfully we were so new into social distancing that they still had some on the shelves. I knew that it was a very simple game and he would pick up on it quickly.
It’s the perfect game for a just turned 3 year old. It’s the classic game of drawing a card and moving to the square on the game board that matches the color.
We do find that it goes a bit smoother if we hold the cards instead of leaving them on the game board.
It teaches colors, social skills (wait your turn), and vocabulary (he is always asking if he’s in front of me or behind, etc.). Now he can move his piece around the game board with very little support. I feel like this is the perfect game for teaching him how to move around a board game.
3. Chutes and Ladders
I’ll be honest up front here it can get a bit long but he enjoys it and it does sustain his attention.
He is just now starting to ask more questions about the kids on the board. If you pay attention the kids that are helping and making “good” choices are going up the ladders and the kids that aren’t come down the slide. It has brought up some good social skill discussions with him.
It also practices number identification and counting.
4. Simon Says
Looking for a way to sit and drink your coffee in the morning with an active 3 year old?! Look no further than the classic game of Simon Says!
It’s great because it allows him to work on following directions, identifying body parts, vocabulary, and gross motor skills (spin around, hop up and down, stand on one foot, etc.) all while you are enjoying your morning coffee or tea!
5. Seek & Find
So I made this game up, but he loves it and it’s super easy for me! We use flash cards and I put them out around the room he goes to find them. I usually do about 6-8 cards which is enough to keep his attention but also not too many that he gets bored! It also allows me to know if he’s found them all or not. After finding a card he has to bring it back to me and identify what shape is on the card.
We could easily do it with flash cards of just about anything but right now we are working on shapes. This is great because we are working on directional words (sometimes he needs more direction than others to find a card), gross motor skills (he gets to run in the house!), and of course identifying letters, shapes, numbers, shapes, etc.
6. Zingo!
This a spin on Bingo! It comes with a neat device that shoots out 2 chips at once and you are working to fill up your card. I love it because it engages his short attention span and requires him to pay close attention if he wants to win.
It also teaches vocabulary and has the word associated with each picture given. This allows him to not only identify the picture but to see the word with it. This opens up conversation about letter sounds and how words work.
7. “The Food Game” (or at least this is what my little guy calls it)
I found this game from Wee Talkers on Instagram, she’s a Speech & Language Pathologist full of fun games, songs, and rhymes for your little ones. You can find her @weetalkers on Instagram. We play this game in the car.
We started doing this when our son was 2.5 and we were driving almost every evening to look at homes to purchase in a town about 45 mins away.
You play by picking a topic (obviously my son always picks food-haha!) and everyone goes around in the car and says a food. If you repeat a food someone else says you are out and it is down to the people that are left.
To be honest we really don’t play it like an “official” game. We go around the car and name foods but never really have a clear “winner”.
This game is great because it exposes children to a variety of foods and vocabulary. My husband and I try to pick foods that we don’t typically eat or only have once in awhile. This also teaches self control to have to wait your turn to say your food. You also have to pick something else if someone says what you were going to say.
We have also played using restaurants, colors, letters, animals, and I’m sure there are many other topics!
8. The Freeze Game
Oh the classic freeze tag game! I’m sure you remember it from your childhood well at least I do! I was going to the doctor with my little guy and my mom was watching my older son for me. I came back to them playing the freeze game all over the yard! It has easily become one of his favorite games.
I love it because it gets us up and moving (hello gross motor skills), teaches him self control to wait until he’s tagged again, and my favorite it teaches him to stop running!
I hope this list will help give you some ideas of things you can do with your 3 (or 2 or 4 or 5) year old. They will help give you some time together and maybe teach them a thing or two along the way!
If you try out any of these ideas with your 3 year old or toddler please comment below, I’d love to hear from you!
Additionally if you have any other toddler approved games please let me know so I can try them out!
Remember to pin for later and to share with anyone looking for more kid-friendly game ideas!
Love, Ashley E
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6 Responses
Oh the hours of Zingo I played with our students! I love that you included games that don’t require a purchase!
Zingo is a great game to play in the classroom as well! Hopefully you found it fun!
Such great tips to expand little ones attention, patience and skills while having fun and learning!
Lori, games are a great (&fun) way to support social and emotional learning! Glad you found it helpful.
Love it! My niece will be 3 in September and boy is she an active little thing. She loves playing the freeze game and running around! You should try an obstacle course with your little one. I did this with her and my other niece and they played for hours! I only used stuff that was in my house and garage so I didn’t buy anything special. They got creative and helped with the obstacles and also had fun trying to see who could get through it the fastest. Definitely try it out!
Thanks for reading, Talissa! The obstacle course sounds like it would be right up my little guys alley. What a great idea!