Vacations are for fun and games!

Vacations are for fun and games!

It will soon be vacation time and books are put away. No more math, science or social studies! Many of you will head out to new lands to relax and discover. The journey is often boring for children. Here are some simple games which you can play with your children while travelling by car, train or plane. As a matter of fact these games can be played at home too. As a child, I played many such games with my parents. Later, I played these with my son too! These games not only entertain but also teach some skills.

I spy with my little eye …

This game is based on observation and thinking skills. It can be played anywhere whether you are in a car or in flight or at home. Ask your child to find things in the environment around you. In the car, you can ask your child/children to find things on the side of the road or passing cars. They can pick out shapes, numbers, animals and what not. E.g. You say, “I spy with my little eye a car which has the number 208” The child looks at the nearby cars and tries to find it. On a plane, you can ask them to find pictures from books or magazines or what some passengers are wearing or reading and so on. (Don’t disturb others, of course!) Children can also ask you to find things.

I’m Going on a Picnic...

This is an alphabet-based memory game.  Once again, no materials required, only a sharp memory. The game can be played by two players or more. Of course, the more the merrier!  The first player says “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing...” followed by something that begins with A, such as apples. The second player repeats what the first person said, but adds something that begins with B. So she might say “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing apples and berries.” And so on with the rest of the alphabet. If someone forgets an item, she is out. The last player to be able to recall all the items on the list wins.

More fun games in the next blog!