You know already that we are big fans of games - just remember that kids also love video games. 

There are a number of reasons that they will love playing with you. First, you are giving them implicit approval that playing the game is ok (they may be worried about that if you never play with them). Second, they will see you model how to learn something new. Third, they are likely to be better than you - this is a rarity for them in childhood.

Plus, it will probably be fun for you and give you more insight into why the games bring so much joy to your child. You might even enjoy it!

Whatever happened to the lost art of tongue twisters? 

This is a great activity to get the family laughing together, but it is also connected to vocabulary development, literacy, and speech articulation. Try some of the beauties on this website with your family - no fair practicing first! ;)

Solving problems without pencil and paper or screens can be a revelation for children. We often forget what ‘hidden’ messages they are taking in, just through their daily experience at home and school.

This is an opportunity to remind them that we most often work with tools, but what is most important in learning is developing our heart and mind (and some would argue hands). This activity focuses on the mind.

Mental arithmetic can work at almost any age beyond age 4. You can even do early numeracy at 2 or 3. For example, counting with your child (you say “1”, they say “2”, you say “3”, etc.). Another game improves problem solving and estimation: “I am thinking of a number between 1 and 50” and as the child guesses you say “higher,” “lower,” or “that is my number!”

We are also big fans of competitive counting games - mostly variations on Nim. For example, counting to 10, with whoever says 10 as the winner, but each turn you can count either 1 or 2 numbers higher. As children get better they should be able to determine how to win the game every time (assuming the child gets to choose whether to go first or second).

These are just a few of an endless array of mental math ‘game’ possibilities - and they’re great for car rides!

It is no mystery that we at JLN are huge fans of games, but this recommendation is about getting together with other families for a multi-hour gaming extravaganza. Just add some food and everybody wins!

For adults, it is a chance to relax and play some games (a rarity for many of us). For children, it is a chance to play games with other people, cross ages (older kids playing some younger games and vice versa), and play games with other adults. Plus, including multiple families means new games, and children pretty universally love OPT (other people’s toys).

Sometimes adults get frustrated because children will not jump into new activities and situations, but if you think about it, adults generally avoid new activities and situations and are risk averse. 

Modeling risk taking by openly trying new, possibly embarrassing things, can be incredibly powerful for your children to see - and can lead to lots of positive conversation. It could be jumping into a sport your child is playing, singing, playing one of their favorite video games, or any new activity that seems relevant and interesting to your child. Try it, you might like it. ;)