Games are an incredibly powerful tool for the development of preschool children. Through play, children explore the world around them, develop social, emotional and cognitive skills, and learn in a fun and natural way. In this guide, we will present 20 games specially designed for preschool children, explaining what they consist of, what their benefits are and how you can adapt them to the individual needs of each child.
Movement games
1. Sack race
This classic game is ideal for developing motor coordination and balance in children. To play, you simply need some cloth bags and mark a starting line and a finish line. The children must get into the bags and run jumping to the finish line. Fun and full of energy!
2. Chair Dance
Place several chairs in a circle and play music while the children dance around them. When the music stops, they must sit in a chair. In each round, one chair is removed, and the child who is left without a seat is eliminated. This game encourages movement, attention and group play.
Cognitive development games
3. Figure Memo
With cards containing pairs of figures (animals, shapes, colors), children must find the corresponding pairs. This game helps develop memory, concentration and pattern recognition.
4. Search and find
Hide objects in a room and give children clues to find them. This game promotes attention, problem solving and exploration of the environment.
Social skills games
5. Supermarket Store
With boxes, toy products and play money, children can pretend to be sellers and buyers in a supermarket store. This game encourages communication, collaboration and role development.
6. Puppet theater
Children can create their own puppets and act out short stories. This activity promotes emotional expression, creativity and empathy by putting yourself in the characters' shoes.
Sensory exploration games
7. Texture box
Fill a large box with different materials (sand, rice, cotton, lentils) and let the children explore with their hands. This activity stimulates the sense of touch and curiosity about different textures.
8. Painting with hands
Allows children to dip their hands in colorful paint and experiment freely on paper or canvas. This activity encourages creativity, hand-eye coordination and sensoriality.
Outdoor games
9. Around the block
A walk around the block can become an adventure full of discoveries for children. Observing nature, counting objects or playing hide-and-seek outdoors promotes physical exercise, observation and connection with the environment.
10. Blowing Bubbles
With a little soap and water, kids can have fun creating and chasing bubbles. This activity stimulates breathing, visual coordination and outdoor fun.
Imagination and creativity games
11. Plasticine World
Provide plasticine of different colors and shapes to children so they can create figures, animals or imaginary scenarios. This game stimulates creativity, fine motor skills and artistic expression.
12. Building with blocks
Building blocks allow children to create diverse structures while developing planning and problem-solving skills. This game encourages imagination, motor coordination and concentration.
Coordination and balance games
13. Balance Race
Place a rope or board on the ground and challenge children to walk on it without falling. This game helps develop balance, concentration and self-confidence.
14. Hoop toss
Place different hoops on the floor with points assigned to each one and ask the children to throw objects to try to score them. This game improves hand-eye coordination, motor skills and precision in movements.
Early learning games
15. Learning numbers
Use cards with numbers and objects so that children associate the quantity with its numerical representation. This game facilitates initial learning of numbers, one-to-one correspondence and visual discrimination.
16. Letters in the air
Ask children to trace letters in the air with their fingers while saying them out loud. This activity promotes letter recognition, visual-motor coordination and learning the alphabet in a playful way.
Relaxation and emotional expression games
17. Deep breathing
Guide children to do deep breathing exercises to relax and center. This activity promotes emotional regulation, self-control and connection with the body.
18. Drawing emotions
Ask children to draw how they feel at that moment, whether happy, sad, angry or scared. This activity encourages emotional expression, empathy and awareness of one's own emotions.
Problem-solving games
19. Rope Maze
Create a rope maze outdoors or in a room and challenge children to find the exit. This game stimulates planning, spatial orientation and problem solving in a fun way.
20. Team puzzle
Provide a puzzle with large pieces and divide children into teams to solve it together. This activity promotes collaboration, communication, and teamwork to achieve a common goal.
These games for preschoolers are not only fun, but they are also powerful tools to encourage their overall development! Adapting them to the individual needs of each child, you can enhance their cognitive, emotional, social and physical skills in a creative and stimulating way.