New Games Working Out Well

It's no secret that I am one of those crazy Moms that is always trying to teach the kids something. I am always coming up with games to play in the car or at restaurants while waiting for the food. Since Christmas I have added some new games to the mix that seems to be working out well. Thought I would share. For Christmas Santa gave the family a new globe. We have been going through the globe and finding new places. The new games now involve the globe.

First Game: Guess the Country

One person gives 3 or 4 clues about a country. I try to use things like the Continent, neighboring countries, general location (i.e., east coast, northern part) and maybe a landmark. Example: 1. Continent of Africa 2. Northern part of Africa 3. Has pyramids. Answer: Egypt. I try not to make them too hard, Lauren is only 8.

Second Game: Find the Country

You have to have a globe for this one. One person give the name of a country. Then they have to give some clues about where it is. Example: Find Chili. Clues: It's in South America, to the East of the Continent, long and thin.

Lauren has even been asking me to bring the globe in the car so we can play while waiting for the bus. Brandon like to point to countries and have me tell him the name. If you are interested in other games, here are some others we play.

Animal ABC

As a group or by taking turns you name animals that start with the letters of the alphabet. Example: A - Ape; B - Baboon; C - Cow; etc.

What Animal Is It??

By giving clues to the animal, another person has to guess what animal you are thinking about. I try to have them say if it is a mammal or reptile, etc and what it eats (meats or vegetation). I have been trying to get Lauren to use the term Carnivore, herbivore or omnivore. They also need to give the color/colors, where you might find them and a specific feature. Example: Mammal, herbivore, lives in Africa and has long neck. Answer: Giraffe.

For those with kids with ADHD, these games work great for keeping little bodies still. I find that if you can keep the mind working at full speed, it tends to slow down the body.