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Home › Articles › Play Time › Families That Play Together Stay Together

Families That Play Together Stay Together

(And Learn, Too!)

By Kendeyl Johansen

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But playing games with preschoolers isn't always easy. "At first, game night with my 4-year-old son took patience!" says Kristin Madson from Salt Lake City, Utah. "Sam hated waiting for his turn and even up-ended our Trouble game board in frustration. After I carefully explained the rules to him and why we have rules, he now understands waiting for his turn." She adds, "I've noticed he's more patient with his friends at preschool since we started a regular game night." This Christmas, Sam asked Santa for Ants in the Pants, and Madson is looking forward to playing the new game with her son.

Shopping Savvy
Toy stores are crowded with a variety of games. How do you know which game your child would like? Try asking friends about games that their children choose to play often. Also, keep your particular child's interests in mind. If your son likes fitting things together you might consider a puzzle, or you might buy a game featuring your daughter's favorite Dr. Seuss character.

This busy holiday season, take time to play with your child. "Kids see this as one discreet moment when their parents are focusing on them as a friend rather than as an authority figure. "It's fun for the child and it's fun for the parent," says Moog. Christmas is hectic and it's hard to squeeze things in. Don't forget to play!

This year, iParenting kid-tested two games for preschoolers: Maisy Floor Puzzle and Kids on Stage. Our hard-working "expert panel" consisted of Ryann, 5, Max, 4, and Christian, 3.

Colorforms Maisy Floor Puzzle
The kids loved putting together this easy puzzle, which featured large pieces and the bright colors of Maisy's house. The oversized puzzle pieces were easy for little fingers to fit together. Also, the eye-catching puzzle pieces (with fanciful details like orange and yellow striped fish wallpaper) were inviting to match.

After the kids completed the puzzle, they enjoyed "playing house" by sticking Colorforms, like milk and cheese, onto the puzzle's open refrigerator or placing the Colorforms Maisy in her art room. The kids liked to move the Colorforms around to different rooms in the house. Thumbs up from all three kids.

Kids on Stage
Reading isn't required for this charades game featuring cards with pictures. The kids on our panel hadn't played charades before, but they caught on fast. Ryann giggled as she bounced on the floor like a frog and Max loved mimicking a spider. All of the kids were delighted when we guessed their charade.

The age range for Kids on Stage is 3 to 8 and some of the "object" cards, like backpack, were difficult for the kids on our panel to act out, but they responded well when choosing an "animal" card, like frog, or an activity card, like fishing. Each child liked being "on stage." The 3-year-old played better when put on a team with an older child. Thumbs up from Max (4) and Ryann (5).

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