Sometimes life happens and we need to take a slow day or a play day for school. Recently, our favorite chicken died. This made for a hard couple of days where we just needed to take school a little slower because no one was in the mood. Luckily, homeschooling makes our learning flexible. These days were the perfect time to use games and toys as a way to learn and get them interested in alternative ways of learning. Sometimes kids don’t realize they are learning as they are playing.
Using games as educational tools can transform the learning experience into an engaging and entertaining adventure. Games can cover a wide range of subjects, from mathematics and language to history and science, catering to diverse learning styles and preferences. They provide opportunities for hands-on experimentation, problem-solving, and collaboration, fostering critical thinking and teamwork skills in an enjoyable setting. By harnessing the power of play, educators can create dynamic learning environments that inspire creativity, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Fruit Loop Frenzy
Fruit Loop Frenzy from Goliath is the perfect game for preschoolers. What a fun way to learn your colors, practice eye hand coordination and have fun! While I don’t have preschoolers anymore, my kids still had a lot of fun with this. It’s a very competitive game, and one where speed will help you rule the cereal bowl! Follow each fruit loops directions, but when Toucan Sam starts spinning get ready to grab the color of fruit loop you need to complete the set.
Run Beaver Run!
Run Beaver Run is a new game from Luki Lab. This is such a darling game with innovation starting right from the box. The handle of the box turns into the log the beavers are trying to escape in their adventure up the river. This 4 player game has a lot of thrills every time the log starts running down the river with the chance of knocking your beaver off their rock and the chance of having to start over.
The funny thing about playing this game was that as soon as the first log rolled and took my beaver with it, and they realized there were magnets involved (we all assumed it would just knock the beavers back to start) the boys started trying to figure out there the magnets in the log were and what they could do to avoid it. We’ve previously learned about magnets in science so they were excited about figuring out how to beat the game. A lot of luck in involved, so I’m not sure they’ll be able to figure out how to beat the magnet, but it was fun for them to start exploring different options. This game is reminiscent of shoots and ladders with a lot of up the board and back down again. It can be quick depending on your luck, or it can be slow going.
Go Go Ghost
Go Go Ghost is also from Luki Labs. This is such a fun game with an interactive ghost that randomly comes to life, ruining plans for escape! The goal is to take your person through the house to escape out the front door, but there is a tricky ghost running all around the house. If it knocks you over you have to start again. If it moves you into a new spot, that’s where you stay. It’s pretty tricky to get out because the movements of the ghost are random and cannot be predicted. Luck is definitely involved.
Unsolved Case Files: Jane Doe Story
Now a game for the older crowd, Unsolved Case Files: Jane Doe Story is from Goliath and recommended for kids 14+.
Test your sleuthing skills in this “true” crime game to solve a Jane Doe case: following a mysterious fire at a celebrity rehab center, a body is discovered but burnt beyond recognition. There were only 5 people on the island, but the police were unable to close this case – and now it’s up to you. In this latest game from the Unsolved Case Files series, players must solve 2 mysteries: Who is Jane Doe? And who is her killer? For the first time ever this game introduces forensic elements, a groundbreaking new feature from the nation’s #1 crime game.
We’ve actually done a lot of escape room and board game escape rooms so this is the one my kids are most excited about. This is such a fun way to spend a family night in together. We make a family party out of it! I love games like this that involve critical thinking, noticing small details and really thinking it through.
Jet Disc
Jet Disc from IMC Toys come in two different sizes, 5.9″ and 9″. This is a fun way to get PE in at home. These amazing disc fly through the air with a smooth gliding motion with the glider tail attached to the frisbee. It makes it easier for the kids to catch in my opinion and keep the game going longer. There may have been some discussion of physics between the boys while we played.
Though most of the time we do traditional subjects of math, English, writing, reading, music, science and history, there are some times we just need to take a little break and learn through playing.
