Play for children aged 3 to 4 years
From 2 ½ years old on, the child walks more safely, understands certain instructions and manages to carry out many activities alone. Likewise, he holds objects more firmly and manages to throw things further.
The games become more challenging and much more active. From 3 to 4 years old, they want to jump, run and explore their limits. If you live near a park or square, or the building where you live has a playground, games can be played outdoors, as long as they are in safe conditions.
However, as playing outside is not always possible, like on rainy days, for example, it is good to have other options to entertain the little ones other than electronic devices.
So, keep reading and learn some suggestions for games to play with your three or four-year-old.
Simon Says
You can vary the game. One moment he imitates your movements and vice versa. The game begins with the phrase “Simon says …” and you need to complete it with an action.
Simon says “jump”, Simon says “spin”, Simon says imitate a cat, and so on. The fun is up to whoever is being Simon at the time.
Land and sea
A different version of the well-known game of the Undead. Rather than standing up, the child should go to the right or left. It is a good way for her to pay attention and learn to differentiate the two sides.
Define which side is the Earth and which is the Sea. Once defined, choose who will be the captain of the boat that will lead the side you need to go to. Then, in the order you think best, say “Earth”, then “Sea” and so on.
Hot and cold
A treasure hunt for children, who understand instructions but cannot read. Hide a box with treats or surprises and ask the child to look for it. Say “You’re Cold” if it is far from the treasure, or “You’re Hot” or as he get close.
You can make it more interesting by varying the commands with “You’re getting warmer” or “You’re warm” and so on, until the child finds it. You can also do this by hiding something simpler, like a toy.
Playing Make-believe
Improvise fantasies with what you have at home. A towel becomes a superhero’s cape, the kitchen spoon, the pirate’s hook. The sofa turns into an airplane and the cushions build a fort. The idea is to let the imagination flow.
Let the child lead the game by inventing the story or follow one that you already know, creating other scenarios and adapting according to the space available.
Bowling
There are toys with pins and plastic balls, of various colors, sizes and patterns, which imitate real bowling. If you don’t have something like that at home, you can improvise with plastic bottles or cans and a sock ball, or even a child’s ball.
The goal is to make the child create a sense of space and strength to launch the ball and knock down as many pins as possible. Teach the child how to set up everything for a new game.
Dance and Statue
Put on some lively music and dance with the child. Stop the music and say, “Statue!” or “Freeze!” At that time, the idea is to make the statue funnier. Ask someone else in the house to choose.
Play Dough
Play Dough is one of the children’s favorite games. If you do not have toys for modeling, use household utensils that are safe for your child. Make dolls or other shapes them.
Crazy doodles
Dilute water colors in a little water and let some a drop on paper. With the help of a straw or the pen casing, blow the drop in several directions and watch the design appear.
Another way to create a crazy doodles is to ask the child to paint on one side of the paper and then fold it in half. When you open the paper, and a new design will be formed.
A third version of this game is painting with a soap bubble. Put a little coloring in soapy water for bubbles and blow them onto a sheet of paper. When the bubbles hit the paper, they leave the coloring. Let the child try and explore.
