6 indoor games for kids and the importance of playing in child’s growth and development | theAsianparent Philippines (2024)

Since the pandemic happened, we tried to adapt to the changes the new normal has brought to our lives. Now that it is still highly encouraged to promote social distancing, the emergence of fun, easy indoor games for kids is seen as beneficial for their growth and development.

Aside from the pandemic, the rising pollution and lack of outdoor spaces where kids can play safely are some of the factors that we should look at in considering indoor games for our kids.

Importance of playing

Kids can learn while playing. According to Healthline, playing is a paramount aspect of a child’s life. Through playing games, they can learn how to think creatively and interact socially. Playing holds a vital role in your child’s development.

According to the study stated in the Healthline article, play is associated with responses that can reduce stress. Aside from creativity and social interaction, the benefits of playing to kids lie in a wide array of new skills they can develop. It benefits them cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally.

Physical benefits –physical play such as running, jumping, swimming, block building, dancing, riding bikes, and climbing trees can help develop your child’s fine and gross motor skills.

Social benefits –through playing, your child will learn how to communicate and interact with other kids or with you as you play with them.

In line with this, playing allows your kid to understand social expectations and rules. It provides your child the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas, and to listen.

Emotional benefits –according to a child therapist, as mentioned in the Healthline article, kids learn to process their emotions through play.

For example, when they lose a game, they learn to process sadness, anger, and grief. That may also help them learn how to build their confidence and develop identity and self-esteem.

Benefits of indoor games for kids

It is given that outdoor games have a lot of physical benefits to kids. But how can indoor games for kids help them with their development?

Games for kids indoor are also beneficial for their growth. These are mostly calm, entertaining, and educational games for toddlers and other kids of different ages.

Drawing, painting, storytelling, and doing crafts and arts are some of the activities your kid can enjoy and play indoors. Indoor games for kids can help them suffice their curiosity and expressiveness.

Fun easy indoor games for kids

To give you ideas of what games for kids your child can play indoors, here’s a quick list of fun, easy indoor games for kids.

Indoor relay games for kids

One of many action games that you can do both indoors and outdoors is the relay games for kids. This game can teach your child about friendly competition.

Aside from that, it can help develop their motor skills too. Since this game is made for a group of people, you can join your children in playing a relay game.

Here are some examples of indoor relay games for kids:

Heart race

Youneed tiny foam hearts, two bowls, and spoons. To play this game, place the tiny foam hearts into the bowl. Then, put the bowl with foam hearts at one end of the room, and on the other end is an empty bowl.

Next, divide the members of your family or other participants into two groups. Each player should scoop up hearts from the bowl and race them to the empty bowl.

Afterward, give the spoon to the next member and the next member will repeat the steps. You can also use sprinkles instead of foam hearts.

Crab walk race

You only need to form two teams. From each team, one player at a time will crab walk to the other end of the room and then go back to where they started.

When the one member gets back, then that’s the time the next member crab walks to the other end of the room. Repeat the steps until all the members of the team finish crab walking from one point to another and back. The team that finishes first will be the winner.

Toddler board games for 2-5-year olds

Board games have lots of benefits to your kid’s brain and language development. Aside from that, it teaches them teamwork, patience, and how is it to win and lose.

Add to that, it can help your child learn how to focus. Examples of board games that your kids can play indoors are chess, snake and ladder, equalizer, monopoly, and scrabble. But these examples are for older kids ages six and above.

So, if your child is still a toddler, we suggest these two toddler board games for 2-5 years olds:

Who is it? Board game

This board game is not only entertaining but also memory-enhancing. Playing this with your kid will surely create a tighter bond between families because the game enables multiple players to have fun.

How to play this game?

• The players will shuffle the small cards and the big cards separately.
• Players should select a card with a character and then let the other player guess their opponent’s selected character.
• Like the popular game, Pinoy Henyo, the one who is guessing can ask questions that can be the clue to their opponent’s chosen character. The other player can only answer: yes and no.
• If the answer is yes, the opponent can keep asking. On the other hand, if the answer is no then it’s the other player’s chance to ask questions and guess their opponent’s selected character.

The game board has a space where you can record the score of each team or each player.

Jigsaw board game

No need for an opponent. A Jigsaw board game is not just a board game for fun and entertainment. It is also one of the most helpful educational games for toddlers.

It is a 3D educational game that is designed to help children develop strong problem-solving skills and promotes hand-eye coordination.

How to play this game? All your kid needs in playing this game are to put the wooden puzzle pieces on the board to create the image. This is highly recommended for kids ages two to three years old.

Games for kids indoor: Educational games for toddler

In addition to indoor relay games and board games for toddlers, here are some more educational games for a toddler that you can try inside the comfort of your own home.

Magnetic board table

This consists of a magnetic board and pieces of magnetic letters and numbers. Your kid can stick the numbers and letters to the board to create words.

This is a good educational toy that you can give your child. It is beneficial in introducing numbers, letters, and the science behind the magnet to your toddler.You can buy it on Lazada.

Slip Way Building Blocks

Playing with building blocks helps a kid develop fine and gross motor skills. Aside from that, it helps them learn spatial reasoning. It provides an understanding of how pieces fit together and it helps them learn about different directions, shapes, and spaces.

In addition, building blocks are considered one of the educational games for toddlers and older kids because it enhances their hand-eye coordination skills and problem-solving skills.

Slip Way Building blocks consist of 168 pieces of multi-colored blocks.You can buy it on Lazada.

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!