Fun Games for 13-Year-Old Kids

The middle-school years bridge the gap between being a child and being a full-fledged teenager. While technically teenagers, 13-year-olds haven't left childhood completely behind, either. Finding games for them can be challenging, but it's important that they do more than just play video games and sports, especially when socializing. They need to try activities that capitalize on their new independence and thinking skills without putting them in situations for which they are not ready.

  1. Scavenger Hunt

    • Kids can be divided into teams or pairs to complete scavenger hunts. Scavenger hunts require teams to find a list of objects (a red sweater, for example) or complete a set of tasks (which can be photographed for proof, like hugging a tree) in a certain area within a certain amount of time. The team that crosses the most off its list is the winner. For 13-year-olds, the game can be played at home or at school, incorporate the yard and even include neighbors willing to play along.

    Guess Who

    • With this game, kids have to guess whose name is taped to their back. You can use celebrity names or names of teachers. No one should know what her assigned name is, but instead ask questions of the other players to help determine it. When time is up, each player should guess what his "name" was; those who are right are the winners.

    Game Show

    • In this day and age, 13-year-olds have probably seen hundreds of TV shows. You can find out their favorite game show and make (or buy) your own version of it. For example, create your own version of "Jeopardy!" with categories about your town, the kids' school, families, popular music, favorite movies and funniest websites.

    Dancing Without the Stars

    • Another way to borrow from TV is to stage your own version of "Dancing With the Stars." You can buy boas and top hats at the dollar store to allow your contestants to "dress up." Then put 13-year-olds in pairs (drawing names so no one feels left out) and give each pair a short piece of music. Each pair should come up with some sort of dance or movement routine to their piece of music in the allotted time. Then kids can perform their routines while getting judged (by adults) on things like "Best Facial Expressions" or "Best Ending."

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