Playful Games for Kids Under 3 Years Old

Playful games for toddlers 3 years old and under expand imagination and improve cognitive skills. Games that involve shapes or numbers can give your child an early start. Dr. Edgar Klugman, Professor at Weelock College in Boston says, play is vital because it helps children learn about logical thinking and cooperation while having fun at the same time. He says constructive play helps children to solve problems while building something.

  1. Clap Happy

    • The Clap Happy game is a playful game to do with your toddler. The game is simple, but very interactive and sure to create a lot of laughs. To play this game you simply sit your child on your lap facing you and teach her how to clap by clapping your hands a few times. She will them imitate you. You can also bring her hands together to show her how to clap. As your child gets older you can make this game even more exciting by singing songs or teaching your child how to clap in a rhythm. For instance, clap twice and stop and then clap once, then repeat. Basic clapping is for infants and children up to sixteen months, and then as your child gets older teach her how to clap to the rhythm. The Baby Center website says the clap happy game will help improve your child's language skills and hand-eye coordination.

    Block Pattern Game

    • The Baby Center website also recommends a problem solving game called Block Patterns. To play this game you simply use colored blocks to make various patterns and structures with your child. For instance, you would create a patter of two red blocks followed by two blue and then repeat. Teach your child how to make patterns of their own in addition to stacking the blocks and creating a patterned tower.

      You can make patterns flat on the floor or stack them, depending on what your child prefers. When your baby is an infant you may want to start with patterns on the floor and then teach him ore elaborate structures as he gets older. This is a playful game that will grow with your child.

    Dance

    • Dancing is a playful game for children and babies. When your child is an infant you can begin teaching him how to dance by dancing in front of him and encouraging him to move. As your child grows into a toddler he will imitate you and get excited to dance himself. Dancing on a daily basis will encourage your child to develop motor skills faster. Dance to various types of music to teach your kid about variety.

      This game can evolve as your child grows older The Family Fun Education Website says to teach your child how to make musical instruments. You can use an empty milk carton as a guitar or an old rolled oats can for drums. This will encourage interactive play which is very fun for children between two and three. Dance with your son and teach him how to play with his imaginary instruments. Dance with balls, toys and other items to keep your child interested.

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