Games For Children From 3 To 5 Years Old – Being Parents

In this phase, as in the previous and the following ones,  playing is an exercise that can offer many advantages to the little ones. Here, we explain some fun activities. These will help your child in his maturation process.

The best games for children from 3 to 5 years old

1. Hide and seek

There are hardly any children who do not like this game. Indeed, they are just starting to develop their spatial localization. It is  therefore a challenge to run around looking for another person.

In addition to its zero requirements in terms of equipment,  c ‘ is a game that allows socialization because it is played between two or more people. The child has to make decisions about where to hide or where to start looking. He will also develop the ability to create game strategies.

The rules are as follows:

• One participant counts up to 10  (or whatever number you choose) for others to hide.
• When he shouts “I’m coming” he goes out to look for the others. The latter must wait hidden within the previously fixed limits.
• When the first one finds him, he can touch them to eliminate them. Or, in another variation of this activity, run to where it counted. If he arrives before, he eliminates them.

2. Jacques said

Like many other games for children aged 3 to 5,  this activity aims to respect the rules. She also helps interpret the requests and orders of others. In a sense, it is a good preparation for the preschool stage of the child. In addition, it is a game that serves to stimulate language, another skill that the child learns.

It can be played between three or more people. One will be Jacques and he will have to indicate an order.  (For example, “jump” or “run like a horse”). However, this will only be valid if it is preceded by the expression “Jacques a dit”.

When a player executes an order which has not been introduced by this sentence or, on the contrary, if he does not do so at the appropriate time, he is eliminated. The last one to be in the game wins. At this point, the roles can be changed.

3. Role plays

The fact that this type of game for children aged 3 to 5 is classic does not mean that it is less effective. Playing as a teacher, a doctor, or a police officer is a great way for children to begin to understand the world that awaits them.

On the other hand, it  stimulates their imaginations and helps them socialize with their peers. Also, it will develop their imagination and their use of language.

Not only can they play with real jobs, but they  can also rely on characters from their favorite series or movies to invent fun games. Examples of this kind of games are pirates, animals or magical beings. Everything is within their reach when they use their imaginations.

“After three years, children’s senses mature and their creativity becomes a tool for solving problems”

4. Emotional intelligence games

This phase of their life  is a good time to start educating the child to identify their emotions. Logically, one of the best ways to do this is to apply the fun aspect that games offer.

A good example of this type of activity is the following:

• Make cardboard posters with different faces.  They will represent joy, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, etc.
• Then analyze photos or videos of his favorite cartoon characters. Then, “play” at guessing what they are feeling at that moment.
• To make it more fun, you can take some kind of annotation when each player gives the correct answer. Although in this case the marker is secondary, it helps the children to be motivated and to concentrate.

What about mobile games?

Technology is a big part of people’s lives. Children are therefore no exception to this reality. From a very young age, they learn to manage these devices at will and, of course, their favorite applications are games.

The secret is not to ban its use, but to limit it and control the amount of content. For videos and apps – whether free or at a cost – parents need to be aware of what the child is learning from them.

There is evidence that excessive use of mobile or video games can cause serious maturation damage, such  as language delay. Therefore, prevention and gradual incorporation of these devices is the best solution.

It is clear that the options are many and very varied. Factors such as space or climate can influence the making of games for children aged 3 to 5. But  all can perfectly conform to the circumstances. Take the time and invest in fun activities to help your little one grow!