Thinkabara

🎉 Games for preschool and kindergarten (ages 3-6)

Google Classroom

Preschool and kindergarten kids need activities with very simple instructions, very few rules and instant reward. The games here are short, explained in a sentence or two, and full of movement, singing and copying.

At this age the best game is one you can explain in one sentence and demonstrate in one second. Simon Says and Freeze Dance suit ages 4-6 for exactly that reason: the rule is simple, there is movement and music, and kids understand at once what to do. Young children find it hard to wait their turn and to lose, so skip elimination and scoring. Whoever 'gets it wrong' in Freeze Dance does a funny move and jumps straight back in. Keep rounds to 5-7 minutes and move on before interest fades.

Practical tip: open every game with the same song or tune. It becomes a familiar signal that gathers kids into the circle and makes switching between activities easier.

Our top picks

  • 🐘 Walk Like a...: The teacher says 'walk like a bunny' and the whole room hops. No explanation needed at all.
  • 👋 Name and Motion: A name and a move for each child, and the whole group repeats it. Perfect for the start of the year and morning circle.
  • 🌈 Color Hunt: 'Find something blue!' Color recognition on the move, in the classroom or the yard.
  • 🔍 What's Missing? (Kim's Game): A seated memory game for circle time. Start with just a few objects and add more as kids get the hang of it.
  • 🕺 Freeze Dance: Dance until the music stops, then freeze. The simplest rule there is, and endless giggles.

All 38 games

Picture RevealAges 5+ · 2-30 players · 5-15 minFreeze DanceAges 4+ · 4-30 players · 5-10 minIf I Were an AnimalAges 5+ · 4-25 players · 5-10 minChallenge WheelAges 5+ · 4-20 players · 10-20 minFour CornersAges 5+ · 8-30 players · 10 minWho Switched Places?Ages 5+ · 6-25 players · 5-10 minKeep the Balloon UpAges 4+ · 2-20 players · 5-10 minMy Favorite ThingAges 5+ · 4-25 players · 5-10 minName and MotionAges 4+ · 5-30 players · 5 minMystery BagAges 5+ · 4-20 players · 10 minInvent an Imaginary PetAges 5+ · 3-20 players · 10-15 minWho Made That Sound?Ages 5+ · 6-25 players · 5-10 minCup Tower ChallengeAges 5+ · 2-20 players · 5-10 minChallenge DiceAges 5+ · 3-20 players · 10-20 minSpeed Ball PassAges 5+ · 8-25 players · 5-10 minWhat's Missing? (Kim's Game)Ages 5+ · 3-20 players · 5-10 minHot and ColdAges 4+ · 3-20 players · 5-10 minEgg and Spoon RaceAges 5+ · 4-20 players · 10 minScavenger Hunt at HomeAges 4+ · 2-15 players · 10-15 minThe Mirror GameAges 5+ · 2-20 players · 5-10 minWhat's Changed?Ages 5+ · 4-25 players · 5-10 minDo the OppositeAges 6+ · 4-25 players · 5-10 minDance SwitchAges 4+ · 4-30 players · 10 minThe No-Instrument OrchestraAges 5+ · 5-25 players · 5-10 minSock BasketballAges 5+ · 2-20 players · 10 minCopy MeAges 4+ · 4-20 players · 5-10 minPass the ParcelAges 4+ · 6-20 players · 10-15 minAdd-a-MoveAges 5+ · 4-20 players · 5-10 minSimon SaysAges 4+ · 4-30 players · 5-10 minThis or ThatAges 6+ · 5-30 players · 5-15 minWalk Like a...Ages 3+ · 4-30 players · 5-10 minRed Light, Green LightAges 4+ · 5-30 players · 5-10 minMusical Chairs With No One OutAges 4+ · 6-20 players · 10-15 minColor HuntAges 3+ · 3-30 players · 5-10 minShrinking IslandAges 5+ · 5-20 players · 10 minFold-and-Draw MonstersAges 5+ · 4-20 players · 10-15 minSwitch Places If...Ages 5+ · 8-30 players · 5-10 minTic-Tac-ToeAges 4+ · 2-30 players · 5-15 min

Questions and answers

How long can preschoolers play one game?

Usually 5-10 minutes. If they love it, it is better to play it again later in the day than to stretch it out.

What do I do with a child who won't join in?

Don't force it. Give them a side role, like starting the music or choosing the next statue theme. Most kids join on their own after a few minutes.

Which games work for morning circle?

Circle games where each child gets a short turn: Name and Motion, My Favorite Thing or If I Were an Animal. They take 5-10 minutes and warm up the group before an activity.