For kids, loving to play is in their nature and having fun is the top priority. Although these interesting little games cannot help them learn English in a “serious” way, as a supplement to systematic learning, they are very helpful in increasing interest, consolidating memory, and mobilizing learning enthusiasm. In addition, if children will study abroad and develop in the future, being familiar with these authentic children’s games is also part of helping them understand Western culture. Below, I will collect ten English games that American children often play. Generally, they are listed in order from easy to difficult. However, parents don’t need to be too concerned about this order. For some games that are relatively difficult but children are very interested in, you might as well try playing the Chinese version first. After familiarizing yourself with the rules, play the English version.
1. Hopscotch
Challenge index: ★
Fun index: ★★★
Suitable for children who have just started learning English and know letters and a small number of words.
Classic games transcend national boundaries, and hopscotch is one of them. As long as children know the 26 English letters and the English pronunciations of numbers from 1 to 20, they can easily play! Write English letters/numbers in order in the squares. Let the child throw small things such as plastic bottle caps, small stones or coins into the square. Jump to the designated square in alphabetical/number order, pick it up, and then jump back the same way. Every time you jump into a grid, read the letter/number in that grid. As children’s English learning deepens, the difficulty of hopscotch can also be continuously advanced. You can gradually replace letters with words in each grid. For example, sight words (high-frequency vocabulary) that children have learned. Even hopscotch every week can change different themes. For example, this week is the name of the day of the week, next week is the name of animals, and the week after next is the name of fruits and so on. Jump every day and take care of both exercise and English!
2. Twister
Challenge index: ★
Fun index: off the charts!
Suitable for children who have just started learning English and know letters and a small number of words.
This game of Twister has appeared many times in my favorite American TV dramas, whether it’s “Friends” in college days or later “The Big Bang Theory”. The gameplay is very simple. Lay a large mat with various colored dots on the ground. Everyone follows such instructions: “left hand on green, right hand on yellow, left foot on…, right foot on…” Use foam mats and some letter/word cards at home. This game can also have many variations. For example, it can be used to practice letters “left hand on A, right hand on C…” and practice words “left foot on monkey, right foot on tiger…”. When the whole family plays, they will soon get twisted together and wait to have a great time.
3. Traffic Lights
Challenge index: ★
Fun index: ★★★★
Suitable for children who have just started learning English and know a small number of words.
When playing this game, suppose the parent is a traffic light and keep a distance of about 10 meters from the child. Before the game starts, the parent explains the game rules to the child: When the parent says “start”, the child walks quickly in the direction of the parent. When the parent says “red light” or “stop”, the child must stop immediately; when the parent says “yellow light”, the child must slow down and take two steps before stopping; when the parent says “green light”, the child can continue to walk quickly. The child wins when reaching the place where the parent is standing, but if the child violates the rules before reaching the place where the parent is standing, they lose.
