Waiting in line or stuck in traffic, this is a super activity when you have
bored kids. And this fun brain-builder takes only seconds to prepare and costs
nothing at all!
Think of a common item that each child is familiar with. Ask one child to
explain what the item is usually used for. Then allow other children a chance to
name an unusual use for the same object (such as using an egg beater to tousle
your hair or create bubbles in the bathtub). Older children should be able to
come up with a greater number of uses. Encourage creative responses! Take turns
to see how many uses each can think of. Let the kids discuss and brainstorm.
Variation 1:
Let the kids pantomime using a familiar object in an unusual way . Everyone else
can try to guess what item is being used. It's a game of brain charades.
Variation 2:
Select one item and have each child write down ten ways to use it. Then have
each child read his or her responses while everyone crosses off the answers that
are not unique. The person with the most unique, but still plausible, responses
wins.
Some possible items to choose are:
spoon
bathtub
ribbon
thumbtack
egg carton
hair brush
car
wallet
shoe box
needle
shovel
lipstick
pencil
yardstick
spatula
cup
purse
blanket
piece of paper
roll of tape
book
key chain
chair
pear
nail file
vegetable steamer
paper clip
shovel
stapler
piece of chalk
Have fun broadening your mind and increasing your critical thinking skills
together!
Alison is a homeschooling mom of six children, ages 4-20. Married for over 22
years, she and he husband have used their greatest brain power educating their
children. Alison is a public speaker, singer, author, and chocolate lover. She's
is the co-founder of the
BookWise Winners.
Please visit the BookWise
Bookstore for great selection and prices-and grab your free Classic Book
Package just for ordering.
Alison's new book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Homeschooling is slated for
publication in the spring of 2008.
Make A Ping Pong Bat And Net
The Chinese introduced table tennis to the world and have always been extremely
good at the sport. You can make your own ping pong bats and net and have a go!
Make A Name Book
More of a craft activity than a game, this is a great way for kids to get to
know each other at the beginning of the school year.
Fishing (Tiu-u or Chinese Dominoes) This game of Chinese dominoes sounds a little complicated to
begin with but is in fact very simple to play. The name ‘fishing’ comes from
the idea that players ‘fish’ for matching dominoes. You can either print out
our dominoes or make your own more authentic version with popsicle sticks
(instructions included!)
Matching Game cards can be used to play Memory
(Concentration), Go Fish and many other card games, as well as played with
our sorting mats by one child on their own. Printable Games
