Best Cooperative Indoor Games

Games have been part of human cultures since their invention. People have enjoyed games for the thrill and challenge they provide.

Traditional games typically revolve around competition, creating winners and losers. Cooperative games fostering high emotions of upset that turn children away from exploring and making it fun instead of a negative experience.

In recent years, there has been an explosion of cooperative board games. Now available on Amazon with extensive written reviews and videos. The focus of this blog is on how to play games cooperatively with others.

Adults play a significant role in shaping children’s attitudes towards playing games. Therefore, adults need to emphasize that it’s not solely about winning or losing, but more about how they take part in the game.

Cooperative games cultivate emotional development, shared decision making, positive self esteem, creative problem solving and develop a sense of community in a non-stressful play environment. Select games that meet your child’s interests while also offering some level of challenge.

Toddlers (Ages 2-3)

Cooperation is a new learning endeavor for toddlers. Mobility is at the forefront. Running and climbing  develops their strength and abilities. Provide safe indoor spaces that are appropriate and safe for your child.

Chasing Game and Hiding Games – “Hide and Seek” is a fun game but safer to hide “items” rather themselves. In a closed home setting hide three things and give clues. Children love being chased instead of them chasing you.

Toddler Climbing – Indoor – Natural wood Playground Jungle Gym with Ramp and Arch work the best. Taking turns and giving the next child space to climb is the name of the game.

Stepping Stones – Children love these. Set out five or more in a line or in zigzag pattern. Guide your child to “Start here” and “End there” as an obstacle course. The rubber rim on the bottom sticks to different surfaces making the blocks stay firmly in place. Can be used with bare feet as well as shoes. One set includes 12 blocks with 4 sizes (XL1, L2, M4, S5) Has Best Reviews.

Preschoolers (Ages 3-6)

Wooden Letters and Matching Card – These are large (Size 3″ x 4″) for small hands to hold. Use the cards for Matching, or as Flash Cards for letter recognition and counting. Start out with just one for a toddler and build up slowly. Association and relatable objects to letter match works best. 

Duck, Duck, Goose – A classic running and tagging game.

1. Treasure Hunt – Hide objects and give clues for kids to find them.
2. Red Light, Green Light – Teaches listening skills and movement control.
3. Freeze Dance – Dance to music and freeze when it stops.
4. Beanbag toss Games  – A simple throwing and catching game. Make your own or choose from colors of Set of 4 – Mix and Match from 16 Colors.

Young Kids (Ages 6-9)

1. Hide and Seek – A timeless favorite.
2. Tag Variations (Freeze Tag, Shadow Tag) – Fun and active games.
3. Nature Scavenger Hunt – Kids find leaves, rocks, or flowers.
4. Tag Variations – Freeze Tag, Shadow Tag, or Tunnel Tag.
5. Four Square – A ball-bouncing game played in a large square.
6. Hopscotch – A classic playground game using chalk or painted squares.
7. Jump Rope Games – Includes “Double Dutch” and rhyming chants.
8. Obstacle Course – Using playground structures creatively.

Older Kids (Ages 9-12)

1. Capture the Flag – A strategic team game.
2. Kickball – Like baseball but with kicking.
3. Obstacle Course Challenge – Incorporate jumping, crawling, and balancing.

Teenagers (Ages 13+)

1. Ultimate Frisbee – A fun team sport.
2. Flag Football – A no-contact version of football.
3. Basketball or Street Hockey – Competitive and energetic.
4. Manhunt (Advanced Hide & Seek) – Great for groups.
5. Outdoor Relay Races – A mix of running, balancing, and teamwork.

Best Cooperative Outdoor Games

Parachute Game is an old time favorite to use outdoor or in gym. As the parachute flies up a leader calls out one child to run underneath and trade place with a friend holding the bands across from them. Great outdoor activity where children learn to play in a group setting and be active. Appropriate for 8- 12 players.

In recent years, there has been an explosion of cooperative board games. Now available on Amazon with extensive written reviews and videos.The focus of this blog is on how to play games cooperatively with others.

Adults play a significant role in shaping children’s attitudes towards playing games. Therefore, adults need to emphasize that it’s not solely about winning or losing, but more about how they take part in the game.

When playing traditional games with children, it’s beneficial to shift the focus from competition to collaboration by emphasizing turns, teamwork, and setting common goals. Avoid declaring winners or losers at the end of the game. Instead, foster a sense of unity and shared achievement.

Cooperative games have no winners or looser. They offer a different approach, focusing on teamwork, emotional growth, creative problem-solving, and community-building in a non-stressful play environment.

Engaging in a variety of games such as board games, memory games, puzzles, and indoor and outdoor games not only provides children with entertaining activities but also aids in the development of cognitive skills and social interaction.

In the child’s early learning stages, it is important to play with children honestly and not let them win every time. Instead, they can learn how to turn a loss and mistakes into opportunities to change for the better.

The cooperative games cater to children of various ages and interests, offering a diverse range of options for their entertainment and growth.

Ultimately, the goal is to encourage cooperative play, where adults guide children through activities that promote fair play towards another person.

How to play traditional games cooperatively.

1. Promote the concept of My Turn and Your Turn. Children understand this quickly and easily incorporate it into their play.
2. At the end of the game, there’s no need to declare a winner or a loser. With a happy smile, say “The game is over!”
3. Children can use competition to race against time. This way, they compete against oneself or as a team by setting goals and achieving them. Working together as a team by setting a common goal with a timer to finish the game creates team spirit. Use a stopwatch or a simple 5-minute sand hourglass timer for preschool children.

Toddlers (18 months – two years old) love to explore and work independently. Provide a safe space they can claim as their own.

Matching a few picture cards with physical objects featured on the card is a perfect activity/game. A simple tray or basket to hold them is perfect.

Practical life such as self-care, cleaning, and helping includes hand washing, pouring, and scooping. These can be a game by setting a goal to accomplish and to refine their skill.

Primary/Preschool (3 years – 6 years)

Children enjoy their independence and love having their own space to work on without others interference. Taking turns is a much more efficient way to explain to a child what works.

The Sharing Concept starts after the age of 6, where the child understands it in a much concrete way. Learning how to cooperate with others can take a long time.

Also consider Memory Games. Numerous images of adorable baby animals as well as other images to chose from here’s no need to use all the cards in the box all at once especially for younger children. The object is to celebrate observation and remembering where the location of the last flipped card was.

TIP: Start with just a few pairs (3 or 4) and increase the difficulty level as your child gets more comfortable.

Board Games

My pick of games my children enjoyed the most. The ones that challenged them and got useful knowledge from them.

Race to the Treasure Board Game is a cooperative game working together to build a path to get to the Treasure before the Ogre does. Quick and easy, about 20 minutes.

Video Games 

Best Video Game that adds whole body movement. Lots of fun and easy for for all children as well as adults.

NEX- playground 

Elementary Years to Adulthood

As children get older and more sophisticated, technology will play a huge part in their life. But we all need to remember that being human is the best experience here on earth for personal growth and to flourish into the person we came here to be.

So let’s be conscious of how the use of technology and how it affects our daily life and everyone around us.

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