1. A fort made of pillows and blankets
Pillows, blankets and a few chairs are all you need to build a fort where your child can spend an hour – whilst you make dinner. This game teaches spatial planning and cooperation, especially if you’re building it together with siblings.
Age: from 2 years (with adult help) Time: 20–40 minutes
2. Finger painting
The simplest way to develop a two-year-old’s fine motor skills. Buy washable, child-safe paints, lay a large sheet of paper on the floor and let your child paint without any instructions – it’s not about the result, but the process.
Age: from 18 months Tip: Place some plastic sheeting under the paper to save yourself the hassle of cleaning up.
3. Treasure hunt at home
Hide 5–6 items and draw a simple map or leave notes with clues. For younger children, pictures instead of words will do. This game teaches them to follow step-by-step instructions and to be patient.
Age: 3–7 years (adjust the difficulty to suit the child’s age)
4. Cooking together
A child who shapes their own biscuits or arranges vegetables on a pizza is more likely to eat them – this is a tried-and-tested rule for many parents. Give your child a simple, safe task: mixing, sprinkling, arranging.
Age: from 2.5 years, under constant supervision Safety: keep your child away from the hob and sharp utensils
5. Home theatre
Soft toys, sock puppets or simply voices – no props are needed. This game is great for developing speech and helps your child come to terms with their emotions, as they often act out situations from nursery or nursery conflicts.
Age: from 3 years
6. Simple origami
Start with something they can manage on the first try – a boat or an aeroplane. Origami teaches patience and fine motor skills, which later pays off when learning to write.
Age: from 4 years
7. A mini garden on the windowsill
Cress in a pot or a bean in a jar with damp cotton wool – your child will see results after just a few days. This is their first lesson in responsibility: they have to remember to water it.
Age: from 3 years
8. Reading with role-play
Instead of reading in a monotonous tone, change your voice for each character, add gestures, and pause before important moments. Children who are read to in this way hold their attention for longer and are more likely to pick up books themselves.
Age: from 1.5 years
9. Age-appropriate board games
Not every board game is suitable for a three-year-old – check the recommended age on the box before you sit down at the table. Simple games with dice and pawns teach children to wait for their turn, which can be harder than learning the rules themselves.
Age: from 3 years (co-operative games), from 5 years (competitive games)
10. Playing shop
Empty packaging, toy coins or real small change – your child can take on the role of shopkeeper or customer. It’s a natural way to get to grips with counting and simple transactions, without boring worksheets.
Age: from 4 years
Which games should you choose for your child?
If you’re looking for a ‘here and now’ activity that requires no preparation – choose a pillow fort or a puppet show. If you have 15 minutes to prepare and want the activity to teach your child something – go for a treasure hunt or a board game.
FAQ – parents’ most common questions
How much time a day should you spend playing together? Even 20–30 minutes of focused attention without a mobile phone in your hand is more beneficial than spending the whole day simply ‘being there’ with your child.
What should you do if your child gets bored quickly? Start with shorter play sessions and gradually increase the duration. A two-year-old will focus on one activity for 5–10 minutes, whilst a six-year-old can focus for up to 40 minutes.
Do educational games have to be expensive? No. Most of the ideas above use items you already have at home.
Regular playtime together builds a bond stronger than any toy. It’s not about doing everything at once – choose one thing from the list for this week and see what works for your child.