Simple Learning Games


Hiding Game
Set out three paper cups in a row and have your child place a bean under one of the cups. While the child watches, move the cups around. Ask him or her to guess which cup the bean is under. Let your child hide the bean next.

Matching Games
Use old decks of cards to create a matching game by taking one set of cards, two through ten, and gluing them down in a folder or on a piece of poster board. Use the remainder of the deck as matching cards. Children can match other cards, two through ten, to the set that has been glued down.

Calendar Match: Cut up old calendars to create matching cards. Leave one page of the calendar intact to be the mat for matching the cut-up calendar pieces.

Counting Cups
Cups can be made using juice, coffee or frosting cans with specific numbers written on or attached to the cans.  (Always check for rough edges.) Fill the cans with that specific number of objects inside. Fill the cans and count with toys, blocks, crayons, pictures, balls, trucks, cotton balls, spoons, felt cutouts of different shapes, popsicle sticks, and other household items. You can also label the cups according to colors.