Smart Step!® Games

Rainy Day Play for Preschoolers

Had enough puddles and mud? So have we. Take the fun inside with these five indoor games for preschoolers, guaranteed one hundred percent puddle-free! Who says you need sun to have fun?

Game: Wacky Animal Charades

Skill Boosters: Gross and Fine Motor Skills, Oral and Visual Communication

Requires: Stuffed animals, pillowcase

Have your child gather several of her stuffed animals and put them in a pillowcase. Close your eyes while your child pulls an animal out of the case and then conceals it. When you open your eyes, your child will then act out the animal using noises and body movements. Make some silly guesses and get ready for gorilla-sized belly laughs!

Game: What’s Missing?

Skill Boosters: Memory, Oral Communication

Requires: Random household objects

This one’s a preschool brain-teaser! Lay several objects out on the floor for your child to observe. Have him close his eyes for five seconds while you quickly remove an object. Then, when he opens his eyes, ask him which object is missing! Boost the challenge by increasing the number of objects and then removing more than one.

Game: Balloon Volleyball

Skill Booster: Gross Motor Skills

Requires: Balloons, divider or piece of rope

Got a youngster who loves run-around fun? Blow up a balloon and play an impromptu game of volleyball in the living room. Lay a rope on the floor as a makeshift net, and have fun batting the balloon back and forth. Invite siblings for a team game, or make it more challenging by only allowing one hand at a time. Make sure you have extra balloons on hand!

Game: If Crackers Could Talk

Skill Booster: Empathy, Oral Communication

Requires: Any household objects or pets

Has your preschooler ever wondered if cats can feel sad or if crackers have thoughts? (Who hasn’t!) Walk around the house and point out objects to your preschooler. Have her pretend to be that object, and describe her feelings. For example, if she were a can of soup, she might say, ‘I am so tired of being in this dark cupboard!’. This game also works well with pets, showing your preschooler that it is important to be gentle because they have feelings, too.

Game: Guess the Mystery Sound

Skill Booster: Listening, Oral Communication

Requires: Objects that make noise

Have your preschooler close his eyes while you make a noise. Then, have him try and guess the object! Find a wide variety of materials so that the noises are distinct. You might try dropping a coin on the floor, peeling a piece of tape, or cutting a piece of paper. Boost the challenge by using unusual objects, like grating a carrot or sprinkling sand on paper.