How to Make Your Own Free Educational Games
Children learn through play. It's been proven time and time again. You can use games to teach just about any concept. The advent of computer software has shown this. Our children can now use Jumpstart type programs and master math and phonics skills at early ages. Can the use of games be approached frugally? You bet. This article is about the wonderful world of homemade games. There are many games writers and sites out there on the web and I have found just a few. Many of these games are made from file folders for easy storage, but I also save cereal , pizza, and waffle boxes and use them for card stock to glue the printable games onto. Next time you look through an educational catalog and think about paying $20 to $30 for a game--think again. Let's do it for free! Here are a few sites to hit to start building your games collection, but watch out--game making can be addictive. After a while you'll find yourself coming up with you're own games to fit into your child's curriculum!
Her math section is based on Ruth Beechick's book. So far addition and multiplication games are listed. Language Arts has a story and and a synonym/antonym game History, Phonics and Generic Games-Don't miss this section. She has it divided into preschool and elementary and there are some neat elementary games in there--still educational. We made the pyramids game and loved it. Some site links were not working.
Printable Dr. Seuss Games from Random House
Pin the Eggs on the Plate
Tic-Tac-Toe
Eggstravaganza!
The Seuss Word Search
The Cat in the Hat/The Grinch Doorknob Hanger
Ack! What's that? A Yill-iga-yakk!
Dr. Seuss's Who's Whoses
Connect the Dots The Cat In the Hat What did Marco See? maze
Games for Learning This is The Game Lady, Mary Peterson--She also has a terrific email loop where you can find out the latest games from her and anywhere else on the web. You can join it at GamesforLearning@yahoogroups.com She gives great insights and ideas for making your own games. Want to teach a concept? Have a few stickers laying around the house and a file folder? I'd say you're ready. She has on her site, generic games, math games, a section for unit study games, and miscellaneous games. This is the kind of site that teaches you how to get started in making your own games.
Latest Articles