Wii Games for 3- to 5-Year-Olds

• Wii games create a playful way for young children to be introduced to video games and interact with colorful new worlds. The design of many Wii games makes them enjoyable and easy to learn for the whole family, even the youngest members. Several Wii games make excellent choices for children aged 3 to 5 because of their simplicity and range of options.

Wii Fit Plus

• Wii Fit Plus has dozens of games and exercises that the entire family can enjoy, including young children. With some initial help from their parents, 3- to 5-year-olds can quickly learn how to play several of the games themselves.

  Soccer has kids "hit" soccer balls with their heads while ducking to miss panda bears and shoes that are flung at them. Kids can throw snowballs at their parents' and siblings' Wii characters and take a Wii dog for a run. Many of the yoga and strength exercises are also simple enough for toddlers--and fun and challenging as they encourage children to move their bodies.

Wii Sports Resort

• With an island background, Wii Sports Resort has several games played on the beach and in the water. Golf and table tennis are easy games for young children to start with, and 3- to 5-year-olds will also enjoy "throwing" a Frisbee for a dog to catch.

  Children experienced with Wii games may want to take on more challenging games such as swordplay, where they swordfight another Wii character. With Wii Sports Resort, children can play against a computer character or another family member.

Wii Mario Kart

• Wii Mario Kart is specifically designed for younger children. Children choose from a selection of characters, such as Mario or a princess. Next, they choose a kart to race in, then the race itself. Each race starts easy and progresses to more difficult levels, while remaining fun, exciting and short enough to keep a young child's attention.

  First-time players in this age range may need some help keeping their kart moving in the right direction. But with some practice, children even as young as 3 will become pros at maneuvering their karts while shooting turtles and avoiding goblins along the course.

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Wii Games for Young Kids

• Young kids need to be fully engaged. It is almost a necessity to avoid "world-weariness." Fortunately, a string of Wii games were created specifically for young kids. The right balance of thought-provoking, lively graphics, relatable characters and story plot allows young kids to explore the video gaming world and not only be amused, but enlightened.

Exploration

• Developed after the "Go, Diego, Go" television show, Wii "Go Diego Safari Rescue" is specially designed to guide young kids on an adventure across Africa with Diego. When a magician mixes up the animals, participants must help Diego overturn the magician's actions. Using the Wii remote, Diego will swim across a jungle river, climb a ladder and use a magic drum. Diego rewards participants with virtual stamps to place in an African Safari book. Young players learn animal facts and race against one another with rubber rafts, gliders and on elephants in this exploratory game.

Imagination

• The interactive "Wii Storybook Workshop" features stories from around the world, sing-alongs and games geared for young kids. This Wii game enhances storytelling with the option to augment a book character's voice, place favorite Mii's into a storytelling or record readings to replay afterward. Other features include the Play and Learn mode, where young participants learn shapes, numbers and rhythm. Participants earn rewards with virtual stickers and mark their progress on favorites such as Little Red Riding Hood and The Golden Goose. Storybook Workshop is geared for preschool kids.

Action Packed

• "Super Mario Galaxy" takes kids on a space adventure. Mario travels across the galaxy from planet to planet in search of Power Stars. With over 40 different galaxies to discover, young players use the Nunchuk joystick or Wii remote to move Mario through the galaxy or point and drag objects. Mario meets challenges that include rolling a ball through a hazardous garden and floating in a bubble over a poisonous swamp. This Wii game allows players to work together collecting stars or defeating enemies to rescue Princess Peach. Play "Super Mario Galaxy" with one to two players. Suitable for ages 8 and up.

Melodious

• "Wii Music" familiarizes young kids with instruments by allowing them to play and make free-form style music. Coined a "musical playground," players do not need to press a specific button. With the Wii remote or Nunchuck, kids shake and move as they imitate the selected instrument or conduct an orchestra. Participants play instruments with one of four simple motions including strumming and drumming. An optional save video allows kids to save up to 30 different musical performances. Young kids can play "Wii Music" with one to four players. Ages 5 five and up will find "Wii Music" delightful and entertaining.

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Kids' Lawn Games

• Sunshine and a soft place to play beckon kids outdoors to play a host of games. Running games, hiding games and games with balls or discs engage and sometimes challenge children. Since most lawn games require more than one player, children learn important socializing skills and the value of sportsmanship while soaking up the fresh air.

Fox Hunt

• The only thing needed to play Fox Hunt is a handkerchief, tissue or piece of cloth, and lots of energy. According to Youthwork-practice.com, the game starts with players standing in a circle, facing each other. One child plays the fox, carrying the handkerchief while walking around the outside of the circle. The other players can't turn to watch him. The fox drops the cloth behind one of the children, who picks up the cloth and chases the fox around the circle, trying to tag him before he reaches the empty spot in the circle. If tagged, the fox must try again. However, if he successfully reaches the empty spot, the other child becomes the lazy egg and must stand in the middle of the circle until another player takes his place. A new fox is chosen and the game begins again.

Flying Disc Baseball

• Play a Frisbee version of baseball.

  Kids can play a safer backyard version of baseball by using a flying disc, like a Frisbee. One player stands at home plate to be the "batter," another serves as "pitcher" and the rest are positioned around the bases and in the field. The pitcher throws the disc to the "batter," who catches it and throws it to any player on the field. The batter then makes a run for first base and more, if she can make it. She is "out" if the player in the field catches the disc. If the disc isn't caught, the field player must throw it to a base player before the batter reaches that base; otherwise, the batter is safe. Each player takes a turn at bat.

Bean Bag Games

• Tossing around bean bags makes a simple, but entertaining lawn game. Play bean bag toss with inexpensive bean bags and a cardboard box with holes cut in it. Players try to toss their bean bags into the holes, keeping score or just entertaining themselves. Add a variation to the game by forming teams. Line up the teams and have the kids pass the bean bags to the next one in line. The winning team has the most players who get the bean bag in the holes.

Croquet

• 

  Played on a lawn court, croquet keeps kids in motion and gives them opportunities to use tactical thinking and practice hand-eye coordination. Each player uses a mallet and a wooden ball. Kids must drive their balls across the grass and through strategically placed wickets, following a course to a stake at the end. The first player or team to reach the final stake wins.

Crabwalk

• A crabwalk race leads to hilarity as kids collapse on the lawn as they try walking on all fours with their stomachs facing up. Youthwork-practice.com suggests dividing the kids into teams and having a relay race.

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How to Build a Play Kitchen

A play kitchen offers many opportunities for creative play, ranging from playing house to playing restaurant. Play kitchens are an excellent gift or play area for boys or girls. While purchasing a good-quality wooden play kitchen can be expensive, you can make your own from a repurposed bookshelf, nightstand or cabinet, creating an adorable and affordable play kitchen for your children, for a classroom or a day care situation.

Difficulty:

 

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Small cabinet, bookcase or old nightstand
• Wooden shelf, width to match your kitchen base cabinet
• Stainless steel bowl
• Flat wooden rounds
• Wooden knobs
• Small towel bar
• Sandpaper
• Paint or stain
• Polyurethane
• Drill and bits
• Sturdy wood glue
• L-brackets

1. How to Build a Play Kitchen

   • 1
     Choose a piece of old furniture. Use any piece that is a suitable height for your child, and look for one that is at least 24 inches by 12 inches; however, size can vary.
   • 2
     Trace around the bowl using a pencil. Drill a hole with a large bit to create an opening for the jigsaw blade. Cut out an opening for the sink in the top surface using a jigsaw. Sand the edges quite smooth.
   • 3
     Sand the surfaces smooth. Be sure that no splinters remain, especially if you are reusing a worn piece of furniture. Use sandpaper to smooth and prep the wooden rounds, knobs and wooden shelf as well.
   • 4
     Paint or stain the play kitchen as desired. Use a stain that matches the room in which the play kitchen will be situated. Opt for a dark stain and high-gloss polyurethane for a rich look in your traditional living room or kitchen or sweet pastels for the playroom. Be sure to seal all parts of the kitchen with polyurethane sealer for easy cleanup.
   • 5
     Paint the wooden rounds black. Allow these to dry thoroughly, then glue them into place. Create a two- or four-burner stove with your play kitchen depending upon the size of the toy kitchen. Screw two or four knobs into place on the front edge of the play kitchen.
   • 6
     Screw a towel bar into place on the toy kitchen. Arrange the towel bar on the side or front of the play kitchen depending upon the overall design of the homemade kitchen.
   • 7
     Secure the kitchen into place against the wall with brackets. Mount the shelf above the homemade kitchen.

     
     

     Tips & Warnings

     • Add curtains to your homemade kitchen or paint details on it, like an oven window or a built-in spice rack.

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