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The Homophone Game
This game started purely by accident and now the kids ask to play so often I’m actually starting to dread it! 
The only time we play this game is in the car and the “rules” are very simple.
Basically, we just list homophones. Words that sound the same, but have different meanings (road/rode, flue/flew, carrot/carat). We just holler them out as we think of them, but you could be more competitive and keep track of who comes up with the most or take turns, with the first person unable to think of one being “out”. We simply enjoy coming up with them and giving examples of the different meanings. The last time we played, my daughter did grab a piece of paper and started writing them down to see if we could get to 100.
When you encounter a question like, “Are ’sign’ and ’sign’ homphones since they are spelled the same, but can mean different things?” suggest your children research when you get back home. (Be sure and remind them about it once you are home)
Vocabulary War!
Write a list of vocabulary words on index cards. Divide the stack equally among the players and have them place their cards face-down in front of them. Each player turns over their first card. The card that comes first alphabetically wins IF that player can provide an acceptable definition of the word. If so, the player takes the cards from the other players. If not, the player to the right has a chance to provide a definition and steal all the cards. If two or more players lay down cards that begin with the same letter, the player who first yells “WAR!”, wins. When all the cards are gone, the player with the most collected cards wins.
Build-A-Word Game
Here is a fun way to strengthen spelling skills and have a blast at the same time!
Materials:
To make your own Build a Word Game, all you need are index cards and multiple letters of the alphabet. For the letters of the alphabet you can use things such as Scrabble® game pieces, foam letters (that can be bought at most dollar stores) or simply cut out squares of heavy card stock paper and write the letters on yourself.
You will also need to write approximately 20 “word challenges” (see below for example) on 3×5 index cards. Now that you have your materials, let’s get started!
How it works:
Lay the alphabet letters in a pile between the players. The first player picks a “word challenge” card and reads it out loud to the other players. Once he puts the card down, the race has begun! The players sift through the letters to see who can make a word that fits the challenge first.
For example, the word challenge card reads, “Something that is hot”. One player may try to spell the word “stove”, while another may spell the word “fire”. The player that gets his word done first keeps the card. When there are no more cards left in the pile, the player holding the most wins!
Tip! Give slower spellers a small head start to build their word. For example, once the card is read, the quick spellers must count to 5 before they can start building their word.
Sample Word Challenges:
something that is hot.
an animal
something furry
a mountain
a word that starts with the letter “R”.
a city
a verb
something you put on pizza.
a girl’s name
a color
a tool used for building.
something that gets wet.
a toy
something green
This game, and 19 more, can be found in our 20 Homemade Learning Games ebook.
Weight Estimation Game
Have you ever guessed at how much something weighs and found you were WAY off? Well, here is a quick and fun way to teach children to better estimate weight.
All you need is a small household scale (postal or kitchen scales work well), some paper, and some energetic children. The parent begins by writing on small pieces of paper five or six different weights within the weight limits of your particular scale.
The parent then folds the papers up and puts them in a bowl or basket. The first child draws one piece of paper from the basket. The children are then sent on a scavenger hunt around the house for an item they think weighs approximately the amount on the paper. Once they all return, each child takes a turn weighing the item they found. The one who is the closest to the chosen weight gets to draw the next piece of paper (or you can offer another small reward), after they put their items back of course.
States & Capitols Game
This is a fun way to memorize the states & capitals and can be created with readily available materials.
Materials:
US Map showing all states
Index cards
On index cards list the states on one side and the capitols on the other. Lay the cards, state side up, on the table. Use a small object (coin, lego, etc) and toss it onto the map. Your child will name the state it lands on and then tell the capitol of that state. If he/she is correct, they keep the card for that state. If your child is only learning the states and hasn’t advanced to capitols yet, simply have a labeled map available for “checking” and allow them to keep a card if they name the state correctly. .
An alternative to this would be to use a US puzzle that has individual pieces for each state. The child would draw the state and name it simply from looking at its shape. You could also adapt the game to memorize state birds, flowers, flags, etc.
Feel the Words Game
Here is a way to save $40 and have lots of fun at the same time. This is a homemade version of the award winning The Touch Game.
Materials:
-Small objects from around the house (ex: toy car, small doll, dice, lid, etc. )
- Bag (cloth works the best)
-Timer
-Paper with name of each object written on it (index cards work great!)
Instructions:
Place the cards face down next to the bag. The first player picks up a card, reads it and then tries to find the item in the bag before the buzzer goes off, no peeking! For example if the card “pig” is drawn, he must feel for the pig in the bag. Adjust the time allowed to the age of the children playing. If the child finds the correct object in the bag before the buzzer goes off they get to keep the card and object. Whoever has the most at the end of the game wins!
You can adapt this game in a variety of ways. One fun tweak would be to skip the cards and put seasonal items in the bag, letting your children guess what each item is as they feel it. When they correctly guess an item they pull it out. If they were right, they keep it. For fall you might use a plastic turkey, pilgrim hat, leaf, acorn, candy corn, etc.
Homemade games are a great learning tool and save you a TON of money.
Exercise Equations
Color Walk
Grocery Games
In the last few months, since sharing more of my “good deals” and bargain how-to’s on my blog, I’ve repeatedly been referred to as a “Coupon Queen”. I even had the fun of being the Special Feature for our local Stonecroft Ministries Christian Connection meeting this month. Not only that, my business partners are now converts! You can see Jennie “doin’ the deals” on her blog. Marillee was there, but hiding out, as usual. How fun is that!!??
These comments really opened my eyes to the necessity of involving my children in what I’m doing in the grocery store and why. What a great learning opportunity! Grocery Cart Math was the very first non-Trigger Memory System product we offered and is still one of my very favorites. This workbook is intended to come along with your child on a grocery trip as they answer the questions.
But even without the workbook, our children can learn a great deal by helping with shopping. They can estimate how much you saved with coupons or sales and compare actual totals. They can determine actual coupon/sale savings then compare with the register tape to see if they got it right (keep the bottom covered until they are done calculating). Kids can learn how to check the price per unit to find the best bargains and what is the best coupon deal. (Often, you’ll save more using a coupon on the smallest product rather than a larger version) Children can help plan a holiday meal, staying within a specific budget. Or, perhaps they can develop a couple of menu plans, then find the cost of the food to see which is most expensive.
As you include your children in these types of activities, you not only increase their math and analysis skills, you prepare them for life in the future.
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