kid games Archives - Busy Moms Helper

Printable Doughnut Tic Tac Toe Game

July 9, 2016 by Keri Houchin

If you need a “sweet” activity for your next party or just something to keep the kids entertained any day, this printable doughnut tic tac toe is just what you need. This simple and familiar game is one that everyone can enjoy.

My family loves playing games together. There are plenty of new ones we enjoy and of course, technology has given my kids tons of opportunities for educational games that I adore. And hey, I also love to zone out and play a little TETRIS on my phone every now and then!

There’s something I just love about classic games, though. We still play card games like Go Fish and Jenga.

Tic tac toe is one of those classic games that I think never goes out of style. It simple, but at my house, it can also get pretty competitive. I love that tic tac toe appeals to all ages. If you have kids in a wide age range, this is something that preschoolers up through teens can both play together.

This doughnut tic tac toe game is pretty simple. There are two pages: the board and the doughnut pieces. I made the doughnuts in two contrasting colors – pink and chocolate brown – instead of the traditional Xs and Os. There are 5 of each doughnut, giving you plenty of pieces.

Click to download: Doughnut Tic Tac Toe

Print the game on regular 8-1/2”x11” card stock. Cut out all of the doughnuts. If you have a 2-inch punch, you could use that to make it a little faster.

I didn’t cut out the center of my doughnuts, but you could.

Just like the original version, players take turns putting a piece on the board and trying to get 3 in a row.

For more fun summer activities to print:

Printable Tangrams + Challenge Cards

Printable Summer BINGO

Printable Ocean Coloring Pages

Printable Summer Bingo Game

June 9, 2016 by Keri Houchin

Summer break from school is all fun and games – until the kids say those dreaded words “I’m bored.” For a fun party game or activity for any day, print this cute summer bingo game. It’s fun for a group of elementary-aged children.

There’s been a lot of nostalgia about the old-fashioned lazy days of summer going around. When I was a kid, I spent a lot of my summer time playing outdoors with my brothers, sister, and neighbors.

We also spent a lot of time indoors playing board games.

Of course, there were often battles about who was cheating at Monopoly, but we had a lot of fun. I think one of the best benefits of board games is that the kids are learning.

Board games are a great way to avoid the “summer slide” by practicing reading and math skills. Playing games with others also teaches kids to be fair, follow rules, and win or lose graciously.

These are definitely skills I want my own kids to keep practicing!

On my own blog, One Mama’s Daily Drama, I’ll be doing a Christmas in July feature with a free printable kids’ game every Wednesday throughout the month of July. Today for Busy Mom’s Helper readers, I want to share a fun printable summer bingo game.

This printable summer bingo game includes 4 bingo boards and 24 cards. I’ve also included the instructions on a cover page.

Traditional bingo has one person being the caller, who picks the numbers out of a tumbler. For this version, the cards are placed face down and one person flips over the top card.

All of the words have a summer theme. They’re appropriate for elementary readers, but older kids may enjoy playing too.

Click to download: Summer Bingo Game

Print the game on regular 8-1/2”x11” card stock. Cut out the boards and cards. You can print extra boards if you’ve got more than four players.

We used M&Ms for playing pieces, but anything small that won’t roll away will work. Use buttons, mancala marbles, or pieces from another game.

For more fun summer activities to print:

Printable LEGO Play Mat

LEGO Guess Who Board Game

Printable Summer Vacation Journal

BLAZING TEAM Yo-Yo Skill Training

May 19, 2016 by Kelly Dedeaux

I received some #BlazingTeam toys to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

I didn’t really do yo-yo as a kid – it was too difficult, and nobody else seemed that into it. Hubby, on the other hand, learned plenty of tricks like walk-the-dog and cradle – so he was thrilled to try out some new Hasbro toys from the BLAZING TEAM animated series with the kids. He took some time to help them start their BLAZING TEAM Yo-Yo Skill Training, and they can’t wait to work on their tricks to become ‘Masters of Yo Kwon Do’ like the BLAZING TEAM!

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These new Hasbro toys have FIVE levels – from Apprentice to Master. We got to test out some level ones and twos, which were perfect for the kids just starting out. Soon they’ll be moving up and needing more of a challenge, though! The level one was a perfect start – doesn’t just roll out easily, you have to flick it well, and it slides right back up. Thor had a blast with this!

The level ones even have a cool little figure on the end of the string – my first thought was ‘oh good, they won’t lose the end of the string now!’ I’m not quite sure if that was their purpose, or if they just look cooler, but I appreciate them either way.

The red one has changeable plates/cards for the yo-yo, which then change the SOUND it makes. Any toy that makes neat sounds while you use it ups the fun level, right?! It takes 2 AAA batteries.

My girl had a better time with the level two, and is slowly but surely mastering her skills. It’s funny how determined she gets!

Here’s the level 2 designs we got – and as you can see, they don’t have the changeable plates, figures on the string or make sound. Once you get up there in the levels, guess you don’t need them as much, right? My girl didn’t care, as she was into learning more tricks. But the younger kids, they were only interested in the ‘more active’ one 🙂

You can find a bunch of the new BLAZING TEAM toys and accessories from Hasbro at your local retailers, or find them on Amazon. We can’t wait to try out the higher levels – we’ll see if even I can do a trick or two as we master more yo-yo skills! You can also get inspiration, see trick videos and much more at Join BLAZING TEAM!