2 somewhat different homemade association games

2 somewhat different homemade association games

You undoubtedly have everything you need to create 2 homemade association games that are perfect for keeping children busy during waiting periods.

For the first version, you will need:

• Plastic Ziploc bags, large size
• Pairs of Christmas stickers
• Glitter pipe cleaners
• Scissors

Select the pairs of stickers that you wish to use. Press the first series of stickers in one a vertical column inside your bag, on the left side. Press the second series of stickers in one vertical column on the right side of your bag, in a different order.

Next, cut a few centimeters off a pipe cleaner and slide it in the bag before sealing it. Children will enjoy manipulating the pipe cleaner through the bag to connect 2 identical stickers.

Have them name the various Christmas-themed items and characters to encourage language development.

To make this activity more challenging, you can add one pipe cleaner to the bag for each pair of stickers. Invite children to try to connect all pairs of matching stickers. This will not be an easy task since, as they slide one pipe cleaner into position, chances are they will move another one around. This represents a great manipulation exercise that will keep older children for whom association games are too easy busy for a longer period of time.

For the second version, you will need aluminum paper. I chose to use this material because the fact that it is shiny seems perfect for Christmastime. Simply cut a piece of aluminum paper for each child and, as you did for the first version, press 2 series of identical stickers on either side.

Set several glitter pipe cleaners in a pile in the center of the table and invite children to set them on the aluminum paper to draw lines between identical stickers.

When they are done, children trade games and start over.

Patricia-Ann Morrison