Educational games for pre-schoolers.

[Walnutshell]

(Am I in the right topic?)

Can you please post suggestions for appropriate colour/shape/number/letter games for a 2yo?

I'm not talking about him talking his A-levels at 5, just age-appropriate interesting stuff. I could look online but I tend to get sucked in and over-complicated so would rather have some ideas from experienced parents.

[Walnutshell]

Ahem, hah-looooooooo? Y'know stuff you can do at home with them that is fun... OK, it's Saturday night, I'll be back tomorrow.

[Walnutshell]

Bump.

It's the incredibly boring thread title, isn't it?

[IdrisTheDragon]

I have DS who is 3.10 and DD who is just 2, so I wilol think about what there is that we do that is educational .

[IdrisTheDragon]

DS has recently "got" the idea of playing games - he got some for his third birthday (things like the shopping list game by Orchard Toys, who do lots of games I like) but it's only been the past few months he has really enjoyed playing them.

DD seems to learn things without me noticing (2nd child syndrome ). She suddenly seems to know colours,can count and is interested in shapes "I daw ti-angle" which I hadn't realised was happening.

She likes to try and join in with games with DS but that does tend to cause problems .

She likes puzzles - is just managing to do simple jigsaws with 2 or 3 pieces - we have some from DS from mothercare. I think we've got an orchard toys one of animals too. There's a puzzle where you put the pieces into holes (wooden type) I think we got from Tesco for abotu £1.50 that has different shapes and colours and is quite enjoyed.

We've got a leapfrog letter thing that goes on the fridge and you put different letters in and it has a not too annoying tune of eg "B says buh, B says buh, every letter makes a sound and B says buh". If the letter makes more thatn one sound it says that too.

Here's the fridge phonics thing

and here is the orchard toys website.

I went on a charity shop trawl last week and found some more good puzzles - also that way you don't spend too much for something not to be liked (although last weeks are all proving very popular .

[Jacanne]

I can recommend Orchard Toys too - there are some great and very simple games for pre-schoolers. Even the ones that don't seem educational as such, like "Tummy Ache" are really good. I'd recommend "Ladybirds" for number, "Incy Wincy Spider" for number and shapes, "Knickerbocker Glory" for colour and numbers and "Colour Match Express" for colours. Some of the pairs matching games like "Two by Two" are great for memory and matching skills as is the "Shopping List Game".

As a parent and an ex-teacher I can honestly say they're brilliant

[Walnutshell]

Brill, both of you. Thanks. Do you know, I bought Fridge Phonics for my niece a year or two ago and completely forgotton about it, that's a good idea (maybe it'll be a hand-me down soon )

Ds isn't showing too much interest in colours, just a little in numbers and doesn't mind playing with jigsaws but doesn't put the pieces together yet. So I'm in no rush, but I do like the idea of playing with a purpose now and then!

OK I'm off to look at the Orchard website...

[treacletart]

If you fancy some online games for him then poisson rouge is unbeatable.

[Walnutshell]

Thanks treacs, had a look last night, seems good.

If anyone has any suggestions for games they play with toddlers along this 'learning' theme, please post. I'm in need of inspiration...

[Walnutshell]

Go on, counting games, colour games? I'm being unimaginative and simple, aren't I? Enlighten me then...