Educational games your kids will love

“Brought to you by Officeworks”

The classroom can be a very overwhelming environment for many kids, Emma is in grade one now and she is still finding her feet. With lots of new things to learn, social skills to develop and many distractions in a noisy classroom, it’s understandable that many children struggle to really consolidate what is being taught in class just during school hours.

During my last parent-teacher meeting, Emma’s teacher suggested we spend extra time at home playing games that help reinforce some of the numeracy and literacy work that they are doing in class. Emma is the queen of losing focus, and her teacher was worried that she could slip behind without a little extra support.

I’d been looking for teaching support materials and games that were fun, interactive and would easily complement Emma’s existing classroom activities, so it was serendipitous when Officeworks Fitzroy approached me to share their new exclusive range of specialist educational products.

Rather than shopping on my own, I felt it was important for Emma to help choose the games and materials that she liked the look of. With two dedicated aisles of educational support materials, we certainly had a lot to choose from.

I like the idea of  educational games and materials that can be used and played with in several ways to keep things interesting. Here are our picks and several ways to play:

Educational Games for Numeracy

Time Flip Chart

Great for learning to tell the time on both a clock face and a digital clock. Emma understands how to read the hour hand, but the minute hand is still a bit tricky. This clock features minutes and also 24 hour clock options.

The colour coded hands correspond with the digital hours and minutes section, so we have been playing match the time. I either set the analogue or digital time, and Emma works out the corresponding match.

Matching Coins Dominoes

This visual numeracy game is an excellent way to introduce the concept of money. It can be played like regular dominoes, although Emma needed extra support, and with the addition of real money, there are numerous opportunities to expand play.

Firstly Emma enjoyed identifying and matching the real coins to the ones pictured. Then we played a game where you covered up the coin picture and had to work our how much money you needed to make the number amount. When the picture is uncovered you can see if you got it right or wrong.

Educational Games for Literacy

Beat the Elephant Bingo

Emma’s favourite, this game helps with blending consonant sounds, something she’s been struggling with. It’s a fun interactive game suitable for family play, and the word cards make great storytelling prompts as well.

This bingo range from Learning Can Be Fun also comes in a whole series with different literacy and numeracy challenges in each game.

If you are looking for an excellent range of educational games and materials that focus on pre and primary school needs, with products to help your children strengthen their skills across science, art, numeracy and literacy, Officeworks Fitzroy is the place to go.

Visit Officeworks Fitzroy at 230 Alexandra Parade, Fitzroy, 3065