Bag Game

Bag Game is an excellent addition to the folder on your device labeled: car trips.

You should have at least two players. One player to choose from the abundance of images arranged by category and hide it in the app’s brown paper bag. The second player to ask questions in hopes of figuring out what is in the bag.

Sound familiar? It’s 20 questions for your iPhone (or iPad – the app is universal).

There’s a lot of educational value in this app. Did you know:

• Children build reasoning skills as they test conclusions through asking questions.
• Parents foster vocabulary development by going through the pictures in the app and asking questions like: “Would you use that in a kitchen?” or “Where can we find that in our house?”
• >Children make sophisticated connections about categorizing, a very important skill, when they are able to notice and talk about the similarities in organized sets of objects.
• It is a challenge for young children to answer these kinds of questions with a simple yes or no. They have to take time to think to themselves and make sense of the question being asked.

Enjoying watching your kids get inspired with Bag Game. We hope you take time to play along, ask your kids questions and join in on the fun!

Activity 1: Go Fish! for 10

What You’ll Need:

• Deck of Cards.
• At least two people.

I grew up playing cards and still bring a deck of cards with me on vacations or trips for those quiet, relaxing moments with friends. With memories of playing Go Fish! and war in the backseat of the car with my sister, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to share a fun twist on the classic Go Fish! that your kids are sure to love.

To set up the game:

Prepare your deck of cards by removing all the face cards and 10s. Deal five cards to each player. Pile the rest face down. Look through your cards and If you have two cards that add up to 10, put them down. Pick up as many cards as you need to have 5 cards in your hand.

How to play:

Everyone in this game needs to take turns. On your turn:

• Ask a player for a card that goes with a card in your hand to add up to 10.
• If you get what you ask for, put down the pair, and draw a card.
• If the card you draw makes a new pair of 10, put it down.
• As you use up your cards, draw more cards.
• Once you have no pairs that equal 10 in your hand the next person gets a turn.

Play until the deck is used up. The player with the most pairs wins.

Make it easier:

• For younger children you can use cards 1–5 and make pairs that total 5.
• Make a cheat sheet for what numbers make 10 (1+9, 2+8, 3+7…)

Activity 2: 10 Supplies to Keep for Outdoor Playtime

Every spring I challenge myself to find more activities and lessons that my class can do outside. My students always love a chance to be in the sun, even if it is to write a story or to lay in the grass and listen to a good book. “Extra recess” seems excessive to principals (and some parents) but it’s the best reward ever to kids, and any lessons that use movement and outside play are precious.

I am sure that you also look for ways to encourage meaningful play in your home. That is why instead of a 2nd activity I am sharing with you a list of 10 items that spark creative play. Put these items in a bin and let your child choose from the bin or use freely during outdoor play time:

1. Sidewalk chalk.
2. Bubbles.
3. Dice – especially if you have a big, soft pair.
4. Beach Ball.
5. Yarn (not for sewing!).
6. Foam or rubber balls of various sizes.
7. Water bottle filled with water (good for drinking & squirting).
8. Old camera or kids camera.
9. Bean bags or balloons filled with: sand, corn, seeds, flour (the balloons will break!)
10. Muffin tins or egg cartons (for collections)