Here’s a great game you can play with young children aged 18 months and up. It’s your own version of 10 pin bowling except that you don’t need pins or a bowling alley – all you need is a ball (any ball) and your little one’s favorite toys (whatever they are in to at the moment). Here’s what you do:

1. Clear some space on the floor (living room, nursery … wherever you’ve got a few feet / yards of floors space)
   
2. Get a handful of your child’s favorite toys and line them up in row
   
3. Grab a ball (e.g. soft ball, tennis ball, golf ball – whatever you can find in the house) and move away from the toys you set up – now roll the ball towards the toys to try and knock them over

   This game is obviously SUPER SIMPLE but very effective. I haven’t met a child that doesn’t like it. Most children immediately get it and start modifying the game to their preferences. These game modifications are actually great as they stimulate the creative mind and kids “customise” the game to their current preferences. So just go with it and co-create along with your child. Typical variations include the toys used for the line up, distance to the toys, the ball or a scoring system.

   Enjoy!

   -Stef