Game for 2 year old

[redhookmom]

On Christmas Eve I plan on giving my kids PJ's and a new game. The older kids games are easy. I am having a hard time finding something for a 2 year old. Any ideas?

[jk3]

I bought an Elmo memory game for my cousin's son who is 2.5. The game is for 2.5. It's cute so even if he doesn't fully understand how to play, he'll enjoy playing with the cards. I found it at Borders.

Jenn
DS 6/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030603/2/5/1/-5/.png

[Momof3Labs]

How about a puzzle - is that close enough to a game? Colin loves floor puzzles, and is learning how to do 20-30 piece floor puzzles by himself.

[August Mom]

If you want a true board game, I would go with Memory. We have the classic version with pictures of lots of common things that DS knows. DS has been able to play a modified version of Memory since he was about 2. I only use between 1/4 and 1/2 of the cards. I put one of each of those cards face down on the floor or table and keep the matching cards in my hand. I deal a card to DS and he sees if he can find a match. If he does, he picks up the card and his turn continues. If not, it's my turn. It works pretty well and he can handle it.

We also have this game called Don't Wake Up Daddy that DS likes, but I really think it's too complicated for a 2 year old. Other possibilities might be Hungry Hungry Hippos or Don't Break the Ice (although I have a feeling the ice would be broken quite a lot :)).

You could also do flash cards.

I also agree with Lori that puzzles are great. I like the Lauri puzzles as well as the M&D Jigsaws-in-a-Box.

[lisams]

DD is two and she likes playing memory. We change the rules a little and place the cards face up and she finds the matches. When she gets older we'll play it the traditional way.

HTH!
Lisa

If your child is closer to 3 than 2, I'd recommend games by Ravensburger- especially Lotto http://www.toys2wish4.com/lotto.html You get "bingo" type cards with 9 baby animals on it, and the matching 36 small cards with each baby animal. You put the small cards face down and mix them up, draw a card, and see who has the baby animal on their bingo card. No skill involved at all, except matching the small card to the big bingo card. My oldest LOVED that game when he was little! I can't wait to pull it out for Logan, but at 20 months, he is too little. The Ravensburger games are very nice quality- German made, I think. I've found them only in specialty toy stores and teacher supply stores, not TRU.

[kitmama]

Wow! Reading your post immediately made me remember a game that I LOVED as a child, called Rivers, Roads and Rails- it's a Ravensburger game, and sure enough the site you linked has it:
http://store.yahoo.com/creativetoy/rivroadrailc.html
It is probably a little too advanced for a 2 year old (but it IS a super "younger" game), but I was so excited to remember and find it! Thanks!

[MelissaTC]

I saw this in the Constructive Playthings catalog earlier today and thought it would be great for my DS since he loves Goodnight Moon.

http://tinyurl.com/6l4js

It is rated for 2.5 yrs to 6. Let us know what you decide. :)

[redhookmom]

Thanks for all of the great suggestions.

**We have the Rivers, Rails and Roads game. I play it with my 5 year old. I think it is a neat game too.

We LOVE games at our house. At 2 I did a Barney Memory game. The way we play is place about 6 - 10 cards (to not overwhelm) face up on the table. Then place the matches face down in the box lid. We would tell DD to "mix them up" with eyes closed "no peeking" and pick one - I swear that is her favorite part of the "game". Then she would find the match from the face up cards.

I also really like FP Barnyard bingo. Best part is it comes with it's own platic case. Easy to use, match color and picture.

Now at 2.5 we're adding The Carium Cariboo game.

http://www.cranium.com/cranium%5Fgames/cariboo/