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A common activity during a Kids Hope USA mentoring hour is playing games. Whether you and your student are into strategy games, cards games, or just silly games, playing together can bring so many benefits.
But what to play?
If you’re looking for a new–or favorite–game to play with your student during your mentoring hour, check out these ideas! Be sure to use the links below to make your purchase to help Kids Hope USA raise additional funds through Amazon’s affiliate program.
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Strategy Games
Silver & Gold
This game is fast and engaging that uses dry erase markers to fill in shapes on the island. The game encourages strategic thinking and shapes recognition.
Card Games
What’s the Point?
This is a fun, easy-to-learn card game. The points can change at any time, so if you think you are willing, you might be fooled!
Squarrels
This game is a fast-paced card game of collecting acorns for the winter. The player with the most acorns wins!
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
This is a silly, fast-paced card game that will quickly become a favorite.
Rat a Tat Cat
This card game helps develop timing and basic math concepts and teaches strategy and memory building.
What Do You Stand For
This character-building card game spotlights ten-character traits using what-if scenarios and questions –what would you do?
Slapburger
Easy to Learn and wildly fun! It is a take on the traditional War game. It is a great little card game to keep handy when you have a few extra minutes with your student.
Steal the Bacon
From the creators of Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza comes this fast-paced, easy to learn card game.
800 Pound Gorilla
From the creators of Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza comes this fast-paced, silly game featuring the Gorilla.
5 Second Rule
Pick a card, read the topic, then start the timer! In five seconds, name three things within that topic. Not as easy as it sounds! Tongue-tied answers and laughter are sure to follow.
Get to Know Me
These cards support social-emotional learning and are great for sparking conversation.
Cooperative Games
The Ungame
This game is a non-competitive game that helps kids communicate their feelings and opinions. It’s a great ice-breaker or game to encourage students to talk.
Outfoxed
This is a fun game that can include conversations about working together and learning new skills.
Just For Fun Games
Guess in 10
This is a fun game that helps build problem-solving skills, communication, and general knowledge.
Thankful Me
This is a mindfulness game/activity that teaches the skill of being thankful using different questions and prompts.
Heap-O-Sheep
Fling some sheep and make them stick in this fun and silly game for all ages!
Matching Games
Emojinks
This fast-paced card game develops identification of feelings and emotions, visual scanning, and turn-taking.
Name That Puppy
This fast-paced card color coordination game is played by “splatting” the color with the same name and color to win.
Blink
This game is easy to set up and play by matching cards by color, shape, or number the fastest.
Banana Split
This is a sweet, easy to learn game of strategy that will leave you wanting ice-cream and another round.
