Best Hand Games for Kids: Fun and Interactive Play Ideas for All Ages

Introduction

Games are a source of amusement and engagement for kids. However, beyond the intrigue that games offer, these can also be instrumental in enhancing the motor skills of a child and working on the hand to eye coordination. Games that constantly involve the movement of hands and fingers may also improve the dexterity of a child. One of the best aspects of hand games is that such games don't require a lot of space and multiple people to play.

These games can be played with minimal resources and also in a relatively smaller space. By constantly indulging in different activities such as clapping, shaping fingers, or using palms, the child understands how to use different parts of their hand properly. Despite having so many virtual games to play, nothing can beat the fun of using one's own hands to actively indulge in sensory play.

Some Interactive Hand Games for Kids

Here is a list of some highly interactive hand games for kids.

• A Sailor Went to Sea

This is a game of rhythm in which repetitive hand movement is required which might make it a bit challenging. The game is played by two players at a time. It starts by clapping one's hands together and then clapping their partners’ hands, while singing ‘A sailor went to sea see, to see what he could see see see’, one must clap the hands of their partner. The challenge is to sing while remembering when to clap your own hands and when to clap with your partner's hands.

• Thumb Wrestling

This is a highly interactive game that is played between two individuals by joining the fingers and keeping the thumbs out. The game is played between two rivals in which they indulge in a fight and the person whose thumb can press the other person's thumb ends up winning. Not only is it a game that requires one to be highly active but also improves the flexibility of the thumb. Many people might think that this is a game of strength. But actually, it's a game of strategically moving and placing the thumb at the right time.

• Concentration

Concentration is a hand-clapping game that also checks the kid's ability to stay in tune with the rhythm and keep their knee movement in check. The game requires at least two players to sit together and then start the game by slapping their knees in a rhythm. There has to be simultaneous clapping of hands and then knees in a pattern. One player has to take the lead and choose a category such as an animal or a place. Now, while clapping their knees and hands, each player playing the game will have to take a name that fits that particular category. For example, for the category ‘animal’ other players might say dog, cat, elephant, or so.

• Chopsticks Game

This is a game of simple math that requires the kids to use their fingers actively to perform calculations. It can be played among two or more players and is perfect for children between the age group of 5 to 8 to learn basic arithmetic skills. Player one will tap on the fingers of player two, and then player two will do the same with player one. By tapping on each other's fingers, kids can perform basic addition, subtraction, division, and even multiplication based on what problem is given to them. It is an oral and extremely fun way of calculating through a hand game.

• 1,2,3 Break it Down

This is another hand-clapping game that can be played when there is a large group of participants. Everyone has to sit in a circle and one by one, each player will say one, two, three. After three, the next player will say break it down. Now the next player will change the clapping pattern, and everyone must follow that pattern until ‘the break it down’ comes again. The best part about this game is that it can be modified as per one's preferences. No matter the rules, the result is always very interesting as the players have to constantly be attentive and think of new clapping patterns.

• Ninja

Ninja is a game that is played between two kids who stand in front of each other. Each kid has to take a turn and swipe their hands to eliminate the hand of the other. The hand moment has to be done in a clockwise motion and the player's strike has to be swift and smooth. If the opponent player can slap the hand of the player in front, then that particular hand is basically out of the game. Whoever is successful in eliminating the hand of the other player ends up winning the game.

Conclusion

Hand games are not just a leisure time activity for kids, but can severely improve hand-eye coordination, memory, and control over one's muscles. The best part about these games is that they can be played anywhere and at any time and ensure a good dose of laughter and enjoyment.