Educational Games That Keep Kids Entertained for Hours! Leave a comment
Hey there, busy mamas!
If your house is anything like mine, “Mom, I’m bored!” echoes through the halls approximately 2.5 seconds after breakfast. As a mom of three—ages 3 to 8—I’m constantly on the hunt for fun, educational activities that don’t just feel like learning but actually give me a moment to breathe (or fold laundry, let’s be real).
Today I’m sharing a list of our go-to educational games and budget-friendly outdoor kits that keep my kiddos entertained for HOURS—and yes, they’ve been tested and approved by my wild bunch!
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases—at no extra cost to you!
🧠 1. Brain-Boosting Board Games (Perfect for Indoors or Patio Play)
We love board games that teach while they play—and when I say teach, I mean sneakily, because they never even realize they’re learning!
📘 Osmo – Genius Starter Kit for iPad
This one is GOLD. Osmo blends digital and hands-on learning with spelling, problem-solving, and math games. My 8-year-old gets totally lost in it for an hour—and I’m not mad about it.
- Actual product packaging may vary from the image displayed. Components within the box remain the same. OSMO IS MAGIC: Fu…
- TEACHING: Arrange over 100+ puzzle designs/pieces to match on-screen shapes (Tangram), solve creative physics puzzles by…
- SKILLS LEARNED: Visual problem-solving skills, puzzles, math, addition, counting, subtraction, multiplication, geography…
🧮 Sum Swamp Math Game
Perfect for ages 5-8, it helps with addition and subtraction in the most fun way. Bonus: it’s compact enough to bring outside under the shade for a little math and sun combo.
- FUN WAY TO PRACTICE MATH: Encourage basic math drills through fun game play with Sum Swamp
- MATH GAMES: Develop fluency in early math skills as kids play the game. Perfect for Homeschool or classroom learning
- MEET NEW CREATURES AND FACE MATH CHALLENGES: Race through the swamp while facing math challenges and meeting funny swamp…
🌿 2. Outdoor Educational Games & Kits (Goodbye Screen Time!)
Getting kids outside and learning? Yes, please.
🐞 Bug Catcher Kit – Outdoor Science Adventure
My 6-year-old is obsessed with bugs (I try to be brave), and this kit is educational and keeps them exploring for HOURS. Comes with a magnifying glass, tweezers, and a cute little critter container.
- CATCH BUGS & OBSERVE THEM UP CLOSE – With this bug catcher and habitat kit, kids can capture bugs and insects, then watc…
- MAKE THE PERFECT BUG HABITAT – The bug habitat provides a 360° view and includes a removable base, easy-open lid with la…
- 2 BUILT-IN MAGNIFYING GLASSES – The magnified viewers are designed to offer up-close observation of the bugs you catch. …
🧲 STEM Magnet Exploration Kit
This is a huge hit in our backyard. The kids use the magnetic wand to find “hidden treasure” (a.k.a. paper clips or rocks I sneakily hide). Great for science talk without a lecture.
- Spark curiosity, introduce early physics concepts, and provide hands-on learning with the effects of magnetism with Magn…
- 39-piece set; including magnetic wand, magnetic accessories, and activity guide
- Ideal for ages 5+
🪁 Build & Fly Kite Kit
This one is more arts + physics. They decorate their own kites, then we fly them together. It’s a beautiful way to bond while learning about wind and motion.
- DIY Kites for Kids. 3 pack blank diamond kites, ready to be custom decorated. Drawing and coloring a craft, every kite i…
- Great for Many Occasions. It could be used for a kite party, a kite day event, a project, a program, especially for scho…
- More Fun Outdoors Activity for Your Whole Family! Personalize and design kids’ own,and let their imagination fly. Imagin…
🎨 3. DIY Learning Projects That Spark Creativity
Sometimes the best educational play is creative play. Here’s what we pull out on sunny days:
🧼 Soap & Bath Bomb Science Lab Kit
Perfect for my 8-year-old, this kit teaches about chemistry while making spa-like goodies (plus it smells AMAZING). We do this one at the picnic table outside.
- CREATE SOAP, BATH BOMBS & BATH SALTS: This innovative STEM.org Authenticated 3-in-1 Spa Science Lab kit for kids is the …
- CREATE 10 SOAPS: Mix the wax, coloring, fragrance, and glitter, and pour into the 4 lovely molds to create beautiful soa…
- CREATE 10 BATH BOMBS: Mix the citric acid, baking soda, Epsom salt, baby oil, coloring, and fragrance and pour into the …
🌈 Sidewalk Chalk Stencil & Math Kit
Make the driveway your classroom! My kids draw hopscotch boards with addition or letters. It’s all about sneaky learning and bonus: it washes away easily.
- SIDEWALK CHALK STENCILS: The Crayola Large Sidewalk Chalk Stencils Set includes 3 giant stencils (20” x 30”) with printe…
- MAGICAL CREATURES TO INSPIRE CREATIVITY: The sidewalk chalk stencils feature a Unicorn, Mermaid, and Flying Dragon desig…
- INCLUDED CHALK STICKS: This outdoor art kit for kids includes 4 sticks of durable and washable Crayola Sidewalk Chalk.
🏆 Mom Tips for Maximizing the Fun
- Set up a small “Outdoor Discovery Bin“ with kits, chalk, magnifying glasses, and sketchbooks so kids can pick and choose.
- Take turns assigning your “Explorer of the Day” who gets to pick the first activity.
- Let them earn small rewards (like popsicles!) for completing all the challenges or games. The small rewards are so exciting for the little ones. Extra MOM Tip: I Keep a small reward Jar full of fun activities and treats.
💗 Why I Love These
Moms get so exhausted easily, especially when your chasing after little ones, Trust me, I know! These games don’t just educate my kids, they give me some much-needed time to regroup. When they’re engaged, exploring, and learning, I can actually sit down, sip my coffee while it’s hot, and enjoy watching them grow—without the screens.
You don’t need expensive gadgets or complicated crafts. These budget-friendly, Amazon finds have become staples in our daily routine and honestly… I kind of love them too.
