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Invent a Turn Game

Child and parent invent a simple turn-taking game with a rule the child chooses, practising fairness and waiting.

Cartoon illustration of a parent and child at home doing Invent a Turn Game.
  • Age4 to 6 years
  • Time15 to 30 minutes
  • EnergyCalm
  • CostFree
  • WhereIndoors
  • PrepNone

You and your child make up a simple turn-taking game together, with one rule they get to choose, then play it a few rounds. Inventing it together and taking turns fairly are the shared moment.

How to do it

  1. Sit down together with a few small household objects (a die, buttons, cards, or a spinner you draw).
  2. Invite your child to help invent a simple game, and let them choose one rule ("we each move one button" or "you go, then me").
  3. Agree together how a turn works and how you know it is the other person's turn.
  4. Play a few rounds, naming turns out loud ("my turn... now your turn") so the waiting is clear.
  5. At the end, ask what they liked and whether they want to change a rule next time.

What you need

  • Household objects

Make it yours

Younger, 4 years: Keep it to two players and one simple rule, with turns just a few seconds long. Older, 5-6 years: Let them add a second rule or a simple scoring idea. Siblings: Works well with two or three children; use a passed object so everyone can see whose turn it is.

Try this with your child.

Tell PLAI™ about your child and this moment. It shapes the activity to fit.

Try it in the app