Pencil and Paper Games to Keep Kids Busy

Simple Games Can Help Kids Pass the Time, Keep Quiet in Public

May 3, 2009

When all that's available to keep kids busy is pencil and paper, use simple games to help kids pass the time and keep quiet while waiting in public places.

Whether it’s waiting in an empty exam room or sitting at a restaurant, there are times when there is very little available to entertain children in public places. Instead of stressing out, parents can entertain kids by playing simple games with pencil and paper to keep kids occupied and pass the time.

Old-Fashioned Games to Play with Pencil and Paper

When all there is to entertain children in public is pencil and paper, turn to old-fashioned favorites to pass the time. Two simple games to play with pencil and paper are tic-tac-toe and hangman.

Tic-tac-toe works for children who are old enough to write their letters, but there is a way to play with children who are a little bit younger. Instead of each person writing an X or O on a space, make place markers out of paper. Start by tearing a paper into 10 pieces. Write an X on five pieces and an O on five pieces. Each person takes a turn placing a letter on the tic-tac-toe grid, just like usual play.

Hangman is a game that works for children who know some basic spelling words and older kids. Hangman is similar to the television show Wheel of Fortune. One person chooses a word and writes a line or box for each letter in the word. The other person guesses letters and each correct letter is written on the line. Each incorrect guess results in part of a body being drawn until the whole word is correctly guessed or the entire person is drawn. For easier play, give extra guesses by drawing more features on the person, such as ears, knees, belly button, etc. For harder play, use longer words or phrases.

A Simple Pencil and Paper Game for Preschoolers

Preschoolers are not able to play old-fashioned games like tic-tac-toe and Hangman but there are still ways to occupy their time with pencil and paper. Drawing funny faces and writing letters and simple words can keep preschoolers busy and quiet in public.

To play a game with funny faces, start by drawing a big circle. Each person takes a turn drawing facial features on the soon-to-be face. Parents can prompt children by asking where each facial feature should go. When the face is complete, players can add a body and body parts or give the person a name.

Another way to pass the time with pencil and paper for preschoolers is to draw a letter and ask the child which letter was written. Each letter can be the subject of a new picture drawing or can be used to build a simple word. Play continues back and forth as more letters and pictures are added.

A Game for Multiple Players and Ages

While Tic-tac-toe and Hangman are games for two players, sometimes it’s necessary to entertain several children in public. Playing a game of connect the dots is a great way to play with several children of different age and skill levels. The game is set up by drawing dots in a square pattern, as pictured below.

Each person takes a turn drawing one line to connect two dots. When the line that is drawn completes a box, the person writes his initial in the box and earns one point. Drawing one line that makes two boxes earns both boxes and both points. Play continues until all the boxes are completed and the person with the most points wins.

Younger children will not understand the strategy of the game, but the game will go faster for them. Older children will begin to understand that drawing the third line leaves the box for an opponent and will begin to formulate a strategy to win.

When it’s necessary to entertain children in public places, paper and pencil games can help to pass the time and keep children quiet. Old-fashioned games like Tic-tac-toe and Hangman are great ways to keep kids busy. Preschoolers will enjoy drawing funny faces and playing letter and picture games. Playing a game of connect the dots works for several ages and skill levels when trying to keep children busy in public.

The copyright of the article Pencil and Paper Games to Keep Kids Busy in Kids Games is owned by Genna Cockerham. Permission to republish Pencil and Paper Games to Keep Kids Busy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.