Games and Activities for 8-Year-Olds

Games and activities for 8-year-olds focused are important for their psychomotor and social development. Keep reading to learn more.

Physical education games and activities for 8-year-olds should be more specific than in previous stages. That’s because, during this age, tastes in terms of entertainment become more defined, as well as the character and certain personality traits of little ones.

It should be noted that tastes and character continue to be built throughout life, but already at this age, they’re key when it comes to decision-making. Apart from emotional and social maturity, physical appearance also influences the choice of games and activities related to physical education.

With all that in mind, we want to show you some quite useful alternatives that you can implement at home. Take note!

Physical skill games and activities for 8-year-olds

Thanks to physical, social, and psychological maturity, the games and activities carried out from the age of 8 can be much more complex.

In addition to this, it’s advisable to implement alternatives based on real situations to help children regulate their behavior. Through these activities, children can reinforce positive behaviors and correct negative ones.

However, the main objective is for the activities to be to their liking and be motivating so that children want to carry them out.

The mirror game

This activity serves to stimulate coordination as well as to teach empathy.

It must be carried out by at least two children. One of them acts as a mirror and must imitate any movement made by the other.

Children should stand up, facing one another. Next, one child must perform controlled and simple movements, so that the one who plays the role of mirror responds to them in the same way.

It’s important to note that the movements of the child acting as a reflection should be coordinated with those of the other child. As the activity progresses, the gestures should be more complex and sophisticated.

Upon completion, it’s good to switch roles so that both of the children experience the feeling of acting as a mirror.

Pass the ball

Passing the ball is a simple game to play in groups and contributes to coordination, agility, and improved social skills. And the more children who participate, the more difficult it is to execute.

First of all, the little ones should organize themselves in a circle and sit on the floor. From there, they must say the name of a partner and then, throw the ball to them with a bounce.

On the one hand, this activity allows them to meet and interact. On the other hand, they can master bouncing and catching techniques and stimulate their physical abilities.

Play tag with the handkerchief

Playing tag with the handkerchief is a chasing game and it’s best to carry it out in groups, although it can be implemented with as little as two children.

The main objective is to catch your partner, but the detail’s in the handkerchief: One of the children must hold the handkerchief and, with it, chase and catch the rest of the players.

You, the teacher, or the person who runs the game should mention a part of the body. When catching the partner, the child must tag another child right on the part of their body that was mentioned. If they manage to do so, the tagged child must go on to tag someone else. If not, they should continue with the roles they started with.

Some activities for 8-year-olds to stimulate fine motor skills

Here are some calmer ideas to encourage concentration and manual skills. Remember that these should also be exercised, as they’re part of the integral development of the child.

Make origami

Origami is an activity  focused on working children’s fine motor skills. And for 8-year-olds, it’s a very useful alternative, as their ability to concentrate is much greater than before.

To carry out this activity, you only need a piece of paper and the step-by-step instructions for the figure you want to make. We recommend you start with simple figures with a few steps. Remember that the goal, besides stimulating fine motor skills, is to motivate children to practice these hobbies.

Play board games

Just as with origami, board games are an appropriate alternative for 8-year-olds.

Any option of this type can be used at this point, as long as it’s interesting for your little ones. If they like it, they’ll most likely turn it into an interesting hobby.

Remember that this type of activity favors psychological development, decision-making, and concentration, among other positive aspects.

In addition, according to a publication of the Chilean Nutrition Magazine , certain board games serve as a methodological strategy to promote certain healthy habits and lifestyles.

Games and activities for 8-year-olds: Encourage them without forcing them

The constant performance of games and activities in 8-year-old children is essential to help them achieve full physical, psychological, and social development, as well as to improve their behavior patterns.

Despite their great importance, no activity should be carried out if children don’t want to do it. Remember that if they feel unmotivated, forcing them to participate will only be counterproductive.

Make sure that the children are always motivated, cheerful, and happy as they play. And also, let them go at their own pace at all times.