Purpose:
This activity can be used to teach a variety of skills. While children are learning the alphabet or other skills that you choose, don't forget that they are learning valuable lessons about taking turns, playing by the rules, cooperating, etc.
Materials/Advance Preparation:
- cardboard or oaktag
- pictures or stickers on a given theme. At least two of each
picture must be the same. For example, if you are making "animal
lotto" you will need at least 2 ducks, 2 birds, 2 horses.
- markers
- scissors
- bottle caps or plastic markers or beans for playing pieces
- a zippable bag for storage
Directions:
- Cut
out a 9" x 9" game board for each child. Four players is a good number for
this game.
- Draw
lines to make each board into 9 3"x 3" squares (like tic-tac-toe).
- Cut
out more paper into 3" x 3" squares.
- Place
a picture or sticker on one of the 3" x 3" cards and a matching
sticker on one or two of the gameboards. These can be animals, numbers,
letters, words, etc.
- Continue
until the gameboards are full.
- The
game is played by one child pulling one of the cards and announcing what it
is. If anyone has that picture s/he puts a playing piece on top of it. The
game is over when everyone fills their game boards.
Notes: This game can be created for virtually any subject.
It can use matching letters, matching animals, seasonal pictures (one set for
each season), etc. Children never seem to tire of playing lotto.
Courtesy of Eric Gidseg
Lotto