10 Attention Games to Improve Kids' Focus
Developing focus and concentration skills is crucial for children's brain growth and academic success. These 10 engaging games are designed to help kids practice:
- Listening carefully
- Following step-by-step instructions
- Controlling impulses and body movements
- Remembering sequences and patterns
- Concentrating on tasks
Many games require little or no materials, making them easy to play at home or in the classroom. By playing these attention games regularly, kids can improve their ability to stay on task, follow multi-step directions, resist distractions, and practice self-regulation - skills that support better learning and overall cognitive development.
| Game | Age Range | Focus Skills |
|---|---|---|
| Red Light, Green Light | 3-7 years | Listening, following instructions quickly, controlling body movements |
| Freeze Dance | 4-10 years | Listening for cues, concentrating, controlling impulses |
| Simon Says | 3-8 years | Listening carefully, following instructions, controlling impulses |
| Memory Tray Game | 5-12 years | Visual memory, concentration, observation |
| Conducting an Orchestra | 6-12 years | Paying attention, following instructions, self-control |
| Peanut Butter Jelly Game | 4-8 years | Listening carefully, following step-by-step instructions, remembering sequences |
| Elephant Stampede | 3-6 years | Listening carefully, following instructions, staying focused |
| Drum Beats | 4-10 years | Listening carefully, following step-by-step instructions, controlling impulses and staying in sync |
| Head-Shoulders-Knees-& Toes | 3-7 years | Following step-by-step instructions, overriding natural responses, switching between rules quickly |
| Melting Snowman | 5-10 years | Self-control, patience, fine motor skills |
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1. Red Light, Green Light
Age Range
- Great for kids aged 3 and up
Focus Skills Practiced
- Listening carefully
- Following instructions promptly
- Controlling body movements
What You Need
- An open space for running around
How to Play
1. Choose one player to be the "traffic light." They stand facing away from the others.
2. The remaining players line up at a starting point, some distance from the "traffic light."
3. When the "traffic light" calls out "Green light!" the players can move towards them by running, walking, or hopping.
4. But when the "traffic light" yells "Red light!" everyone must freeze immediately.
5. If a player keeps moving after "Red light," they go back to the starting line.
6. The first player to reach and tag the "traffic light" wins and becomes the new "traffic light" for the next round.
This classic kids' game helps build important focus skills like:
- Listening carefully to instructions
- Following directions right away
- Controlling body movements and impulses
It's a simple yet effective way to practice sustained attention in a fun, interactive way.
2. Freeze Dance
Age Range
- Great for kids aged 3 and up
Focus Skills
- Listening carefully
- Concentrating on cues
- Controlling impulses
What You Need
- Music player or device
- Open space for dancing
How to Play
1. Choose a player or adult to control the music.
2. Gather players in an open area. Explain they must dance when the music plays and freeze when it stops.
3. The music controller starts the music, and players begin dancing freely.
4. At random times, the music controller pauses the music. Players must immediately freeze in their current position.
5. Any player who fails to freeze or keeps moving is out for that round.
6. The music controller resumes the music, and remaining players continue dancing and freezing.
7. Repeat until only one player remains as the winner.
| Focus Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Listening | Paying attention to auditory cues |
| Concentration | Staying focused on the task |
| Impulse Control | Stopping movement instantly |
Freeze Dance is a lively game that helps kids practice key focus abilities. They must listen carefully for the music to start and stop, concentrate on freezing at the right moment, and control their impulse to keep moving. The unpredictable pauses keep players engaged and challenged to freeze instantly.
3. Simon Says
Age Range
- Great for kids aged 3 and up
Attention Skill Targeted
- Listening carefully
- Following instructions
- Controlling impulses
Materials Needed
- None
How to Play
1. Choose one player to be "Simon" who will give commands.
2. Simon says an action, like "Simon says clap your hands."
3. Players must follow Simon's commands only when preceded by "Simon says."
4. If Simon gives a command without saying "Simon says" first, players must not follow that action.
5. Players who perform an action without "Simon says" are out of the game.
6. The last player remaining wins and can become the new Simon for the next round.
| Focus Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Listening Carefully | Paying close attention to hear "Simon says" |
| Following Instructions | Doing the action only when instructed |
| Impulse Control | Resisting the urge to move without "Simon says" |
Simon Says is a simple yet effective game for building focus. Kids must listen intently to distinguish commands with "Simon says" from those without. They practice following multi-step instructions and controlling the impulse to move when not instructed. The engaging rules make it a fun way to improve attention skills.
4. Memory Tray Game
Age Range
- Great for kids aged 3 and up
Focus Skills
- Visual memory
- Concentration
- Observation
What You Need
- A tray
- Small toys or household items
- A cloth or towel to cover the tray
How to Play
1. Gather small objects and arrange them on a tray. Cover the tray with a cloth or towel.
2. Have the child(ren) sit in front of the covered tray.
3. Uncover the tray and give the child(ren) 30 seconds to 1 minute to study and memorize the objects.
4. Cover the tray again and remove one object.
5. Uncover the tray and ask the child(ren) to identify the missing object.
6. For more challenge, remove multiple objects or rearrange the remaining objects.
7. Take turns letting different children set up the tray and choose the objects.
| Focus Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Visual Memory | Remembering the objects' appearance |
| Concentration | Staying focused on the task |
| Observation | Carefully studying the objects |
The Memory Tray Game is a simple way to improve a child's visual memory, concentration, and observation skills. It's easy to set up with household items, making it a versatile and engaging activity for kids.
5. Conducting an Orchestra
Age Range
- Great for kids aged 4 and up
Focus Skills Practiced
- Paying attention
- Following instructions
- Self-control
What You Need
- None
How to Play
1. Have all the children sit in a circle.
2. Choose one child to be the "conductor" and have them stand in the middle.
3. The conductor creates a series of movements and sounds (e.g., clapping, tapping head) that the other children must carefully watch and copy.
4. The conductor changes the movements at random times to see if the other kids can stay focused and follow along correctly.
5. If a child makes a mistake, they are "out" and must sit down. The last child still following becomes the new conductor.
6. For added fun, you can have a "detective" who tries to guess who the conductor is by watching the group's movements.
| Focus Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Paying Attention | Closely observing the conductor's actions |
| Following Instructions | Copying the conductor's movements accurately |
| Self-Control | Resisting the urge to move incorrectly |
This simple game gets kids moving while sharpening their concentration and self-control. Following the conductor's changing cues requires intense focus, making it an engaging way to build those crucial attention skills.
6. Peanut Butter Jelly Game
Age Range
- Great for kids aged 3 and up
Focus Skills
- Listening carefully
- Following instructions step-by-step
- Remembering sequences
What You Need
- None
How to Play
1. Have all the kids stand in a circle.
2. The adult leading the game starts by doing a simple movement and saying "Peanut butter" (e.g., clapping hands).
3. The child to their left copies the "peanut butter" movement and adds a new movement for "jelly" (e.g., patting head).
4. The next child repeats the "peanut butter" and "jelly" movements in order, and adds a new movement for the next word (e.g., "bread" = stomping feet).
5. Continue around the circle, with each child repeating the full sequence from the start and adding a new movement.
6. If a child forgets a movement or gets the order wrong, they are out.
7. The last child remaining wins and can lead the next round.
| Focus Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Listening | Paying close attention to instructions |
| Following Instructions | Copying movements in the correct order |
| Memory | Remembering the sequence as it grows |
This call-and-response game helps kids build focus through listening, following multi-step instructions, and recalling sequences. As more movements are added, it becomes increasingly challenging to remember the full order.
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7. Elephant Stampede
Age Range
- Great for kids aged 4 and up
Focus Skills
- Listening carefully
- Following step-by-step instructions
- Staying focused and alert
What You Need
- No materials required
How to Play
- Choose 2 kids to start as the "elephants" who link arms.
- The other kids spread out and try to avoid being tagged by the "elephant" pair.
- When a kid is tagged, they join the "elephant stampede" by linking arms.
- The last 2 kids tagged become the new starting "elephants" for the next round.
| Focus Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Listening | Paying close attention to the rules |
| Following Instructions | Linking arms correctly when tagged |
| Staying Focused | Keeping alert as the "stampede" grows |
This active game gets kids moving while building focus skills. They must listen carefully to the instructions and stay alert to dodge the growing chain of players. As the "elephant stampede" lengthens, kids need to concentrate harder to avoid being tagged and joining the line. It's an engaging way to practice sustained focus while burning off energy.
8. Drum Beats
Age Range
- For kids aged 5 and up
Focus Skills
- Listening carefully
- Following step-by-step instructions
- Controlling impulses and staying in sync
Materials Needed
- Drums or makeshift percussion instruments (e.g., pots, pans, boxes)
How to Play
- Have kids sit in a circle with their "drums" in front of them.
- The leader starts by tapping out a simple rhythm pattern (e.g., tap-tap-pause-tap).
- Kids must listen carefully and repeat the exact same rhythm pattern.
- Go around the circle, with each child repeating the rhythm.
- Make it more challenging by:
- Increasing the length and complexity of the patterns
- Changing the tempo (slow, fast, irregular)
- Adding rules like "only tap with your left hand" or "tap while standing on one leg"
| Focus Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Listening Carefully | Paying close attention to the rhythm patterns |
| Following Instructions | Reproducing the patterns step-by-step |
| Impulse Control | Staying in sync and not tapping out of turn |
This game builds focus by requiring kids to listen intently to rhythmic patterns and follow them precisely. As patterns get trickier, kids must concentrate harder to reproduce them accurately. It's an engaging way to practice sustained attention while channeling energy through music and movement.
9. Head-Shoulders-Knees-& Toes
Age Range
- For kids aged 3 and up
Focus Skills Practiced
- Following step-by-step instructions
- Overriding natural responses
- Switching between rules quickly
Materials Needed
- None
How to Play
1. Have kids stand in a circle or line facing you, the leader.
2. Start by having everyone point to their head when you say "head", shoulders when you say "shoulders", knees for "knees", and toes for "toes" while singing the classic song.
3. After a few rounds, switch it up by asking kids to point to the opposite body part. For example, say "When I say head, touch your toes!"
4. Keep mixing up the instructions, having kids touch different body parts than the one called out.
5. For an extra challenge, add other body parts like elbows, belly, back, etc. Or ask kids to do actions like jump, spin, clap when certain words are called.
| Focus Skill | How It's Practiced |
|---|---|
| Following Step-by-Step Instructions | Kids must listen carefully and follow the changing instructions precisely |
| Overriding Natural Responses | They have to override the natural instinct to touch the named body part |
| Switching Between Rules Quickly | Kids must quickly switch between rules as the instructions change |
This simple game builds focus by requiring kids to concentrate, listen attentively, and inhibit their automatic responses - key skills for improving attention and self-control.
10. Melting Snowman
Age Range
- For kids aged 4 and up
Focus Skills
- Self-control
- Patience
- Fine motor skills
Materials Needed
- Biodegradable packing peanuts
- Black and orange markers
- Small bowl
- Water
How to Play
1. Draw snowman faces on the packing peanuts using the markers.
2. Place the "snowmen" peanuts in the small bowl.
3. Take turns pouring a small amount of water over the peanuts.
4. The goal is to slowly melt the "snowmen" by carefully controlling the water flow, without letting them dissolve too quickly.
5. Children must focus, show self-control, and use fine motor skills to gently pour the water.
6. The last remaining intact "snowman" wins the round.
| Focus Skill | How It's Practiced |
|---|---|
| Self-control | Controlling the urge to pour water quickly |
| Patience | Slowly and carefully melting the snowmen |
| Fine Motor Skills | Precisely pouring water with a steady hand |
This hands-on activity helps kids develop self-control, patience, and fine motor coordination in a fun way. They must focus on melting the "snowmen" slowly, resisting the urge to rush, while practicing precise pouring skills.
Game Summary
| Game | Age Range | Focus Skill | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Light, Green Light | 3-7 years | Listening and following instructions quickly, controlling body movements | None |
| Freeze Dance | 4-10 years | Listening for cues, concentrating, controlling impulses | Music player |
| Simon Says | 3-8 years | Listening carefully, following instructions, controlling impulses | None |
| Memory Tray Game | 5-12 years | Visual memory, concentration, observation | Tray, small toys/household items, cloth |
| Conducting an Orchestra | 6-12 years | Paying attention, following instructions, self-control | None |
| Peanut Butter Jelly Game | 4-8 years | Listening carefully, following step-by-step instructions, remembering sequences | None |
| Elephant Stampede | 3-6 years | Listening carefully, following instructions, staying focused | None |
| Drum Beats | 4-10 years | Listening carefully, following step-by-step instructions, controlling impulses and staying in sync | Drums or makeshift percussion instruments |
| Head-Shoulders-Knees-& Toes | 3-7 years | Following step-by-step instructions, overriding natural responses, switching between rules quickly | None |
| Melting Snowman | 5-10 years | Self-control, patience, fine motor skills | Biodegradable packing peanuts, markers, small bowl, water |
This table gives an overview of each attention game. It shows the age range, the focus skill it helps develop, and the materials needed to play the game. Use this table to pick games that fit your child's age and the skills you want to work on. It also lists the simple materials required for each game.
Key Takeaways
Attention Games Help Kids Focus
Attention games are fun activities that help children develop important skills like:
- Listening carefully
- Following step-by-step instructions
- Controlling impulses and body movements
- Remembering sequences and patterns
- Concentrating on tasks
Easy to Play at Home or School
Many of these games:
- Require little or no materials
- Can be played at home or in the classroom
- Are suitable for different age groups
Benefits for Learning and Development
By playing attention games regularly, kids can improve their ability to:
| Skill | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Stay on task | Ignore distractions and focus better |
| Follow instructions | Understand and complete multi-step directions |
| Control impulses | Resist the urge to act without thinking |
| Use working memory | Remember and recall information |
| Practice self-regulation | Manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviors |
These skills support:
- Better academic performance
- Improved behavior
- Overall cognitive development
Fun and Engaging Practice
The games:
- Are designed to be enjoyable for children
- Provide structured ways to practice focus
- Can be tailored to different age levels
- Target specific areas for improvement
Consistent practice through these engaging activities can lead to long-term benefits in learning and development.
FAQs
What game helps kids focus?
Sudoku is a number puzzle game that can improve focus and concentration. Players must carefully fill in the grid by analyzing numbers and following rules. This exercises skills like attention to detail, logical thinking, and working memory. Sudoku is a great brain exercise for kids and adults.
What fun game builds concentration?
Musical Chairs is a classic game that builds concentration skills in an engaging way. As players walk around chairs while music plays, they must stay focused and quickly find a seat when the music stops. This game promotes:
- Attentiveness
- Impulse control
- Quick decision-making
Musical Chairs makes practicing concentration fun.
Other Focus-Building Games
Here are some other simple games that help improve focus:
| Game | Focus Skills |
|---|---|
| Simon Says | Listening carefully, following instructions, controlling impulses |
| Red Light, Green Light | Listening, following directions quickly, controlling body movements |
| Memory Tray Game | Visual memory, concentration, observation |
| Freeze Dance | Listening for cues, concentrating, controlling impulses |
These games require kids to:
- Listen attentively
- Follow step-by-step instructions
- Control impulses and movements
- Remember sequences and patterns
Playing these types of games regularly can help kids:
- Stay on task and ignore distractions
- Understand and complete multi-step directions
- Resist the urge to act without thinking
- Practice self-regulation skills
Simple, engaging games provide structured ways for kids to build focus and concentration abilities that support learning and development.