Board games have been in existence since many centuries ago. However, today they are no longer just entertainment tools to defeat rivals/opponents. They have developed a lot from the most traditional dice boards to educational board games that blend fun and learn.

These can be fun and useful tools both in the classroom and in a playschool setting. Family board games are great for family evening reunion! Some of the ‘must haves’ that teach and also provide fun are:

Scrabble: This is one of the old favorites, which lets players rearrange their chosen letters to find new words that can connect with letters of already played words. It is indeed an exciting and challenging game where ‘every word counts’. This is in fact, the only game where you can actually play with words.

Pictionary: In this game the players convey the meaning of a word without using letters but instead by drawing pictures. Geography Pictionary is one good example in this category.

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader: This game has been taken from a popular television show. This game tests your knowledge of trivia based on a 5th grade level. This is also a great option for adults. » Read more: Educational Board Games For One and All

The life of a toddler does not need to be day after day of organized activities, but putting in a good routine can help you and your child.

If she knows that on Monday you go to the park, on Wednesday you go to playgroup and on Saturday you have a special Breakfast, it will give her stability and confidence, knowing what is going to happen day to day, but allowing flexibility too.

Between 12 and 24 months your toddler will have more interest in Everything around her, she will enjoy putting things together, poking, prodding and games involving hand to eye coordination.

Her manipulation and fine motor skills will develop as she learns to use her wrist and different grasps depending on the object she is using, she will show her first signs of becoming an artist, using crayons and a paintbrush.

This creative early learning will help your child develop fine motor skills as well as gain confidence, self-expression and a creative mind.

For your toddlers first go at creating a masterpiece, until she develops his fine motor skills, she will need to use stubby crayons and a large sheet of paper. At first there wont be much control where the crayons go on the paper, but as with all other skills, practice and more practice, with lots of encouragement, will help her gain confidence and master this skill.

Children naturally love to make things, and like nothing more than showing you their handiwork. For a young child, crafts and other artistic activities are great for confidence building and self-expression, and having your child’s masterpieces around the house will show her how proud you are of her work and give her confidence.

Using Play Dough is another fun learning game, its lovely to squish and squeeze and fun to model, your child can use it from about two years old, but make sure it doesn’t get eaten!

Play Dough is very quick and easy to make, it is a brilliant way for children to learn about weights, measurements and the way materials change. » Read more: Toddler Learning Game The World Is One Big Adventure