As preschoolers grow and develop, it’s important to encourage their listening skills.
That’s where listening games come in!
Not only are these games fun and engaging, but they also help children improve their auditory processing skills and develop their ability to focus and concentrate.
We will explore listening games for preschoolers that you can try at home or in the classroom.
Activity 1: Sound Scavenger Hunt
In this activity, children will go on a scavenger hunt to find different sounds in their environment. First, explain to the children what they are looking for and what they need to do when they find a sound. Examples of sounds to look for could be a bird chirping, a car honking, or a dog barking. Once they hear the sound, have them mark it off on a sheet of paper. This activity not only improves their listening skills but also encourages them to pay attention to their surroundings.
Activity 2: Musical Chairs
Musical Chairs is a classic game that is perfect for preschoolers. To play, set up a circle of chairs (one less than the number of children playing). Play music and have the children walk around the chairs. When the music stops, they must find a chair to sit on. The child without a chair is out. This game not only requires children to listen to music but also encourages them to pay attention to their surroundings and be aware of their peers.
Related: 20 Light and Dark Activities for Toddlers
Activity 3: Simon Says
Simon Says is another classic game that is perfect for preschoolers. In this game, the leader gives instructions starting with “Simon says.” For example, “Simon says touch your nose.” The children must follow the instruction only if it starts with “Simon says.” If the leader gives an instruction without saying “Simon says,” and a child follows it, they are out. This game not only improves listening skills but also helps children learn to follow instructions and pay attention to details.
Activity 4: Guess the Sound
In this activity, children must guess what object is making the sound they hear. For example, you could play a sound of a cow mooing, and the children must guess that it’s a cow. This game not only improves listening skills but also helps children develop their vocabulary and learn about different objects and animals.
Related: Goodbye Gifts for Preschool Teachers
Activity 5: Storytelling
Storytelling is a great activity to improve listening skills and imagination. One person starts the story with a sentence, and then each person takes turns adding to the story. The children must listen carefully to the story so that they can add to it when it’s their turn. This game not only improves listening skills but also encourages children to use their imagination and creativity.
Activity 6: Follow the Leader
In this activity, choose a child to be the leader and have them do different movements such as jumping, clapping, or spinning. The other children must listen and follow the leader’s movements. Then, choose a different child to be the leader. This game not only improves listening skills but also helps children develop their gross motor skills.
Activity 7: Telephone
In this game, have the children sit in a circle and whisper a message to the person next to them. The message gets passed around the circle, and the last person must say the message out loud. Often, the message gets distorted, and it’s amusing to see how it changes as it passes around the circle. This game not only improves listening skills but also helps children understand the importance of clear communication.
Activity 8: Animal Sounds
In this activity, make different animal sounds, and have the children guess which animal is making the sound. For example, you could make a meowing sound, and the children must guess that it’s a cat. This game not only improves listening skills but also helps children develop their vocabulary and learn about different animals.
Activity 9: Red Light, Green Light
Red Light, Green Light is another classic game that is perfect for preschoolers. In this game, one child is the “stoplight” and stands at the end of a playing area. The other children stand at the other end. The stoplight says “green light” to signal the other children to move forward. Then, they say “red light” to signal the children to stop. If a child doesn’t stop when the stoplight says “red light,” they have to go back to the starting line. This game not only improves listening skills but also helps children develop their gross motor skills.
Activity 10: Dance Freeze
In this activity, play music and have the children dance. When the music stops, they must freeze in whatever position they are in. This game not only improves listening skills but also helps children develop their gross motor skills and coordination. It’s also a fun way to get some exercise and burn off energy.
Activity 11: Sensory Bin Sounds
In this activity, fill a sensory bin with different materials such as rice, beans, or pasta. Hide different objects in the bin and have the children listen for the sound of the objects as they dig through the bin. This game not only improves listening skills but also encourages children to explore their senses.
Activity 12: What’s Missing?
In this game, show the children a group of objects and then remove one object. The children must listen and guess which object is missing. This game not only improves listening skills but also helps children develop their memory skills.
Activity 13: Mimic Me
In this activity, choose a simple sound or word, and have the children repeat it after you. Then, increase the complexity of the sound or word and have the children repeat it. This game not only improves listening skills but also helps children develop their speech and language skills.
Activity 14: Listening Walk
In this activity, take the children on a walk and have them listen for different sounds such as birds chirping or cars honking. Encourage them to identify the sounds they hear and ask questions about what they are hearing. This game not only improves listening skills but also helps children develop their curiosity and observation skills.
Activity 15: Name That Tune
In this activity, play a short clip of a song, and have the children guess the name of the song. This game not only improves listening skills but also helps children develop their musical knowledge and appreciation. It’s also a fun way to introduce children to different genres of music.
Activity 16: Story Time
In this activity, read a story to the children and ask them questions about the story afterward. Encourage the children to listen carefully to the story and remember important details. This game not only improves listening skills but also helps children develop their comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Activity 17: Simon Says
Simon Says is a classic game that is perfect for preschoolers. In this game, the leader says different commands, such as “Simon says touch your nose” or “Simon says hop on one foot.” The other children must listen and follow the commands. If the leader doesn’t say “Simon says” before the command and a child follows the command, they are out of the game. This game not only improves listening skills but also helps children develop their gross motor skills.
Activity 18: Guess the Object
In this activity, place a variety of objects in a bag, and have the children reach in and feel the objects. The children must use their sense of touch to guess what the objects are. This game not only improves listening skills but also encourages children to explore their senses.
Activity 19: Alphabet Sound Hunt
In this activity, have the children go on a hunt for objects that start with different letters of the alphabet. Encourage the children to listen to the sounds of the objects they are looking for. This game not only improves listening skills but also helps children develop their letter recognition and vocabulary skills.
Activity 20: Memory Match
In this game, place pairs of cards with different pictures face down on a table. The children take turns flipping over two cards at a time, trying to find a match. This game not only improves listening skills but also helps children develop their memory and concentration skills.
