Your child might be crazed about Batman and Spider-Man, but wouldn’t it be more fun for him think creatively and invent his own superhero? “Superhero play is a way for children to develop a deeper understanding of good, bad, fear, courage, compromise, power and many critical emotional skills while trying on different personas,” says Jessica Perkins, a child psychologist and the owner of Mama May I Handmade Learning Toys. Pretending to be superheroes helps kids shed their vulnerabilities in a fun, creative way.
Check out these fun make-your-own superhero games for kids:
- Pass the Power
This game is based on an improv exercise developed by Eva Shure, an interactive education specialist and founder of Red Carpet Improv, and it’s designed to get little ones’ creative juices flowing. First, each kid must create her own superhero, complete with a name, power and moves. Then, each child has to go around the room and teach her power — and how to use it — to the other kids. For example, if “Lightning Man” sticks out his hand to create lightning, the other children have to learn how to use the power and imitate that movement.“In this game, the children are working together, listening to each other and coming up with their own brand of creativity,” says Shure. The game ends when each child knows how to use all the other children’s powers. Then it’s time to cut loose and play with those powers!
- Build a Superhero Obstacle Course
For this game, your little superheroes will have to go through an action-hero obstacle course to finally get to the safety of their hideout. “Use couch cushions, cardboard boxes, sheets, building blocks, paper and any resources available around the house,” says Perkins. You can even set up some challenges — crawling through a tube, throwing a ball, hula hooping or leaping over tall objects — that the kids have to get through to reach the hideout.
- Blast Off to a New Environment
Superheroes are called upon to engage in heroics in a variety of environments, and they need to know how to react. This game, which Shure also developed, helps your little group of superheroes think creatively and solve problems.Just like in the first game, all the kids must create their own superheroes. Then, prepare the kids to “blast off” into a new location. Call out the new environment you’ve landed on, like “We’re on an ice planet” or “We’re on a world made completely of cheese.” Then, each child has to think of how his particular power works in the new environment. For example, “Lightning Man” can change the ice into water or turn the cheese into cheese puffs.
- Hide Your Identity!
Superheroes need to know how to hide their identities and change into their costumes fast. For this game, you’ll need to help your superheroes create their very own superhero costumes. “Get machine-washable markers and generic white sheets or pillow covers that will fit your child’s size,” says Perkins. Then, help her create her superhero emblem on the back. Next, make a mask using paper plates and elastic.Once all the kids have costumes, put the costumes at one end of the room and have the superheroes, in their everyday clothes, start at the other. The children must race across the room to put on their costumes and return to the start to help fight the villain!
- Catch the Villain
For this high-energy game, first have each of your superheroes imagine his very own villain and draw his picture on a piece of paper. Fold up the papers and hide them around the room. Then, unleash your superheroes. Each superhero has to track down his villain and catch him before time runs out.
Superhero games for kids are one of the best ways to get little ones to unleash their originality. Shure says, “The superhero concept presents the idea that anything is possible and that it’s okay to suspend disbelief.”
Want more fun ideas for your little superhero? Check out these costume party ideas.
Rebecca Desfosse is a freelance writer specializing in parenting and family topics.
