Texas Parenting Expert Details 8 Super Bowl Activities for Kids

Even those of us with less-than-keen observational skills know that something really big is happening on Sunday. Hint: It has everyone stocking up on beer and cheesy poofs.

If kids are finished with homework and able to join the festivities,

If you are hosting friends and family for the Super Bowl game this year, it’s a good idea to have some activities lined up to keep the kids safely entertained while the bigger kids (like the one you may have married) huddle around the TV as they argue over penalty calls and cheer on their favorite team.

Patrick Quinn is a Parenting Expert at Brainly—the world’s largest online learning and homework help community for students and parents—and he has some fun educational activities kids can do to stay busy and engaged during the long game.

1. Football Brain Teaser. Brain teasers are a great way for kids to pass the time and flex their mind muscles at the same time. A free printable and a few toothpicks are all you need to prepare this incredibly fun football-themed brain teaser for kids!

2. Super Bowl Word Scramble. A fun football-themed take on the classic word scramble games, you can create your own or download free printables online.

3. Commercial Bingo. One of my all-time favorite Super Bowl party games to play during the big game is Super Bowl Commercial Bingo, and it’s great for kids to play as well

4. Super Bowl Squares. This traditional game is played during the Super Bowl and involves a large grid of squares that people can buy to win money or prizes based on the scores in the game.

5. Half Time Dance Party. Let the kids fully engage with the halftime entertainment by having them show off their dance moves. Every year, we can count on the performers to give an energetic, upbeat show that everyone can enjoy, so let the kids get the wiggles out before the game comes back on again.

6. Make a Touchdown with Google Earth. Using Google Earth on their smartphone or tablet, older kids locate each city that houses an NFL team and then create a placemark for it. Once they have located the NFL cities, they can use the tools within Google Earth to calculate the distance between their hometown and the various cities where their favorite NFL teams are located. Ideas for other Google Earth football activities can be found here.

7. Huddle Up and Read. There are plenty of fantastic stories ranging from picture books to young adult reads that not only tap into the love of football but also help kids understand the importance of playing by the rules and being safe. Before the big game, go to your local library and check out a handful of books for kids of all ages about football. Here’s a list of 10 great kids’ football books to start with.

8. Football Scavenger Hunt. Set up a simple scavenger hunt to keep the littlest sports fans active during lulls in the Big Game. Hide mini footballs or helmets around the house, and print out a simple key so everyone knows what to look for. Then send them on their way, seeking hidden game day treasures. Pro tip: you can put riddles that the kids can solve to reveal hints on the key to add a critical thinking component to the scavenger hunt.