Bottle Cap Drop Designs Game

As summer has come in full force, we've moved into our new home (yay for a permanent residence!), and the kids are taking a break from school, I've found it very difficult to find a moment of peace in the chaos. One of the easiest ways for me to solve that problem is to make sure that my kids have something to do. These 5 fun games for bottle caps are a great way to keep the kids busy and give me a little bit of time without a child jumping up and down on my lap or tugging at my skirt. Some classic, some new-ish, all fun!

5 fun games for bottle caps! Save your bottle caps from the recycling bin and use them for these fun games!

We always have lots of bottle caps on hand.

My husband and kids love tea, we have lots of lids…

and bottles too, but that was another day…

So, today when I needed some peace to have a moment to sit back and get a drink for myself, I set the kids up to play these 5 game with the bottle caps.

1. Spinning bottle caps.

While not technically a game, it did keep the kids entertained for a while. To play, simply place the bottle cap on edge while holding with one finger. Using your other hand, flick the edge of the bottle cap to set it spinning. You could have a contest to see whose bottle cap spins the longest or how many consecutive times the cap spins more than 2 seconds.

2. Tic-Tac-Toe

Break out the sidewalk chalk for this one! Draw a tic-tac-toe board on the ground (preferably in a shady spot since pavement can get really hot in the sun.) Then, use the bottle caps as the playing pieces. One player uses the top up, the other player uses the bottom up.

3. Shooter

I don't know if that's an actual name for a game, we just made it up, but the game was super fun anyway. To play, draw a circle on the pavement with your sidewalk chalk. Place a bunch of bottle caps in the middle of the circle. (We discovered it's better if you place them top-down.) Each player keeps three bottle caps. Taking turns, flick one cap into the circle to try to knock the other caps out of the circle. The player keeps any caps that go outside the circle and we decided that if they were on the line, they were considered "outside". The player can use any bottle caps they win as extra chances to knock more out. Play continues until all the caps are knocked out of the circle or one player runs out of bottle caps.

4. Memory

Place some stickers, in sets of two, on the inside of the caps. Then play a traditional game of memory by flipping the caps. The person with the most matches, wins!

5. What's Missing?

Put stickers with the numbers 1-10 on the tops of the caps. Place them in order to start, then have the other player close their eyes. Remove 3-5 of the caps and have the player put them back in order. This game is perfect for preschoolers who are just learning their numbers!

And because I, apparently can't count…

6.) Stack the caps

Have a challenge to see who can stack the most caps without them falling over!

For me, if the kids are busy (and not fighting) it's a great time to catch my breath, recharge and get ready to go again.