Play Type

Competitor kids: how they play and what to try

Keeps score, even when nobody asked.

Gift ideas for a Competitor

· Quiz another kid

Remind me beforeor

Try tonight

Family game night with a running scoreboard on the fridge.

Halloween for a CompetitorA referee costume they can run in, and a candy count when you get home.See the costume

What it looks like

Competitors turn everything into a contest, from brushing teeth to getting in the car. They care about winning a lot, and learning to lose well is their whole growing-up project.

Give them a fair fight and practice losing well.

Outside

  • Races against their own best time with a stopwatch
  • Backyard obstacle course, timed
  • A sport with a scoreboard, even a made-up one

At home

  • Family game night with a running scoreboard on the fridge
  • Card games that are quick enough for a rematch, like Uno or Speed
  • Beat-the-clock chores. It works more often than you'd think.

With friends

  • A tournament with brackets drawn on paper
  • Field day in the backyard with homemade medals
  • Four square or tag, the classics

Toys that fit

  • A stopwatchOur pick: Casio HS-3V stopwatch Find it
  • A chess set, then teach themOur pick: No Stress Chess Find it
  • A family board game you'll actually replayOur pick: Ticket to Ride (Days of Wonder) Find it

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More gift ideas for a Competitor, by age

On a screen

Worth saying yes to. Ratings shown on each.

Mario Kart 8 DeluxeESRB ESwitch · Nothing to buy insideThe best family competition game. Turn on smart steering for younger kids so everyone has a shot.Find it on Amazon
Nintendo Switch SportsESRB E10+Switch · Sells things insideGet-off-the-couch competition. Bowling and tennis work well across ages.Find it on Amazon
Rocket LeagueESRB EPC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch · Sells things insideSoccer with cars. Great for older Competitors, but it's free-to-play with an item shop, so decide on spending first.

Watch out for

Ranked online play and item shops. Keep competition local where you can, and talk about losing before it happens, not after.

More gift ideas

By age

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ToddlersAges 4 to 6Ages 7 to 9Ages 10 to 12

By occasion

Stocking stuffersChristmasScreen-freeBirthday partiesKids who have everythingGame night

By what they love

Art and drawingScienceAnimalsDinosaursSpaceCars and trucksCooking and bakingReading

By how they play

BuilderExplorerCompetitorStorytellerCollectorPerformerPuzzler

All gift ideas

Things to do near you

Camps, leagues, classes and weekend events that fit a Competitor. Tell us where you are and we'll email when there's a good one close by. About once a month.

Play Types in your house
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The other Play Types

Builder Explorer Storyteller Collector Performer Puzzler

Made by a dad of three. Ideas and picks are chosen by hand, and nobody pays to be on this site. Game ratings come from the ESRB and the App Store, so check anything yourself before saying yes.

Also made by the same person