When I think back to playing board games in my childhood, I’m reminded of a lot feelings--the thrill of getting all my pieces in the ‘safe zone’ during Sorry!, tears over losing in Battleship, building up the courage to act something out during Charades, and practicing over and over again how to shuffle cards just like my grandpa taught me.
Board games are so beneficial for not only educational skills--like strategy, memory, and ideation--but also for developing social and emotional regulation skills. Whether it’s patiently listening to the rules of a game, asking questions, or tolerating losing, it teaches problem solving, frustration tolerance, and boosts communication skills. What’s great about board games is that most of them are so structured, which supports emotional regulation. Rules are rules, and a kid has to sit with those feelings of frustration or sadness when they have to wait their turn or lose! With more practice experiencing these feelings, they will become easier to manage and won’t feel as big to the child compared to their first few times of losing.
Use board games as a way to ‘unplug’ and ease stress. It can be a great alternative to Friday Movie Nights. Get cozy with popcorn, snacks, or play inside a fort or tent to make it extra special!
Concerned about managing big emotions during competitive games? Check out some of the collaborative games below that are designed for players to work as a team, rather than against each other. I’ve also included recommended games that are tried and true (for fun and learning purposes!) by families, occupational therapists, and speech therapists.
I hope your family can build fond memories over board games and card games like I’m sure many of us have. You might be surprised by how much your child enjoys playing and spending the quality screen-free time with the family :)
Games for ages 18 months to 3 years old
Get your little one moving! Spread cards around on the floor (or throughout your home for an extra challenge) and have your child visually match the cards or listen to your instructions for which image to find.
Games for ages 3 & up
Feed me! Help feed Shelby the dog by filling her bowl with bones. Don’t forget to use the special Shelby tongs (good for hands strengthening and coordination)--Shelby doesn’t like fingers on her bones!!
Team Up Time! Stack the cubes using the marshmallow sticks (there’s an easy and hard version for this!) before Mr. Hand Man gets to the end and knocks the tower down! We love this game because it works on coordination and is collaborative--no fights or competitions here :)
Clear the room! This cooperative game includes a 6 foot board, full of fun pictures to play iSpy as a team throughout the game. Get everyone to the end of the board to take a boat to picnic island before the pigs gobble up all the food!
Games for ages 4 & up
Not only is this game cooperative, but you can also make it more challenging as your child advances in strategic skills. Get all the owls home to their nest before the sun rises, and everyone wins!
This game will definitely get some giggles and is so great for body awareness! Walk blindfolded across the mat, but don’t step in the poo! This is the Unicorn version, but you can also try the Original!
Take turns carefully balancing wires of different shapes and sizes on a stand...and don’t let it tumble! For more of a challenge, try Suspend!
An adaptation of Bingo, this game is perfect for pre and early readers. Be quick to grab the tile that pops out to match it on your board. Fill your game sheet up first to win! Zingo!
This game can be played alone, with a partner, or 4 people. Whack the mole when it lights up or makes a noise to earn points!
Roll the colored dice and guess which penguins are hiding the same colored eggs. Too easy? Add an extra rule where you can steal a player’s egg they collected.
Games for ages 5 & up
This family friendly game is great for getting silly and reading skills! Players try to match their photo cards to the judge’s caption card. Who wins the round? That’s for the judge to decide!
Bring out your detective skills to work as a team and solve the mystery! Mrs. Plumpert’s pot pie has gone missing and it’s up to the team of detectives to gather clues and use the special evidence scanner to rule out suspects.
Games for ages 6 & up
Slap Jack with a spin! This game is great for on the go or taking on trips because it is so compact yet still very fun! Slam the deck when you see sandwhich patterns and collect the pile of cards.
This one is simple and a classic! Move all your pieces around the board and to safety at “home” in order to win. Watch out for those unlucky cards like being sent back to start...“Sorry!”
This is the drawing version of the whispering game “telephone”. Try to draw a picture of the word previously written OR write the word/phrase of the picture drawn. Great for working on drawing skills and coming up with ideas in a stress-free way!
Listen closely, but move your hands fast! Follow the voice directions for which trigger to operate (pull, ‘bop, or twist in this version shown). Play solo and beat the high score or with a group.
Act out or describe the picture shown on another player’s headband! We love this game because it sparks play skills, movement, social thinking, and creative ideas.
Align 4 of your colors on the board to win! This high turnover game is great for practicing winning and losing. Lost the first round? That’s okay we can play again!
Another classic game that is great to practice strategy and visual skills. Ask yes or no questions to decide which player your opponent has selected. Does your person have a beard?... Nope!
Spit it out! Using the sandtimer, you have 5 seconds to answer the card drawn to advance on the board. Great for coming up with ideas and building confidence when under timed pressure!
Cooperative Games
Bring out your detective skills to work as a team and solve the mystery! Mrs. Plumpert’s pot pie has gone missing and it’s up to the team of detectives to gather clues and use the special evidence scanner to rule out suspects.
Not only is this game cooperative, but you can also make it more challenging as your child advances in strategic skills. Get all the owls home to their nest before the sun rises, and everyone wins!
Team Up Time! Stack the cubes using the marshmallow sticks (there’s an easy and hard version for this!) before Mr. Hand Man gets to the end and knocks the tower down! We love this game because it works on coordination and is collaborative--no fights or competitions here :)
Have fun!!
<3,
Kimberly
