If you walked into my therapy office on any given afternoon, you’d likely see me and a child playing a board game. From the outside, it may look like “just play.” But to a trained eye, so much therapeutic work is happening beneath the surface.
Board games—simple, colorful, silly, competitive, or cooperative—create a natural and powerful environment for emotional learning, social skills practice, and healthy connection. They offer the perfect blend of structure and fun, giving children opportunities to try, fail, succeed, regulate, socialize, and adapt, all while feeling safe with the adults around them.
And the best part? You don’t need to be a therapist to use them intentionally at home.
1. Board Games Create Safe Opportunities for Disappointment & Regulation
Every game includes moments of:
- Not getting the card you wanted
- Sliding down a chute you just climbed
- Losing a turn
- Watching someone else win
These moments are mini emotional reps.
Children get to practice feeling disappointment in a safe and supported way. This allows you, as the adult, to calmly model emotional regulation:
- “I know that was frustrating. Let’s take a deep breath together.”
- “We can feel disappointed and still stay in the game.”
- “You worked so hard! That was tough.”
With repetition, kids internalize these calming strategies and learn that big feelings can be handled without melting down or giving up.
2. Games Help Children Learn to Follow Rules (and Also Bend Them With Confidence)
Board games come with structure: rules, order, predictability.
For some children, learning to follow a clear set of rules strengthens:
- Flexibility
- Working memory
- Emotional tolerance
- Self-control
But just as importantly, you can teach autonomy and creativity by occasionally changing the rules:
- “Let’s make this round a little faster.”
- “You pick a new house rule!”
When children help adjust the structure, it:
- Builds confidence
- Promotes teamwork
- Shows them that rules can be adapted thoughtfully, not impulsively
This balance of structure and flexibility mirrors many real-life situations children encounter.
3. Board Games Naturally Teach Turn-Taking & Impulse Control
Many kids struggle with waiting—and understandably! Waiting is hard.
Games offer built-in practice:
- You wait for your turn.
- You wait while someone decides their move.
- You wait to see what card you get or what the dice will show.
This slow pacing may feel small, but it’s huge for developing impulse control. Children learn patience through repetition, not lectures.
4. They Encourage Teamwork, Sportsmanship & Being a “Good” Loser
Some games are competitive; others are cooperative.
Both matter.
Competitive games teach:
- Winning with kindness
- Losing with resilience
- Encouraging peers
- Staying regulated when things don’t go your way
Cooperative games teach:
- Shared problem solving
- Working toward a common goal
- Listening to and valuing others’ ideas
Games create real-time opportunities to practice these skills in a way that feels natural—not forced.
5. Many Games Build Academic & Emotional Skills (Without Feeling Like Homework)
Plenty of games come with built-in learning:
- Number recognition
- Color matching
- Strategy
- Memory
- Pattern recognition
- Emotional themes
But it’s important to note: Board games don’t have to be educational to be impactful. The emotional, social, and relational benefits are often far more valuable than the content of the game itself.
6. Board Games Strengthen Family Connection
Scheduling intentional “game time” creates:
- Laughter
- Shared memories
- A break from screens
- Predictable rituals children can look forward to
- An opportunity for meaningful connection without pressure
Families who play together get the benefit of bonding while also helping their children build lifelong skills—often without realizing it.
Even 10–15 minutes after dinner or before bedtime can become a grounding ritual.
My Favorite Games for Skill-Building & Family Fun
- Candy Land – great for young children, color matching, and practicing patience
- Chutes and Ladders – perfect for emotional regulation after setbacks
- Uno – teaches flexibility, strategy, and sportsmanship
- Virus – fast-paced strategy game great for older kids
- Mantis – fun, unpredictable, lots of opportunities for emotional coaching
- Jenga – encourages careful thought, focus, and body awareness
- Tower Tumble – great for collaboration and problem-solving
- Life – helps kids think through choices and consequences
- Sorry! – fantastic for sportsmanship, impulse control, and resilience
Make Board Games a Regular Parenting Tool
If your days feel busy, start small:
- One night a week
- A predictable weekend morning routine
- A quick game before bed
- A “first we finish homework, then we play” ritual
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection.
With consistent play, you’ll begin to notice:
- Better emotional regulation
- More patience
- Stronger problem-solving
- Improved frustration tolerance
- Richer conversations
- A deeper bond with your child
And of course… a lot more fun!