13 ways playing board games benefits your child
Board games are a major part of our family nights. Be it friends meeting with each other or any usual family night, a fun and entertaining board games goes a long way in making the time full of laughter and often with a tiny bit of competition.
However, what often goes overlooked is that playing board games is not only about the fun, but it also has many benefits which are imparted during the playtime. Research has shown that playing board games plays a pivotal role in improving and enhancing educational skills in children, such as counting, recognizing numbers. Playing with board games can support children in many ways like social interaction, communication skills and teamwork.
Board games have been around for centuries and are still incredibly popular today. They are not just a source of entertainment, they also have many benefits that can help keep your mind sharp and improve social skills.
Why to choose board games?
An easy and non-compromising way to cut down your child’s screen time, a good board game will enable your kid to spend time with family. Some of the board games can be fun and engaging for children of all ages, that will enhance a kid's critical thinking, analytical and reasoning skills.
Board games encourage creativity and imagination. Certain games involve storytelling or allow children to express their ideas and make creative choices. This stimulates their imaginative thinking, narrative-building abilities, and artistic expression. while choosing a board game for a child always considers the child’s age and personality.
What are educational board games?
Improving children's various skills is an important part of their growth and development. Finding a game that is great for kids is not an easy task for parents, some toys may be too advanced for younger kids, while older children may want something that’s more of a challenge. Engaging children in board games can enhance various aspects of their development, from cognitive and social skills to emotional and academic growth. Educational board games are the opportunity they provide for cognitive development. Children must utilise critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills as they strategize, plan their moves, and adapt to changing game dynamics. These mental exercises promote logical reasoning, spatial awareness, and the ability to think strategically, all of which are vital for academic success and everyday life challenges.
13 ways playing board games benefits your child
- Social Interaction: Board games encourage social interaction, cooperation, and healthy competition among players, fostering social skills, teamwork, and effective communication.
- Numeracy Skills: Many board games involve counting, number recognition, and basic maths operations, helping children develop and reinforce their numeracy skills in an enjoyable context.
- Boost Literacy and Language Development: Board games with reading components or word-based challenges support literacy development, expanding vocabulary, reading comprehension, and language skills.
- Creativity and Imagination: Certain board games stimulate creativity and imaginative thinking through storytelling, artistic expression, or imaginative problem-solving.
- Screen-Free Entertainment: Board games offer a screen-free alternative to digital entertainment, reducing screen time and promoting face-to-face interaction and engagement.
- Cognitive Development: Board games enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and strategic planning skills, promoting cognitive development and mental agility.
- Rule Following: Children learn to understand and follow rules while playing board games, promoting discipline, patience, and respect for guidelines. Board games not only teach kids to learn and understand rules, but they also learn how to work creatively.
- Improve memory: Board games require players to remember rules, strategies, or specific game elements, exercising memory and enhancing recall abilities.
- Emotional development: Board games help children manage their emotions, including handling success, failure, frustration, and anticipation, fostering emotional resilience and self-regulation.
- Teamwork: Board games help children to learn teamwork, which strengthens relationships amongst each other.
- Sharpen your child focus: Board games exercising memory and enhancing recall abilities.
- Critical analysis: Analyzing game situations, evaluating options, and making informed decisions in board games promote critical thinking skills and logical reasoning.
- Patience: Taking turns in board games teaches children patience, waiting for their chance, and respecting others' playtime.
5 Best Educational Board Games
1. Quicksand Board Game
Brand: University Games
Age: 5-8
Quicksand board game is one of the best educational board games Uk which enhance the problem-solving skills of kids. Quicksand Board Game Uk is a fun-filled game that is perfect for little adventurers who are looking for an exciting and challenging experience. This educational board game Uk is a great game for little adventurers.
2. Bus Stop Board Game
Brand: Orchard Toys
Age:3-5
The Orchard Bus Stop board game enhances adding and subtracting skills of children and has fun talking about the interesting characters and places the bus stops along the way! This educational Bus stop Board game Uk helps children to develop numbers and counting skills from an early age. While playing with this educational board game, children will develop their adding and subtracting skills (numeracy skills).
3. Anti Monopoly board game
Brand: University Games
Age: 8-12
This Anti-Monopoly board game for kids is an exciting game. The educational board game Uk promotes critical thinking and strategic decision-making. This educational board game Uk enhances the general awareness of children. The educational board game Uk fosters a deeper understanding of economic systems and inspires critical thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of monopolies in a fun and engaging way.
4. Game of Life
Brand: Hasbro
Age: 8-12
The Game of Life Classic is a timeless educational board game that has been entertaining families for generations. This educational board game Uk introduces concepts such as income, expenses, loans, and savings, providing a practical understanding of personal finance. Game of life is an educational board game to improve problem solving skills of children.
5. Sequence
Brand: Vivid Golaith
Age: 5-8
Sequence is an educational board game popular in the UK that combines strategy, critical thinking, and teamwork. This educational board game Uk develops strategic thinking, enhance critical thinking and strengthen skills such as problem-solving, planning, critical analysis, and collaboration. Sequence the educational board game Uk helps improve logical reasoning in children.
Conclusion
In conclusion, playing educational board games offers a wide range of benefits for children. By providing a diverse range of educational, social, and cognitive benefits, board games become a valuable tool in your child's development. Through enjoyable gameplay, they contribute to their holistic growth, learning, and overall well-being. So, gather around a board game and witness the positive impact it can have on your child's development and enjoyment.