Board games provide an opportunity for kids to learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a fun way. They also help kids expand their vocabulary and practice spelling, especially with word games such as Scrabble and Word Whomp. Logic games such as the classic chess and checkers and newer logic challenges like SET provide students with the chance to develop analytical abilities.
While playing board games, kids practice taking turns and patience. They must also learn to accept defeat and lose gracefully. This helps them develop social-emotional learning skills (SEL), which are crucial for developing self-awareness, self-management, and relationship skills.
Because many board games have elements of luck, kids experience a meta-message that life is not always fair. Having to deal with unpredictability can help kids build emotional resilience, a trait that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Depending on the type of game, board games require players to communicate with one another. They may need to share information, debate ideas, or even argue. They must also learn to listen to others, which is an essential skill for building positive friendships.
Have your students use their creative juices to create their own board game. This can be a class activity at the end of a unit, a center or station assignment, or a student-led independent project. As with any student-led project, it’s important to establish clear expectations and rubrics for the project. You might want to consider guiding the game creation process with a series of questions to promote the learning objectives of your class. For example, a question about using information from the text might prompt students to use their research and synthesis skills to create an educational board game that presents content in a fun and engaging way.