Turn Game Night into a Learning Opportunity!
Play is one of the most powerful ways kids learn—especially when it comes to social and emotional skills. In therapy, I use games to help kids practice skills like patience, frustration tolerance, emotional regulation, flexible thinking, and social communication in a fun and engaging way.
The best part? You don’t have to be in a therapy office to use these strategies! Playing games at home with your child can be a simple and effective way to build emotional intelligence and social skills without feeling like a lesson. Below are some of my favorite therapy games and what kids learn from each one.
Candy Land : Practicing Turn-Taking & Handling Disappointment
Why I use it in therapy: Candy Land is a simple game that helps kids practice patience, follow rules, and deal with unexpected setbacks (like drawing a card that sends them backward).
🗣 Parenting Script:
“Sometimes in life, things don’t go the way we want—like when we get sent back in Candy Land! It’s okay to feel frustrated. Let’s take a deep breath and remind ourselves that we can keep going.”
Key Skills:
✔️ Turn-taking
✔️ Following directions
✔️ Handling disappointment
Don’t Break the Ice : Managing Anxiety & Uncertainty, Problem Solving
Why I use it in therapy: This game helps kids tolerate uncertainty—since no one knows which ice block will make the structure collapse! It’s great for kids who feel anxious about things they can’t control and helps them practice staying calm under pressure.
🗣 Parenting Script:
“This game is a little unpredictable, just like life! We don’t always know what will happen next, but we can take things one step at a time and remind ourselves that we can handle it.”
Key Skills:
✔️ Coping with uncertainty
✔️ Emotional regulation
✔️ Managing anxiety
Perfection: Building Frustration Tolerance & Flexible Thinking
Why I use it in therapy: Perfection is a high-energy game that requires quick thinking, making it great for teaching kids to manage frustration and stay flexible when things don’t go as planned.
🗣 Parenting Script:
“It’s okay if we don’t get all the pieces in before the timer goes off. Instead of getting upset, let’s take a deep breath and try again!”
Key Skills:
✔️ Frustration tolerance
✔️ Problem-solving
✔️ Flexible thinking
Spot It : Improving Focus & Social Connection
Why I use it in therapy: Spot It is fast-paced and competitive, making it a great way for kids to practice paying attention, handling quick decision-making, and managing friendly competition.
🗣 Parenting Script:
“Let’s practice cheering for each other, even when we don’t win. It’s fun to play together, and being a good sport makes the game more enjoyable for everyone!”
Key Skills:
✔️ Focus and attention
✔️ Social connection
✔️ Good sportsmanship
Jenga: Practicing Self-Control & Emotional Regulation
Why I use it in therapy: Jenga helps kids slow down, think ahead, and manage frustration when the tower falls. It’s great for kids who struggle with impulsivity or big emotions because it encourages patience and emotional control.
🗣 Parenting Script:
“It’s okay if the tower falls! Instead of getting upset, let’s take a deep breath and build it again. Mistakes happen, and we can always try again.”
Key Skills:
✔️ Self-control
✔️ Emotional regulation
✔️ Managing frustration
Using Games to Teach Mental Health & Social Skills at Home
If your child struggles with big emotions, patience, or social skills, using these games during family game night can help them practice in a safe and fun way. The key is to talk through the skills while you play—helping your child name their feelings, practice coping strategies, and learn how to handle challenges.
Check out my Amazon storefront for my favorite therapy games, books and activities for kids!
