These are the board games for kids you won't want to stop playing
Educational Insights Word on the Street Junior
$25.19
Players set up the A – Z tiles and pick a card with a category like "a country in Asia," then think of relevant words to spell out. It's a good game to get them practicing their vocabulary and sounding out words. For a twist, try pairing up the older and younger kids onto teams to work together to come up with answers. Ages 7+
What are the benefits to playing board games?
“Games can support kids’ developing a range of skills," Edlynn says. These include:
1. Self-RegulationKids get to practice patience, turn-taking, and not melting down if they don’t win.
2. Rule-Following“Games are a great way for kids to get used to following instructions and managing the limits of rules,” Dr. Edlynn says.
3. Problem-SolvingWinning games may require strategy, logic and other problem-solving skills.
4. Interpersonal Skills “Games always include players interacting with one another, so as kids become more socially active, game-play can supplement becoming more socially skilled,” Dr. Edlynn says.
5. IndependenceAs tweens and teens get older, games are activities they can do on their own. Or, if you’re playing in a mixed-age group, treating older kids as true competitors “shows teens you regard them as able to keep up with adults,” Edlynn says, “which validates their desire to be viewed as independent and mature.”
When can kids start playing board games?
Kids as young as 2 can start playing games that involve simple matching, color and shape recognition, sorting and memory recall. For toddlers, stay away from games with small pieces that can be choking hazards, lots of reading and counting or complicated, multi-step rules. Preschoolers can then add in games that use fine motor coordination, get them practicing simple strategies and work more with numbers and words.
