The Power of Playing Games

In late March, I was chatting with my daughter on the phone as we happily made plans for our upcoming birthday visit. Rather than talking about gifts or schedules, she was most excited about teaching us a new game. That conversation got me thinking about how much joy our immediate and extended family has shared through playing games together.

When I asked my dad about his favorite game, he fondly reminisced about playing Chinese Checkers with his grandfather. As a preacher’s kid, he wasn’t allowed to play games on Sundays, which made those moments even more special. He remembered carefully guarding his treasured bag of marbles for one of his favorite games. He even learned to play chess from the choir director. My mom recalled teaching my dad to play jacks when they were just ten years old. My son, who is a firefighter, shared how important games are at the firehouse. Playing together helps break the ice, build camaraderie, and relieve the stress and tension of their demanding job. We all agreed that games are good for the brain and for the heart. These conversations reminded me of the request I make at our first parent conference each year: “Please play games with your children.”

The most important reason I encourage families to play games together is relationship building. When you put your phone down and look your child in the eye, you are showing them they matter. You are taking time to teach a new skill, model good sportsmanship, guide them through rules, and engage in meaningful conversation. Your child will love learning about you and the games you enjoyed as a child. I recall that my grandmother’s favorite game was tile rummy, and we played it every time we were together. What I would give for just one more game with her! Those were the moments when I learned so much about her life, and I treasure those memories deeply.

As your children grow, you will not only teach them, you will learn about them as well. During family game time, important conversations often surface. Challenges with friends, school situations, and everyday worries sometimes come out naturally around the game table. When neighborhood or school friends join in, you get to know them better too. A home where the games come out can become a safe haven and that is a very good thing.

Playing games also supports social development. There is nothing worse than a sore loser or a boastful winner! These moments provide perfect teaching opportunities. Children learn to demonstrate empathy, cope with frustration, take turns, communicate effectively, and practice being good teammates. With your guidance, they learn how to navigate big feelings and build resilience.

An additional benefit of playing games is that you reinforce many of the skills we are working on in preschool. Games naturally build math skills such as recognizing numbers, counting, matching, using one-to-one correspondence, and comparing quantities. They also strengthen early literacy skills as children notice letters and words within the game. They begin to understand that words have meaning and see you modeling authentic reading for a purpose.

Most mornings in preschool, Mrs. Perales and I play games with our students. It is one of the best ways for them to practice what they are learning in class. I truly enjoy getting to know my students better during this time and I feel delighted when watching new skills click into place. Because many of my classroom games are educational in nature, I asked our parents to help compile a list of age-appropriate favorites they enjoy at home. One guideline I always suggest is following the manufacturer’s recommended age range. While many games can be modified to make them easier or more challenging, starting within the suggested age range helps prevent frustration.

I hope you will take time to pull out a game and play together. It is a wonderful way to bring joy into your home, build traditions, and create strong bonds with your children.

 

 

Parent-Recommended Games

 

 

For Families with Slightly Older Children (can often be modified):