how do board games help with critical thinking

12 Board Games for Developing Thinking Abilities and Life Skills

Board games can build valuable life skills.

My sister works for—and is part owner of—a company that brings innovative teaching methods from around the world to Panama and licenses them to schools here. One of the programs that she promotes is called the Mind Lab Method. Here’s what the method is about :

“At the heart of the Mind Lab Method is the notion that the most effective way to learn is through an immediate and authentic experience that leaves one wanting more. Game-playing is the perfect example of such an experience – it is entertaining, engaging, and exciting, and therefore stimulates eager involvement. Game-playing also provides fertile ground for the training and application of thinking abilities and life skills.”

Reflective Thinking
Problem Solving
Decision Making
Logical Thinking
Emotional Intelligence
Cooperation
Competition
How to Deal with Mistakes
Deferring Gratification; and so on.

Of course, it’s not just children who can learn from playing board games, but adults as well.

In fact, in my blog post on becoming more resilient , I recommend playing board games as one of the strategies to follow in order to increase your resilience. After all, board games help to develop mental flexibility, and being mentally flexible will help you to bounce back quickly when adversity strikes.

I sat down and did some research in order to determine which board games would be helpful in developing thinking abilities and life skills, and here are the 12 that I came up with:

By playing Settler of Catan, you learn all of the following:

Resource management — Players have to choose how to best allocate the resources that they acquire.
Negotiation — Rarely can a player win a game of Settlers of Catan without negotiating with other players in order to trade for the resources that they need. Of course, many different aspects will impact the negotiations — the current value of each of the resources; you may not want to trade with someone if that ensures their victory, even if they have something you need; you may not want to trade with someone if they refused to trade with you when you needed a particular resource; and so on.
Analysis of the current environment and how that impacts your chances of winning the game — How have the other players established their settlements? What resources have lost value because they’re no longer needed? What resources have risen in demand? Given the current situation, are there certain resources you’ll want to hoard?

Playing chess promotes brain growth–specifically, it fuels dendrite growth–, and it exercises both sides of the brain. In addition, playing chess can increase IQ. A study conducted in Venezuela involving 4,000 students found that 4 months of chess instruction increased the students’ IQ scores.

In addition, chess teaches a plethora of valuable skills, including the following:

It teaches focus and concentration – In order to play chess well you have to focus completely on the board that’s in front of you. As you constantly visualize the board, its pieces, your moves, and your opponent’s possible counter-moves, your power of concentration grows.
It teaches planning and foresight – Chess teaches foresight by having to plan ahead.
It improves logical thinking – When you’re playing chess, you have to keep saying the following to yourself: “If I do this, then my opponent is likely to do that.” That’s logical thinking in action.

Here’s a quote from Benjamin Franklin about learning from chess: “We learn from chess the greatest maxim in life – that even when everything seems to be going badly for us we should not lose heart, but always hoping for a change for the better, steadfastly continue searching for the solutions to our problems.”

This game teaches all of the following:

It teaches you the difference between assets and liabilities.
It teaches you how to maintain a basic Income Statement so that you can get a clear picture of your cash-flow situation.
It teaches you how to create a balance sheet.
It teaches you basic cash management — how to budget and allocate your cash.
It teaches you how to evaluate financial opportunities to determine whether they’re good or bad deals.
It teaches you how to make money by purchasing real estate, businesses, shares and mutual funds.

That’s when Andrew decided to create a game that would replicate the way we learn our first language. He wanted to make learning languages easier, and fun. And that’s how Kloo was born. When Andrew tested his game he discovered that both kids and adults learn an average of 20 to 30 words in their target foreign language per game. And without even realizing it!

Kloo games are available to learn Spanish, French, Italian, and English. Here’s their suite of products (they have card games and board games):

KLOO’s Learn to Speak French Language Card Games Pack 1
KLOO’s Learn to Speak French Language Card Games Pack 2
KLOO’s Learn to Speak French Language Board Game – Race to Paris
KLOO’s Learn to Speak Spanish Language Card Games Pack 1
KLOO’s Learn to Speak Spanish Language Card Games Pack 2
KLOO’s Learn to Speak Spanish Language Board Game – Race to Madrid
KLOO’s Learn to Speak Italian Language Card Games Pack 1
KLOO’s Learn to Speak Italian Language Card Games Pack 2
KLOO’s Race to London – The Teach English as a Foreign Language Board Game

Here are some of the lessons in dealing with life’s challenges which you can learn from “Chutes and Ladders”:

The fist lesson is that you need to accept that chutes are just a part of the game of life. Even if you plan everything out very carefully, sooner or later you’ll slide down a chute (the chute can be short, medium-sized, or really long). That’s just the way it is.
The second lesson is that you can recover from sliding down a shoot. In fact, sliding down a chute may even be a good thing. After all, when you fall back to the beginning of the game, this gives you another chance to land on the longest ladder on the board, which shoots you right up to the top.
The third lesson is that, just as there are chutes everywhere, there are also ladders everywhere. When you least expect it, a great opportunity can present itself. Keep your eyes open for opportunities.

Mancala has been played for thousands of years in Africa and different parts of the Middle East. There are also versions in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Mancala can teach all of the following:

It teaches observation skills — Players need to distinguish good plays from bad ones.
It teaches how to think analytically – Players must learn to plan and develop strategies.
It teaches problem solving — Whenever there’s a gap between the way things are, and the way you want them to be, you have a problem. At the start of a game of Mancala, the Kahalas are empty, while the players want them to be full. Players have to move their pieces in a way that will allow them to get the greatest number of pieces into their Kahala, while trying to prevent the other player from doing the same.

Phlip E. Orbanes, author of Monopoly, Money, and You: How to Profit from the Game’s Secrets of Success , explains that playing Monopoly teaches the following life lessons:

“To ‘win’ in life, you need to think like a game player. Establish your goals and, before making any decision, ask the following question: Will it bring me closer to my goals, or will it cause me to veer off course?”
“Monopoly teaches the necessity to invest in order to grow your savings. And also to wisely spread your investments (diversification) in the event one choice does not turn out as you anticipated.”
“You must keep enough cash handy to pay for typical setbacks in the game, and in life.”

Set has won over 35 best game awards including MENSA Select.

Playing Set teaches pattern recognition. In turn, the ability to recognize patterns gives us the ability to predict what will happen next with some degree of accuracy. That is, predict what other people are likely to do, how circumstances are likely to play out, and what has a high probability of occurring next in your environment.

There are many people who think that the purpose of intelligence is prediction. After all, the better you are at predicting what will happen in the future, based on patterns that you’ve recognized in the past and in the present, the more likely it is that you’ll succeed in life.

By playing Prime Climb–which can be played by people who are “bad at math” and math whizzes alike–you’ll acquire deeper mathematical understanding. This game will turn everyone in your house into a lover of math.

Unlike most board games, Pandemic is cooperative, rather than competitive. The players, as a team, must coordinate their actions to stop a global pandemic. A game of Pandemic will have all the players discussing strategy and options together on almost every turn. If everyone does their part, the world is saved and all the players win.

As you can clearly see, Pandemic teaches teamwork and cooperation.

Mastermind can be used to teach, practice, and discuss scientific reasoning skills. Specifically, the game can be used to to teach topics such as sound experimental design, hypothesis-testing, careful interpretation of results, and the effective use of controls.

Playing Clue teaches deductive reasoning, which encourages critical thinking. As players move about the board making guesses as to where, who and what did the killing, they have to use deductive reasoning to narrow down the list of suspects, the possible murder locations, and the possible weapons.

Clue has been used to teach propositional logic and computer programming to college students.

Board games are fun, and they’re a great way to spend quality time with friends and family. However, board games can also teach us thinking skills, as well as life skills. Live your best life by playing board games–you can start by playing the 12 games described above.

What have you learned by playing board games? Please share on Twitter (I’m @Marelisa ).

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Unlocking Fun: How Board Games Boost Your Brainpower and Creativity

Post category: Board Games / Brain Games
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Board games have been enjoyed by people for centuries , with the earliest known examples dating back over 5,000 years to ancient civilizations like the Mesopotamians and Egyptians.

Board games have stood the test of time and continue to bring joy to millions of people around the world. Actually, they do much more than just provide entertainment. Board games have a remarkable effect on our mental well-being, cognitive abilities, and social interactions.

how do board games help with critical thinking

The term board games usually refers to tabletop games that typically involve players moving game pieces or tokens on a board, following a set of rules. Board games come in various shapes , sizes, and themes, offering a wide range of experiences for players of all ages and interests.

While traditional board games like Chess * , Checkers * , Backgammon * , Mancala * , Mahjong * , Go * , and Senet * have been played for generations and are deeply rooted in various cultures, the introduction of modern games, in a few last decades, has taken the genre to new height.

Modern games brought a wave of fresh ideas, innovative mechanics, and a broader range of experiences. Thanks to accessible rules, diverse themes, and engaging gameplay board games can now be enjoyed by a much wider audience.

So what gives board games their brain boosting superpowers?

Board Games May Enhance Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is essential in our daily lives. It guides us to make informed choices and successfully navigate through a variety of situations.

We use critical thinking to solve household problems, to plan trips, when choosing to buy new gadgets, and in almost any other daily routine.

Critical thinking is analyzing situations, it is considering multiple perspectives, and finally making informed decisions.

Board games are fantastic tools for enhancing critical thinking skills.

Board games challenge us to analyze multiple options and predict the possible outcomes of our decisions.
Evaluate the pros and cons of every move.
Consider how other players may react to our moves.

Critical thinking includes several aspects and playing different types of games can enhance each of these separately.

1. Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking is a cognitive skill that involves the ability to envision, plan for the future, and execute long-term goals. Playing strategic games is an excellent way to enhance strategic thinking skills. Those games provide opportunities to practice analyzing and making sense of complex situations.

Abstract games, such as Chess or Go, focus on pure strategy and logical thinking. They strip away unnecessary elements so you can dive deep into pattern recognition and planning your moves. When you play these games, you'll get better at thinking ahead, anticipating your opponent's future moves, and creating long-term plans.

Modern strategy games, such as Settlers of Catan * or Ticket to Ride * , balance between deep strategy and immersive gameplay. Players explore different themes and gameplay mechanics while adjusting strategies based on evolving game conditions.

2. Problem Solving

Many board games provide opportunities to exercise problem-solving skills. They challenge players to think critically and break down complex problems into little manageable parts.

There are wide range of problem solving games:

Collaborative games like Pandemic * or Forbidden Island * require effective team work and decision making to overcome challenges. Those games promote collaborative problem solving skill.

Games like Codenames * or Dixit * incorporate problem-solving through decoding clues and making associations. Which is solving problems by deductive and inductive reasoning.

3. Deductive Reasoning

Deductive reasoning , which is drawing conclusions based on known facts is a type of logical thinking we use in everyday life. It is utilized in simple tasks like creating a grocery list or deciding what to wear every morning. Later, if developed properly it can help us make important financial investments, prove scientific theorems or build logical arguments as lawyers.

Games like Clue * or Codenames require the player to reveal hidden information by eliminating different possibilities.

Playing those games helps sharpen deductive reasoning.

4. Critical Analysis

Critical analysis refers specifically to the process of examining information. It is all about breaking down complex ideas and forming well-reasoned judgments. While strategic thinking focuses on developing plans to achieve specific goals, critical analysis is about examining the assumptions for those choices.

Some board games, such as Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective * or Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game * , encourage critical analysis as players must carefully examine clues, piece together information, and draw logical conclusions to solve mysteries.

Board Games are a Fun and Engaging Platform for Memory Improvement

Almost any board game will require the players to remember rules, strategies, and moves. That is a great memory exercise.

Each time we play our memory is challenged. Regularly engaging in gameplay can boost memory retention and our recall abilities.

Most board games are good for memory but games that are specifically designed to focus on memory are great for it. Flipping pairs of tiles is probably the most familiar type of memory game. There are plenty of those in different themes.

However, game design has gone further than that. Modern games embraced the concept of memory challenges and transformed them into a much more engaging experience. Some memory games focus on remembering sequences.

Distraction

In this games players play cards one after other trying to remember the entire sequence. Once in a while a distraction card comes into the pile and the player who gets it needs to recall the entire sequence after answering an irrelevant question. If the player was not successful he takes the whole pile of cards. First player who runs out of cards is the winner.

Board Games Can Help Improve Focus, Attention Span, and Concentration

Board games require players to stay engaged and pay attention to details to not harm their chances of winning. Almost all board games require concentration.

Strategy games present players with different choices. Analyzing those choices and their potential consequences while adapting to constant changes requires sustained attention and focus.

There are also games that their main objective is to exercise visual perception, quick thinking and attention to details:

Spot It! Classic Card Game | Game for Kids | Age 6+ | 2 to 8 Players | Average Playtime 15 Minutes | Purple and Yellow Packaging | Made by Zygomatic

Playing Board Games May Reduce Stress

Playing board games offers a break from daily routine and a much needed escape from responsibilities and worries . Most board games offer a captivating gameplay that fully absorb the players into the game. That alone provides relaxation and often satisfaction.

One of the many positive aspects of playing board games is the social interaction that comes with them. Social interactions stimulates the release of oxytocin, a hormone which is connected to feelings of bonding, trust, and stress reduction .

A board game is an opportunity to spend quality time with family, friends or people sharing the same hobby. Spending time in a supportive and enjoyable environment can reduce loneliness and have a mood boosting effect.

Board Games May Stimulate Creativity and Imagination

Board games can have a big impact on on stimulating creativity and imagination. When playing a board game players are taken into a new exciting world where they are expected to solve imaginative challenges.

Many of the modern board games feature beautiful artwork that contributes to inspiring players imagination. They force players to visualize worlds and often imagine situations beyond the game itself.

Playing board games often requires thinking outside the box since many games include different puzzles that may require innovative approach to solve them.

Some board games integrate elements role-playing into the games. In those type of games players have the opportunity to take control over certain characters, make decisions for them and actively affect the story line of the entire game.

Some board games are all about story telling. In those games players get some kind of images or clues which they should incorporate into the story they create.

Board Games Have Learning and Educational Value

Board games are much more than just entertainment. As the time passes more and more individuals as well as educational facilities recognize the educational and learning benefits of board games.

Board games can promote learning in a unique and interactive way. Besides enhancing logical reasoning, analytical skills, and ability to think critically, board games promote learning in specific subject areas. There are games that focus on math, language, science, history, geography, astronomy and various other disciplines.

Examples of board games with an extra learning values on different subjects:

cashflow, teaches financial strategies and accounting principles.

Rich Dad CASHFLOW Educational Board Game, Learn Investing, Real Estate, Stocks, and Business Building for Family Financial Literacy, 2020 Design

Trekking Through History

Teaches about historical events .

Point Salad

Teaches math.

Trekking the World

Teaches geography.

Teaches Vocabulary, Math, and Critical Thinking

Scrabble Board Game, Word Game for Kids Ages 8 and Up, Fun Family Game for 2-4 Players, The Classic Crossword Game

Teaches about Cell Biology

Cytosis: A Cell Biology Board Game | A Science Accurate Strategy Board Game About Building Proteins, Carbohydrates, Enzymes, Organelles, & Membranes | Fun Science Games for Adults & Family Game Night

Board Games Provide a Screen-Free Alternative

Screens and all sort of digital devices dominate most of our lives. Excessive screen time can lead to mental fatigue and overstimulation. Breaks from screens allow the brain to rest and recharge. That contributes to better cognitive functioning and over all well being.

Board games provide a valuable screen free time with meaningful face to face interaction instead. Socialization, communication and sense of togetherness is what board games bring to the table besides the entertainment aspect that obviously comes with them.

Playing Board Games May Reduce the Risk of Age-related Cognitive Decline

Challenging our mind and keeping it active can slow down cognitive decline as we age. Playing board games is an enjoyable way to keep our brain active and stimulated. They stimulate various areas of the brain. Involve problem-solving, critical thinking, decision-making and more. Engaging in these thinking processes contribute to maintaining cognitive function and memory.

Social interactions are part of any board game and are especially important for seniors. Engaging in social activities with family or friends can boost mood, and may reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Board games can have an extraordinary impact on our brains and overall well-being. Board games offer an enjoyable way to exercise our cognitive abilities, stimulate our creativity, and build meaningful connections with others.

The benefits from playing board games can vary depending on the game itself and the individuals playing it. It's important to choose games that align with the interests and the goals of the players to maximize the positive effects those can have on their brain. If a person enjoys playing a game he is more likely to engage in it and that game time will result in greater cognitive reward.

Next time you play a board game, remember that is it not just a fun activity but also a brain workout that is necessary for your overall health and happiness. Happy gaming!

If you liked our article, please share it and use the comment section below to tell us about your experiences or ask any questions. Thank You!

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The Psychology of Board Games: Understanding the Social and Cognitive Benefits

by Katie Brenneman | Sep 29, 2023 | Mental Health

Image by Gian-Luca Riner on Unsplash

There’s nothing better than the post-session buzz that follows an evening rolling d20s, checking character sheets, and solving puzzles with your friends or family. Everyone who plays board games innately understands the value of getting together for an evening of mystery, adventure, and dice-driven storytelling.

However, the psychology that underlies your favorite board games is worth exploring, too. Popular board games, like Dungeons and Dragons (DnD), Pathfinder, and Dwellings of Eldervale bring serious social and cognitive benefits to players.

Whether you’re role-playing a new character or working together to beat a group game like Pandemic, you’re almost certain to sharpen your critical thinking abilities , improve your social skills, and enhance your ability to work as part of a wider team.

Stress Relief

If you’re an experienced board game player, you may not think of your time at the table as a “stress reliever”. Battling Shadow Dragons and spreading your influence in classic titles like Catan can be authentically stressful. You’ll spend weeks, months, or even years working through the game, and your heart will be pounding when you finally get a chance to throw down against Vecna or takedown Strahd.

But, while you’re stressing about dice rolls and character sheets, you aren’t thinking about life’s long-term challenges. You can’t think about bills or taxes when you’re halfway through a deadly encounter and you shouldn’t be worrying about work when it’s your turn to take an attack action in a game like Gloomhaven.

You don’t have to play a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) to benefit from the stress relief of gaming with friends, either. Even jigsaw puzzles are stress-relievers , as you can easily get lost in a 1,000-piece puzzle for the entire evening. There’s something for everyone in the puzzle world too. You can tune out the world while putting together your favorite works of art, or you can get lost in a puzzle game like Nova Luna for several evenings in a row.

Critical Thinking

Playing a TTRPG with friends can help you shake off the chronic stress you are under and bond around a shared love for dragons, dwarves, and all things related to board games. However, most board games don’t allow you to sit in as a passive viewer. Instead, you have to get invested and start thinking critically if you want to “beat” the game or solve the puzzles.

The critical thinking inherent in board games makes them a great option for teachers who are looking to build engagement in their classrooms. Using games in classrooms is a great way to build intrigue and get student’s out of their comfort zone.

Students who roll dice together in games like Dungeons and Dragons have to consider the impact of their actions and can get to know the subject on a deeper level when exploring the materials through the prism of TTRPGs.

For example, an economics professor can build a campaign around the idea of building empires to explain macroeconomic factors like exchange rates, inflation, and economic output. Exploring these topics in an imaginary world makes them “real” and gives students a hands-on appreciation for the content they are learning. This improves their ability to use their knowledge to think critically while working with others.

Learning to Co-Op

For decades, the board game industry was dominated by classic, player vs player, titles like Scrabble, Chess, and Risk. While these board games are easy to understand, there’s a reason why they spend most of the year gathering dust until that one uncle who loves Monopoly comes to visit.

Co-operative board games, however, can fuel a weekly gaming group for years — if not decades. Understanding why, exactly, a gaming group keeps coming back to explore imaginary realms and battle with iconic villains is all but impossible. However, the answer may lie somewhere in the power of collaborative storytelling.

Games that facilitate cooperation allow you to practice your social skills in a low-stakes environment. There are no real-world consequences when your character rolls poorly or makes a mistake in an encounter with a “Big Bad Evil Guy” (BBEG). However, you do get a chance to play off one another and make it through the challenge together.

As a player in a TTRPG like Pathfinder, you also learn to platform other players and embolden their unique character arcs or personality traits. Game Masters (GMs) usually reward this kind of collaborative storytelling with “hero points” that give players a small boost the next time they want to push their luck or cheat death. This creates a positive feedback loop, in which you realize your goal is to have fun together, rather than “beat” each other.

Just getting up to speed with the rules and conventions of popular board games like Mice and Mystics will test your memory. Every board game comes with a learning curve, and it’s not uncommon to be reaching for the rule book every time a new scenario occurs in the game.

However, a game’s ruleset doesn’t have to be complicated in order to improve your memory and fight off cognitive decline. Even simple word games can improve your memory , as group games like Scrabble and Bananagrams have been shown to boost memory, cognitive function, and concentration.

Of course, you can cheat the system by taking the Keen Mind feat in DnD 5e. However, you’ll still have to push your memory while figuring out why, exactly, the town’s guard has gone missing while a dragon looms large in the surrounding mountains.

Many of the folks who come to board games lack confidence in the real world. Nerd culture is almost exclusively made by those of us who’d rather escape to fantastical fantasy realms rather than tackle the issues we face in the real world.

However, TTRPG board games like The Call of Cthulhu and the recently released Candela Obscura are designed to help you come out of your shell and build confidence in yourself. This may sound like a stretch, but Jane McGonigal, Ph.D . — game designer and Director of Game Research and Development at the Institute for the Future — explains that games can build authentic confidence that will serve you well in IRL encounters, too.

McGonigal explains that games help “build confidence in your ability to get better.” In time, this improves your ability to deal “with systems that are frustrating” and adapt to the challenges presented to you.

Even classics like Clue can help you build confidence and practice social interactions in a safe space. You get to put on your detective hat, ignore the pressures of the real world, and work with your friends to find out “who done it”.

If you’re a little nervous about hosting a board game night, consider pairing it with an outdoor dinner party. An outdoor dinner party is the perfect venue for a one-shot game of Dread or Terraforming Mars, as people will at least leave with a full stomach even if they don’t enjoy the game. However, before you invite your family and friends over, prepare for an outdoor dinner party by:

Informing Your Guests: No one wants to show up to a surprise board game night. Instead, tell your guests what you have planned and let them decide if it sounds like their idea of fun.
Organizing Your Space: Use accessories, decor, and lighting to build the gaming atmosphere you want. For example, if you’re planning a one-shot campaign deep within the DnD Faerun, consider hanging some fairy lights to build the perfect ambiance.
Using Disposable Dinnerware: You don’t want to spend the whole evening washing dishes and cleaning up. Instead, go for some themed, recyclable dinnerware to make the evening that much easier.
Checking the Weather: Nothing will ruin a game of Mistfall like a sudden downpour. Minis will go missing, cards will be ruined, and your PCs will get drenched. Check the weather and install some temporary cover if you’re concerned about a storm rolling in.

A dinner party can be the perfect introduction to the world of board games. It takes some pressure off you, the GM, and helps you focus on the most important element of running a good game: ensuring that your players are having fun.

Storytelling

Have you ever spent an evening with a natural storyteller? The type of person that has a humorous anecdote for every occasion and seamlessly brings everyone into the fold? Well, believe it or not, storytelling is actually a social skill that can be learned with time and practice.

Running a TTRPG like Pathfinder, DnD, or Starfinder is a great way to hone your social abilities and learn the skills associated with storytelling. As a GM, you’ll quickly learn that the best way to tell a great story is to engage your players and the innate interests they have. If, for example, you have a player that wants to be a knight, then you should probably weave some form of knight-like challenge (e.g. Slay the dragon! Ride in the joust! Save the village!).

Connecting with your players through storytelling isn’t just a hallmark of good GMing — it’s powerful on a psychological level, too. Stories are collaborative and hinge on connection ; when you challenge a character’s stereotypes and worldviews in the game, there’s a chance you’ll get through to the real person behind the PC, too. This can make us all better citizens and help your players rewire their brains to overcome unconscious biases and prejudices that they didn’t even know they had.

Conclusion

Board games can boost your social skills and help you destress after a busy day at work. Simple games, like chess, jigsaws, and Risk are perfect ways to engage your brain without having to stress about social encounters and real-world issues. You can even use TTRPG systems like DnD and Pathfinder to build your confidence, improve your critical thinking skills, and form friendships that last a lifetime.

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Developing Thinking Skills Through Board Games

Despite the millions of apps and video games that invade our everyday lives, board games (also known as tabletop games) are making a comeback to the family table. If what comes to mind when you hear the phrase family board games is Monopoly or Scrabble , then think again, there are now a myriad of themes with enticing illustrations and complex mechanics to spice up your tabletop gaming experience. This new generation of games offers parents opportunities to bond with their children and reclaim time away from screens whilst building key 21 st century thinking skills in an entertaining way.

Board games offer multiple ways to develop a number of thinking skills . For example, problem solving , logical thinking and decision making are developed through:

planning within a restrictive amount of choice
management and prioritising of limited resources
thinking ahead of the current turn
predicting what others may do
evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of different moves
staying ahead while remembering and adhering to the rules of the game
flexibility in playing the same game differently each time.

Another important benefit derived from playing board games is the unique opportunity that they offer to process sets of information simultaneously . This creates regular practice in working memory and information processing . These cognitive skills have been shown to play a crucial role in academic performance as well as in the everyday life of all adults. They involve being able to remember key facts about the issue at hand, while mentally comparing and contrasting options or propositions, then organising or prioritising these key facts to produce a response, which may be verbal or by means of a chosen behaviour or action. The more variables the child can manipulate at once, the higher the probability that they will choose an optimal resolution.

Some introductory games that could be used by your family to develop these skills, include:

Alhambra – Create your own Alhambra complex, buying gardens, pavilions and other structures, while building the longest garden wall. The more of each structure you have compared to other players, the more points you get, and if you are efficient with the use of your money, you get rewarded with another turn.
Azul – Compete to get tiles from suppliers for your Portuguese mosaic grid. The order in which you complete it will determine your points, but wasted supplies will cost you, and you can’t repeat a pattern within a column or row. For an added level of complexity see Azul: Summer Pavilion .
Carcassonne, like Catan, has been around for a long time, but their simple rules make them good entry games for all ages. In Carcassonne, tiles are placed to create the board, and the player has to decide whether and which choice of worker to place; some will get you points for the tiles around it or the longest farm area. In Catan the player creates their own settlement, building houses and roads, for which resource cards (wood, grain, brick, sheep and stone) are needed.
Sagrada – Each player builds a stained-glass window by building up a grid of dice on their player board. Each board has some restrictions on which colour and die value can be placed, with same colour or value not being allowed next to each other. Special cards allow a player to break a rule, and individual goal cards give additional points for those who achieve them.
One Night Ultimate Werewolf – This is a fast-paced game of deceit, where the town people need to catch the werewolf. With each player having a hidden role, trying to discover who is the werewolf or trying to conceal that you are, takes wit and quick thinking.
7 Wonders – As the leader of one of the 7 great cities of the Ancient World, you need to gather basic resources to develop commercial routes and affirm military supremacy. A set of cards is dealt in each of the three rounds, the player takes one and passes the rest to an adjacent player. Then, players play their one card simultaneously, paying or taking resources to place them. This is repeated until all cards have been used. After each of the three rounds, players get points for their buildings and military strength as compared to immediate neighbours.
Between Cities – You work with the player on your left to design the heart of one city (playing a factory, shop, park, landmark or house), and with the player on your right to design the heart of another city. On each turn you select two tiles from a hand, reveal them, then work with your partners separately to place one of those tiles into each of your two cities before passing the remaining hand of tiles around the table. The tricky bit is that the winner is the player whose lowest scoring city has the higher score!
The Quacks of Quedlinburg – Be a quack doctor creating secret brews. Each player has a bag of ingredients chips and, during each round, they simultaneously draw chips to place in their pot. The higher the value of the chip, the further it can be placed and the more coins received for ingredients. However, if you push your luck and get too many cherry bombs, your pot will explode.

Other skills can also be developed through board games; for example, some games train social skills like theory of mind , as players learn to predict how others will react or have to consider another player’s interpretation of a given picture (e.g. Dixit, Mysterium or Codenames ). In other games, the whole family play as a team, developing team-working skills, effective communication and collaborative problem solving , as players present and discuss their ideas for best movement for the whole team (e.g. Forbidden Desert, Subterra, or Pandemic ). Yet other games are highly creative , they require players to imagine unique scenarios, characters or weapons and develop flexibility , as each game requires a novel way of thinking and making points (e.g. Dungeons & Dragons, D&D ; or Mice and Mystics ).

Card games often have easier instructions to follow and can be used to play when short of time, going on holiday (they are small and easy to pack) or when you want to start introducing these skills for the very first time. Some games include: Hanabi (a cooperative game where you can see everyone’s cards but yours!); For Sale (get into real estate by bidding for buildings to later sell at the best profit); Splendor (become a Renaissance merchant and collect gems to buy mines, factories and shops, if you get rich enough, a noble visitor will bring extra points); Love Letter (a game of deduction where you have to secretly deliver your letter to the princess while deflecting those of others); Bohnanza (earn money by planting fields of sets of beans and harvesting them. You will need to trade and make deals with your opponents to win the game, as you can’t rearrange your hand of cards and you only have a few fields); and Century: Spice Road (players are caravan leaders who travel the silk road to deliver spices to the far reaches of the continent for fame and glory).

Some games are highly thematic and immerse you in a theme of choice. These include Wingspan (create a beautifully illustrated bird wildlife reserve); Viticulture (wine making at its best); Photosynthesis (plant trees in the best spots to collect sunshine and create shadows to slow down your opponents); Takenoko (tend a bamboo garden for the royal panda by cultivating and irrigating a colourful garden); Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective (no board, this time a Victorian London map, newspaper cuttings, and interviews with suspects will have to be enough for you to solve the crime); and Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle (a cooperative game set on JK Rowling’s wizardry world).

Board games can also be used with a subject-centred approach to increase your child’s ability and knowledge of numeracy (e.g. Times Square , Prime Climb ); vocabulary ( Taboo Kids vs Parents , Scattergories ); creative writing ( It’s Just a Theory, Snake Oil ); science ( Cytosis, Evolution ); coding ( RoboRally, CodingFarmers ); and the humanities ( Planet, Ticket to Ride, Nippon Rails, Medici , Teotihuacan, The Downfall of Pompeii, History of the World, Wars of the Roses: Lancaster vs. York, Battle of Britain ); and art ( Bruxelles 1893 , Tokaido , Kanagawa, The Gallerist ). Because young people are having fun, they learn faster and are willing to engage in the many repetitions that will allow information to stick. However, testing your child or forcing them to play a game would be counterproductive. For more games in these areas here are some of our favourite lists about maths, coding, science or history games:

https://thejohnfox.com/2017/01/15-boardgames-help-writers/
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/board-games-to-learn-english/
https://blog.mindresearch.org/blog/big-list-mathematical-board-games
https://www.codemom.ai/coding-board-games-for-kids/
https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/206920/favourite-accurate-science-games .

If you are not used to playing board games as a family, start with card games or games that involve nonverbal skills , such as Tsuro, Ingenious, Set Game, Swish, Qwirkle, Patchwork, Doodle Quest, Blokus or Tangoes. Some of these (e.g. Set, Swish ) have junior versions to include a very young member of the family. You should be prepared to scaffold* young children, however, and they may need to first play the game with everyone’s hand open to view by all players. Parents and older siblings can help by verbalising their thinking process in order to model for the younger members of the family how to go about considering options and alternative moves. Another helpful tip to support younger children is to give older players a handicap. Depending on the game this could be, for example, getting fewer cards or actions, or allowing the younger player to take more actions. If the child is very young, three years old or so, there are games designed just for them. These are basic and won’t keep them entertained for long but could help them engage with the first steps of playing a board game (e.g. Little Orchard and Outfoxed , for a longer list see https://boardgamegeek.com/childrensgames/browse/boardgame ).

For those who have children who hate losing, cooperative games can ease the frustration of losing against another player while simultaneously providing opportunities for the adults in the house to model a good sports attitude when losing in a game. Be aware that some people can take over cooperative games, repeatedly deciding moves for the whole team. To avoid this, allow each player to propose an idea to the active player, but leave it to the player taking the turn to decide the move, even if this means losing the game!

An excellent resource to accompany your gaming experience is the website Board Game Geek ( https://boardgamegeek.com/ ), where you can find complete details about any game, such as recommended by age; by members and manufacturer; ranking among all members; best number of players to play a game; print outs of rules in case you lose or damage yours; gaming aids (like action options or round stages); alternative instructions (for example, a cooperative way to play Carcassonne ); written and video reviews, ‘how to play’ videos and even full playthroughs. You can also keep track of your own collection there and, for adults, there is a forum to connect with the board game community. You can also look up your local Board Game Café and Tabletop group online, many of which are open to families.

If after reading this you are now thinking of throwing your traditional board games away, don’t! To name just a few: Scrabble builds vocabulary and teaches about spelling, Monopoly is great to teach children how to count money if they are allowed to be the bank, Uno has very simple rules that young children can learn and still be enjoyed by the whole family, and Yahtzee teaches about addition and decision making. So, even if you only have these in the house, it is still well worth getting the board out!

*Scaffolding is an education technique which enhances, encourages, and enables learning by starting with specific instructions, then gradually reducing support and using more open-ended questioning as prompts.

About the author: Andrea Anguera is the Potential Plus UK Senior Assessor and holds an MSc in the Psychology of Education and Child Development. She is the mother of two children with high learning potential.

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Board Games Build Critical Thinking Skills

Build Critical Thinking Skills During Family Game Night

Critical thinking strategies are some of the tools we teach students here at TFALC to improve executive function skills . These strategies help with problem-solving, organization, and self-reflection.

Playing board games gives children the opportunity to apply critical thinking strategies and see a direct benefit. You can make the most of family game nights by modeling some of your own thinking out loud and asking your kids about their decisions in the game . Here are some of the critical thinking strategies you might use playing board games!

Before Starting a Game

Brainstorm what board game to play. If you don’t have the time for everyone’s favorites, encourage flexibility and suggest saving some favorites for the next game night or trying out a new game instead. When learning a new game, help your kids read the directions and say them in their own words or demonstrate how to read and paraphrase directions.

Before Making a Move

As you start playing, consider which details are the most important and comment on paying attention to these details . If it’s a strategy game, remind your kids to stop and plan before making a decision. You can also say what you’re thinking as you stop and plan your own move. You might brainstorm potential consequences of your choice or talk about finding patterns in the game. For memory games, you can model how to form chunks by sorting objects into groups or splitting large items into smaller pieces. You can also suggest visualizing to remember key information.

After Making a Move

Reflect on your decision as you see the results begin to take shape. You can ask your kids why they made a move or what they think is going to happen next. Board games activate connections in players’ brains to help them learn, and reflection can help them learn how to problem-solve using critical thinking strategies.

There are many ways we can incorporate critical thinking strategies into daily routines. Click here to read a blog post with more ideas about how to reinforce strategies at home.

If your child would benefit from further developing his/her critical thinking skills, contact The Family & Learning Center today to learn how we can help!

The Family & Learning Center provides a unique type of tutorial intervention called Educational Coaching. All of our sessions are one-on-one and focus on teaching the student how to learn.

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Playing board games can support 'sharper thinking and memory skills' in later life

People who regularly played board games showed better memory, problem solving, thinking speed and general thinking ability.

People who play board games and cards are more likely to stay mentally sharp in later life, according to a new study.

Psychologists at the University of Edinburgh tested more than 1,000 people aged 70 for memory, problem solving, thinking speed and general thinking ability. Those who regularly played non-digital games scored better on memory and thinking tests .

Results also suggested those who increased game-playing during their 70s were more likely to maintain certain thinking skills as they grew older.

The university’s Dr Drew Altschul said: “These latest findings add to evidence that being more engaged in activities during the life course might be associated with better thinking skills in later life.

"For those in their 70s or beyond, another message seems to be that playing non-digital games may be a positive behaviour in terms of reducing cognitive decline.”

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10 Board Games to Stimulate Logical and Mathematical Thinking

Dec 20, 2023 | Education | 0 comments

As the holiday season approaches, and we anticipate spending many hours at home with family and friends, one of the best ways to have fun is by playing board games together. Board games not only provide entertainment but also serve as a valuable tool for developing cognitive skills, such as logical and mathematical thinking . These games present strategic challenges, force us to solve complex problems, and even demand mental calculations. This week, we suggest 10 board games that, besides being enjoyable, stimulate logical and mathematical thinking, helping keep your mind active.

Chess is an ancient strategy game that challenges the mind and promotes logical and mathematical thinking. Players must anticipate moves, plan strategies, and foresee the consequences of each move. The ability to calculate multiple moves ahead and evaluate possible opponent responses enhances analytical and problem-solving skills. Chess also stimulates mathematical skills, requiring the use of numerical concepts such as counting moves, evaluating patterns, and calculating positions. It’s a great option for two-player moments or even organizing a family tournament.

Catan is a strategic board game that demands good resource management and intelligent decision-making. Players must negotiate, trade, and build settlements while competing for control of lands. Probability calculation and strategic evaluation of actions are crucial elements for advancing in the game. Catan encourages long-term planning, strategic thinking, and the ability to adapt to changing situations.

Sudoku is a numerical puzzle that challenges logic and deductive reasoning. By completing a 9×9 grid with numbers 1 to 9 without repetition in rows, columns, and subgroups, it stimulates the ability to identify patterns, apply rules, and solve complex problems. It’s an individual game that promotes concentration, memory, and numerical understanding, contributing to the development of logical and mathematical thinking.

4. Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride is a game based on the strategic construction of railway routes. Players must plan and execute optimal routes while collecting train cards and connecting cities. Evaluating options, decision-making, and point calculation are fundamental aspects for success in this game. The need to manage resources and optimize strategies fosters logical thinking and basic mathematical skills, such as mental calculation and estimation.

5. Dominion

Dominion is a deck-building game where players compete to accumulate the most points. Strategy and resource optimization are essential to acquire cards and build an effective deck. Careful decision-making and evaluating available cards require analytical and strategic planning skills. Additionally, this game involves calculations to maximize moves and adapt to opponents’ strategies.

Qwirkle is a game that challenges logic and pattern recognition through the placement of pieces with different shapes and colors to achieve the highest score. Players must identify and create logical sequences based on similar colors or shapes. This game promotes spatial reasoning, strategic planning, and the ability to identify and apply patterns—crucial skills in logical and mathematical thinking.

7. Rummikub

The classic Rummikub is a strategy game based on forming numerical groups and sequences with numbered tiles. Players must use logical reasoning to get rid of their tiles while planning and adapting their strategy throughout the game. This game encourages quick mental calculations, pattern identification, and the ability to make numerical combinations.

8. Pandemic

Pandemic is a cooperative game where players take on roles to stop global disease outbreaks. Collaboration, strategic planning, and resource management are vital for success. This game stimulates logical thinking by requiring the identification of patterns in the progression of diseases and decision-making to counteract them. It also involves calculations related to resource management and probabilities.

9. Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a tile-placement game where players build medieval landscapes. Strategy to expand territories and decision-making on where to place tiles are essential aspects of the game. It requires spatial skills to evaluate the board layout and foresee future moves. This game promotes strategic thinking, planning, and point calculation.

Finally, we can’t forget another classic board game. Risk is a global conquest game where players aim to dominate the world. Strategy, decision-making, and risk assessment are crucial for success. Players must calculate probabilities and assess the balance between attacking and defending to achieve victory. Risk stimulates strategic thinking and the ability to evaluate multiple scenarios, improving logical and mathematical thinking skills.

In summary, what all these board games have in common is that they are not only fun but also a valuable tool for the development of logical and mathematical thinking. They require strategic planning, the use of problem-solving skills, and the ability to perform quick mental calculations, among other cognitive abilities. Each game offers the opportunity to strengthen different cognitive skills, and they all allow us to enjoy moments of entertainment, whether individually, in pairs, or with friends and family.

5 Great Board Games to Boost Critical Thinking - Eva Varga

Critical thinking is a very important skill to have for multiple different areas of your life. It will help you at your job, at school, and even in your personal relationships. While there are many different ways to build up your critical thinking skills. One of the most enjoyable and exciting is playing board games.

However, not all board games will boost up your critical thinking skills, despite how fun they might be. So which board games are good for developing critical thinking skills? Without any further ado, today I share 5 great board games to boost the critical thinking of everyone from teens to adults.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links through which I will earn a small commission. Reviews are done based on my own opinions of the quality of the products. All opinions are my own.

Dungeons and Dragons

While more of a tabletop game than a board game, Dungeons and Dragons definitely can help improve your critical thinking. It is a game all about crafting your character and working through your own adventure with your friends.

My daughter loves D&D! She explains, “I like being able to experience the fictional words I always dream about, creating unique characters, trying things out, and experiencing the repercussions of my decisions. It’s also fun!”

I think the role playing aspect is large part of the attraction. My daughter really gets into the game when she plays and even uses uniques voices for her characters. She has journals full of character sketches and notes on their abilities.

By rolling dice, the game throws numerous different problems and roadblocks at you, and you will need to decide upon the right action incredibly quickly. The game can help you make the right decision at high speeds, and also helps you think outside the box. It allows for a ton of creativity as well.

The game is easy to get started with as long as you have some friends and a set of dice. Dungeons and Dragons can be made even more exciting by purchasing fun accessories like game mats, dice trays, game master screens, and mini-figures. If you’re in the market for some colorful and unique dice for your Dungeons and Dragons journey, consider checking out D20 collective . I’m partial to the Druidic Dreams color scheme shown here.

Settlers of Catan

Catan is a wildly popular game that is played by tens of millions of people regularly. The game starts you off with a couple of roads and settlements, and you need to build that up to a whole civilization. Using a roll of the dice, you will eventually get the materials required to build your settlement.

The game is incredibly fun and rewarding, but can really test and improve your critical thinking. You need to always be aware of how many resources you have, the best ways to use them and whether there are any trades worth making. You need to come up with a strategy for how you’ll build the best civilization, while also making assumptions about the goals of others.

There are many versions available of Settlers of Catan including expansion sets, card games, and dice games (pictured above) .

Dating back hundreds of years, chess is one of the quintessential board games when you think of critical thinking. The game is played by two people, with the ultimate goal being to take out the opponent’s king piece. Each piece in chess can be moved a certain way and is unique from the other pieces on the board.

There are thousands of different moves that can be made and strategies that can be used. Chess relies a lot on using your mind, applying critical thinking skills. You need to think of the best and most optimal strategy for yourself. Using concentration, logical thinking, and focusing on the potential moves your opponent could make in response to what you do.

While there is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to first playing the game, once you know the rules, it becomes easy. Chess is also great as it can be played by anyone, no matter your age or background.

With a name like Mastermind , you just know that this game will be able to help boost your critical thinking. It is a game about breaking a code where one person creates a code, and the other tries to eventually break it over time. This takes a lot of critical thinking, deductive reasoning and helps to utilize and build up these skills.

There are well over 1,000 different patterns of colored pegs that could be chosen by the code maker, and the codebreaker has to start from nothing and use their critical thinking and reasoning to eventually decipher it. You need to think about not only choosing the right colors, but also eliminating the wrong ones on your journey to breaking the code.

Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride is without a doubt, one of the most exciting games on the market and is also one that challenges you to think critically. The goal of the game is to connect train cars and fill railways across the map, trying to make links between specific places. The game is all about using logic and strategy to successfully build your connections, while also preventing others from doing the same.

Ticket to Ride is one of my family’s favorite games. We actually own three different versions – Asia , Nordic Countries , and Europe (including the expansion, 1912 ). In my post, Board Games & Fun , I share more of our favorites.

Ticket to Ride is a game with very simple rules, but can be played and won in several different ways. Some people might try to fill the largest railways possible to score points. Others will spend their game trying to stifle other people’s plans and focus on building smaller train connections. You have a lot of options and with numerous ways to connect different routes. You are free to play the game how you want.

In conclusion, these board games are great ways to not only have fun, but also boost critical thinking. What are your family’s favorite games?

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Early childhood development takes on a variety of forms from social development to cognitive expansion and beyond. These developmental years are a crucial time in a child’s life, offering the chance to learn new skills and concepts that will be vastly more difficult to grasp at an older age.

Many abstract patterns of thought also develop in the early years which will aid children in learning advanced concepts at a later stage. But how do you expose young minds to informal learning and how do you make a child’s development years count?

Board games offer the perfect solution and should be a non-negotiable in early childhood development. Take a look at all the ways preschool board games can aid learning and help kids become well-rounded learners.

Improves Concentration

In today’s fast-paced and digitized world, kids are growing more impatient and desire instant gratification. Quick video snippets, punchy visuals, and fast-paced gameplay are the norm, dissuading children from taking it slow.

This trend of holding down the FFWD button is not doing wonders for the attention span of children. On average, a 2-year-old only has an attention span of 4-6 minutes, which is eons in toddler years.

Board games give children the chance to improve their concentration skills by keeping them focused on the task at hand without too many distractions. They need to switch off from outside influences and focus on the game at hand. Breaking concentration might just lead to an embarrassing defeat.

Board games also make it easier to concentrate. Vivid colors, interesting characters or storylines, and a range of possible outcomes keep them glued to the board.

With thousands of board games to choose from, it can be hard deciding on which one is best. For those looking for a fast-paced, strategic gaming experience, cribbage is an excellent choice.

The objective of cribbage is to be the first player to score a target number of points, typically 121, by forming card combinations for points through pegging, flushes, runs, pairs, and having cards that total fifteen.

Don’t have access to a board? Numerous online platforms such as Cribbage JD offer virtual cribbage, making it accessible for players around the world to play individually or against opponents.

Playing cribbage demands sustained attention, strategic planning, and a bit of luck, making it a fun, mentally enriching game that will enhance concentration levels.

Early Literacy Skills

There are board games like Bananagrams or Swamp Math that offer straightforward literacy and numeracy learning opportunities, but board games also allow for more abstract skills development.

Many games require kids to count whether it be counting spaces to move game pieces, counting the numbers on a die, or keeping score. Children get familiar with numbers and see how they can use them in real-world applications like money in Monopoly.

Reading is a big part of board games, even if it is a game for young learners who can’t read yet. There are rules to be read, writing on cards or on the board, and many other places where words come into play.

Promotes Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is a skill that simply can’t be taught from a book and preschool board games offer the perfect opportunity to explore this facet of learning. They allow kids to form abstract thoughts and think critically and strategically about even the simplest of tasks.

A game as easy as Connect 4 or Battleships will require kids to think a few steps ahead or form a basic strategy to be crowned the victor. This way of thinking will aid them significantly when learning math and science later in life. Games that require children to combine a few modes of gameplay or steps to complete a round will aid in comprehension too.

Strategic board games teach logical thinking and deductive reasoning games are fun, family-friendly, and excellent extension activities. A quick game of Guess Who? will keep kids thinking and let them have fun at the same time.

Promotes Creativity

Creativity isn’t necessarily a tangible skill like painting or sculpting. Board games help children develop their right brain where creativity is more dominant.

Not only are board games vivid, colorful, and visually appealing, but they also promote abstract thinking. Apples to Apples requires players to compare two seemingly unrelated concepts and original ideas come out on top. Similarly, Dixit sees players compare artistic playing cards with verbal clues.

These kinds of games expose kids to visual masterpieces but also helps them to think out of the box and find creative solutions to problems that present themselves, in the same way, each time.

Best Games for Early Development

These are some of the best preschool board games that touch on a variety of early development skills.

Yeti in my Spaghetti

This silly game is a winner with kids and might even entice parents to join in. It works on fine motor skills as players aim to pull spaghetti from the bowl without dropping in the Yeti. The trick is concentration, steady hands, and a keen eye for strategy. Which spaghetti will keep you safe but perhaps spell doom for the next player?

Kids love playing Zingo but this specially curated board game version is aimed at early childhood development. The game tiles have a variety of pictures and matching site words allowing kids to get familiar with the written form of the images.

Players also need to concentrate and quickly identify the images on their cards as the caller takes them from the card dispenser.

Feed the Woozle

Young players love games that require them to move around a little and few preschool board games do it as well as Feed the Woozle. Players need to also fulfill more than one task at a time like doing a silly dance while they balance a yucky snack card on the spoon to feed to the hungry Woozle.

They quickly learn how to follow instructions and work together with other players to complete the task.

Race to The Treasure

The Ogre in this game isn’t the friendly green swamp treading kind. This ogre wants to beat you to the treasure so players must work together to collect keys and build a path to where x marks the spot.

The trick is that players need to band together and strategize to find the most logical way out of the pickle. Young players will have the chance to make decisions and find solutions and often need to verbalize their strategy and train of thought.

Hi-Ho Cherry-O

This colorful game is for players as young as 3 years old and is an invaluable resource when teaching them to count. Every player is a cherry picker that aims to fill their basket with yummy red cherries before the rest.

Hi-Ho Cherry-O employs basic counting skills and helps with fine motor skills as they pick up small playing pieces and drop them into buckets. Color recognition also comes into play with the colored baskets and spinner.

Continue to: Managing Toddler Behaviour Managing Children's Parties

See also: 13 Essential Skills of a Great Preschool Teacher Supporting Your Child's Development: From Toddler to Teen Top Tips for Surviving the School Holidays

6 Best Board Games for Sharpening Your Strategic Thinking Skills

As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.

Just as a blacksmith hones a blade to razor-sharpness, so too can you sharpen your strategic thinking skills with the right tools—in this case, board games.

You're likely familiar with classics like chess or Monopoly, but the landscape of strategic board games has broadened significantly. From the cooperative crises management in 'Pandemic' to the deceptive dynamics of 'Secret Hitler,' each game on this list offers a unique avenue for honing your decision-making and foresight.

But which among them will best suit your strategic growth? Let's navigate the battleground of options together, uncovering the keys to not just playing, but mastering the art of strategy.

Pandemic Board Game by Z-Man Games

If you're looking to sharpen your strategic thinking skills, the cooperative nature of Pandemic Board Game by Z-Man Games makes it an ideal choice for both families and adults. Designed for 2 to 4 players aged 8 and up, this game challenges you to save the world by finding cures for four threatening diseases.

With an average playtime of 45 minutes, it's perfect for a game night. You'll need to work closely with other players, leveraging each character's unique abilities to prevent outbreaks and eradicate diseases. The game's simple rules can be explained in about ten minutes, ensuring a smooth start to an engaging and strategic experience. It's not just a game; it's a test of teamwork, strategy, and adaptability.

Best For: Families and adults looking for a cooperative and strategic board game experience .

Encourages teamwork and strategic planning through its cooperative gameplay.
Features a low learning curve with simple rules for quick game setup and engagement.
Offers high replayability with varying strategies and character abilities.
Limited to 4 players, which may not accommodate larger groups or parties.

Herd Mentality: The Udderly Hilarious Board Game | Fun for The Whole Family

For families seeking a blend of humor and strategic play, 'Herd Mentality' emerges as an ideal choice, captivating players with its unique blend of social interaction and lighthearted competition. Suitable for 4-20 players and recommended for ages 10 and up, this game involves guessing answers to questions, aiming for the majority to win cows. However, being the odd one out lands you the pink cow of doom, adding a twist to the gameplay. It's easy to learn, quick to play, and the first to reach eight points wins. With rounds lasting 10-20 minutes, it's perfect for family game nights and gatherings, promising enjoyment and hilarious moments. Plus, it's not just fun; it's a strategic game that encourages players to think alike, fostering social bonds and laughter along the way.

Best For: Families and groups looking for a fun, engaging game that promotes social interaction and laughter.

Suitable for a wide range of players (4-20), making it ideal for large gatherings.
Easy to learn and quick to play, with rounds lasting only 10-20 minutes.
Encourages social interaction and getting to know each other through gameplay.
Replayability may decrease over time as players become familiar with the questions.

Goliath The Last Podcast on The Left Strategy Game

Diving into the world of conspiracy theories and mythical creatures, Goliath The Last Podcast on The Left Strategy Game is a perfect fit for strategic thinkers looking for a challenging and engaging board game experience. You'll take on a secret identity, complete missions, capture mythical creatures, and gather followers. With 50 unique missions and 40 beautifully illustrated mythical creatures, the game promises an engaging mix of strategy and conspiracy theory exploration.

Players enjoy its fun, creative elements, and strategic gameplay. Despite some concerns over quality and packaging, the game's detailed design and unique mechanics, including QR codes for exploring popular conspiracy theories, make it a compelling choice for those looking to sharpen their strategic thinking skills.

Best For: Strategy game enthusiasts and fans of The Last Podcast on the Left who enjoy delving into conspiracy theories and mythical creatures.

Engaging mix of strategy and exploration of conspiracy theories.
Includes 50 unique missions and 40 beautifully illustrated mythical creatures, enhancing replayability.
QR codes on cards add an educational element by providing information about popular conspiracy theories.
Some customers have reported receiving damaged or poorly packaged games.

The Grimwood Card Game

Strategic minds seeking a blend of chaos and cunning will find The Grimwood Card Game an ideal choice for testing their skills. Designed for 2-6 players aged 12 and up, this game plunges you into a supernatural forest filled with competitive gameplay and strategic sabotage. With each session lasting about 30 minutes, it's perfect for a quick but engaging gaming experience.

You'll draw cards, steal from opponents, and use supernatural powers to outmaneuver your foes, all while enjoying the beautifully illustrated cards. It's easy to learn, making it accessible for both gaming novices and experts. Plus, its portable size means you can bring the fun of The Grimwood wherever you go.

Best For: Players seeking a mix of strategy and chaos in a fast-paced, engaging card game.

Easy to learn and accessible for gamers of all skill levels.
Portable size makes it perfect for travel and gatherings.
Beautifully illustrated cards enhance the gaming experience.
Some rules may be ambiguous and require clarification or house rules.

Secret Hitler

Secret Hitler often emerges as the go-to board game for those who regularly revel in the art of deception and strategy. It's a fast-paced game filled with deception and betrayal, perfect for 5 to 10 players. You'll appreciate the beautiful wooden components and solid game boards with foil inlay, ensuring a visually appealing experience. With hidden roles and secret envelopes, it demands your detective and lying skills, along with a poker face and critical thinking. It's not just about luck; it's about how well you can deceive and deduce. Suitable for players aged 17 and up, Secret Hitler promises endless entertainment, laughter, and intense gameplay, making it a fantastic choice for game nights with friends or family gatherings.

Best For: Social game enthusiasts and fans of strategic deception aged 17 and up who enjoy intense, interactive gameplay with friends or family.

Fast-paced, engaging gameplay with a captivating theme of deception and strategy.
High-quality, visually appealing components and game boards enhance the playing experience.
Offers deep social interaction, requiring players to utilize their detective and bluffing skills.
Not suitable for those uncomfortable with deception and betrayal themes.

Breaking Games Convert: Strategic Family Board Game for 1-2 Players

If you're seeking a board game that sharpens strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, 'Breaking Games Convert' is an ideal choice for both kids and adults. This strategic, family-friendly game is perfect for 1-2 players aged 6 and up, offering quick, engaging playtime of 10-15 minutes. It cleverly combines elements of Tetris and Connect 4, challenging players with its multi-layered gameplay that demands spatial reasoning, strategic thinking, and problem-solving.

It's fast-paced, keeping everyone engaged and making it a hit for casual players and strategy game enthusiasts alike. Beyond the fun, it's a fantastic way for families to bond, share laughs, and create memorable moments, all while being unplugged from digital distractions. The game's durability, thanks to high-quality wooden blocks, ensures it's a lasting addition to your game night collection.

Best For: Families and individuals seeking a quick and engaging strategy game that blends mental challenge with fun.

Combines strategic thinking with the excitement of quick gameplay, making it suitable for all ages.
Encourages family bonding and disconnects players from digital distractions.
High-quality wooden components ensure durability and longevity.
Limited to 1-2 players, which may not accommodate larger groups or parties.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Board Games for Enhancing Strategic Thinking

When selecting board games to boost your strategic thinking, you must consider several key factors.

It's crucial to match the game's complexity and age appropriateness with the players' skills and interests while also evaluating the learning curve, strategic depth, and replay value.

These considerations ensure you'll find a game that's both challenging and engaging, offering numerous opportunities for skill development.

Game Complexity Levels

Understanding the complexity level of a board game is crucial for selecting one that matches your skill level and enhances your strategic thinking abilities. Game complexity ranges from simple, easy-to-learn options for beginners to highly intricate challenges for the experienced.

Knowing a game's complexity helps you choose the right one, ensuring it aligns with your preferences and skills. Varying levels of complexity offer diverse strategic challenges, catering to different needs. Complex games, with their multitude of rules and deeper decision-making processes, significantly boost your strategic thinking.

It's essential to pick a game with a suitable complexity level to guarantee an enjoyable and engaging experience that promotes the development of your strategic thinking skills.

Age Appropriateness

Choosing the right board game for enhancing strategic thinking skills requires careful consideration of the game's recommended age range to match the players' cognitive abilities and interests. You'll want to pick age-appropriate games with rules and complexity that suit the intended age group.

It's essential to look for games offering challenges and strategic depth right for the players' developmental stage. Ensure the game's content, themes, and mechanics are engaging and accessible for the targeted age range. By selecting board games that promote critical thinking and decision-making skills suitable for the age group, you're not just providing entertainment; you're fostering an environment where strategic thinking can flourish.

This approach guarantees that everyone at the table gets the most out of the game, making learning fun and relevant.

Learning Curve

After considering age appropriateness, it's crucial to evaluate the learning curve of board games to ensure they match players' ability to quickly grasp and enjoy strategic gameplay. A game's learning curve indicates how swiftly you can understand its rules and mechanics.

If a game has a steep learning curve, you'll need more time and effort to play effectively. Conversely, games with a low learning curve let new players dive in without long tutorials. The complexity of the game, the clarity of its rules, and the helpfulness of game guides all affect the learning curve.

Finding a balance between strategic depth and accessibility is essential, so you're both challenged and able to enjoy the game right from the start.

Strategic Depth

Exploring board games with significant strategic depth can dramatically enhance your critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Strategic depth isn't just about the complexity; it's about the layers of decision-making and the need to plan ahead, anticipate your opponents' moves, and adapt to changing circumstances.

When you dive into a game that demands these skills, you're not just playing; you're training your brain to think several steps ahead, to solve problems creatively, and to make tactical decisions on the fly.

Opting for games that provide this depth means you're seeking intellectual challenges and opportunities for strategic growth.

These games aren't just entertaining; they're a rewarding way to build critical skills that apply far beyond the game board.

Replay Value

While strategic depth sharpens your decision-making, considering a game's replay value ensures you're continuously challenged and engaged. Games with high replay value keep the gameplay experience fresh and varied over time.

You'll find that the most replayable games offer different outcomes with each play, keeping you on your toes and eager to come back for more. These games often feature multiple paths to victory, varied strategies, and elements of unpredictability that require adapting your tactics.

Factors like dynamic player interactions, changing setups, and evolving objectives significantly contribute to a game's replayability. This variety not only maintains your interest but also enables you to explore new strategies and test your decision-making skills in constantly evolving conditions, making each game session a unique challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do these board games adapt their gameplay for players with different learning styles or abilities.

You're wondering how board games cater to various learning styles and abilities. They often include adjustable difficulty levels, varied play modes, and clear, inclusive instructions to ensure everyone can join in and enjoy the game.

Can These Board Games Be Incorporated Into an Educational Curriculum to Develop Strategic Thinking in a Classroom Setting?

You can definitely incorporate these games into an educational curriculum to hone strategic thinking. They're adaptable and can cater to various learning styles, making them a perfect tool for engaging students in critical thinking exercises.

What Are the Environmental Impacts of Producing These Board Games, and Do the Manufacturers Have Any Sustainability Initiatives?

You're curious about the environmental impact of producing board games and whether the manufacturers are pursuing sustainability. It's a crucial aspect, considering the materials and processes involved. Let's dive deeper into their green initiatives.

How Do These Games Promote Inclusivity and Diversity Within Their Gameplay and Narratives?

These games promote inclusivity and diversity by featuring characters and stories from various cultures. They're designed to make you think about different perspectives, encouraging a broader understanding and appreciation of the world around you.

Are There Any Online Communities or Platforms Dedicated to Players of These Games Where Strategies and Experiences Can Be Shared?

Yes, you'll find many online communities and platforms where players share strategies and experiences. Websites like BoardGameGeek, Reddit, and Discord host vibrant forums and chat rooms dedicated to discussing and exploring various games.

So, you're looking to sharpen your strategic thinking with some board games?

You've got options ranging from battling global pandemics in Pandemic to outmaneuvering opponents in Secret Hitler.

Whether you're into the dark humor of The Grimwood or prefer the family fun of Herd Mentality, there's a game for you.

Just remember, when choosing, consider the game's complexity, your group's interests, and the thinking skills you want to hone.

Get ready for some strategic fun!

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Best Critical Thinking Board Games for Adults

By: Author Cheryl Kochenderfer

Categories Board Games , 2 Player Board Games , Euro , Family Board Games , Round-Ups

Critical thinking skills are… critical! They help us think outside the box, analyze situations, and problem-solve effectively.

To keep those critical thinking skills sharp, you’ll need to use them! Our top picks for the best critical thinking board games for adults are here to help.

We’ve done the research. Now it’s your turn to decide which is for you. So put your critical thinking cap on, pick your favorite, and get ready to play!

Table of Contents

???? Our Top Picks for Best Critical Thinking Board Games for Adults

In a hurry? Take a quick peek before you go.

Five Tribes

Players: 2-4 Playing time: 40-80 minutes

The death of the sultan has brought about a great opportunity in Naqala. The seat of power is up for grabs, and it’s best to strike while the iron is hot! Can you use the region’s Five Tribes to your advantage and become ruler of this Arabian land?

Five Tribes is a set collection and bidding game played on a modular board. The rules seem straightforward, but you’ll need to use your best critical thinking and planning skills to achieve goals.

Turn-taking happens in steps and begins by bidding for turn order. In the movement phase, pick up meeples from any square on the board and move them Mancala-style. The meeples you pick up dictate what you do in the action phase. Ultimately, you’ll trade meeples to collect cards, which can be exchanged for coins. It’s about strategic placement and trading up.

The wealthiest player in Arabia is the winner, so go big or go home!

Players: 1-4 Playing time: 30-45 minutes

Welcome to the Pacific Northwest! The region of Cascadia is as diverse as it is beautiful . The terrain includes deserts, mountains, valleys, and rivers – and it’s your job to decide where they all go.

Played on individual modular boards, everyone begins with a starting tile with all 7 terrains represented. On your turn, add a terrain tile and animal token to your board. Place them strategically because adjacent terrains add up to points. End-game bonuses are also waiting for those with the most of each landscape.

But don’t forget about the wildlife in Cascadia! Wildlife tokens are played and scored according to different rules in each game. Maybe hawks prefer flying over deserts, or animals like to travel in pairs. Things to bear in mind!

Turns run out when the tiles do, so use your time – and tiles – wisely! Will you be a force of nature in Cascadia? Play to find out.

Players: 2-4 Playing time: 30-45 minutes

You’ve been tasked with tiling the beautiful walls of a mosaic-style building. But you can’t add tiles just anywhere! Tile placement and planning are critical in this game.

Azul is played in three rounds with three phases each. Players get their own personal walls. Purchase tiles from the community factory and think about which will fit best and how exactly you’ll lay them out. But don’t overstock – excess tiles count against you!

It’s time to tile! Organize your tiles row by row. But use some critical thinking here — certain patterns and orders will earn you more points!

Building up walls isn’t always a bad thing. May the most beautiful one win!

Players: 2-4 Playing time: 15 minutes

Quoridor is a quick-playing game requiring spatial awareness and logic .

It comes with a square playing board, wall-like blocks, and pawns. On your turn, choose to place a wall or move your pawn one space. The ultimate goal is to move all pawns to the other side – but that task is more challenging than first meets the eye! You’ll be balancing defense and offense as you make your way across.

Create corridors to block your opponent, but don’t neglect your pawns in the process. Will you get walled-in or race your pawns to victory?

Charterstone

Players: 1-6 Playing time: 45-75 minutes

Charterstone is a land-grabbing and city-building game. As a legacy game , the board will change along with your moves.

Players utilize two workers throughout the game. Start off small but create a bustling village by the end. Take an action on your turn – that might be placing a worker and buying a benefit or collecting your workers from the table . Ultimately, you need to use your workforce to create the most prosperous city in the land.

The game builds well — starting simple and becoming more complex. There are more and more choices and strategies as you progress. If you can predict your opponents’ future moves, you may even be able to use them to your benefit.

But don’t let analysis paralysis bring you down! Keep calm and build on.

Players: 2 Playing time: 20 minutes

This buzz-worthy game will have you exercising your analytical and abstract strategy skills.

Hive is a tile-placement game that requires zero setup and can be played almost anywhere. The opposing sides have either black or white tiles representing different insects – and your collection of creepy crawlies is itching to get out and play.

Each turn, players add an insect tile to the communal hive. The goal is to surround the opposing queen bee, taking her down. Creatures move differently – spiders crawl three tiles away, the elegant bee moves only one space, and the pesky mosquito takes on the abilities of those around it. Analyze the insects at play and decide which should hop, crawl, or soar to victory.

This two-player game has one clear winner and loser. Will you fly high or feel the sting of a loss? Head to the hive to find out!

Mandala is an aesthetically pleasing game involving colorful card collections.

The goal is to fill up your river with these cards. You can have up to 8 cards in your hand. When it’s your turn you can add cards to the mountains or fields to form mandalas or discard unwanted colors. There are rules for where and how to place each color though, so analyze your choices well.

Once a mandala is complete, players go back and forth choosing which color cards from the mandala to add to their rivers. You want your river to be overflowing. The extra cards get you points at the end so avoid a drought at all costs!.

It’s the type of game that’s easy to pick up once you see it and start playing. Get into the flow of things with Mandala!

Dinosaur Island

Players: 1-4 Playing time: 90-120 minutes

Head to Dinosaur Island! Here, you’ll be responsible for a Jurassic Park-themed operation. Your workers and scientists must collect DNA, analyze it, and produce the correct sequence to revive these extinct creatures.

Dinosaur Island gets you thinking critically by working out these equations and using business savvy. You must research and develop the busiest theme park to bring in those visitors – and profits.

If you can’t decode the DNA and build your business, your theme park will go extinct! How will you fare on the island? Will you dino- soar or sink?

Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig

Players: 2-7 Playing time: 45-60 minutes

If you like critical thinking games with a theme, you’ll enjoy Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig.

It’s the Post-Napoleonic era, and castles are in high demand. The Mad King Ludwig commissioned his finest architects to design a castle according to his demands. You’ll work with others, but only one architect will get the final say.

In Between Two Castles, you’ll work with the players on either side of you to create a castle. Cards represent different rooms. Pick up two at a time and decide which castle they will benefit most – the right or left. Add each card to the optimal blueprint. Room placement matters as you get extra points for satisfying the King’s wishes.

You’ll be collaborating and competing with others while creating designs. The mechanics are unique, but you’ll catch on quickly after a few rounds.

Decision-making is the key to the castle! So don’t get yourself between a rock and a hard place. Get between two high-scoring castles instead!

Chess and Go

Players: 2 Playing time: 10-60 minutes

Chess is a race to take down the opposing King. All the pieces move according to specific rules but work together. You’ll want to keep as many pieces as possible during your mission.

In Chess, there are many routes to choose from. Observe the board, think ahead, and consider your options. Devise the best plan of attack – or defense. You can slowly weaken the opposition or go straight for their King. But the first player to say “Checkmate” wins!

Go is the oldest critical thinking game still played – and it’s survived for a reason! It’s a simple concept but employs high-level thinking. Two players use either white or black tiles. Go back and forth, placing one of your tiles on the board each turn.

If you surround your opponent, you claim their tile. At the end of the game, count the open intersections and the seized tiles to determine the winner. It’s all about gaining territory. So strategize and go, go, go!

We hope you enjoyed our list of the best critical-thinking board games for adults! Playing these board games will help you improve your problem-solving, logic, and critical-thinking skills, all while having fun!

Have you tried any of the games on this list? Did we miss any of your favorites? Drop a comment below and let us know what you think! We’d love to hear from you.

You may also enjoy:

Best Logic Board Games for Adults
Best Logic Board Games for Kids
Best Strategy Board Games
Best Strategy Board Games for Kids
Best Strategy Card Games

Cheryl is a teacher, writer, and board game fan. She likes incorporating games into all areas of her life, from classrooms and family nights to lively parties with friends. While she’s played too many to count, her favorites have always been classics like Codenames and chess.

IMAGES

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