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Families are always looking for fun and engaging way to spend quality time kids. Board games are a wonderful family activity. They provide so much more than just an activity to occupy some time. There are many skills which can be developed and strengthened through playing board games. Knowing the additional benefits of board games allow families, teachers and caregivers to optimize the time spent at the table.

Boost Critical Thinking Skills

There are a significant number of games that require a great amount of thought. Many games require decision making, strategic thinking, and problem solving. All these tasks develop critical thinking skills in children. One ways to support their critical thinking is to asking them questions about their strategy. This shows you are letting them take point on the strategy rather than telling them what to do, which can help foster creativity and encourage your kids to think outside the box. That said, if they are really stuck on what to do suggestions can be offered, and they can choose the strategy they think is best.

Some examples of games

  • Sushi Go (decisions on cards to pick)
  • Ticket to Ride (section of cards and planing routes)
  • Planted (choices about which resources to take/use)

Improve Communication Skills

Board games whether they are cooperative or competitive provide lots of opportunities to develop communication skills. In competitive games, there can be communication about rules and turns. In those instances there needs to be active listening as well as clear communication.

With cooperative games the communication is even more critical since all players are working towards the same objective. It really encourages players to express themselves in effectively so their ideas are conveyed clearly. Ideas need to be shared and all players need to listen and respond to the ideas. This support the ability to understand others’ perspectives both around the table, and communicating outside the gaming setting.

The greatest communication skill cooperative game support is learning how to work together effectively. It is really easy for one player to take over the game a direct the other players on what they need to do on their turn. Working together, all players contribute to the strategy. Seeing more experienced gamers listening to their thoughts on the the strategy and being encouraged to collaborate, rather than just following the directions of the player that has taken the lead, will really support their development of communications skills.

Some examples of cooperative games that require communication include:

  • Last Defense
  • Forbidden Island
  • Indiana Jones Sands of Adventure
  • Zombie Kidz Evolution

Develop Sportsmanship and Resilience

Sportsmanship is so important in all different aspects of life. Board games offer a low investment way to learn how to loose graciously and bounce back from setbacks. If a child needs to develop their sportsmanship and/or resilience, games with a short playtime are the way to go. When the game is short then the time and mental investment in the game is lower and it is easier to reset and play again.

Throughout the game make sure to reinforce the importance of being a gracious winner and loser. Encourage your kids to congratulate the winner and offer encouragement to the losers. This can help them learn how to handle both success and failure with grace and humility.

For more suggestions check out my article Building Sportsmanship with Board Games

Some examples of games that Develop Sportsmanship and Resilience

  • The Fuzzies
  • Happy Salmon
  • Drop It!

Choosing the Right Game

Regardless of the purpose it is so important to choose the right game for the players. You need to consider the age recommendation on the game, the skill level involved, and the theme of the game. What is engaging and best for younger kids is different than older kids. Younger kids do best with simple games with only a few rules. Short playtime is best since their attention wains quickly. In contrast, older kids may enjoy more complex games that require more elaborate strategic thinking. That said, some older kids prefer shorter streamline games. Overall game play can take longer and have more rules than with their younger counterpoints.

Kingdomino
Kingdomino

Games for younger kids:

  • Unicorn Glitterluck (3+)
  • Count Your Chickens (3+)
  • Hoot Owl Hoot (4+)
  • Dragomino (5+)
  • Ticket to Ride: First Journey (6+)

Games for Older Kids:

  • Kingdomino (8+)
  • Block Ness (8+)
  • Abandon All Artichokes (10+)
  • Forbidden Island (10+)

For more recommendations, check out my other articles:

Board Game Recommendations for Toddlers and Preschoolers Ages 2 to 4

Games for Beginning Readers: Board Games for Ages 5 to 7

EFG Essentials: Great Board Games for Kids

Final Thoughts

Board games and gathering together around the table creates many opportunities to develop critical thinking and communication skills. Like so many things, it is important to match the skill you are looking to develop with a game that supports that skill. Additionally, making sure the game matches the skills and interest of the child is key. Time spent at the table can be so beneficial to modeling, and practicing skills and strategies. Board games are a great way to spend time together, and supporting you child’s skill development is an additional benefit.


What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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Here are all the video game releases rated E-T by the ESRB that are releasing between September 19th through September 25th.  

Sunday, September 19th

  • Super Arcade Football- Switch
  • Work Trip- Switch

Tuesday, September 21st

  • Golf Peaks- Xbox One
  • Kena: Bridge of Spirits- PS4, PS5
  • Street Outlaws 2: Winner Takes All- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X, Switch

Wednesday, September 22

  • Crisis Wing- Switch
  • Cube Samurai: Run Squared- Switch
  • Subdivision Infinity DX- PS5

Thursday, September 23rd

  • Beast Breaker- Switch
  • Chef’s Tail- Switch
  • Embr- PS4, Xbox One, Switch
  • Fisti-Fluffs- Switch
  • Hampuzz- Switch
  • MageQuit- Switch
  • MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X
  • Staxel- Switch
  • S.W.A.N.: Chernobyl Unexplored- Switch
  • The Plane Effect- Switch

Friday, September 24th

  • A Gummy’s Life- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X
  • Blind Postman- Xbox One, Switch
  • Death Park- Xbox One
  • Don’t Touch This Button- Switch
  • Dragon Ball Z Kakarot + A New Power Awakens Set- Switch
  • Port Royale 4- PS5, Series X
  • Spacebase Startopia- Switch
  • The Addams Family: Mansion Mayhem- PS4, Xbox One, Switch
  • Top Down Racer- Switch

Saturday, September 25th

  • In My Shadow- switch

For the Grown-Ups

  • Diablo II: Resurrected- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X, Switch (Thursday, September 23rd)
  • Diablo Prime Evil Collection- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X (Thursday, September 23rd)
  • Death Stranding: Director’s Cut- PS5 (Friday, September 24th)
  • Lost Judgement- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X (Friday, September 24th)

Jeff’s Pick of the Week- Kena: Bridge of Spirits

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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Here are all the video game releases rated E-T by the ESRB that are releasing between August 1st through August 7th.  

Sunday, August 1st

  • Demons of Asteborg- Switch
  • Theofil- Switch

Tuesday, August 3rd

  • Dragon Star Varnir- Switch
  • In Sound Mind- PS5, Series X, Switch
  • Memory Lane 2- Switch

Wednesday, August 4th

  • Castle of Pixel Skulls DX- Xbox One, Series X
  • Dungeon Defenders: Awakened- Switch
  • Enter Digiton: Heart of Corruption- Switch

Thursday, August 5th

  • 123 Dots- Switch
  • A Monster’s Expedition- Switch
  • CrossCode: A New Home- PS4, Xbox One, Switch
  • Dodgeball Academia- PS4, Xbox One, Switch
  • Doomsday Vault- Switch
  • Dreamscaper- Switch
  • Haven Park- Switch
  • I.F.O.- Switch
  • Picross S: Genesis and Master System Edition- Switch
  • Starhunter DX- Switch
  • The Falconeer: Edge of the World- Xbox One, Series X
  • The Falconeer: Warrior Edition- PS4, PS5, Switch
  • Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles- Series X

Friday, August 6th

  • Armed Emeth- Xbox One, Series X
  • Badland: Game of the Year Edition- Switch
  • Bone Marrow- Switch
  • Castle of Pixel Skulls- Switch
  • Goroons- Xbox One
  • IIN- Xbox One
  • Race Track Driver- Switch
  • The Last Survey- Switch
  • Zengeon- PS4, Switch

Saturday, August 7th

  • 3D Advantime- Switch

Jeff’s Pick of the Week: Picross S: Genesis and Master System Edition

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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Here are all the video game releases rated E-T by the ESRB that are releasing between July 25th through July 31st.

Monday, July 26th

  • Pets No More- Switch

Tuesday, July 27th

  • Alchemic Cutie- Xbox One, Series X
  • Clone Drone in the Danger Zone- Xbox One, Series X
  • Dariusburst: Another Chronicle EX+- Switch
  • Harvest Moon: One World- Xbox One
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator- Series X
  • NEO: The World Ends with You- PS4, Switch
  • Samurai Warriors 5- PS4, Xbox One, Switch
  • Splitgate- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X
  • The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles- PS4, Switch
  • Tribes of Midgard- PS4, PS5
  • Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles Enhanced Edition- PS5

Wednesday, July 28th

  • Ayo the Clown- Switch
  • Minecraft Dungeons: Echoing Void- PS4, Xbox One, Switch
  • The Forgotten City- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X
  • Trigger Witch- PS4, Xbox One, Switch
  • Unbound: Worlds Apart- Switch

Thursday, July 29th

  • Banners of Ruin- Switch
  • B.Ark- Switch
  • Blaster Master Zero III- PS4, Xbox One, Switch
  • Christmas Tina- Switch
  • Eldest Souls- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X, Switch
  • Fuga: Melodies of Steel- PS4, Xbox One, Series X, Switch
  • Infection Maze- Switch
  • Kosmonavtes: Escape Reality- Switch
  • Omno- PS4, Xbox One
  • Piczle Puzzle & Watch Collection- Switch
  • Skydrift Infinity- PS4, Xbox One, Switch
  • The Long Gate- Switch

Friday, July 30th

  • 10 Second Ninja X- Switch
  • Alfonzo’s Arctic Adventure- Xbox One, Switch
  • Alone With You- Switch
  • Apple Slash- Switch
  • Flowlines Vs.- Xbox One
  • Inbento- Xbox One
  • Papa’s Quiz- Switch
  • Super Squidlit- Switch
  • Xenogunner- Switch

Saturday, July 31st

  • Easy Flight Simulator- Switch

Jeff’s Pick of the Week: The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

Make sure to keep your eyes on Engaged Family Gaming for all of the latest news and reviews you need to Get Your Family Game On!

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Here are all the video game releases rated E-T by the ESRB that are releasing between July 18th through July 24th.

Tuesday, July 20th

  • Cotton Reboot!- PS4, Switch
  • Cris Tales- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X, Switch
  • Death’s Door- Xbox One, Series X
  • Mind Maze- Xbox One, Switch
  • Steam: Rails to Riches Complete Edition- Switch

Wednesday, July 21st

  • Fatal Twelve- Switch
  • In Rays of the Light- Series X
  • Mousebot: Escape from CatLab- Switch
  • Pokémon Unite- Switch
  • The Last Rolling Hero- Xbox One

Thursday, July 22nd

  • Last Stop- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X, Switch
  • Nyakamon Adventures- Switch
  • Pinocchio, Super Puzzle Dreams- Switch
  • Racing Xtreme 2- Switch
  • Terra Bomber- Switch
  • Terra Lander- Switch
  • Terra Lander II: Rockslide Rescue- Switch
  • Timothy Vs. The Aliens- Switch
  • The Sims 4: Cottage Living- PS4, Xbox One
  • Urban Trial Tricky: Deluxe Edition- PS4, Xbox One, Switch
  • Wood Block Escape Puzzles 3- Switch

Friday, July 23rd

  • Aery: Calm Mind- Xbox One, Switch
  • Blue Fire- PS4
  • Dininho Space Adventure- Switch
  • Freddy Spaghetti 2- Switch
  • Hunter Shooting Camp- Switch
  • Orcs Must Die! 3- PS4, Xbox One, Series X
  • Scrap Garden- Xbox One
  • Truck Simulator 2- Switch
  • Where the Snow Settles- Xbox One

Saturday, July 24th

  • US Navy Sea Conflict- Switch

Jeff’s Pick of the Week: Pokémon Unite

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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Here are all the video game releases rated E-T by the ESRB that are releasing between July 11th through July 17th.

Monday, July 12th

  • Fates of Ort- Switch

Tuesday, July 13th

  • F1 2021- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X
  • Where the Heart Leads- PS4, PS5

Wednesday, July 14th

  • 3D Air Hockey- Switch
  • Induction- Switch

Thursday, July 15th

  • Batbarian: Testament of the Primordials- Xbox One
  • Blaster Master Zero II- Xbox One, Series X
  • Dark Fantasy: Jigsaw Puzzle- Switch
  • Escape from a Deserted Island: The Adventures of Nyanzou & Kumakichi: Escape Game Series- Switch
  • Guild of Darksteel- Switch
  • Junkyard Builder- Switch
  • Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective- Switch
  • Little Witch Academia: VR Broom Racing- PS4
  • Lotus Reverie: First Nexus- Switch
  • Macrotis: A Mother’s Journey- Switch
  • Our Battle Has Just Begun! Episode 1- Switch
  • Risk System- Switch
  • Rogue Wizards- Switch
  • Streets of Rage 4: Mr. X Nightmare DLC- PS4, Xbox One, Switch
  • Word Crush Hidden- Switch

Friday, July 16th

  • Lost Grimoires 3: The Forgotten Well- Switch
  • Restless Night- Xbox One, Switch
  • The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD- Switch
  • Wizodd- Xbox One, Switch

Jeff’s Pick of the Week: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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Here are all the video game releases rated E-T by the ESRB that are releasing between July 4th through July 10th.

Monday, July 5th

  • My Little Fruit Juice Booth- Switch
  • Rubix Roller- Switch

Tuesday, July 6th

  • The Sisters: Party of the Year- PS4, Switch
  • Ys IX: Monstrum Nox- Switch

Wednesday, July 7th

  • Blitz Breaker- Switch
  • Marbles Rush- Switch
  • Ruvato: Original Complex- Switch

Thursday, July 8th

  • Aria Chronicle- Switch
  • Boomerang X- Switch
  • Crash Drive 3- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X, Switch
  • Heart of the Woods- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X, Switch
  • Indigo 7: Quest for Love- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X, Switch
  • Infinite Golf 2- Switch
  • Masagoro- Switch
  • Monster Harvest- PS4, Xbox One, Switch
  • Monument- Switch
  • My Maité- Switch

Friday, July 9th

  • Bai Qu: Hundreds of Melodies- Switch
  • Beasts of Maravilla Island- Xbox One
  • Blue Fire- Xbox One
  • Connect Bricks- Switch
  • Fantasy Cards- Switch
  • Imagine Earth- Xbox One, Series X
  • Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruins- Switch
  • Mythic Ocean- Xbox One
  • Police Stories- Xbox One
  • Shopping Mall Parking Lot- Switch

Saturday, July 10th

  • Egg Up- Switch

Jeff’s Pick of the Week: Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruins

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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Here are all the video game releases rated E-T by the ESRB that are releasing between June 20th through June 26th.

Monday, June 21st

  • Wood Block Escape Puzzles 2- Switch

Tuesday, June 22nd

  • Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X, Switch
  • Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights- Switch
  • LEGO Builder’s Journey- Switch
  • Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: The Official Video Game- PS4, Xbox One, Switch
  • Super Magbot- Switch

Wednesday, June 23rd

  • Blocky Puzzle- Switch
  • Bitmaster- Xbox One, Switch
  • Empire of Angels IV- PS4, Xbox One, Switch
  • Ninja Buddy Epic Quest- Switch
  • Worms Rumble- Switch

Thursday, June 24th

  • Beefense Beemastered- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X
  • CarX Drift Racing Online- Switch
  • Cyber Hook- Switch
  • Farm for Your Life- Xbox One, Switch
  • Legend of Mana Remastered- PS4, Switch
  • Summer Paws- Switch
  • Super Cable Boy- Switch
  • The Eternal Castle: Remastered- PS4

Friday, June 25th

  • Mario Golf: Super Rush- Switch
  • Promesa- Switch
  • Scarlet Nexus- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X
  • Sweet Sugar Candy- Switch

For the Grown-Ups

  • Dungeons and Dragons: Dark Alliance- PS4, PS5 Xbox One, Series X (Tuesday, June 22nd)

Jeff’s Pick of the Week: Mario Golf: Super Rush

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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Here are all the video game releases rated E-T by the ESRB that are releasing between June 13th through June 19th.

Wednesday, June 16th

  • Heliborne- Xbox One
  • Plastic Rebellion- Switch

Thursday, June 17th

  • 7 Years from Now- Switch
  • Bakumatsu Renka Shinsengumi- Switch
  • IdolDays- Switch
  • Luciform- Switch
  • Metal Unit- Switch
  • Rangerdog- Switch
  • Rotund Takeoff- Switch
  • Stellaris: Federations- PS4, Xbox One

Friday, June 18th

  • Bear’s Restaurant- Switch
  • Cannon Army- Switch
  • Discolored- Xbox One
  • Galaxy Champions TV- Xbox One
  • Wingspan- Xbox One

Saturday, June 19th

  • Aquatic Rampage- Switch

For the Grown-Ups

  • Dead by Daylight: Resident Evil- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X, Switch (Tuesday, June 15th)
  • The Elder Scrolls Online: Console Enhanced- PS5, Series X (Tuesday, June 15th)
  • Metro Exodus: Complete Edition- PS4, Series X (Friday, June 18th)

Jeff’s Pick of the Week: 7 Years from Now

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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Here are all the video game releases rated E-T by the ESRB that are releasing between June 6th through June 12th.

Tuesday, June 8th

  • Bring Honey Home- Switch
  • Guilty Gear: Strive- PS4, PS5
  • Neptunia Reverse- PS5
  • Red Ball Escape- Switch
  • Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town- Switch

Wednesday, June 9th

  • Alba: A Wildlife Adventure- Xbox One, Series X, Switch

Thursday, June 10th

  • Alchemist Adventure- Switch
  • Animus: Revenant- Switch
  • Chicory: A Colorful Tale- PS4, PS5
  • Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade- PS5
  • Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade: Yuffie- PS5
  • Kirakira Stars: Idol Project Ai- Switch
  • Piczle Cells- Switch
  • Pix Jungle Adventures- Switch
  • Puzzle Box 3 in 1- Switch
  • Shieldwall Chronicles: Swords of the North- Switch

Friday, June 11th

  • Farm Frenzy: Refreshed- Xbox One
  • Game Builder Garage- Switch
  • Inexistence Rebirth- Switch
  • League of Champions Soccer- Switch
  • Let’s Cook Together- Xbox One
  • Life of Fly 2- Xbox One, Switch
  • Multilevel Parking Driver- Switch
  • Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart- Switch
  • Sun Wukong vs. Robot- Switch
  • Super Soccer Blast: America vs. Europe- Xbox One, Switch
  • The Solitaire Conspiracy- Switch
  • Wave Break- Switch

For the Grown-Ups

  • Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection- PS4, Xbox One, Switch (Thursday, June 10th)

Jeff’s Pick of the Week- Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

Make sure to keep your eyes on Engaged Family Gaming for all of the latest news and reviews you need to Get Your Family Game On!

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