The hidden benefits of board games 

From an article by Bold Science

Board games have existed for thousands of years. Today, many people play games on phones, tablets, and computers. But board games are still popular. They let people sit together, talk, move pieces, and share the same activity. Board games are not only fun, they can also help children learn and get on better with other people.

Researchers have been looking more closely at board games and other simple games, such as card games and dice games. Carla Sousa, a psychologist in Portugal, says that researchers used to study digital games more often. Now they are also studying board games. Board games usually have rules, goals, roles, and limits. These things help children understand what they need to do.

Board games can be good for children because they make them think. With some apps, children can tap the screen and get an answer straight away. They may not need to understand much. Board games are different. Children need to listen to the rules, wait for their turn, plan what to do, and notice what other players are doing. This helps them practise thinking and social skills.

In 2023, Sousa and her team looked at 45 studies. These studies included 3,550 people, mostly students. Some studies used games made for research. Others used games that anyone can buy. The researchers found that board games can help learning. They can improve memory, problem-solving, creativity, confidence, wellbeing, interest, and enjoyment. Board games can also help children talk to each other, take turns, make choices, and work together.

Jorge Moya-Higueras, a psychology professor in Spain studies how board games can help children think, learn, and manage social situations. In one study from 2024, 121 children aged 8 to 9 took part in school. The study lasted eight weeks. Some children played memory games. Some played maths games. Another group carried on with normal lessons. The children played during school time in short 30-minute sessions.

Researchers tested the children before and after the study. They checked their memory and maths skills. The children who played maths games improved most in some memory skills and number skills. The children who played memory games also improved in some memory skills. This suggests that board games can help children with school subjects, such as maths. They may also help children improve general thinking skills.

Jorge says board games can be a cheap and enjoyable way to support learning in school. The games used in the research were ordinary games that can be bought in shops. They were not special or expensive. Some schools have kept using board games after the research ended. This shows that teachers found them useful and easy to use.

Board games can also be good at home. Families can play together, talk, laugh, and spend time away from screens. Children can learn patience, planning, confidence, and how to cooperate with others. The main point is simple: board games are fun, but they can also help children learn, think, communicate, and build stronger relationships.

Read the full article here along with some game suggestions.