Around age 7 is when gaming starts to get really fun! Significant growth in attention and memory allow for more challenging game formats, but managing frustration and big feelings is still hard work. Good games for this age group help build those skills and more.
Fine motor skills – so many games and toys purport to build them, but do they?
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As a pediatric occupational therapist, fine motor and fun are my forte! 🙂 Let me help point you in the right direction as you look for the right game for your child, your classroom, or your clinic.
Children aged 7-10 years are learning to plan ahead, follow multi-step rules, manage frustration, and think flexibly when things don’t go their way.
Through turn-taking, strategy, problem solving, and playful competition, kids can build important executive functioning, social, and emotional skills while staying engaged.
Age: 7+
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Cooperative
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Subjects: Math & Science, Natural World
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Skills: Executive Functioning, Social-Emotional, Visual-Spatial
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In this cooperative strategy game, players have survived a plane crash and scavenged supplies from the wreckage. Now, they must work together to survive until they are rescued!
Age: 7+
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Competitive
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Subjects: Math & Science, Natural World
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Skills: Executive Functioning, Fine Motor, Sensory Integration, Social-Emotional, Visual-Spatial
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This surprisingly engaging French game is great for hooking children / clients / students who are motivated by visual input. Take turns laying tiles and matching colors and patterns.
Age: 4+
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Cooperative
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Subjects: English Language Arts, Math & Science, Natural World
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Skills: Executive Functioning, Fine Motor, Social Emotional, Visual-Spatial
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My #1 recommendation for young board gamers!
I’m regularly adding more content, so check back or join my mailing list for updates. If there is a game that you think I should review, contact me with a suggestion.