Play Therapy: Board Games

Board games are a lost treasure, in my opinion, to the fast paced world of video games, YouTube, Minecraft, and the endless games for phones. I enjoy board games for several reasons, but I will share two today (I cannot rid of all my secrets in one day).

The first, board games promote “togetherness”. While some would argue online games may provide interpersonal interactions, I would disagree. To sit down with another, set up the board game, read the rules, and engage in real-world time is priceless.

The second reason I enjoy board games is they promote teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, and sportsmanship. Board games allow children, adolescents, and adults to interact with one another from across the table, allowing each person playing to observe the other and their responses. You are able to notice non-verbals, moods, as well as be a support system for the other player. This is critical in play therapy.

I incorporate board games into my practice as much as I am able. I will engage in board games with anyone at any age, because I feel board games are an invaluable tool to engage in conversation about difficult subjects without the direct confrontation sitting opposite one another in chair can bring at times for children.

For children, it can feel intimidating to sit and talk to someone about the issues bothering them. Play is the natural form in which children express themselves; it is an external expression the thoughts and emotions taking place in their day-to-day lives. It is how us therapists, parents, and teachers are able to catch a glimpse at their internal working model. Placing a board game between you and a child can be all it takes to create a safe space for him/her to share how they are feeling and to explore various topics of self-esteem, anger, emotions, choices, consequences, and life changes, grief/loss, and unhelpful behaviors.

The board games I use most are “Candy Land” and “Chutes and Ladders”. While I have instructions for other board games, I am going to focus on these two for today.

With “Candy Land” and “Chutes and Ladders”, I have numbered and color-coordinated questions in different categories to prompt conversations as the game goes along. The numbers are for “Chutes and Ladders” as each player spins a number, and the colors are for “Candy Land” as each player draws a different color to advance.

If you look at the pictures below, you will see I will have the numbers and colors match. For example, the number one is also red; number two is blue and so on. I will have six questions for each category (since there is six spots on the spinner for “Chutes and Ladders”). The categories range in topic according to age group. The topics I have listed below are for ages 10 and under. However, you can create different packets of questions for different age groups to ensure questions are developmentally appropriate for all clients.

One idea to make this game more child-centered is to allow the child to collaborate with you to create unique questions for each child in every category. It may take more time, but it can assist you in developing an understanding of what the child is currently comfortable in answering.

Suggested Topics:

Anger

Self-esteem

Family Changes

Choices and Consequences

Social Skills

Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions

Goal Setting

Emotions

Previous
Previous

Feelings Mancala

Next
Next

An Open Letter to Therapists