Make Learning Fun For Kids With Best Board Games and Activities

Board games are among the best investments you will ever make for your family den. They are an excellent resource for not just recreational activities but also bonding time for your entire family. They are one of the best learning resources for your children!
School is only a few hours of the day, but learning and development for young children are a full-time activity. 

Even the simplest board game activities can teach many essential life skills. These include simple tasks like counting and taking turns. They teach you the concepts of sharing and cooperation. 

Keep reading to learn more about how board games can benefit your kids in so many little ways that have probably never even crossed your mind.  

Benefits of Adding Board Game Activities in Kids PlayTime

The Journal of Experimental Child Psychology’s recent study states that playing conventional board games fosters early numerical competency. Not just numbers, board games also support social and cognitive development.

Some key benefits are-

• Enhances Cognitive Development

Playing board games increases your child's cognitive skills. Some of these skills include critical thinking skills, logical reasoning, and strategy-making. Since a lot of board games are also dependent on the “luck” factor, these games can help your child learn the value of patience. 

• Supports Academic Skills 

Many board games play a double role as learning games for kids. Board games that involve using numbers and strategy teach children important academic mathematical skills. Board games that use pretend money, such as Skillmatics UK’s “Rainbow Dinner Play Set” introduce children to the important concept of money.

• Fosters Social Interaction

Family board games are often a child’s first introduction to social interaction. They engage your child in important social behaviors such as sharing, turn-taking, and cooperation. They are also an excellent way for your child to learn the spirit of fair competition.

• Develop Fine Motor Skills 

Educational board games for toddlers and kindergarteners involve rolling dice or moving objects on the board. These help your young child utilise the small muscles in their hands, which make precise movements that are responsible for daily activities such as writing, drawing, using scissors, etc, more effective.  This leads to better hand-eye coordination and the development of their fine motor skills. 

• Fosters Family Bonding

Family board games are one of the best activities you can indulge in, to make the most of family time. Spending quality time while playing board games helps nurture and strengthen ties. 

• Screen Free Play 

Most importantly, fun board games will get you and your kids to unplug and enjoy some quality time together. Research shows that excessive screen time hampers your child’s mental and physical development. A Cureus study on the Effects of Excessive Screen Time on young children finds that more than one hour of screen time for children under four might lead to speech impairment and an inability to execute several executive functions such as sensorimotor development. 

If this isn’t motivation enough to reduce dependence on screens, screen-free playtime also improves the family’s mood and sleep quality. It also helps them connect better on an emotional level.

• Enhances Mental Ability

Board game activities are a great exercise for your brain. These games stimulate those areas of your brain that are responsible for decision-making, deduction, logic, and strategy. They also improve focus. A great way to keep your child stimulated and help them develop mentally and emotionally. 

Engaging Indoor Board Games from Skillmatics UK that Make Learning Fun

We at Skillmatics UK have made it our mission to come up with the most innovative and exciting board games. We aim to be able to provide your child with a learning experience while also making it a fun time!

• Sinking Stones Strategy Board Game 

Consisting of 20 wooden stones and 50 game cards, our Sinking Stones Strategy Board Game promises to be a rollicking experience for children aged 6 and up. It encourages quick thinking and strategising. The aim is to stay afloat amongst the sinking stones. 

• The Ultimate Animal Game Box 

This is one of our top family board games. Meant for children who are 6 years old and above, the Ultimate Animal Game Box can be played with the whole family. The kit consists of 3 unique games that will teach you about the world of animals and their families. 

• Train of Thought Family Conversation Starter 

 The Train Of Thought Family Conversation starter game helps your kid emotionally connect, as they answer thoughtful questions on the cards. Learn more about each other, as your kid has fun with this banger of a family game. 

Tips to Maximise Learning Through Activities and Board Games for Kids

We know how important board game activities are for enhancing a child’s overall development. So, how can we maximise their learning?

1. Incorporate learning goals- Incorporating games, such as quizzes, is a great way to maximise your child’s learning. Along with just recalling information, games that require children to use concepts and skills will provide a holistic learning experience. Skillmatics UK’s “Space Explorers- Reusable Mats” is a great example of a game that incorporates all these elements.
   
2. Adapt to age and skill level- You must ensure that your child is playing an age-appropriate game so that their learning potential can be used most effectively.
   
3. Encourage family participation- Children respond best to social activities and often follow the lead of their elders, and mimic their behavior during playtime. 

Conclusion

Board games for kids are an excellent developmental tool that keeps your child engaged while having fun and learning at the same time. Not just for your children, they ensure that your family spends quality time together and makes memories to last a lifetime!

If you’re a parent looking for fun and engaging board games that also have an educational aspect to them, we know how hard it can be to find the right toys! At Skillmatics UK, we have been consistently working to bring you educational games online that are exactly that!

Visit Skillmatics UK  for a wide range of kids board games that make learning fun!

FAQs

• What makes board games enjoyable?

Board games encourage relaxation while also stimulating your brain. This provides a rich experience for your child, involving not only learning and new skill development, but also a fun playtime bonding experience with their family. 

• What should I look for when choosing board games for a toddler?

Safety is the most important factor when choosing any game for a toddler. The games should be choke-hazard-free and made of non-toxic materials. 

- Board games for toddlers should be simple and fun. Toddlers tire easily.
- The games should also be engaging enough to hold their attention. In addition to tiring easily, toddlers also get bored very fast.

• How often should I play board games with kids?

You should be playing board games with your kids as frequently as possible. Along with all their developmental benefits, it will also help you and your child bond better.

• How often should we have family board game nights?

The answer to this question is honestly, as many times as possible. Family board games are an excellent way to bond as a family while also being a learning experience for your young child. The more frequently you organize family board game nights, the more benefits you will reap.