• Nora Witte

Pull Out Those Classic Board Games for a Bonding and Learning Experience

Since we are still spending lots of time at home, it is always fun to get creative and add a game night to our routine. But, did you realize that some of our staple board and card games actually support learning and academic skills? That’s right! We can play some games while teaching our children without them even realizing. Here are some games sitting in our closet at PLEASED that help support academic skills that you might have at home, too!

Guess Who

Guess who is a fun partner game that encourages children to ask descriptive questions to guess their opponent’s mystery person.

How does this support learning?

Guess Who is a great opportunity for kids to practice asking and answering questions in complete sentences. This fun game prompts children to use descriptive language, expand upon vocabulary, and sort and categorize based on the verbal answers given from their opponent. This game also helps with receptive language skills because both players must listen to questions asked and eliminate characters based on the answers provided by their opponent. Give this game a try for some fun!


This multiplayer game involves building words and connecting them in a crossword formation with the ultimate objective of earning the most points.

How does this support learning?

With a fun twist, Scrabble can help with spelling, sight words, vocabulary words, word retrieval and puzzle skills. Feel free to alter the game for fun, manageable uses. Making large words to achieve the largest score no longer needs to be the main goal. Encourage players to build any words that they can think of with their own tiles and the ones on the board. Want to bring in some math? Add up the values of each tile! With so many ways to adapt the rules, players will be working on spelling accurately and retrieving words for a game of fun!

Spot it

Spot it is a fast-paced matching game. Each player is dealt one card with multiple images. Every card has at least one picture in common. The objective is to see how quickly a person can find a matching image between two cards.

How does this support learning?

This fast and easy game allows players to work on their working memory skills and supports processing skills. With images changing rapidly, players use their quick recall and brain muscles to speedily find the match. Memory and processing skills are vital in learning, as they help children hold on to information that they acquire and build up their rote memory skills.

Monopoly Junior

Monopoly Junior is an enjoyable, scaled-down version of the better-known Monopoly game. The same traditional rules apply, except it is more accessible for younger players.

How does it support learning?

Players get well-acquainted with money and practice addition and subtraction at the same time. With (or without) support, children can solve problems to determine if there is enough money to purchase properties on the board. Players also get a chance to practice counting when they move their piece across the board. Want your child to get a little extra practice? Let him or her be the banker! This is a great game for a family to play together!

Who knew these classic games could support so many language and academic skills?!

Until Next Time,

Nora Witte

Special Education Advocate and PLEASED Tutor

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