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Ever found yourself reaching for that tempting bag of chips when you swore you’d stick to your diet? Or maybe you’ve impulsively hit the snooze button on your alarm clock when you knew you should be up and at ’em. We’ve all been there, struggling with that little thing called impulse control. It’s like there’s a mischievous imp inside us, urging us to make hasty choices without thinking through the consequences.
To address the same, board games can be your secret weapon in the battle against impulsive decisions. These classic tabletop games you played as a kid or during game nights with friends can do more than just provide entertainment. So, this post brings you a list of board games that can actually help you sharpen your ability to resist those impulsive urges that often lead us astray. Let’s roll the dice and discover how board games can make a real difference in improving your impulse control!
Impulse management: Level up with board games
Impulse control plays a pivotal role in shaping one’s character. Listed below is a diverse selection of board games that serve as engaging tools to help players cultivate the vital skill of managing their impulses and making well-considered decisions.
1. Bounce-Off
Bounce-Off combines Connect 4 and ping pong. It’s a lot of fun, and kids won’t even be aware of the work they do to regulate their bodies so that the ball bounces in a predictable manner. Since this game is more about talent than strategy, it fairly equalizes the playing field for both parents and children.
Bounce-Off is a game that gets everyone moving, so it can be suitable for a child who dislikes board games. Even your older middle school and high school students will love playing this fantastic party game with their buddies!
2. Jenga
In this traditional game, 54 wooden blocks are arranged in a tower. A tower-shaped arrangement of the blocks is created by placing three blocks next to each other horizontally, turning them 90 degrees to create the next tier, and so on. The blocks are arranged to make a sturdy structure, yet they are left loose enough to allow for individual removal.
Jenga is one of the fun board games that can be played at restaurants. In this, players have to carefully remove and put the blocks in order to keep the tower from falling over. This needs a steady hand and strong motor control. Players must predict which block they may safely remove without bringing the tower down, which calls on strategy as well.
3. Rat-a-Tat Cat
In the card game Rat-a-Tat Cat, players must gather cards with low points while attempting to determine whatever cards their rivals are holding. Players take turns drawing and discarding cards as they attempt to accumulate the lowest score possible in the game, which has a variety of cards with varying point values.
The winner of the game, which may be played with two to six people, is the one with the lowest final score. The game Rat-a-Tat Cat is wonderful for developing memory and reasoning abilities since it requires players to recall the cards they have seen and use reasoning to speculate as to what cards their opponents could be holding.
4. Hanabi
Hanabi is a cooperative game in which players combine their efforts to produce a stunning fireworks show. Players must play the numerous cards in the game in the right order and color to produce the show, which is represented by several pyrotechnics on different colored cards. The catch is that no player can see their own cards; only those of the other players are visible.
The team wins if they are successful in putting together a full fireworks show before their deck of cards runs out. The game may be played with two to five participants. Since players must cooperate and share hints in order to properly finish the show, Hanabi is excellent for fostering interpersonal and teamwork skills.
5. Blokus
Blokus is a strategy game that tests player’s ability to block their rivals while fitting as many of their pieces into the board as they can. 84 distinct colored game pieces in various shapes are included, along with a game board. The winner of the game is the one who has the most pieces on the board at the conclusion of play.
The game may be played with two to four players. Blokus is an excellent game for developing spatial reasoning and strategic thinking abilities since it requires players to consider how to put their pieces on the board while simultaneously obstructing their rivals.
6. Sequence
In the game Sequence, players must match cards from their hands to arrange rows of chips on a playing field. Basically, it consists of a gaming board, two decks of cards—one with images of the various chips and the other just playing cards—and playing chips. The first individual or team to gather five rows of chips in a row wins the game, which may be played with two to twelve participants.
Due to the requirement for players to plan ahead and predict the actions of their rivals, Sequence is a fantastic game for developing critical thinking and planning abilities. While “Sequence” is undoubtedly a fantastic game that combines elements of strategy and luck, check out Strategic Board Games Like Sequence if you’re looking to broaden your horizons and discover more strategic board games like Sequence.
7. Spot It!
In the quick-paced matching game Spot It!, players compete to spot matching symbols on their cards before their rivals do. Each of the 55 cards in the game has 8 unique symbols on it, and every pair of cards has one matching symbol.
The game contains five unique mini-games that may be played with two to eight people and each has its own set of rules. Spot It! is a fantastic game for improving visual perception and concentration since it requires players to rapidly spot the matching symbols among a sea of other symbols.
8. Set
Set is a game of visual perception in which players must identify groups of three cards that have either the same or dissimilar forms, colors, and patterns. There is only one combination of three cards that fits the requirements of either being all the same or all different in each of the four traits.
The game consists of 81 cards, each having four different attributes (shape, color, pattern, and number). The person who has the most sets at the conclusion of the game wins. The game may be played with one to twenty participants. Set is a fantastic game for developing focus and pattern recognition abilities.
9. Qwirkle
In the tile-based game Qwirkle, players are challenged to arrange rows and columns of identical tiles, either in shape or color. There are 108 tiles in the game, each with six unique shapes and colors. The person who has the most points at the conclusion of the game wins. The game may be played with two to four people.
Creating lines of the same shaped or colored tiles will win you points, with longer lines yielding more. Players in the game Qwirkle must predict their opponents’ actions in order to plan their own moves effectively. This makes Qwirkle a wonderful game for developing strategic thinking and planning abilities. If you enjoy playing Qwirkle, you might also want to explore the five board games that share similarities with Qwirkle, enhancing your enjoyment and passion for the game.
10. Suspend
In this game of balance, participants must suspend and maintain the balance of rods on a tabletop stand without toppling over. 24 rods of varying lengths, a tabletop stand, and a base are all included in the game.
The winner of the game, which may be played with one to four people, is the one who manages to keep the stand upright while hanging the most rods on it. As players must carefully balance the rods without making any abrupt movements, Suspend is an excellent game for developing fine motor skills and impulse control.
How do board games teach impulse control?
Kids who struggle with self-control, like those with ADHD, impulsive behavior, anger issues, or autism, can benefit from games that teach them to control themselves. Games similar to Jenga can be a good starting point. All games can help kids learn self-control since they must learn to wait for their turn calmly, utilize muscle control, accept defeat well, and refrain from cheating.
Due to the strategic thinking, decision-making, and self-control required by board games, they may be a pleasant and interesting approach to teaching impulse control. Here’s how board games can help kids learn to control themselves:
- Delayed gratification: In board games, players sometimes have to put off obtaining rewards right now in favor of a larger payment down the road. In games like Monopoly or Settlers of Catan, players may need to gather resources or money in order to subsequently make a more significant action. This teaches players the value of postponing pleasure and the importance of preparation.
- Planning and strategizing: Players frequently need to plan and strategize their movements in board games in order to accomplish their objectives. This entails analyzing several possibilities and taking their prospective results into account. Players who make snap judgments without considering the repercussions are likely to lose the game. Board games aid in the development of impulse control and decision-making abilities by encouraging players to take their time and carefully consider their actions.
- Turn-taking and waiting: Turn-taking in board games entails waiting patiently for other players to finish their movements. Some players may find this difficult, especially those who have impulsive or hyperactivity issues. Board games can promote self-control and impulse control since they make players wait their turn and be patient.
- Action-related repercussions: In board games, players frequently experience repercussions for their choices. Making a hazardous play, for instance, could pay off immediately, but it might also backfire later on in the game. Players may improve their decision-making and impulse control in the future by experiencing the results of their choices in a safe and controlled setting.
Conclusion
Your child can improve their impulse control by playing a variety of board games. all the way up to high school students, from the classics to those intended for children. The monotony of board games is no longer necessary!
Make the effort to assist your child and have fun while doing so. How will you regularly add games that can aid with impulse control into your life? Which one did you think sounded most enjoyable? Please leave a comment if you have any other recommendations for games that have been successful for your family.