ADHD is a complex diagnosis in kids, and sometimes behavior that makes it seem like your child is “just playing games” can actually be a sign that they’re struggling with executive dysfunction. Occasionally, however, “just playing games” is key to helping your child develop new skills and coping strategies! Have you incorporated games for kids with ADHD into your family’s transitions?
Table of Contents
Customize visual schedules that teach kids independence. No more nagging, no more stress.
The best ADHD games are not only fun but can have a positive effect on your child’s behavior and social skills. Incorporating intentional forms of play into your daily routine can even help you to prevent meltdowns in children with ADHD. After all, play is the language of childhood, and games are a form of communication favored by children of all abilities!
Read more: Transition Strategies For Kids With ADHD
Do you know how to use playful activities to support your child without resorting to extra screen time? Keep reading to pick up some playful parenting tips that will help ease transitions and keep those stressful meltdowns at bay.
Simple Attention Games
One of the symptoms of ADHD is action without thought. How can a game of “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” or Simon Says help a child with ADHD during transitions? Sometimes, we need to explicitly teach our children to listen and process before they act. That means slowing routines down and using visual schedules throughout the day. If your child has visual schedule fatigue, you can help them practice these skills by playing one of our favorite children’s games.
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
“Head, shoulders, knees, and toes” is a game that requires your child to listen and process information before they respond. They need to coordinate their thoughts and their actions to be successful. Often, children find the simple routine a comfortable, fun way to practice executive function skills.
Simon Says
After your child has mastered singing “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” it might be time to introduce a fun new game! Have you tried playing Simon Says? It exercises the same muscles, but adds a new challenge. Now, children not only need to listen and respond, but they also need to pay attention to whether or not “Simon said!”
Playing Simon Says can help your child practice basic concentration skills, as well as their gross and fine motor skills. It’s a playful way to encourage them to slow down and make thoughtful choices. Plus, successfully completing the challenges in Simon Says can help build positive habits!
Red Light, Green Light
If its difficult for your kids to grasp the concept of when to stop and when to go, try another game called Red Light, Green Light. It’s like Simon Says, but with a focus on those tricky cues. And when your child successfully follows the rules, their brain’s reward center lights up like a Christmas tree! By rewarding children for paying close attention and following directions, they may start using those skills more often in other situations too.
Adapting Your Favorite Board Games
It’s not unusual for children with ADHD to possess a low tolerance for frustration. This can make losing games to peers a volatile experience for everyone involved. If your child has a favorite board game, you can take advantage of their preference to encourage socially appropriate skills. You might want to begin by playing with your child yourself. This provides an excellent opportunity to help them practice handling frustration without getting other children involved.
Read more: What Games are Good for ADHD?
The key to success is adapting games into opportunities to practice handling both disappointment and turn-taking. This might mean deviating from the printed rules. You’ll want to set small, gradual goals that can help your child master the skills necessary before they get competitive. Furthermore, many board games encourage children to think ahead in order to succeed. Games like Chinese Checkers are an excellent way to encourage forethought, focus, and fun!
Some of our other favorites are games you can make yourself and play with items you have at home! They include:
- Fishing games
- Mancala
- Matching games
- Go Fish
- Egyptian War
Whatever you play, approach it proactively. If you use the game as an opportunity to practice challenging social skills, everybody wins!
Build Routines Around Games and Play
Take a moment to consider how often we interrupt children when they’re in the middle of a meaningful, focused experience. Every time the bell rings for clean-up time, we are asking them to disengage from their task. Imagine if someone ripped a gripping novel out of your hands because they decided “reading time is over now!”
As caregivers, a little anticipatory preparation goes a long way toward eliminating hurt feelings and meltdowns. The Goally device and suite of apps allow you to create custom warnings and timers to help your child transition seamlessly. You can even build playful transitions into your child’s visual schedule, so they will always know when more fun is on the horizon!
Try Goally For Your Child With ADHD
Goally is an excellent option for many families that have a child with ADHD. Use game play as a points-based motivator for your kiddo with ADHD, help them learn emotional regulation skills, and watch them grow! It’s simple to set up and has an expert-informed design.
The Magic of Games for Kids With ADHD
There is a reason why some of the best games for kids with ADHD have stood the test of time! These simple, compelling games teach children of all abilities the skills they need to be successful at social and cognitive tasks. By encouraging play throughout the day, you will have a hand in supporting your child’s healthy development. If you want to reward your child for the gains they have made through play, Goally can help. The Goally suite of apps allows you to fully customize goals and rewards to keep your child on track. Contact us today to gain access to a free demo that you can put to use immediately.
FAQs About Games for Kids With ADHD
What are some good games for kids with ADHD? Some good games for kids with ADHD include tag, hide-and-seek, Simon Says, and obstacle courses. These games help improve focus, attention, and physical activity. How do games help children with ADHD? Games can help children with ADHD by providing structure, routine, and a fun way to practice skills such as impulse control, attention, and social interaction. Are board games helpful for kids with ADHD? Yes, board games can be helpful for kids with ADHD as they can improve social skills, strategic thinking, and patience. Some good options include Chess, Checkers, and Memory games. Can video games help kids with ADHD? Yes, certain video games can be helpful for kids with ADHD as they can improve attention, focus, and decision-making skills. Some good options include puzzle games, rhythm games, and action games that require quick thinking. How can parents incorporate games into a child's ADHD treatment plan? Parents can incorporate games into a child's ADHD treatment plan by setting aside dedicated game time, choosing games that target specific skills, and creating a structured routine around gameplay. They can also work with a healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan that includes games as a therapeutic tool.
This post was originally published on 03/02/2022. It was updated on 06/22/2023.
Goally
We help parents teach their kids life skills, like doing bedtime and morning independently. Backed by science, we incorporate evidence-based practices and expert-informed designs in all of our apps and content.
