Mind games are designed to stimulate people’s minds. Its purpose is not just to entertain but also to help their brains become active, enhancing their cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities.
Exposing your children to these kinds of games will help them develop their minds. They will become more mentally alert and able to think critically. Games may be something that a lot of people think is just a waste of time, but that is hardly true. In a recent study by Microsoft, data shows that 84% of respondents stated that playing games had positively impacted their mental well-being, while 71% expressed that it helped them cope with feelings of isolation.
And since mind games are all about invigorating the mind, kids who are exposed to these games are likely to stay sharp. Their memory may also be enhanced. These results may not be readily apparent to others, but the effects on children will be long-term.
Aside from the positive effects of mind games, playing such games will help your family build more connections and spend quality time with each other. You can plan when and where you can bond with your children while thinking of games they can play, like kid friendly jigsaw puzzles. Other mind games that might be best for your kids are as follows:
- Board Games
Board games may be considered one of the most popular mind games that can make kids happy and keep them entertained. These games undoubtedly help children use their minds to beat their opponents.
- Chess
Chess is one of the best-known mind games ever made. Sure, this game is more famous among teens and adults, and only a few kids are inclined to play this kind of game. Actually, an estimated 30 million children play chess all around the globe. Also, exposing your kids to this type of game will do them a lot of good.
Through playing chess, children can hone their strategizing skills and critical thinking. Learning how to move the chess pieces is easy, but using them to defend your king and capture your opponent’s king requires strategy and concentration.
- Monopoly
Monopoly is another board game where kids will be genuinely entertained. The board is not only colourful, but this game can also help children enhance their fundamental mathematics skills.
Parents know that many kids struggle to grasp mathematical concepts. This game can help teach their children about percentages, multiplication, and financial literacy.
- Scrabble
Scrabble is another fun game to play with friends and family. Although it’s a word game, it’s not all about having a vast vocabulary or being a good speller. Like chess, it involves strategy because you need to place your tiles on the board strategically to get a high score.
Kids who play this board game will surely improve their vocabulary and, at the same time, enjoy themselves. Nothing’s better than learning while enjoying it at the same time.
- Puzzles
Solving jigsaw puzzles is exciting and challenging for kids. It tests their visual-spatial reasoning and cognitive skills. In addition, they learn to pay attention to small details so they can match the pieces of the puzzle.
Their intelligence quotient (IQ) will also improve the more they’re exposed to solving puzzles. A study at Michigan University shows that engaging in brain training exercises for 15-20 minutes a day can significantly raise people’s fluid intelligence.
Furthermore, puzzles are truly entertaining and therapeutic, and children love playing with them.
- Charades
For your family bonding, you can never go wrong with playing charades. Aside from helping the family become closer while laughing together, playing this kind of game will help your kids become more imaginative and creative. Their non-verbal communication skills will also improve since the game involves acting out the word or phrase for their teammates to guess. In addition, it will build their patience, along with their socialization skills.
In playing any game, children’s competitiveness will be tested together with their sportsmanship. Hence, parents or responsible adults should be there to guide them so they’ll learn to accept defeat in games. This will help them become well-adjusted and remain calm even if they don’t always get their way.
Conclusion
Encouraging your kids to play mind games brings long-term effects that will help them flourish in the future. These games train their brains, helping improve their mental abilities, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, memory, and concentration.
So if you’re thinking of ways for your kids to learn while having the fun they deserve, consider getting them mind games like board games and puzzles. Also, playing these games with your kids is an excellent bonding opportunity for the whole family.
