Games Play Therapists Play: Board Games

Board Games in Play Therapy: Familiar Tools with Hidden Depths

If you work with elementary-aged children, chances are you’re going to play a lot of board games. Board games are familiar, engaging, and exciting for many kids.

But do they really have therapeutic value?

Absolutely! Board games play can support emotional growth, skill building, and relationship development in meaningful ways. Here are some of the ways board games get used in non-directive or directive play therapy.

1. Building Rapport: Meeting Kids Where They Are

Board games provide a low-pressure, familiar environment that invites connection without requiring heavy disclosure. When we sit down to play Uno or Connect Four, we’re creating shared moments of enjoyment that naturally foster trust and rapport.

These games allow children to relax and engage without feeling overly vulnerable. Sometimes great conversations emerge mid-game, not because we asked deep questions, but because the child feels safe enough to open up. Of course, as play therapists, we recognize that verbal conversation is not always going to happen, nor does it need to. The back and forth of game play and quiet acceptance of the client as they are is what supports trust and moves the therapy forward.

Games often used for rapport building:

• Uno
• Mancala
• Connect Four

2. Learning to Manage Conflict and Hard Emotions

Board games naturally generate opportunities for conflict, disappointment, and frustration. Whether it’s the luck of the dice or an opponent’s unexpected move, these small moments can mirror bigger emotional challenges children face in daily life.

In therapy, these moments are golden. They give us opportunities to observe, reflect, and support the child’s emotional process. A simple reflection like, “You didn’t like that roll—you were hoping for a different one” validates their feelings and encourages emotional awareness, all without judgment.

Acceptance and neutrality are key when making these reflections. We’re not correcting or fixing emotions—we’re simply noticing and supporting.

Games often used to explore emotional regulation:

• Chutes and Ladders
• Candyland
• Sorry

3. Encouraging Creativity and Projective Play

Another magical moment often happens when a child spontaneously begins changing the rules—not to win, but just to experiment. This is usually a bridge toward imaginative and projective forms of play.

Children may add fantasy elements, combine two games, or invent new rules altogether. This shift shows flexibility, creativity, and deeper engagement in the play process—critical steps toward emotional expression and exploration.

Games that often inspire imaginative play:

• Qwirkle
• Uno
• Candyland
• Monopoly Jr
• Life

Skill Building: Practicing Focus, Patience, and Planning

Used intentionally, board games can target specific skills like attention, frustration tolerance, turn-taking, and planning. Sometimes we structure gameplay to highlight a skill the child is working on, such as practicing patience during longer turns or encouraging strategic thinking in competitive settings.

Skill-building through games can feel fun and natural for kids, offering immediate practice without feeling like “work.”

Skills commonly practiced through board games:

• Focus and sustained attention
• Emotional regulation
• Turn-taking and cooperation
• Planning and flexible thinking

Recommended Resources

One book that deeply influenced my thinking about board games in therapy is:
 Children’s Use of Board Games in Psychotherapy by Jill Bellinson (2002).
 It’s a fantastic resource for understanding how games can fit into a child-centered therapeutic approach.

Additionally, for a great discussion on this topic, check out this podcast episode from playtherapypodcast.com
 Exploring the Therapeutic Use of Board Games in a Child-Centered Playroom

In Conclusion

Board games are so much more than just a way to pass time in therapy sessions—they’re rich, versatile tools that support emotional growth, relationship building, creativity, and skill development. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your practice, I hope you find new inspiration and playful strategies to bring into your work with children.
Happy playing!

Watch for an upcoming blog on some of the quirkier board games in my office.