How to Teach Your Kids Strategic Thinking Through Games

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Board games are a seemingly never-ending source of educational opportunities helping kids with reading, writing, math, and more. But the value of learning strategy is often overlooked in traditional education so playing games, and especially strategy games, is an invaluable supplement to a child’s learning foundation. 

But why should the skill of strategy be valued so highly? Strategic thinking goes beyond plotting warpaths or planning a hostile takeover, it is a foundation for independent learning and problem solving that is impossible to replicate. Learning about strategy will help a child think two steps ahead and aid them in many mathematical and science-driven academic fields. 

Here is a look at some of the best games you can play with kids, both young and old, to help them develop a strategic mindset that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

Connect 4

This is one of the simplest games you can play and very young kids will snap it in a heartbeat. It is a good introduction to strategic gameplay as it is over fast and doesn’t require much of an attention span. But kids will quickly see they need to see a pattern or think ahead to master the game. 

Risk Board Game

The aim of the game is world domination by building armies, expanding territory, invading, and defending. The name risk board game says it all, take risks in the hopes that they will pay off and let you gain control fast, or play it safe and wait for other players to fail before you pounce. 

Catan

This is a more complicated game for kids who want to learn strategy, but it is a fantastic addition to any family game night. The first few plays might take longer as kids learn the ins and out of the game but once they get a firm grasp on it there will be no stopping them. Being strategic about trades or the path you build your roads on will be the difference between success and failure. There is also a Catan Junior version if kids want to get started as young as 6. 

Minecraft

Many parents try to avoid video games like the plague but in a life where everything gets more digitized by the minute, this is doing more harm than good to kids. Let them explore the world of Minecraft to build fantastic worlds of their own. This fantastic 3D game let kids build structures from their wildest imaginations, all while learning a whole host of intangible skills.

Agricola

Many strategy board games are battle-themed which might be a bit much for young players to understand. Agricola keeps all the best aspects of a strategy game and implores players to compete and collaborate simultaneously to build the biggest farm. It is recommended for children 12 and up and players must think on their feet as they build a family, grow crops, expand their land, and improve their shed.

Sequence

Tic-tac-toe is probably the first strategy game kids learn but this is only entertaining for the first round or two. Sequence takes this basic game to a new level with the addition of cards and chips. Players draw cards from a deck and place chips strategically on the board to try and create a sequence. There is an easier version for young children, Sequence Kids, which features fun animal characters. 

Stone Age

Turn back the hands of time for this prehistoric game where you must gain knowledge to pave your way out of the stone age. Gather supplies, make weapons, hunt, and use natural resources wisely and you might just make it out. Fail, and you set back evolution a few thousand years, succeed and you might just help humanity make it to the moon! This kind of game forces kids to think far ahead instead of just playing what seems right in the moment. If you use up your resources too quickly, you will never see the dawn of a new era. 

Battleship

You can never go wrong with a good old-fashioned game of Battleship. Kids quickly learn how to play and it provides a level playing field for players of all ages. Players must find the best strategy to fool their opponent rather than randomize their ship placement. It is key to keep track of the ships you have sunk to know which new coordinates to call out and the linear grid of the game is great for right brain development. The game is filled with suspense but is perfect for young players as it doesn’t last too long and the rules are simple.

About Author

LaDonna Dennis

LaDonna Dennis is the founder and creator of Mom Blog Society. She wears many hats. She is a Homemaker*Blogger*Crafter*Reader*Pinner*Friend*Animal Lover* Former writer of Frost Illustrated and, Cancer...SURVIVOR! LaDonna is happily married to the love of her life, the mother of 3 grown children and "Grams" to 3 grandchildren. She adores animals and has four furbabies: Makia ( a German Shepherd, whose mission in life is to be her attached to her hip) and Hachie, (an OCD Alaskan Malamute, and Akia (An Alaskan Malamute) who is just sweet as can be. And Sassy, a four-month-old German Shepherd who has quickly stolen her heart and become the most precious fur baby of all times. Aside from the humans in her life, LaDonna's fur babies are her world.

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Viktor Sarry
Viktor Sarry
1 year ago

Her zaman https://aviator-oyunu.com/ denemenizi tavsiye ederim. Bu bildiğim en iyi hava oyunlarından biri. Aviator, her an çökebilecek artan bir eğriden oluşan yeni bir tür sosyal çok oyunculu oyundur. Tur başladığında, bir çarpan ölçeği büyümeye başlar. Şanslı uçak uçup gitmeden önce oyuncu parayı çekmelidir.

Video oyun endüstrisinden kaynaklanan bu format, basitliği ve heyecan verici kumar deneyimi nedeniyle kripto kumarhanelerinde popüler oldu.

Kevin Costner Vest
1 year ago

This is excellent article, thank you for the share! This is what I am looking for, hope in future you will continue sharing such an superb work.

Anne Marie
Anne Marie
1 year ago

Agricola is one of our favorites. Resource building plus strategy!

Joseph Parsons
Joseph Parsons
1 year ago

One of the most common uses for gaming mods is to fix broken or non-functioning code. EA’s The Sims 3 was an incredibly ambitious project at release, opening the entire neighborhood for your sims to explore. However, that ambition did not necessarily translate into functionality.

Celebrate Woman Today

Games of any kind, board or active, bring people together, teach then how to work as a team, build confidence in taking a risk. Most of all, these games are a great way to enjoy the time with family and friends while gaining life’s experiences.

Emory Scott
Emory Scott
1 year ago

Your child’s first memories should be made at a place where they are surrounded by loving adults and a fun, safe environment. A good Daycare Annapolis centre always provides kids with a stimulating and interactive learning environment. They offer a nice selection of classes including painting, ballet, music, and computer classes. They even offer evening activities such as games and storytime. The staff is friendly and professional.

Sam Jonson
Sam Jonson
1 year ago

I really like the site with free games, visit here. I especially like genres such as quests and war games. Of my favorite games, I would single out zombies, combat boats and a warbot. Also from the last one I found a game about rap battles, this is something new)) I have not seen such games anywhere before, so it is unique)

Angela Ricardo Bethea

Those are all wonderful selections of games and definitely would introduce those to them. My kids already know Minecraft and I’m sure they would love the other ones as well.

Bill Shiphr
Bill Shiphr
1 year ago

I know that games are a great way to teach the kids, and that’s why I think there’s nothing wrong with allowing kids to play them for a limited time. Whenever I play TF2 to profit on https://dmarket.com/ingame-items/item-list/tf2-skins later, I let my son play Minecraft, and he’s a huge fan. And usually, we don’t play for more than a few hours.

Weres1952
Weres1952
1 year ago

 Strategic thinking can be taught through many different means, but the most effective method is to do it through games. Need to check this js13kgames.com and get more skills about the latest games. There are dozens of games out there that teach strategic thinking and help kids learn when to make trades, how to use their knowledge and how to face their fears.

Maher
Maher
1 year ago

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Kadad Coe
Kadad Coe
1 year ago

Hi, I came across a puzzle game, I want you to recommend it https://quordlewordle.com/, in this game you need to guess the words, you need to guess four words at once, this game relaxes and distracts, and there are difficult game modes, and also if other game modes, you can find something to your liking.

stumble guys apk
1 year ago

If you’re looking for a fun and addicting game to play on your Android device, look no further than Stumble Guys APK. This physics-based party game has taken the mobile gaming world by storm, and for good reason. It’s an incredibly fun and challenging game that will keep you coming back for more.

Kadad Coe
Kadad Coe
1 year ago

Good evening, if you are looking for something to occupy your free time, but are tired of the usual walking games. I have great news for you, this is a puzzle game Globle. This game won’t take you much time, it’s not difficult, but fascinating and will give you a real pleasure to play, what are you waiting for? Go for it!

CharlesP22
CharlesP22
1 year ago

As parents, we often feel like we don’t have enough time to teach our kids the skills they need to be successful in the future. But while there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to this problem, games can play a big role in helping your kids develop a strong understanding of strategic thinking. You can look at here and learn how to bet on overwatch. In this article, we’ll show you five games that can help your children learn how to think strategically and make sound decisions.

Jeorge H Waters
Jeorge H Waters
1 year ago

It’s a pretty well-known fact that games have a beneficial effect on kids’ development, and I think it’s a great way of learning and improving skills. In my childhood, I used to play a lot, and I think that’s the reason I’m a huge fan of various games nowadays, even though now I play this instead. But I can say that everything is great, I keep everything under control.

Devid Ourel
Devid Ourel
1 year ago

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Denial
Denial
1 year ago

Minecraft – can really transform a child, because it’s like a Lego constructor that can develop thinking well. Moreover, routine tasks make you look for automation or solutions. My son found and used auto clicker from the internet to make things easier for himself