Positive Impact of Playing Games

Aug 2, 2025
4 min read

A common question that a lot of child therapists get is “well you just get to play games all day… how is that actually therapeutic?”. While we do love to play games like UNO, Monopoly, and Connect Four; we are actually utilizing evidence based therapeutic interventions while we do so! What might look like simple play is actually an important part of the therapeutic process. In this blog post, I’ll explain how games can support your child’s social and emotional growth in a safe and controlled environment.

Building Rapport

First and foremost, playing games is a great way for therapists to help your child feel safe and connected. Typically, in the first few sessions, your therapist will actually encourage more game play. Games provide a natural way to build rapport that helps them to relax, feel comfortable, and get to know their therapist. Playing games can also be used to increase your child’s participation in sessions and increase motivation.

Playing games also gives the therapist an opportunity to gather information– Does your child have difficulties taking turns? Can your child have difficulty sustaining attention on one activity? Does your child have difficulty following directions? Can your child tolerate losing? Does your child cheat or have difficulty following rules? Can your child practice perspective taking?

Growth and Fixed Mindset

Do you ever notice that your child gets really down on themselves or frustrated when they don’t do well on a test, get denied time to spend with friends, or struggle in practice? Many children struggle with perfectionism and self-esteem. They may think things like “I’ll never be good at this” or “I might as well just quit”. This is an example of a fixed mindset.

A growth mindset encourages continued growth and learning. Playing games is a great way to help your child practice perseverance and understand that they can keep trying their hardest. Clients who often find themselves stuck in a fixed mindset can actually benefit from playing games in session. By playing alongside the therapist, your child may be prompted to identify negative thoughts that they experience such as “I’m not good enough” or “I will never win this game” and challenge them. They may also be asked to identify their emotions (such as sadness or frustration) and pick a coping skill to utilize before playing the game again. Over time, this helps children build confidence and resilience that can be generalized to other areas of their life like school.

Distress Tolerance

In a similar manner, playing games can be a great way to practice distress tolerance. No one likes to lose! For many children, frustration about losing a game can lead to meltdowns and tantrum behaviors. Therapy sessions are a great way to practice distress tolerance where there are fewer distractions.

The therapist may manipulate the game in such a way where it becomes difficult for your child to win (example: the therapist keeps playing the “draw 4” card in UNO). Your child may become angry and upset, but his is the perfect situation to practice coping skills. Your therapist will help your child label their emotions, communicate them and their needs, and practice skills. Your child will be prompted to to use skills such as taking a break or deep breathing to help calm their nervous system and continue with the game. With a therapist's guidance, your child will have experience to use their newfound communication skills when they are playing games at school, with siblings, or even in other situations like tests, performances, or practice.

Social Emotional Communication

Games are also a good way for children to practice typical social interactions such as taking turns, considering other people’s feelings, starting conversation, making jokes, and sharing attention. Not only will your child be able to practice how to ask others to play games with them and challenge anxious thoughts, but they will also learn how to take turns and understand how others might feel if they cheat or quit when they are losing.

Games also offer opportunities to practice communication. Your child may be prompted to practice asking others to play, making small talk, or working through compromises. For many children, therapy can be a safe space to try new skills without fear of social rejection. They can build confidence and begin to challenge any potential fears that they have. Therapists are there to help children to notice their thoughts and feelings while helping them to take perspectives.

Conclusion

Therapy with children doesn’t always look like the typical “person laying on a couch” therapy. For children, oftentimes play is the way to go! Therapists will use games as an evidence based strategy to help your child understand their thoughts and emotions. Games can help your child build trust, practice skills, practice cognitive flexibility, and develop socially. Next time that your child is playing games in session, know that there is more happening than meets the eye!