The Power of Play
- Mrs. Briana & Mrs. Christine
- May 12
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 24
In a world filled with screens, structured schedules, and constant stimulation, it's easy to forget the simple power of play. Yet, one of the most effective—and enjoyable—ways to help children build essential life skills is through playing games, both at home and in school.
Whether it's a quick round of Uno before dinner or a small-group game of ABC BINGO during centers, games offer kids far more than just entertainment. They create natural opportunities to practice turn-taking, learn patience, and develop good sportsmanship—skills that serve them both inside and outside the classroom. Plus, games are the perfect bridge between learning and having fun!
Turn-Taking: Learning to Wait and Listen
One of the first social skills kids develop during early childhood is the ability to take turns. Games inherently require turn-taking, and by participating, children learn to wait patiently, follow rules, and respect others' chances to play. Playing games with others provides a shared experience to help kids understand fairness and mutual respect. Practicing this skill through play makes it feel less like a lesson and more like a natural part of having fun.
Patience: Delaying Gratification Through Fun
Let’s face it—waiting isn’t easy, especially for young kids. Even though patience is not always a little one’s forte, games create structured situations where patience is not only necessary, it’s rewarded. Whether they're waiting for their move in Trouble or hoping for a good card in Go Fish, children practice managing anticipation and controlling impulses.
This kind of play builds emotional resilience and self-regulation—key components for academic success and healthy peer relationships.
Sportsmanship: Winning (and Losing) with Grace
Games come with competition, and that means someone wins... and someone doesn’t. Oh my, this can be tough for kids, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to teach emotional intelligence. By playing regularly, children learn how to handle disappointment, celebrate others' successes, and keep a positive attitude. Teachers and parents can model phrases like “Good game!” or “Nice try!” to reinforce good sportsmanship regardless of the outcome.
The beauty of games is that they transcend settings. Parents can use playtime as a bonding moment after a long day, while teachers can incorporate games into daily routines or lessons to reinforce learning in a fun, low-pressure way. We’ve complied this list of our favorite games to play with little ones that are both fun and educational making them the perfect addition to any classroom or family game closet!
BINGO
When it comes to playing games with preschoolers, few classics are as loved—and as adaptable—as BINGO. It’s simple, engaging, and perfect for introducing early learning concepts in a fun, low-pressure way. Preschoolers thrive on repetition and structure, which is why BINGO is such a hit. The game’s familiar rhythm—hear it, find it, mark it—keeps little ones engaged while reinforcing important skills. And the best part? You can tailor it to anything you want your child to learn.
Above are a few of our favorite BINGO variations that sneak in some learning with the fun!
Memory
Preschoolers are naturally curious and love a good challenge—especially when it involves flipping over cards and hunting for matches! That’s what makes Memory (or Matching) games such a perfect combo of fun and learning. We’ve adapted this classic game into a playful learning powerhouse by adding elements like letters and shapes.
Candy Land
Candy Land might look like a simple race-to-the-finish game (with a sprinkle of sugar), but don’t be fooled—this classic board game offers a lot more than meets the eye. For preschoolers, Candy Land is packed with early learning benefits such as color identification and turn-taking. It’s a favorite for a reason, and we’re always surprised how many of our students have never played. Once we've introduced it to the kids, it's always requested frequently.
Don’t Break the Ice
Looking for a game that’s equal parts thrilling and skill-building? Don’t Break the Ice might just be your go-to. With its tiny hammer, tumbling ice blocks, and a suspenseful payoff, this preschool-friendly game keeps kids totally engaged—while sneaking in some serious learning. From fine-motor control to strategizing, this game will have your kid using a variety of skills sets. We like to take the learning factor up a notch when we play this game with our students by writing letters (with a dry erase marker) on the ice cubes. On their turn, a player must say the letter name and sound before breaking off that piece of ice.
Chutes and Ladders
For preschoolers, this game is a treasure trove of learning disguised as fun. With every spin and slide, kids are building their math readiness through number recognition and counting. We have created out own twist of this classic game; in our version, there is a letter on each board game square, and the player must identify the letter name and sound as they move their piece towards the finish line.
Guess Who
If you've ever played Guess Who?, you know it’s all about asking questions, narrowing down choices, and flipping those little doors as you close in on the mystery character. But for preschoolers, it's not just a fun guessing game—it’s also a fantastic way to build language skills, practice deductive reasoning, and explore question asking.
Trouble
That iconic pop from the center bubble of the Trouble board is enough to make any preschooler light up. But beyond the fun of racing your little pegs around the board, Trouble is secretly working hard to build essential early mathematic skills.
UNO Junior
This is a personal family favorite, and a game that we continue to play year-after-year. Classic UNO is already perfection, but UNO Junior takes all the fun of the original and tailors it perfectly for preschoolers. With adorable animals, simpler rules, and a focus on color and number matching, it’s more than just a fun card game—it’s a mini learning lab in disguise.
Card Games
Sometimes the best thing to do with the littles is to get back to basics. Grab a deck of cards and get ready for some quality time with your kids or students! Card games are not only a blast, but they also come with a bunch of benefits that help your little ones develop important life skills. From math to memory to emotional growth, playing cards is a total win-win!
Here are our go-to card game favorites with our class:
-Go Fish
-Crazy 8
-War
-Make 10
-Trash
In the hustle and bustle of the classroom or everyday life, it’s easy to forget just how important playtime is for preschoolers. But as we’ve explored, playing games with your child goes beyond fun—it’s a key part of their development. Whether they're sharpening their memory, learning to manage emotions, or practicing social skills, every game is an opportunity to grow.
Let’s make the most of these moments. After all, the benefits of playing with your preschooler are endless and last a lifetime!
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