In today’s hyper-digital world, board games and screen-free play may seem old-fashioned. Yet, experts are increasingly emphasizing the critical role traditional games continue to play in childhood development and learning at all ages.
The Value of Playing Without Screens
After the pandemic lockdowns, many children who visited psychologist Silvia Álava confessed they missed playing board games with their parents—an activity that became common during months of confinement. According to Álava, while teenagers might initially resist playing with their parents, they often end up enjoying themselves and, importantly, learning through the process. As she puts it: “You are never too old to play—or to learn through play.”
While digital tools offer instant gratification, traditional games foster crucial cognitive, emotional, and social skills. They encourage children to engage deeply, develop their memory, fine motor skills, sustained and selective attention, and executive functions. Unlike digital toys that automatically stimulate the senses, traditional games require children to focus, make decisions, and think strategically.
Games like tic-tac-toe, Battleship, or simple card games such as cinquillo help children practice numbers, develop hand-eye coordination, and begin learning strategy and consequences. As Álava explains, “Children learn to set goals, plan actions, monitor their behavior, and correct mistakes. This process fosters autonomy and goal-oriented thinking.”
The Right Game for Every Age
Choosing appropriate games for each developmental stage is crucial. Álava recommends the following:
- Babies: Sensory mats, soft balls, shape-sorting toys, and large-piece puzzles to stimulate motor skills and senses.
- Toddlers & Preschoolers: Puzzles for memory and logic, DIY craft kits for creativity and fine motor skills, building blocks (like LEGO), and role-play costumes reflecting animals or professions.
- Children 6+ years: Rule-based games that teach social norms, rule-following, and consequences.
- Pre-teens & Teens: Strategic board games such as chess, Parchís, Catán, and card games that build problem-solving and planning skills.
Paloma Rey, a psychologist at Doctoralia, highlights that cooperative board games, in particular, teach teamwork, emotional regulation, and coping with frustration—all essential life skills.
Play as a Tool for Emotional Expression
Beyond cognitive development, play is also a protective factor for children’s mental health. Through imaginative play, children process and express their emotions and experiences—even those they may not yet be able to verbalize fully. “Sometimes, simply listening to the dialogues children create with their toys can offer valuable insights into their inner world,” Álava observes.
Traditional Games in the Classroom
Although using board games in the classroom may seem unconventional, many educators successfully incorporate them into their teaching methods. Juan Carlos Ruiz, a primary and secondary school teacher and expert in Game-Based Learning (GBL), explains that structured educational games can enhance learning by developing social skills, reinforcing concepts, and boosting motivation. As pedagogue Francesco Tonucci famously said: “The most important learning in life happens while playing.”
Ruiz suggests that teachers start by exploring various games through videos and hands-on experience, then gradually integrate them into lessons. Board games can serve as effective alternatives to traditional worksheets, offering students a more interactive and engaging way to learn while meeting curricular goals.
Even with large classes, games can be adapted for small group work or whole-class participation using cooperative learning strategies and creative setups like cameras or multiple game stations.
Learning at Home: Educational Games for Families
Educational play doesn’t have to be confined to classrooms. Family board games like chess, Parchís, and card games remain staples in many homes. Today, there are even more educational versions available, such as:
- Chess with Merybliya (Zacatrus): Guided by chess master María Rodrigo (Reina Enigma), this game helps players develop concentration, impulse control, empathy, frustration tolerance, and emotional intelligence—important skills for life beyond the chessboard.
- Mission Accomplished (Zacatrus): A simple cooperative card game that enhances teamwork, numerical reasoning, communication, and strategic thinking.
- Catan: Energías (Devir): A new sustainability-themed version of the popular Catan game introduces players to renewable energy concepts and the consequences of environmental choices, blending resource management with climate change awareness.
- España 1936 (Devir): This historical simulation allows players to explore the complexities of the Spanish Civil War. Designed by Antonio Catalán, the game offers a unique interactive narrative experience where players actively engage with history, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and historical understanding.
Board Games vs. Digital Games
Unlike digital games, board games offer physical interaction, face-to-face communication, and tangible experiences. As Catalán explains, board games allow players to develop the narrative themselves, offering a deeper level of engagement and learning compared to the passive consumption of stories in films or novels.
Educational institutions, like the Institut Pau Vila de Sabadell, have even integrated strategy games like Twilight Struggle, which simulates the Cold War, into history lessons for over a decade—showcasing the long-term educational potential of analog gaming.
Conclusion: Balancing Fun and Learning
A recent Finnish Ministry of Education report states that 70% of learning happens outside school walls. Play, both at home and in the classroom, offers a powerful and enjoyable way to foster lifelong learning.
While technology undoubtedly has its place, traditional games continue to offer unique educational and developmental benefits that screens often can’t replicate. As educators and parents, rediscovering and integrating these timeless tools can enrich children’s growth, foster stronger family bonds, and create joyful learning experiences that last a lifetime.
