What if family game night could secretly build your child's fine motor skills?
Learn, how to improve fine motor activities and other child development skills with these occupational therapy games, tips, and board game recommendations.
As an Occupational Therapist with experience in pediatrics, I’ve discovered that one of the most powerful tools we have to help children is often hidden on the shelves of any home: board games. Beyond their recreational value, these colorful boxes contain therapeutic tools that can transform child development when used intentionally.
Board Games can Support Child Development in the Following Areas
In my practice, I work with children ranging from preschoolers (3-5 years old) to preteens (10-12 years old), adapting games to each developmental stage. Common reasons for consultation include:
- Parental concerns: Seeking support for fine motor skills (writing, utensil use), emotional regulation (tantrums, frustration), or social skills (shyness, sharing difficulties).
- School referrals: Teachers report challenges with attention deficits, difficulty following instructions, or logical reasoning struggles.
- Current developmental gaps: Many children today show:
- Lower frustration tolerance (due to overprotective parenting or excessive screen time).
- Poor planning and organization skills (impact of digital immediacy).
- Underdeveloped fine motor skills (from fewer hands-on activities like cutting or drawing).
The Benefits of Board Games
In my clinical practice, I’ve seen how children who initially resisted working on certain skills become enthusiastic when we bring out a board game. The magic lies in the fact that while they believe they’re simply playing, they’re actually:
- Developing executive functions by planning strategies in games like Catan Junior.
- Improving fine motor skills while practicing fine motor activities with small pieces in Jenga.
- Practicing emotional regulation when learning to handle the frustration of losing.
- Strengthening social skills through negotiation and turn-taking in cooperative games.
Occupational Therapy Game Recommendations
Some of the games I use most often in therapy and recommend to families include:
Candy Land, that bright-colored classic, is perfect for younger children. Though simple, it teaches patience, following basic rules, and color recognition. Best of all, it doesn’t require reading skills, making it accessible for preschoolers.
For slightly older children, Blokus becomes an excellent tool for spatial reasoning. Each game is an exercise in planning and cognitive flexibility, as players must adapt their strategy based on others’ moves.
When working specifically on emotions, Emotio is my go-to. This game helps children identify and express their feelings in a safe, structured setting.
I regularly use Jenga as one of my fine motor activities.
From Jenga to Integrated Skills—Case Study, Utilising Fine Motor Activities
A 7-year-old student was referred by his school for writing difficulties (poor pencil grip) and low frustration tolerance.
Progression
- First session:
- Used standard Jenga to strengthen tripod grasp (thumb-index finger) and practice calm breathing when the tower falls.
- Weeks 2-4:
- Introduced color-coded Jenga (each color represented an action like “name an emotion”).
- Added a timer to improve processing speed under controlled pressure.
- Results at 2 months:
- Motor progress: Functional pencil grip (visible in schoolwork).
- Emotional growth: Transitioned from yelling when losing to saying “I’ll try again!”
Tips to Maximize Benefits of Board Games in Child Development
- Start with age-appropriate board games aimed at fine motor activities. Nothing kills enthusiasm faster than a game that’s too complex.
- Be flexible with rules. If a child needs more time for their turn or fewer cards to manage, adapt the game to their needs.
- Focus on the process, not just the outcome. Celebrate efforts (“You handled that tough situation so well!”) rather than just victories.
- Use moments of frustration as learning opportunities. Losing is the perfect time to practice resilience which improves emotional regulation.
Integrating Play into Daily Life
One of the most common questions I hear from parents is, “How can we continue this work at home?” The good news is that incorporating these therapeutic games, into family routines is easier than it seems:
- Establish a regular family “game night”.
- Alternate between competitive and cooperative board games.
- Observe which skills your child needs to work on and choose therapeutic games that reinforce them.
- Keep the atmosphere light and fun.
Final Thoughts on Benefits of Board Game for Fine Motor Skills and So Much More
The benefits of board games offer that perfect balance of fun and learning, making therapy as play easy. As a professional, my greatest satisfaction comes when children who initially struggled in therapy end up asking their parents to buy a specific board game because “the therapist said it’s good for me.” In that moment, I know we’ve turned therapeutic work into something the child chooses and enjoys—which is exactly the goal.
Ready to Play?
The next time you take out a board game with your children, remember: you’re doing much more than passing the time. You’re building skills that will stay with them for life.
Katherine's Quicks Tips on using Board Games at Home
Head over to our 3-5 year old page to find more board games to support growth, and be sure to check out these articles to support your child at home.
- 5 of the best Educational Maths Board Games
- Enjoyable Board Games for 3 – 5 years
- Strengthen Preschoolers Vocabulary with these Word Games
