Engaging the Adolescent Mind: An In-depth Exploration of Educational Games for Teens
Explore the world of educational board games for teens, combining fun and learning. Find top games, their benefits, and suitability for young minds.
Written by
Máté Lencse
Educator, game designer,
founder of PlayWise
Why listen to him?
Máté has been regularly playing modern board games and classic abstract board games since 2013. He plays because he loves to. He plays because as an educator, it is his most important motivational and developmental tool. He plays because as a father, it is one of the highest quality times spent with his daughter. He plays because it adds to his marriage. He plays to get to know games and as a game designer, to be able to create new ones. Thus, it's not surprising that he often plays through 15-20 games weekly. Learn more about him and his background on his author page or follow him on social media:
Fortunately, nowadays, we no longer need to prove that learning does not only take place in school classrooms. Learning is always with us and there are many fun, natural ways to engage in it. Adolescence is a time of many changes and developments, but finding the right supportive tools is not impossible. Board games can be truly effective in this age group for engagement, development, and education.
Setting the Stage for a Perfect Game Session
All About Engagement: Our most important task as educators and parents alike is to create quality gaming sessions, which are essential for engaging all participants. It only takes one teenager who doesn't want to play to transform the group dynamics, so we must find board games that motivate everyone. My experience has shown that if we succeed in this, we can create an interactive learning environment through games, where even often hard-to-engage teenagers are more likely to stay involved.
Navigating Teen Interests: Assessing interests, which can range from science and technology to arts, music, and truly anything else, can be a good approach. The world of modern board games is very diverse, and I believe there is a suitable game for every interest. Perhaps the key is to cater to varied interests with short games, frequently switching them up, and then moving to more in-depth engagement as self-regulation strengthens within the group.
Timing is Everything: I believe that we need to properly frame our board game time. We should dedicate time and energy to it. Even if we aren't playing long games, we can still play frequently. Let's not rush, take it seriously; this benefits both educational and entertainment purposes.
Fuel the Brain: Opinions may vary on whether it's appropriate to eat and drink at the table while playing board games, but it's certain that part of a board game session should involve ensuring healthy rejuvenation. Let's establish our rules, but in a way that we provide every framework necessary for quality engagement.
Reflection for Reinforcement: We shouldn't primarily focus on realizing all the ways we've developed or everything we've learned. Rather, we should use discussions about games as a means to organize increasingly better and more appealing board game sessions for the youth, making them more effective and engaging.
Board Game Education
Are you interested in the theory and practice of board game education? Here you can read about specific experiences and also get practical tips.
Delving Deeper into Games
Unstable Unicorns
Why it's Good for Teens: Beyond its entertaining facade, Unstable Unicorns teaches strategy, adaptability, and quick decision-making, attributes crucial in real-life scenarios.
Skills Required: Forward-thinking, adaptability, and a strategic mindset.
Skills Developed: Alliance-building, negotiation techniques, and analytical prowess.
Ideal Setting: Indoors, in a comfortable space conducive to discussion.
TeeTurtle Card Game
Why it's Good for Teens: This game pushes boundaries, encouraging lateral thinking and fostering imagination in humorous settings.
Skills Required: A rich imagination, a sense of humor, and creative prowess.
Skills Developed: Storytelling abilities, wit sharpening, and reflexive thinking.
Ideal Setting: Indoors, in an ambient setting.
Scrabble
Why it's Good for Teens: Scrabble isn't just a word game; it's a cognitive workout. It pushes players to think, strategize, and dive deep into their linguistic reservoirs.
Skills Required: Strong vocabulary, word formation techniques, and strategic acumen.
Skills Developed: Enhanced linguistic abilities, vocabulary expansion, and strategic thinking.
Ideal Setting: Indoors, on a spacious surface.
Bananagrams
Why it's Good for Teens: It's a race against time, pushing players to think fast and flex their vocabulary muscles.
Skills Required: Speedy word recall and proficiency in anagram solving.
Skills Developed: Cognitive reflex enhancement and adaptive thinking.
Ideal Setting: Indoors or outdoors on a stable surface.
Taboo
Why it's Good for Teens: A lesson in communication, Taboo forces players to convey ideas without obvious cues, a valuable skill in effective communication.
Skills Required: Robust vocabulary, quick reflexes, and effective articulation.
Skills Developed: Improved public speaking, lateral thinking, and active listening.
Ideal Setting: Indoors, in a dynamic, spacious setting.
10 Additional Game Recommendations
How do you engage a 14-year-old?
Engaging a 14-year-old requires a blend of interaction and understanding:
Determine their Interests: Find out what subjects or hobbies they're passionate about, such as music, tech, or sports.
Offer Game Choices: Introduce games like Ticket to Ride or Dixit that match their interests.
Interactive Learning: Use platforms like Khan Academy or educational apps to combine learning with fun.
Active Participation: Encourage group activities or projects to foster social interaction.
Note
The synthesis of entertainment and education is a potent combination for teenagers. With the right games, environments, and a dash of enthusiasm, the world of educational games can unlock untold potential in teenagers. From enhancing vocabulary to strategic thinking, the benefits are manifold. So gear up, lay the board, shuffle the cards, and let the learning begin!
Without Anything
And of course, it's also conceivable that we engage them with games that require nothing at all. Sustainability considerations, opposing endless consumption, can all be motivating factors. And we have collected for you a few very good games that require few or no resources at all.
EDUCATIONAL GAMES by ages