Not Just Dungeons: Using Other Games to Build SEL and Executive Functioning
Quirkle: A great game for planing ahead for all ages.
I love tabletop roleplaying games. That's no secret. They’re powerful tools for growth, connection, and self-discovery. But let’s not forget: TRPGs aren’t the only games in the toolbox. Sometimes, we can develop social-emotional learning (SEL) skills and executive functioning just as effectively using a good ol’ board game.
The trick is knowing what you’re looking for. You don’t need to reinvent game night, just play with more intention.
Here’s a breakdown of some core SEL and executive functioning skills, and what to look for when choosing a board game to support them. These aren’t just theoretical, they’re tried, tested, and wonderfully fun when used well.
1. Teamwork
Look for: Cooperative games, shared goals, frequent communication.
Games that pit players against the board instead of each other can be incredible for building collaboration. Everyone has a part to play. Players learn to listen, take suggestions, and make group decisions, even when not everyone agrees.
Try:
Pandemic – Classic “us versus the virus” game. Clear roles, shared stress, and lots of talk.
Forbidden Island / Desert / Sky – Similar to Pandemic but with a smaller footprint and faster pace.
The Crew – A trick-taking game… in space! Quiet collaboration through subtle plays.
Mysterium – One person gives abstract clues while others guess. It’s spooky charades meets Clue.
What you’ll see: Kids and adults alike practicing clear communication, adapting to each other’s needs, and sharing the win or the loss. That’s real teamwork in action.
2. Turn Taking
Look for: Games with varied or evolving turn order, or ones that require players to plan while others act.
Almost every game involves turn taking, but some make it more dynamic. Games that mix it up help kids (and grownups) practice flexibility and awareness.
Try:
King of Tokyo – A dice-chucking monster brawl where turns are fast, interactive, and high-energy.
Tsuro – Turns are quick, and the board changes every round, teaching players to adapt.
Small World – Turn order shifts, and players must consider how others’ moves will affect the board.
Uno Flip – A twist on Uno that literally flips the deck, forcing players to reorient.
What you’ll see: Improved patience, better focus on others’ actions, and the beginning of flexible thinking, not just “my turn, your turn,” but “how will this round go?”
3. Frustration Tolerance
Look for: Games with random outcomes, losses, or setbacks—ideally with some cooperative elements.
Let’s face it, sometimes you lose. Sometimes the dice gods hate you. Sometimes the plan doesn’t work. That’s not a flaw in gaming, it’s a feature. Playing through frustration helps build resilience and emotional regulation, and when done in a game format, you don’t hate it!
Try:
Pandemic (again) – It’s tense. You lose a lot. And then you try again.
The Mind – A weird but wonderful cooperative game about syncing up silently. You’ll fail. A lot.
Castle Panic – Enemies swarm in from every direction. Things fall apart fast. And yet, you fight on.
Ghost Fightin’ Treasure Hunters – Think Scooby-Doo meets survival. Great for kids.
What you’ll see: Players taking deep breaths, laughing through disaster, and learning that failure is just another part of the game. You’re teaching coping skills without the switching off that happens with a lecture.
4. Perspective Taking
Look for: Games that require you to think like someone else or predict how others think.
Games that put you in someone else’s shoes (or at least ask you to guess what’s in their head) are gold for developing empathy and perspective. These games can spark conversations that last long after the box is back on the shelf.
Try:
Apples to Apples or What Do You Meme (Family Edition) – Silly, yes. But you win by knowing what someone else will pick.
So You Think You Know Me – A fantastic card game for building emotional insight.
Dixit – Surreal images and intuitive clues. Requires reading the room.
Lost for Words – A storytelling game about expressing the unspoken. Great for deeper reflection.
What you’ll see: Players thinking outside themselves, making guesses about others’ likes, personalities, and intentions. You’re helping build empathy in the most playful way possible.
5. Organizational Skills
Look for: Games with multiple components, long-term planning, and layered strategy.
Executive functioning gets a real workout when a game requires players to juggle cards, tokens, goals, and rules all at once. These games can be a little more complex but incredibly rewarding for learners who need help with attention, planning, or memory.
Try:
Wingspan – You’ll manage food, eggs, birds, powers… and it’s beautiful to boot.
Everdell – A bit heavier, but full of satisfying structure and strategy.
Terraforming Mars – A top-tier game for older teens and adults. Pure planning bliss.
7 Wonders – Great intro to layered play with short turns and big-picture thinking.
What you’ll see: Increased attention to detail, stronger working memory, and pride in pulling off complex strategies. Think of it like strength training for the brain.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to run a full-blown fantasy campaign to get the benefits of social-emotional learning and executive skill building. Sometimes, all it takes is game night with a bit of intention behind your choice of games.
Next time you look at your shelf, ask yourself: What skill could this game help develop? Then, watch how your players grow while laughing, losing, and learning together.
Let’s keep making play meaningful and mindful.
You can get a list of the games we mentioned by downloading this list: