Games That Teach Patience

It’s a good a idea to use fun games that teach patience to help children learn to wait, pay attention, take turns, and more. After all, they’ll need these valuable social skills for the rest of their lives! I have a lot of other great game night theme ideas!

Do you know any naturally patient children? I sure don’t. Having been a mom for many years, I’ve learned that kids, along with myself, need to be taught patience… lol!

But turning learning patience into a fun activity can be challenging. For kids, the more enjoyable something is, the more likely they are to absorb it!

This is why using fun games that teach kids patience is such an effective approach. These games help children learn to wait, pay attention, and take turns. They also help with counteracting the effects of instant gratification.

Patience is an important life skill that requires hard work to develop, but the best way to teach it is through engaging and interactive activities.

Take a look at these easy games that make teaching patience a breeze! And, if you’re looking for more ideas on how to improve this skill in your kids, try these additional activities that teach children patience!

Patience is a valuable skill that is essential in many aspects of life. Whether we are trying to accomplish a goal, waiting for a response, or dealing with difficult situations, being patient can help us stay calm, focused, and determined.

However, having a lot of patience can often be a challenging task. This is where games come in handy. Playing games that teach patience can help us build this skill in a fun and engaging way.

In this article, we provide you with a comprehensive guide on games that teach patience, covering the benefits, the best games out there, and some credible resources to explore.

Table of Contents

Games That Teach Patience:

1. Hide and Seek – Old-fashioned hide and seek is an excellent game that helps kids learn to be patient. Kids who are “hiding” will have to show patience as they wait to be found, and kids who are “seeking” have to show patience in order to count to 20 or 50 and then find each player.

2. Concentration – Play a basic concentration (or “memory”) game with the kids! Lay a deck of cards face down and challenge the kids to turn over one card and then find a matching card. For example, if a child turns over a black queen, he would need to find the other black queen in order to make a match. It takes a fair amount of patience to play the game all the way to the end!

3. Chess – Chess takes a while to learn, which means it’s a good game for older children. But, once kids have mastered the game play, they’ll need even more patience to play chess well. It takes time and planning to learn how to outmaneuver the other player and how to improve over time.

4. Jump Rope – Believe it or not, classic jump rope is a great patience game for kids. Have two kids turn the rope and show a third child how to watch for the right time to jump in and start hopping in time with the rope. With practice, the kids will pick up how to enter the rope and exit without losing their stride.

Puzzles are wonderful games for teaching kids how to be patient. It definitely takes time to figure out how to recreate the puzzle picture and where to place each piece to complete the image. For young children, start with small jigsaw puzzles that has no more than 12 or 18 pieces. Older kids may be able to start with a 50 or 100-piece puzzle.

6. Tetris – Tetris is a classic but still fun game that requires players to arrange falling blocks in a specific way. It’s a good thing because it rewards those who can wait patiently for the right block to come along, developing important character traits like patience and strategic thinking. Next time you’re looking for an interesting way to teach patience through real games, give Tetris a try!

7. Solitaire – Solitaire is a card game that can be played alone, requiring players to work on their own timing and pacing to succeed. It teaches patience in different situations, whether you’re waiting for the right card or experiencing a long wait at the grocery store. As you navigate through the deck, you learn to bide your time and strategize, ultimately aiming for the satisfying finish line. Next time you have some free moments, it’s a good time to engage in Solitaire and refine your patience skills.

8. Minecraft – Minecraft is a block-based building game that requires patience and perseverance to create elaborate structures and worlds.

9. Simon Says – This game is a classic game that teaches children to listen carefully and act only when appropriate. This simple activity enhances both child patience and attention, making it an ideal choice for little kids. By following instructions and waiting for the right moment, children develop the important skill of patience while having fun with an easy task.

10. The Waiting Game – The Waiting Game is simple yet effective. Have your child sit comfortably and set a timer for one minute. This game directly targets the ability to wait and control impulses, making it a great starting point for younger children.

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Why is patience a valuable skill for children to learn?

Learning patience is crucial for children as it helps with their overall growth and development.

Patience is a skill that allows children to manage their emotions, adapt to changes and challenges, and persevere through difficult situations.

It also helps in improving their decision-making abilities and encourages them to think through problems instead of rushing into quick solutions.

Additionally, learning patience will also help children to deal with stress, frustration, and failure in a healthy manner.

Overall, patience is a valuable life skill that children need to learn to succeed in their personal and professional lives.

How Games Can Help Teach Patience

Games are a natural and great way for children to learn patience.

When children engage in gameplay, they are often required to wait for their turn, follow the rules, and deal with delays or setbacks—all of which cultivate patience.

But also, games provide a safe environment for children to experience frustration and learn coping strategies.

Incorporating games that emphasize patience into your child’s routine, is a fun way to help them develop this essential skill while having fun.

What are the benefits of playing games that teach patience?

Playing games that teach patience can bring numerous benefits, including:

Developing focus: Many games require players to stay focused on a task or a goal for an extended period, helping improve concentration and attention span.
Enhancing perseverance: Many games require players to repeat a task or a level multiple times before succeeding, encouraging the development of perseverance and resilience.
Boosting problem-solving skills: Many games present players with challenging situations that require creative and strategic thinking to solve problems.
Reducing stress: Playing games can be a relaxing and enjoyable way to unwind and reduce stress.
Cognitive Development: Patience games improve focus, memory, and problem-solving skills.
Emotional Regulation: Children learn to manage frustration and delay gratification.
Social Skills: Playing games fosters cooperation, turn-taking, and fair play.