Games we Enjoy: by Sharon Roberts, Davis Dyslexia Correction Facilitator

December is a month of celebrations and gift giving, so at the last Come to the Dyslexic Table on December 1, we invited you to share your favourite board games. We were thrilled at the selection, all building on a dyslexic’s strengths such as strategising, patterning, building and using our incredible imaginations.

While having fun, different areas of the brain are stimulated during board game play. Board games that involve strategy stimulate the frontal lobe of the brain which develops executive function skills such as planning, organizing, and decision-making. When the hippocampus is stimulated and when strengthened, it can lead to better memory and spatial navigation. The nucleus accumbens is responsible for processing stimuli in relation to good or bad experiences. Board game play often leads to a decrease in grey matter in the amygdala, which in turn reduces stress and encourages overall feelings of calmness.

So you can see the huge, positive advantages, alongside just having fun with friends and family. Here are some of the games we have played as well as some of the newer games on the market!

Sharon Roberts, Davis Facilitator, Ontario https://dyslexia.ca/

To listen to our Podcast on the Games We Enjoy tune in here:

If you go to the video below and click the ‘Watch on YouTube’ icon… scroll down to Views and then click ‘more’ you will see we have added a timestamp for each game to the list.

Below is our list of favourites in alphabetical order. Check back often as we will add to the list. Enjoy!

Boggle: is a fun word game with a timer.

Buildzi : playing BUILDZI can help develop and reinforce many STEM skills. It involves using Problem Solving, Creativity, Communication, Inquiry, Engineering/Design Thinking, Critical Thinking and Collaboration skills to complete any of the building block games included with BUILDZI. It's perfect for early finishers and is a great team building game. One of the employees at Mastermind Toys (a professing dyslexic) said it was one of her favorite games!

Cinco Linko: Up to 4 people can play where each person chooses a single stack of brightly colored tiles, and you take turns to put down tiles to get a row of five, while blocking your opponents and they block you in turn. Recommendation 2-4 players ages 8 and up.

Cobra Paws: is a tile snatching game.

Connect Four: The object of this game is to connect four of your checkers in a row while preventing your opponent from doing the same. But, look out – your opponent can sneak up on you and win the game!

Conversation Cards: is a lovely easy way to start a conversation by choosing a topic.

Dix it: this is a lighthearted game of storytelling and guesswork where your imagination unlocks the tale! During each round, cards are revealed, their connection is one enigmatic sentence. Be careful… only one picture represents the correct answer, the others are decoys. To find the correct image, let your imagination be your guide.

Exit: Escape rooms are very popular right now and you can create your own at home, designed for 6 years upwards. For example, EXIT the game; Jungle of Riddles is a great introduction for kids to riddles and brainteasers. Working together or by themselves, children can solve various riddles to open mysterious treasure chests.

Find It: Each adventure container is filled with brightly colored plastic pellets and themed hidden objects. All games have the items listed on the cap and includes a tear-off pad to check off the items when found. Each game is individually packaged in an attractive, easy-to-gift-wrap box. There is always one item that is challenging to find and if you are successful you can go on line and get a reward!

Jenga Maker: is a twist on the classic Jenga gameplay has players dividing into teams, who race to instruct and create builds at the same time. There are 3 ways to play, including using teams where one teammate draws a card and describes the setup to the other teammate. No pointing, gesturing, or peeking is allowed! This fun kids’ game features beginner and advanced builds.

Labyrinth: is a board game of strategy for ages 7 and up. Players move around the shifting paths of the labyrinth in a race to collect various treasures. Whoever collects all of his treasures first and returns to his home space wins! Labyrinth is simple at first glance and an excellent puzzle-solving game for children; it can also be played by adults using more strategy and more of a cutthroat approach.

Lego-Based Therapy: is an inventive way to build social competance.

Mastermind Fort Making: Mastermind Toys has created several build your own fort types including a Rocket. These are ideal for the younger child to design a fort. The sets come with everything you need including 2 LED battery operated hanging lights. The options are limitless. Add a bedsheet, turn on the lights, and your child has created their own space adaptable pretty much anywhere!

Monopoly Deal: is Monopoly but in a card game!

Nowhere to Go: involves 2 players and this strategy game has a spy theme on a unique hexagonal game board with spaces inter-connected by bridges. Each player places their spy piece on a starting space and players take turns placing blockers and moving their pieces across any bridges that are not blocked. The first player to trap the other spy with blockers wins.

Pictionary: is the classic board game for picture thinkers as you interpret the meaning of a term or concept by drawing pictures!

Picture Charades: is another classic, fun-filled game designed specifically for younger children as no reading is required! Children will use their imagination and critical thinking skills to act out charades from four categories on the cards: Animals, People, Indoor and Outdoor Themes. Playing this game is a great way to encourage social development, adults and older children can also join the fun!

Quick Cups: is a match 'em up, stack 'em up game.

Ring It: is fun for the younger child who tries to be the first to find the combo, clap their hands and ring the bell.

Rush Hour Game: will take more than a little skilled driving to get the red car out of this traffic jam – it will take brainpower. In Rush Hour, a sliding block logic game, you have to battle the gridlock as you slide the blocking vehicles out of the way for the red car to exit. With 40 all-new challenges, ranging in difficulty, players can progress at their own speed.

Shut The Box: is a dice game which builds Math skills!

Sink n’ Sand: is a kinetic sand based family board game.

Snatch It: is a fast competitive word game.

Spoons: is a very fast, very competitive game simply involving playing cards and spoons!

Spot it: is a great game for all ages consisting of cards which have pictures on them… find a match and you win the trick. There are many different themed editions.

Story Time Chess: has 3 Levels are available that teach children (and adults) how to play chess. Chess has been shown to develop multiple cognitive and emotional skills that will benefit your child throughout their entire life. Children as young as 3 can learn the moves, strategies, and language of chess in a fun and engaging way as the stories come alive.

Superhero Kit: is perfect for the child who loves to dress up and perform. This starter kit includes an oh-so-shiny red cape along with masks and a belt to hide your child's secret identity. Power cuffs and punch-out decorations provide plenty of options for your one-of-a-kind super kid. There's more action-packed fun in the included idea book to help.

Ticket to Ride: builds your tracks across the United States in this fast-paced strategic board.

Twister - Classic: challenges players to place their hands and feet on red, blue, yellow, and green dots on the plastic floor mat, without falling over. It’s a great game for children and adults. Just give the spinner a whirl, see where it lands and make the move!

Yahtzee: is everyone’s favourite dice game.