Unplugged Fun: Unique Gifts and Board Games for Neurodiverse Students

Families

Dec 16

Finding distinctive and enjoyable gifts for neurodivergent students can be challenging, especially when typical presents may involve skills such as reading, writing, or language, which some neurodiverse individuals find difficult. Drawing from my extensive 25+ years of teaching neurodiverse students, I've identified that the most rewarding gifts encourage them to unplug from devices and engage in interactive experiences with friends and family.

Board Games for Unleashing Strategic Thinking

Explore a curated list of board games below that

Image for a blog on Unique Gifts for Neurodivergent Students by Gail Suitor of Ignite Change Makers.

not only entertain but also allow the talents of neurodiverse students to shine through strategic thinking. From preschool onward, these students have developed survival strategies in school systems that may not cater to their unique needs. Playing these games together provides a platform to witness their out-of-the-box strategic thinking, create winning strategies, and foster an appreciation for their distinctive cognitive styles.

Developing Social Skills through Play

Engaging in board games goes beyond entertainment; it helps neurodiverse students develop crucial social skills. Playing games offers valuable lessons in good sportsmanship, including following rules, taking turns, learning new strategies and skills, maintaining focus, celebrating achievements, and acknowledging the winning team.

Shop Online for Variety

Each game listed provides a plethora of options from various suppliers, allowing you to explore different versions online. The links provided below are for your convenience but feel free to search the internet for these games instead of using the provided links, ensuring you find the perfect fit for the neurodiverse student in your life.

Othello: I like this one because the magnets keep the pieces in place. This two-player game is for ages 6 and up.

Connect 4: To win, a player must connect 4 of their predetermined color in a row. This is a two-player game for ages 6 and up.

Mancala: There are many different ways to play this game, depending on the board you buy. This 2-4 player game is for ages 6 and up.

Quoridor: Players choose to move their piece across the board or use a wall to block another player. This is a 2 to 4-player game for ages 8 and up.

Blockus: In this game, players try connecting as many pieces as possible before running out of room. This is a 2 to 4-player game for ages 7 and up.

Checkers/Chess/Tic-Tac-Toe: Three board games in one. This beautifully crafted wooden game set gives you 3 strategic games for the price of one. These games are for ages 5 and up and require 2 players.

Hoot Owl Hoot: This game requires players to work together to get the owls home before sunrise, developing teamwork, strategy, and social skills. Peaceable Kingdom Games has several cooperative games to choose from. This is a 2-4 player game for ages 4 and up.

Parcheesi: This game is for ages 6 and up and can be played with 2 to 4 players.

Shut the Box: This game supports students in developing addition skills. This is a 1-5 player game (depending on the board you buy) for ages 3 and up.

Tell a Tale: This game uses picture cards to develop storytelling skills. First, support their learning by reminding them every story has a beginning, middle, and end. Then, have them repeat the part of the story added by the last card played before putting down their card to support them. This is a 2-8 player game for ages 6 and up (and great for travel!).

Spot It: This is not a strategy game but a matching game. It develops focus and attention to visual detail. This is a 2-8 player game for ages 6 and up (also great for travel!).

Otrio: This is a 3-D version of Tic-Tac-Toe. It develops strategic thinking and executive functioning. This is a 2-4 player game, recommended for ages 8 and up (but I’ve played it with children as young as 3).

Two of my favorite game suppliers are Gigamic Games and Peaceable Kingdom Games. They have many strategic and cooperative games to choose from. Happy shopping and happy holidays!

If you are looking for outdoor or educational gifts, our grade-level guides offers a ton of options for all ages and stages. The links to those guides are listed on the sidebar of this page.

The links above are based on my experience with the best games for neurodiverse students, even though they are affiliate links.

Do you need guidance on how to develop your students social skills?
Contact Ignite Change Makers today
to give your child the gift of navigating peer interactions successfully.
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Hey There, I’m Gail Suitor

Living and working with a neurodivergent brain can be challenging. I know because I have one, raised three, and taught many over 25+ years.

I help learning disabled people break free from labels so that they can appreciate their unique brains, ignite their brilliance, follow their passions, and become the change makers they were born to be.

My Change Maker Accelerator Program uses Mastermind Pods to help participants learn the 7 strategies of highly effective neurodiverse people so that they can discover their superpowers, develop their Ultimate Change Maker Blueprint, and create the life they want.