Level Up Learning with Games & Puzzles

National Game & Puzzle Week (November 23–29) arrives at the perfect time each year—just as families begin gathering together, settling into the rhythm of Thanksgiving break. For parents, it’s also a great reminder that learning doesn’t have to pause when school is out. In fact, some of the most meaningful learning happens around the kitchen table with a board game, a deck of cards, or a puzzle.

At ILMS, we believe that play is a powerful teacher. Games are more than fun—they build the very cognitive skills that students need to thrive in school and beyond.

How Play Builds Real Academic Skills

When kids play strategy games like Connect 4, Chess, or Battleship, they’re practicing critical thinking, planning, and pattern recognition. Card games strengthen working memory and adaptability, while puzzles develop spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and attention to detail. Even family games like Sorry! or Ticket to Ride can improve visual tracking and processing speed.

These skills are foundational across subjects, from math to reading to science. Kids who regularly engage in strategic play often show stronger focus, better self-regulation, and improved academic confidence. Competitive games develop resilience and sportsmanship, while logic puzzles train the brain to persist through frustration. In other words, play builds both cognitive and emotional strength.

The Psychology of Play: Why Fun Makes Learning Stick

There’s an important neurological reason games make such effective learning tools: joy changes the brain. When kids enjoy a game, their brains release dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to memory and motivation. Dopamine acts like a mental “glue,” helping the brain store new information more effectively. And because games naturally encourage a state of relaxed alertness, lowering stress and raising engagement, children learn without the pressure they sometimes associate with school.

This is why our ILMS tutors routinely weave play-based learning into sessions, especially for young students who struggle with focus, confidence, or motivation. When a child feels successful during a game, they experience learning as enjoyable, increasing their willingness to tackle challenging academic tasks and even reshaping their relationship with school. To learn more, schedule a free consultation or contact us anytime at (708) 581-8617 or ilms_office@ilmstutor.com.

How Families Can Boost Learning with Games

The good news is that you don’t need expensive materials to help your child learn through play. You can use what you already have at home. This Thanksgiving break, try the following:

• Create a family puzzle corner where anyone can add to an ongoing jigsaw puzzle.

• Start a "daily riddle" ritual at breakfast to boost your child's critical thinking.

• Fill a jar with slips containing quick challenges (sudoku, mini crossword, word scramble, etc.) for family members to complete throughout the week.

• Read recipes and prep ingredients with your child as natural math and literacy practice.

• Have kids design their own board games using cardstock and other crafting materials. Let them execrcise their logic and writing skills by creating rules, objectives, and challenges.

Want to See How Game-Based Learning Can Help Your Child?

ILMS offers personalized tutoring grounded in research-backed strategies, including purposeful, skill-building play. To learn how our approach can support your child’s learning style, schedule a free consultation today or contact us anytime at (708) 581-8617 or ilms_office@ilmstutor.com.

Let’s make this Thanksgiving season a celebration of family fun and joyful learning!