Kids are impulsive and impatient. So are lots of adults as well. But it's still important to learn a bit of self control.
And that's where this list of impulse control games for kids comes in!
Thankfully, lots of classic childhood games are perfect for working on this skill so you might already be playing some of these with your kids.
So if you're looking for games to help with impulse control, then look no further than this list of ideas!
Fun Impulse Control Games for Kids
1. Red Light, Green Light - The classic traffic light game where you move forward when someone says green light and immediately stop when someone says red light.
- Grab a copy of the Red Light Green Light social story to help teach your child the rules of the game
2. Simon Says - Perform the action that the leader calls out, but only when they say Simon Says first.
- Grab a copy of the Simon Says social story to help teach your child how to play
- Try some alphabet themed ideas for Simon Says (free printable list included)
3. Hide & Seek - Sometimes the best thing to do is stick with classic games like hide and seek to work on impulse control. Have you seen how hard it is for kids to stay quiet while hiding? It's hard and requires lots of self control.
- Grab a copy of the free hide and seek social story to help your child learn the rules of this classic childhood game
4. Freeze Dance - Turn on the music and dance, but freeze when the music stops.
5. Drum Games - I've got two different ways to use a drum for self control games. They involve listening and following the beat of the music.
6. Follow the Leader - Everyone has to copy what action the leader is performing even though the leader is constantly changing throughout the entire game.
7. Board Games & Card Games - Many board games and card games for kids are great for working on impulse control. You can try games such as Jenga, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, and Slamwich.
8. Quiet Contest - There is no talking allowed in this game! After all, the first one to make a sound or talk loses. Who will stay quiet the longest? By the way, this game may or may not be one of my favorite games to challenge my kids to...
9. Wait Five - Ask your child a question, but then they have to wait 5 full seconds before they're allowed to respond. It's a great game for checking your child's impulse control.
10. Mother May I? - A game where you ask the leader if you can perform a certain action (like clap your hands three times, take two steps, etc.) and the leader decides whether you can or cannot. If they say yes, you can do the action, but if they say no, you can't. This game also works on many different social areas: asking questions, using manners, etc.
11. Don't Laugh Game - In this game, you take turns trying to make another person laugh. Your goal, though, is to not laugh whenever it's their turn to make you laugh. Self control games like this are hard for a lot of kids (and adults!) and they'll erupt into giggles in no time.
12. The Marshmallow Test - This awesome game is the ultimate waiting game! To play, you put one marshmallow on a plate in front of your child and tell them you're leaving the room to finish a task and that they need to wait for you to return before they can eat it. If they wait, they'll get a second marshmallow. Will they eat it? Or will they wait? Only time will tell!
As you can see from this list, a lot of classic childhood games are great for teaching self control to kids. But, perhaps, some of the other ideas on this list are new to you. Or maybe you know of some others that I have missed. If so, what other fun impulse control games for kids would you add to this list?
