'Are we playing a game today?' If I had a nickel for every time I've been asked that, I wouldn't have to work anymore!

While there are a whole bunch of interesting activities to use in small group and individual counseling, I find that games have a special way of drawing students in and yet providing opportunities to unlearn negative thoughts and behaviors and to learn and reinforce positive ones.

Interestingly, you don't need to be super creative to incorporate games into your sessions. As a matter of fact, everyday objects and easily available materials around you are enough to conceptualize and facilitate counseling games, no matter what the topic or area of need.

Here are my Top 10 Favorite Games to Use in School Counseling:

Scavenger Hunts

I have to admit, I love scavenger hunts as much as my kiddos in counseling do. I have especially used them at the start of the year with my new students group where tasks would include getting a signature from the principal on a sheet of paper, or going to the music room to find a particular instrument, or to the staff lounge to find a particular teacher.

I tend to also host scavenger hunts for kids I'm seeing in a mindfulness group. Some of the prompts I'd include would be to find something smooth on the playground, an object with a bumpy texture, something that tastes sweet, or something that smells good.

More recently, around Thanksgiving, I ran a gratitude scavenger hunt, and students had to find something that made them smile, something that reminded them of a good time they've had this year, something they enjoy in nature, and more. I cannot begin to tell you what a hit these scavenger hunts are!

Bingo

I don't believe in reinventing the wheel unless I absolutely have to, which is why Bingo is one of my favorite games to play, especially at the start of the year or when I'm beginning to see students in small groups. My Get to Know You Bingo FREEBIE is interactive and gets students talking about their similarities and differences. Students find a classmate or group member who matches one of the bingo squares (example: "I have a brother") and ask them to initial that square. The first student to get 4 in a row signed off by classmates wins.

Game Shows

With my upper elementary students, game shows have quite the fan following. At the start of the school year, in my Tier 1 lessons, my interactive Jeopardy-inspired Meet the Counselor Game Show helps students understand the role of the school counselor and empowers them to seek out the counselor when needed. You could also create your own using Boom Cards or PowerPoint.

Escape Room

A trusty game for my upper elementary students has always been anything that involves missions and escape rooms. Sure, they take a little more time and effort to plan and organize, but once you have created them, you can use them again and again and tweak them to fit the needs of your students. I like to use a game like this during a whole class lesson or in small groups where students can team up with others.

This Growth Mindset Mission is extremely interactive and fun. It helps students build a growth mindset, see the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset, and learn the power of 'yet' through a series of activities. Students divide into groups and work as a team as they move around the room to solve all 5 missions: a sorting activity, a sentence scramble, a round of acting, a drawing activity, and one that includes writing examples. Kids feel so accomplished and learn so much through a game like this.

UNO

Like I said, I love using resources I already have lying around, and UNO cards are among my favorites with my self-regulation small group. You can use a regular UNO deck as is or print your own on cardstock. The question or task on each card can line up with the colors of the Zones of Regulation and the related physical feelings, thoughts, triggers, behaviors, and coping strategies. For example, a blue card could read, 'list two things that make you feel sad' or 'list two coping strategies you would use when you are feeling tired.' You could use a Wild card to have the student act out a self-regulation strategy of their choice.

Simon Says

Are you meeting with a bunch of kiddos who have ants in their pants and cannot sit still? A simple game like Simon Says works great with a self-control small group. The rules are the same. Students are expected to pay attention and stay in control of their bodies based on the instructions given. In my Tier 1 lessons, I like using Simon Says as a brain break, especially when kids have been sitting for a long time or when I sense they are getting tired.

Roll and Share

Have you ever met a kid who didn't like dice games? I haven't, and that's why I love Roll and Share games. With my anger management small group, I print scenarios or questions with a matching dice face next to each one. Students roll the dice and answer the question or share a detail that matches the number they rolled. A game like this works for any topic under the sun and is super low-prep. It's also great for practicing waiting your turn, so I use roll and share games in my self-control groups too. For more ready-made options, my Chill Zone Anger Management Games are a student favorite.

Memorize and Match

Sorting and matching games are a favorite among kids of all ages. Add the challenge of memorizing and you have a bunch of extremely enthusiastic (and often competitive) kiddos! My Self-Regulation Matching Game teaches students how to identify their emotions and which feelings and actions go with each color 'temperature.' It works with a small group or in an individual session.

Scoot

Scoot is one game I love using in my Tier 1 and Tier 2 lessons. The premise is simple. Place a question card on each desk in your classroom, and students move from desk to desk answering questions or 'solving the problem.' My SEL Scoot Game Bundle covers topics like self-regulation, growth mindset, empathy, self-control, expected and unexpected behaviors, size of the problem, worry and anxiety, and social skills. Scoot works especially well when you want to teach different parts of the same topic or when you have kids who learn best through movement.

Board Games

Of course I saved the best for last! Who doesn't love board games? You could always repurpose classic board games like Chutes and Ladders, but I prefer board games made for specific counseling needs. They offer a fun way to get a better understanding of where your student is at and what their problem areas still might be, and you can use that to plan your future sessions.

If you're up for a challenge, you can even create your own board games. If you're looking for something ready to use, my SEL Board Game Bundle includes fun, easy-to-use school counseling board games covering a variety of character education topics, so you'll have something for the most common SEL topics whether you're working with a small group, an individual student, or the whole class. I also love using seasonal board games with my kiddos!

What are some games you play with your students? Have you repurposed existing games? I'd love to hear what worked well in the comments!