Games for the Mentally Disabled

Problem-Solving Games

• Games that involve completing a multi-step task or experimenting to find a good solution draw upon problem-solving skills. The key in playing problem-solving games is to provide an activity that stimulates interest without being too challenging. Begin with individual activities, such as puzzles or building with manipulatives. Build to group-oriented games, such as working together to build a functioning car ramp.

Music and Dance Games

• Draw upon participants' kinesthetic, musical and spatial skills with games involving music, rhythm and movement. A simple game of Simon Says gets mentally disabled people moving in diverse ways. Include prompts such as walking, bending and running and build to more creative, open-ended prompts such as acting like an animal or dancing. Develop an appreciation for music and rhythm with clapping games. Play Freeze Dance in which participants move until the music stops, and then they must freeze in position. Sing songs that incorporate body movements such as "Hokey Pokey" and "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes."

Social Games

• Circle and partner games that stimulate discussion support mentally disabled clients in developing their social skills. Have a group sit in a circle on a rug. State you name and ask "What's yours?" Roll the ball to someone else in the circle, who states their name, repeats the question and then rolls the ball to someone else. Encourage partner activities and socializing with the game Guess What's Different. Partners face one another and study each other. One person turns around while the other person changes one thing about his appearance. The partner must turn back around and guess the difference.

Cooperative Games

• Cooperative games provide recreation while fostering a social atmosphere. Play a round of Table Beach Ball, in which players sit at the periphery of a large table and roll a beach ball to one another with the goal of it not hitting the floor. Set up cooperative challenges, such as working together to build a tall tower of blocks or a marble run.