Hey friend! In this episode, I’m sharing one of my favorite classroom hacks that brings joy, engagement, and so much hidden learning into the day - board games! 🎲

If you’re thinking, “Wait, board games… in my special ed classroom?” - I get it! But trust me, these games can be a total game-changer (pun 100% intended).
In this episode, I walk you through how I use board games to build social skills, academic knowledge, language, regulation, and more - and how I adapt them for all learners in my classroom.

I’m also sharing budget-friendly ways to build your own classroom game stash without breaking the bank-— and some of my best repurposing hacks for when games come with missing pieces (because… yep, it happens!).

💛 Why Board Games Belong in Special Ed
Board games are so much more than just fun - they help build:

Social skills (turn-taking, sharing, teamwork)

Language development (vocabulary, directions, conversations)

Executive functioning (planning, focus, problem-solving)

Fine + gross motor skills (spinners, dice, movement)

Academic reinforcement (colors, numbers, literacy)

Emotional regulation (learning to win/lose gracefully)

Sensory engagement (textures, movement, visual supports)

I even share a story about how Chutes and Ladders helped one of my students learn turn-taking with patience and joy!

🔧 How I Adapt Board Games for All Learners
Board games don’t always come classroom-ready — so here are my favorite ways to tweak them:

Simplify the rules

Add visual supports and picture cues

Swap tiny pieces for larger, sensory-friendly ones

Use cooperative play instead of competition

Add AAC or sentence starters for communication

Shorten wait times and offer role choices

Modify boards or enlarge components

We even created a custom Guess Who? board with pictures of our classmates — it was a HUGE hit and helped with social language, peer recognition, and descriptive vocabulary.

💸 Where to Find Board Games on a Budget
You don’t need to spend a fortune to build a great classroom game stash:

Ask friends/family (a simple Facebook post can work wonders!)

Thrift stores, yard sales, Facebook Marketplace

Buy Nothing groups and library sales

Dollar stores + clearance aisles

Parent donations (even games with missing pieces have value!)

Apply for grants like DonorsChoose

I’ve repurposed Scrabble tiles for spelling, Monopoly money for money skills, and even Jenga blocks for fine motor fun — nothing goes to waste!

If turn-taking is a challenge in your classroom (been there!), grab my free visual turn-taking tool from the Free Resource Library!

It includes editable cards you can personalize with student or staff photos — so students know exactly whose turn it is, with a clear visual cue.

👉 Access the Free Resource Library - over 200 free special ed resources waiting for you!

Board games are such a powerful way to build learning and connection in the special ed classroom - and they don’t have to be overwhelming or expensive.

So here’s my challenge for you:
Pick one board game - new or old - and try it out with your students this week.
Start small, make it fun, and adapt as needed. You’ll be amazed at the engagement and progress that comes from something as simple as playing a game together.

Let me know what you’re playing in your classroom - tag me @teachingautism, send me a DM, or email me your favorite board game hacks!

P.S. Don't forget to head over and leave your Amazon wish list as a comment for us to help clear your list too!

Thanks for listening — and until next time, happy gaming! 🎉
— Nikki