Finding effective diversity training board games can be challenging, as options vary widely in focus, complexity, and age suitability. The best overall pick balances engaging gameplay with meaningful lessons on inclusion, making it versatile for many settings. Junior Learning’s 6 Social Skills Board Games stand out for their kid-friendly design and educational value, while Don’t Go Bananas offers a more structured CBT approach for children. The main tradeoffs involve balancing depth of content with ease of use and age appropriateness. Continue reading for a detailed breakdown of these options and what makes each one unique.
Key Takeaways
- The top picks excel at combining engaging gameplay with impactful diversity lessons, making them suitable for various age groups and settings.
- Most products focus on social skills, empathy, or inclusion, but fewer integrate all three into a seamless experience.
- Price point often correlates with complexity; simpler games are more accessible but may lack depth, while more detailed options offer richer content at higher costs.
- Design quality and ease of use significantly influence a game’s effectiveness, especially for facilitators new to diversity training.
- Many games are tailored for classroom use, but there are strong options designed for family or workplace environments that promote inclusive dialogue.
| Breaking Barriers Down – Social Skills and Therapy Game for Kids and Teens |  | Best Overall for Emotional Skill Development | Number of Questions: 208 | Intended Users: Children, Teens, Adults | Usage Settings: Therapy, Classroom, Family Game Night | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Junior Learning 6 Social Skills Board Games, Multi-Color Set for Kids |  | Best Value for Diverse Social Skills Practice | Included Components: 2 board games, 2 matching games, scenario puzzles, empathy glasses, die, counters, and a game guide | Age Range: Ages 6+ | Model Year: 2020 | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Don’t Go Bananas – A CBT Therapy Game for Kids |  | Best for Managing Strong Emotions | Item details: Age Range: 6-12 years | Included components: Cards, Game Board, Instruction Manual, 4 Player Piles | Unit count: 1 | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| You Know Social Skills Games and Therapy Games |  | Best for Building Self-Esteem and Conversation | Number of Cards: 108 | Players: 2-6 | Ages: 7+ | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| SitYOUations – Social Skills Board Game for Kids & Families |  | Best for Real-Life Dilemmas and Empathy Practice | Brand Name: Therapy U | Number of Players: 2-4 | Included Components: 120 Situation Cards, 16 Player Pegs, 40 Power-Up Cards, Game Board with Bubble Die Roller, Instruction Guide | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Junior Learning Social Skills Board Games – 4 Games for Kids Ages 5-8 |  | Best for Early Social Skills Development | Includes: 4 board games, 6 counters, spinner, die, answer sheet | Recommended Age: 5-8 years | Educational Focus: Social skills development | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| diversity training board game | Included Components |
|---|---|
| Breaking Barriers Down | — |
| Junior Learning 6 Social Skill | 2 board games, 2 matching games, scenario puzzles, empathy glasses, die, counters, and a game guide |
| Don’t Go Bananas | Cards, Game Board, Instruction Manual, 4 Player Piles |
| You Know Social Skills Games a | — |
| SitYOUations | 120 Situation Cards, 16 Player Pegs, 40 Power-Up Cards, Game Board with Bubble Die Roller, Instruction Guide |
| Junior Learning Social Skills | — |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Breaking Barriers Down – Social Skills and Therapy Game for Kids and Teens
Breaking Barriers Down stands out by offering a comprehensive approach to emotional expression and social skills, making it ideal for both therapy settings and family game nights. Compared with Don’t Go Bananas, which focuses more on managing intense feelings, this game offers a broader range of questions that facilitate open conversations about emotions like anger, sadness, and joy. Its strength lies in its versatility, but it might require adult facilitation for younger children to ensure productive dialogue. The 208 questions help deepen emotional understanding, though the lack of a specified age range could be a limitation for some practitioners seeking age-specific tools.
Pros:- Encourages emotional expression and understanding
- Suitable for therapy, classroom, and family use
- Includes 208 thought-provoking questions
Cons:- May require adult facilitation for younger children
- Limited to emotional and social skill development
Best for: Therapists, educators, and families seeking a flexible, conversation-driven tool to improve emotional literacy across a wide age range.
Not ideal for: Parents or teachers looking for quick, light-hearted games without the need for adult facilitation or in-depth discussion.
- Number of Questions:208
- Intended Users:Children, Teens, Adults
- Usage Settings:Therapy, Classroom, Family Game Night
- Developed By:Therapy U
Our verdict“This game is well-suited for those wanting to foster emotional skills in a flexible, discussion-oriented format.”
Junior Learning 6 Social Skills Board Games, Multi-Color Set for Kids
This set offers six distinct games designed to develop empathy, manners, and emotion regulation, making it a versatile choice for parents and educators. Unlike Don’t Go Bananas, which targets individual emotional regulation, this set emphasizes a variety of social skills through multiple activities, providing a well-rounded approach. Its extensive components—including scenario puzzles, empathy glasses, and matching games—offer engaging, independent learning opportunities, though younger children may need some guidance to understand the instructions. The comprehensive nature of the set makes it an excellent value, but the requirement for reading and comprehension could pose challenges for some younger players.
Pros:- Encourages social skills development through engaging games
- Includes self-correcting elements for independent learning
- Comprehensive set with multiple activities and components
Cons:- Limited to children aged 6 and above
- Some instructions may require adult assistance
Best for: Parents and teachers seeking a broad, multi-activity set to support social skills for children aged 6 and up.
Not ideal for: Families with children under age 6 or those preferring a single-focused game without multiple components.
- Included Components:2 board games, 2 matching games, scenario puzzles, empathy glasses, die, counters, and a game guide
- Age Range:Ages 6+
- Model Year:2020
- Warranty:1 Year
Our verdict“This set provides excellent value for educators and parents wanting a variety of social skills activities in one package.”
Don’t Go Bananas – A CBT Therapy Game for Kids
Don’t Go Bananas offers a focused approach to helping children aged 6-12 identify and regulate intense emotions like anger, worry, and jealousy through an engaging, semi-cooperative format. Compared with Breaking Barriers Down, which emphasizes broad emotional literacy, this game targets specific emotional triggers with practical CBT techniques. Its straightforward design makes it accessible, but it might fall short for older children or adults seeking more complex social interactions. The game’s emphasis on managing feelings makes it ideal for small groups or family settings, although younger children may need guidance to fully benefit from the questions and activities.
Pros:- Helps children understand and regulate emotions
- Suitable for small groups, classrooms, or family play
- Promotes emotional awareness through engaging gameplay
Cons:- Limited to ages 6-12
- Questions might be too simple or challenging depending on the child
Best for: Parents, therapists, and educators working with children needing emotional regulation strategies within the 6-12 age range.
Not ideal for: Older kids or adults looking for more advanced social skills training or emotional discussions.
- Item details:Age Range: 6-12 years
- Included components:Cards, Game Board, Instruction Manual, 4 Player Piles
- Unit count:1
- Model name:Don’t Go Bananas
Our verdict“This game is ideal for those seeking targeted tools to help children manage strong feelings in a fun, accessible way.”
You Know Social Skills Games and Therapy Games
You Know Social Skills Games excels at fostering communication, self-esteem, and meaningful conversations among players of all ages. Its 108 cards are designed to spark positivity and relationship building, making it suitable for family, classroom, and therapy settings. Unlike SitYOUations, which uses real-life dilemmas, this game emphasizes reflection and positive interactions. However, its limited number of players (2-6) can restrict group size, and it may require adult guidance for younger children. The focus on positivity makes it a strong choice for settings where building confidence and connection are priorities.
Pros:- Encourages meaningful conversations and relationship building
- Suitable for a wide range of settings
- Promotes positivity and self-esteem
Cons:- Limited to 2-6 players
- May need adult facilitation for younger children
Best for: Families, educators, and therapists seeking a simple game to boost communication and self-esteem across a small group.
Not ideal for: Large groups or those wanting complex scenarios or role-playing elements.
- Number of Cards:108
- Players:2-6
- Ages:7+
Our verdict“This game works best for small groups focused on enhancing communication and confidence in a positive atmosphere.”
SitYOUations – Social Skills Board Game for Kids & Families
SitYOUations distinguishes itself with 360 real-life scenarios, making it an excellent choice for practicing empathy, communication, and perspective-taking. Compared to Junior Learning’s set, which offers multiple themed games, SitYOUations provides a more extensive variety of situations, suitable for diverse group sizes and age ranges. Its flexible modes make it adaptable for therapy, classroom, or family use, but setup can be somewhat time-consuming, and it’s more beneficial with multiple players. The broad scope of scenarios helps develop nuanced social understanding, though the complexity may be overwhelming for very young children or less experienced players.
Pros:- Encourages empathy and communication through real-life scenarios
- Suitable for various settings including therapy and school
- Includes extensive scenarios for ongoing engagement
- Flexible game modes adapt to different group sizes
Cons:- Requires multiple players for best experience
- Setup time can be longer due to scenario variety
Best for: Therapists, teachers, and families looking for a versatile game that simulates real-life challenges to build empathy and communication skills.
Not ideal for: Single-player use or groups seeking quick, straightforward games without scenario complexity.
- Brand Name:Therapy U
- Number of Players:2-4
- Included Components:120 Situation Cards, 16 Player Pegs, 40 Power-Up Cards, Game Board with Bubble Die Roller, Instruction Guide
- Estimated Playing Time:20 minutes
Our verdict“This game is ideal for those wanting to immerse players in realistic social dilemmas to deepen understanding and empathy.”
Junior Learning Social Skills Board Games – 4 Games for Kids Ages 5-8
This set stands out for its focus on foundational social skills like empathy, manners, and friendship, making it an ideal choice for introducing young children to diversity concepts in a playful way. Compared to more complex games like Breaking Barriers Down, this collection offers a gentler, age-appropriate approach that fits well in classrooms or family settings. While it provides versatile gameplay with four different games and all necessary components, it’s primarily limited to social skills topics without broader diversity themes, which could be a drawback for those seeking more comprehensive diversity training. The inclusive design encourages social and emotional growth, but younger children may need adult supervision to stay engaged or to facilitate discussions. Overall, this set is best suited for parents or educators targeting social skills foundational to diversity awareness in early childhood.
Pros:- Encourages social and emotional development through engaging play
- Versatile gameplay suitable for both classroom and family use
- Includes all necessary components for multiple games
Cons:- May require adult supervision for younger children to facilitate discussions
- Limited to social skills topics, lacking broader diversity themes
Best for: Parents or teachers seeking to introduce social skills and diversity concepts to children aged 5-8 in a fun, manageable way
Not ideal for: Educators looking for more advanced or broader diversity training modules, as this focuses mainly on basic social skills and emotional understanding
- Includes:4 board games, 6 counters, spinner, die, answer sheet
- Recommended Age:5-8 years
- Educational Focus:Social skills development
Our verdict“This set makes the most sense for early childhood environments prioritizing foundational social skills with a subtle diversity component.”
How We Picked
These products were evaluated based on their ability to promote meaningful conversations about diversity, inclusion, and social skills. We considered gameplay engagement, age appropriateness, ease of use, and the depth of educational content. Cost and durability also played roles in our assessment, ensuring each game offers good value for its intended audience. Our ranking favors versatility and the potential for long-term impact over novelty or superficial coverage, ensuring each choice provides a substantive experience that supports diversity training goals.Factors to Consider When Choosing Diversity Training Board Games
Selecting the right diversity training board game involves balancing several factors. First, consider the age range to ensure the content is appropriate and engaging for your participants. Next, evaluate the depth of the material—whether it provides surface-level awareness or encourages deeper reflection and conversation. Ease of use is also key, especially if facilitators are unfamiliar with diversity topics. Cost and durability matter if you plan to use the game repeatedly or in multiple settings. Finally, think about versatility: does the game suit different environments like schools, workplaces, or family gatherings? Being mindful of these factors can help you choose a game that aligns with your training goals and participant needs.Age Appropriateness and Engagement
Games designed for children should be simple, visually appealing, and capable of holding their attention while delivering meaningful messages. For adult or workplace settings, more nuanced content and discussion prompts may be necessary. An overly complex game can deter participation, while one that’s too simplistic might not challenge players enough to foster growth. Consider whether the game offers adaptable difficulty levels or supplemental discussion guides to maximize relevance for your audience.
Depth of Content and Learning Goals
Some games focus on basic social skills like sharing or empathy, which are great for younger players, while others delve into systemic issues like bias or privilege. Reflect on what your training objectives are: do you need a tool to spark initial awareness or to facilitate deeper understanding? The most effective games balance engaging gameplay with opportunities for reflective dialogue, ensuring players internalize lessons rather than just completing a game.
Ease of Use and Facilitation
A game should be straightforward to set up and run, especially if used regularly or in diverse groups. Facilitator guides, clear instructions, and discussion prompts enhance the experience and help keep conversations productive. Beware of overly complicated rules or ambiguous instructions, which can detract from the learning experience. Choosing games with strong support materials can streamline your sessions and improve outcomes.
Cost, Durability, and Reusability
Investing in durable materials pays off if you plan to use the game frequently. Cheaper, flimsy components may need replacement sooner, increasing long-term costs. Additionally, consider whether the game can be used across different groups or adapted for various age ranges. A slightly higher upfront cost may be justified if the game offers versatility and longevity in diverse training settings.
Versatility and Setting Suitability
Look for games that can be adapted for multiple environments, such as classrooms, corporate training rooms, or family gatherings. Some games include flexible discussion prompts or multiple gameplay modes, broadening their usefulness. Choosing a versatile game helps justify the investment and ensures your diversity training remains engaging and relevant across different contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these games suitable for all age groups?
Most diversity training board games are designed with specific age ranges in mind, from young children to adults. It’s important to select a game that matches your participants’ developmental level to ensure engagement and comprehension. For mixed-age groups, look for games that offer adaptable content or multiple difficulty levels. This approach helps facilitate inclusive discussions that resonate with everyone involved.
Can these games be used in a professional workplace setting?
Yes, several of these games are suitable for workplace diversity training, especially those with more sophisticated content and discussion prompts. It’s best to choose games that promote open dialogue and reflect workplace diversity issues, ensuring relevance and effectiveness. Additionally, consider whether the game’s tone and complexity align with your organizational culture to foster productive conversations without discomfort.
Do I need prior experience to facilitate these games?
Most of these games are designed for ease of facilitation, with clear instructions and discussion guides. However, familiarity with diversity topics can enhance the experience, especially for more nuanced content. Facilitators new to diversity training should select games with comprehensive support materials and consider doing some prep work to maximize impact. Practice and familiarity will help guide meaningful conversations and manage group dynamics effectively.
How often should I update or rotate these games in my training sessions?
Rotating or updating your diversity training tools periodically can keep content fresh and engaging. If a game remains relevant and well-received, it can be used repeatedly, but incorporating new options over time encourages ongoing learning. Consider the evolving nature of diversity issues and seek out new or updated games that address current topics, ensuring your training stays impactful and up-to-date.
What should I do if participants resist engaging with the game?
Resistance can stem from discomfort or misunderstanding of the game’s purpose. Facilitators should create a safe, respectful environment and clearly communicate the goals of the activity. Using open-ended discussion prompts and debrief sessions helps participants process their feelings and insights. If resistance persists, consider adjusting the approach or selecting a different game better suited to your group’s readiness and needs.
Conclusion
For organizations and educators seeking a comprehensive, engaging tool, the Breaking Barriers Down stands out as the best overall choice, combining strong educational value with ease of use. Those prioritizing affordability and versatility might opt for the Junior Learning 6 Social Skills Board Games, which offers multiple scenarios at a lower price point. For settings requiring more nuanced, discussion-driven content, the Don’t Go Bananas provides a structured approach suitable for children. Beginners and smaller groups will benefit from games with straightforward instructions, while larger or more diverse groups might need adaptable options. Ultimately, selecting the right game depends on your specific training goals, participant age, and setting—use this guide to make an informed choice that promotes meaningful diversity dialogue.
