Resource Reviews: Jenga
Note: All our reviews are based on clinical experience in face to face sessions with paediatric populations. We only review resources we have experience using, are well regarded in the speech language pathologist world, and have lots of uses in therapy sessions for numerous different therapy goals.
What is Jenga?
Jenga is a classic tower-building game where players take turns removing wooden blocks from a stacked tower and placing them on top without causing it to collapse. It requires focus, steady hands, and strategic thinking. Jenga is usually played in small groups, making it both a fun and social activity.
Age Range
Jenga is recommended for children aged 6 years and up, though with some modifications (such as reducing the tower height or playing collaboratively), younger children can also participate. It’s suitable for older children, teens, and adults, making it a great game for mixed-age groups.
Who Is Jenga For?
Children with Speech and Language Delays: The game is ideal for children who need to work on speech articulation, expressive language, receptive language, or social communication skills.
Children Working on Social Skills: Since it involves turn-taking, it’s great for children who need practice waiting their turn, sharing, and interacting with peers.
Children Who Enjoy Hands-On Games: The tactile aspect of removing and placing blocks is engaging for children who benefit from interactive, physical play.
Who Is Jenga Not For?
Very Young Children (under 3): Playing collaboratively may be a challenge for young children who find it hard to wait, or are still learning to take turns.
Children with Fine Motor Difficulties: Children may find it frustrating to remove and accurately place pieces delicately if they struggle with fine motor skills.
Suggested Therapy Goals
Speech Sounds Practice
Each block can have a word written on it with the target speech sound. When a player pulls a block, they say the word several times or use it in a sentence. This helps children practice speech sounds in a fun, low-pressure way.
Language Development
Vocabulary Building: Write a category on each block (e.g., animals, vehicles). When a player pulls a block, they must name something from that category.
Describing Skills: Players describe objects, actions, or events based on prompts on the blocks (e.g., “Describe your favourite food”).
Sequencing Skills: After removing a block, the player must verbally describe a sequence (e.g., how to make a sandwich).
Social Skills and Pragmatic Language
Turn-Taking: Jenga encourages children to take turns and wait patiently, supporting social skill development.
Conversational Skills: Use each block as a conversation starter. Players answer open-ended questions (e.g., "What did you do over the weekend?").
Perspective-Taking: Ask the child how another player might feel if the tower falls to build empathy and understanding.
Problem-Solving and Emotional Regulation
Children learn to handle frustration and disappointment when the tower falls. Encourage them to express their feelings using words and strategies like deep breathing when things don’t go their way.
Extension Ideas for Home/Class
Customised Block Labels
Write questions, pictures, or sounds on blocks. This customisation makes Jenga a multipurpose game tailored to specific speech goals. For example, use sight words for early readers, or tricky words for children working on specific articulation targets (e.g., /r/ words).
Challenge Versions for Older Kids
Create extra rules, such as using only complex sentences when answering questions or introducing words with conjunctions (e.g., “because,” “and”). Add timers for children working on fluency, encouraging them to complete their speech task within a set time.
Cooperative Play Mode
Instead of competing, players can work together to keep the tower standing for as long as possible. This promotes teamwork and social interaction. Discuss strategies together before each turn, practicing problem-solving and collaborative skills.
Use in Group Therapy Sessions
Jenga works well in group therapy, encouraging children to practice speech and social skills with their peers. Assign roles like “scorekeeper” or “game master” to give each child a sense of responsibility and encourage participation.
Thematic Jenga
Use Jenga during themed weeks (e.g., animals, holidays). Tailor the questions and speech targets to the theme to keep things fresh and engaging.
Final Thoughts
Fun Factor: 5/5. A quick to learn but hard to master game for slightly older kids.
Replayability: 3.5/5. A great game for a therapy goal or two, but can become repetitive if played for numerous turns.
Adaptability to Therapy: 4/5. Several goals can be worked on, although some activities can result in writing/stickers being left on the blocks after the match.
Final Score: 4.2/5. A great game to pick up and play in the moment, but limited replayability over a longer time span.
Please note the above information is general in nature and is not intended as professional medical advice. Please seek an appointment with a registered speech-language pathologist if you are at all worried about your child's development.
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Suggested Resources
Jenga Board Game
Jenga is a quick to pick up but hard to master game that is often still played by adults long after childhood. The building ‘tension’ as the tower gets more wobbly and the anticipation of the collapse are all part of the fun! Click on the picture to find out more.