Impulse control—the ability to pause, think, and act intentionally rather than reactively—is an essential skill for children to learn as they grow. For some kids, managing impulses can be especially challenging, often manifesting as difficulty waiting their turn, interrupting others, or struggling to manage big emotions. The good news? Impulse control is a skill that can be developed over time with practice, patience, and the right tools. Fun, engaging games paired with supportive strategies create a solid foundation for building self-regulation.

Why Impulse Control Matters

Impulse control is a cornerstone of self-regulation, and it benefits children in many areas of life—from managing frustration to succeeding in school and forming healthy relationships. By practicing these skills through engaging games and supportive strategies, we empower children to pause, think, and act intentionally, setting them up for lifelong success.

10 Games to Strengthen Impulse Control

Games are a fantastic way to help children practice pausing, thinking, and acting. By requiring children to follow rules, wait their turn, or listen carefully, these activities create opportunities to develop impulse control in an enjoyable and non-pressuring way. Here are some excellent games to try:

1. Simon Says – This classic game challenges children to listen carefully and act only when prompted with “Simon says,” helping them practice self-restraint.

2. Red Light, Green Light – Children must freeze on “red light” and move on “green light,” reinforcing the importance of stopping and waiting.

3. Freeze Dance – Dancing until the music stops and then freezing teaches children to stop their actions immediately and focus.

4. Operation – This game requires patience and precision to remove game pieces without triggering the buzzer, encouraging children to stay calm and steady.

5. Balloon Volleyball – Keeping the balloon in the air while coordinating with others promotes teamwork and self-regulated movement.

6. Jenga – Carefully removing pieces without toppling the tower hones focus and careful decision-making.

7. Don’t Break the Ice – Kids work to remove small blocks of “ice” without letting the character fall, requiring strategic thought.

8. Hot Potato – Passing the potato quickly but without panicking encourages balancing speed with control.

9. Go Fish – Card games help develop turn-taking and patience while waiting for other players to make their moves.

10. Musical Chairs – Kids practice active listening and adjusting their movements based on when the music stops, while managing disappointment if they lose a round.

These games offer natural opportunities to model and reinforce self-regulation, especially if caregivers join in and guide play.

 

Strategies for Supporting Impulse Control

Games alone aren’t enough; supporting impulse control in everyday situations helps children translate these skills into real-life contexts. By combining play with consistent strategies, parents, teachers, therapists, and caregivers can provide guidance that builds on a child’s strengths. Here’s how:

Introduce the “Circle of Control”

Help children understand what they can control—and what they cannot. Explain it in simple terms, such as: “You are in control of your actions. If a game doesn’t go the way you want, remember: you’re in control of your play, and others are in control of their play.” This concept teaches children to focus on their own behaviors instead of reacting to others.

Use a Visual Timer

Waiting is a challenge for many children. A visual timer offers a concrete way for kids to see how much longer they need to pause before starting or moving on to the next activity. Whether it’s waiting for their turn or transitioning between tasks, the timer makes waiting feel more manageable and less abstract.

Create a Calm-Down Corner

A calm-down corner provides a safe space where children can reset when they feel overwhelmed. Fill this space with soothing tools like sensory objects, books, or soft pillows, and explain that it’s a place to “take a break” and practice calming their body and mind.

Teach the “Stop, Think, Then Act” Mantra

A simple mantra can go a long way in encouraging self-regulation. Teach children to repeat: “Stop, think, then act” when they feel the urge to act impulsively. Practicing this step-by-step approach helps them develop mindfulness and consider their actions before responding.

Praise Specific Behaviors

Reinforce self-regulation skills by praising specific examples of impulse control. Instead of generic feedback like “Good job,” offer detailed praise, such as, “I love how you waited for your turn—that showed a lot of patience!” or “You stopped yourself from grabbing that toy—that was very thoughtful.” Positive reinforcement encourages children to repeat these behaviors in the future.

Providing External Support While Impulse Control Develops

Developing impulse control is a gradual process, and until children can reliably regulate themselves, they need external support to guide them through challenging moments. This external regulation acts as a scaffold, giving children the tools and environment they need to practice self-control.

Set Clear Boundaries

Provide clear expectations for behavior and explain rules in advance. For example, before starting a game, say: “During this game, we’ll take turns, and everyone will wait for their name to be called.”

Offer Gentle Reminders

When a child begins to act impulsively, step in with calm, proactive reminders. For instance, if they interrupt during a conversation, you can gently say, “Hold that thought—I’ll be ready to listen after I finish this sentence.”

Model Self-Control

Show them what self-regulation looks like by modeling patience and thoughtful responses in your own behavior. For example, say aloud, “I really want to grab that cookie, but I’ll wait until everyone has one.”

Act as a Buffer

In group settings or during highly stimulating activities, step in to guide interactions. For instance, you can physically hold a toy while saying, “We’re waiting our turn, and then you’ll get your chance to play.”

Conclusion

Children don’t develop impulse control overnight. Acting as their external support system ensures they are consistently learning in a safe and nurturing environment until they can manage these challenges independently.

Combining play, proactive strategies, and external guidance ensures that children have the foundation they need to grow and thrive. Impulse control is not only a skill but a journey—one that is best supported with patience, connection, and understanding. 

About Devina: Devina is an autistic occupational therapist with over 17 years of experience working with children, specializing in behavioral regulation and neurodivergence. As both a clinician and a parent, she combines professional expertise with personal experience raising neurodivergent children who previously struggled with behavioral disorders. This unique perspective allows her to bridge the gap between science and real-world application, offering compassionate, evidence-based strategies that empower children to thrive.

Her book, From Surviving to Thriving: The Art and Science of Guiding Children to Develop Behavioral Regulation, provides actionable insights for parents, educators, and professionals looking to support children in building essential self-regulation skills. Available in multiple formats you can find it on Amazon. 

Devina also shares her knowledge through expert-led webinars, where she delivers practical guidance tailored to the needs of caregivers and professionals. Stop by her store to explore her latest resources, workshops, and training sessions designed to help children succeed in their behavioral development journey!