ADHD Fun Exercises

For a child with ADHD, classic exercises quickly become boring. Play, on the other hand, captures their attention. It motivates them, amuses them, and allows them to practise without realising it. Attention, memory, self-control, patience: many skills can be worked on through play. Here is a selection of games to play with family or friends.

Play, a valuable lever

When playing, the child with ADHD is motivated. They make an effort to win, to succeed, to have fun. Their attention is captured. They accept constraints they would refuse in a classic exercise. Waiting their turn, following a rule, concentrating. Play becomes a training ground.

Play also allows sharing positive moments with their parents, brothers and sisters, and friends. The child with ADHD often hears negative remarks. In play, they can shine. They are valued. It strengthens bonds. Suitable games are presented on the page games for children with ADHD.

Stop games

Freezing at the right signal is a real workout for self-control. The statue game, with music. One, two, three, sunshine. Simon says. Red light, green light. The child must brake their movement at the right moment.

These games are very popular with restless children, as they combine movement and control. They are played in groups, indoors or outdoors. They require little equipment. They can be played often. The red light technique is described on the page about red light to stop.

Observation games

Observation games train visual attention. Seek-and-find books, pictures where you compare two almost identical drawings, games where you must spot a shape or a colour as quickly as possible. The child must observe carefully. They must ignore distractions.

You can also play Kim’s game: place several objects on a tray, the child looks at them, then you secretly remove one. They must work out which one is missing. It trains observation and memory. They love guessing. Selective attention is worked on the page for spotting a target among others.

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Memory games

Pairs is the memory game par excellence. You turn over two cards at a time to find the matches. The child must remember where the cards are. At first, six pairs are enough, then more are added when they succeed easily.

The suitcase game, where each person adds an item to a list that must be recited, trains working memory. It can be played in the car, at the table, anywhere. Brothers, sisters and parents join in. The child has fun. They remember more and more items. Working memory is explained on the page about working memory.

Dexterity and patience games

Dexterity games require concentration and a controlled movement. Mikado, where you must remove sticks without moving the others. Balancing towers to stack. Fishing games. The child must slow down and control their movement.

These games also build patience. The child cannot rush. They must take their time. They learn to settle. They feel the satisfaction of performing a delicate movement successfully. Games that require waiting are also described on the page for waiting one’s turn.

Around the board

Board games in general are valuable for the child with ADHD. They require them to wait their turn, follow rules, anticipate, and accept losing. We choose short games with simple rules, suited to their age. We play regularly as a family. We support them through difficult moments.

Cooperative games, where all players win or lose together, suit children who struggle with defeat well. Together, you discuss the best strategy. The child feels part of a team. They are less caught up in competition. A selection of games is offered on the page board games and ADHD.

Choosing the right games

To choose well, we take into account the child’s tastes, age and difficulties. We favour short games at first. We avoid games that are too long, which exhaust them. We vary often. If the game becomes a chore, we change without hesitation.

Professionals who support the child, such as the psychomotor therapist or the psychologist, can also advise on suitable games. To find these professionals, consult the ProfessionnelsDys directory, which allows searching by town. Some make extensive use of play during sessions. Applications are presented on the page apps for children with ADHD.