A few weeks back, my buddy Carlos—a middle school teacher who moonlights as a Dungeon Master for his students’ D&D club—texted me: “Dude, you gotta check out this board game my therapist friend uses. It’s like Dungeons & Dragons meets group therapy. Kids lose their minds over it.”
Naturally, I had to see this for myself.
The Doing Game isn’t just another box collecting dust on a Target shelf. It’s the first published therapeutic game that’s quietly become the Swiss Army knife of child psychology—disguised as a raucous family game night staple.
Think Jumanji vibes, but instead of unleashing stampedes, it helps kids unleash their feelings.
Move Over, Monopoly: This Isn’t Your Grandma’s Board Game
Let’s be real: most board games boil down to “roll, move, repeat.” But The Doing Game? It’s more like an RPG-lite for real life.
Players pick quirky playing pieces (dragons, astronauts, pizza slices—yes, pizza slices), roll dice, and navigate a game board loaded with challenges that’d make even Truth or Dare blush.
Land on a red space? Draw a talking card like “Describe a time you felt unstoppable.” Hit a blue space? Act out “frustration” without speaking. Nail it, and you earn token reward chips that’d make a Vegas casino jealous.
But here’s the twist: while kids scramble to collect the most chips, therapists and teachers scramble to take notes. Every move reveals hidden layers like a boss fights against emotional roadblocks.
Take 11-year-old Zoe, a self-proclaimed “board game hater” from Denver. Her mom, Rachel, told me: “We played this ‘therapy game’ as a joke.
Next thing I know, Zoe’s talking about her fear of thunderstorms because she landed on a ‘feeling card.’ I learned more in 30 minutes than in six months of asking, ‘How was school?’”
@bridgitmendler reflects on a nostalgic game that brings childhood memories back to life, perfect for family fun. She praises its benefits in honing addition, memory, risk assessment, and social skills—a timeless favorite for both kids and adults.
This game is bringing back childhood memories this break, highly recommend for folks with kids, great for practicing addition, memory, measuring risk, and reading others pic.twitter.com/GJtyEl2ua6
— Bridgit Mendler (@bridgitmendler) January 1, 2025Gameplay Breakdown: Why Tokens Beat Trophies
The mechanics are stupidly simple—and that’s the point. There’s no convoluted rulebook or 4-hour playtime. You roll, you move, you do the thing. But the magic’s in the details:
Talking Cards: These aren’t your average Cards Against Humanity prompts. Think “Draw your safest place” or “Invent a secret handshake with the player on your left.”
Token Economy: Kids go feral for these glittery token chips. But they’re not just bling—they’re behavioral XP. Collect enough, and you “win,” but the real reward is watching walls crumble.
Anxiety Mode: Easy Difficulty: The challenges are moderately anxiety-provoking (like role-playing an awkward conversation), but the engaging game format makes it feel like a TikTok challenge, not a therapy session.
My friend Marco, a high school counselor in Miami, put it best: “Kids think they’re gaming the system. Joke’s on them—we’re gaming their anxiety.”
@shoemakelegacyclothiers invites winter lovers to shift from playful snowy adventures to creative planning for stylish 2025 garments, turning fun into chic inspiration.
Playing in the snow isn’t just for the kids! When you’re done eating all the emergency snow snacks, have played every board game, & sled down your favorite hill venture out to see us tomorrow. Perfect day to sit down & plan what garments you are needing for 2025. See you soon! pic.twitter.com/I7l7VSe0Pp
— shoemakelegacyclothiers (@shoemakelegacy) January 10, 2025Why Gamers Should Care (Even If You’re Not a Therapist)
Okay, so you’re not a child psychotherapist. Why bother? Because The Doing Game is proof that games can be more than escapism—they can be bridges.
For Parents: It’s Family Game Night 2.0. Imagine your kid wanting to talk about their day because it earns them a token.
For Teachers: Swap stale icebreakers for this. A 4th-grade teacher in Austin, Ms. Patel, told me: “I used it after a lockdown drill. Kids processed fear by drawing ‘safe spaces’ instead of shutting down.”
For Game Designers: This is the Minecraft of therapy tools—simple blocks, infinite depth. The board game format isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a Trojan horse for connection.
Cheat Codes: How to Hack the Game (No Mods Required)
Want to try it? You don’t need a degree. Here’s how to level up:
Steal the Concept: No budget? Make DIY talking cards. Use prompts like “If your life had a soundtrack, what’s playing right now?”
Bribe Shamelessly: Award absurd prizes for the most chips. Extra Fortnite time? Sure. Pancakes for dinner? Why not.
Watch the Meta: Kids who avoid “act” cards might hate attention. Ones who hoard tokens? Probably craving control. It’s like speedrunning their psyche.
Final Boss Takeaway
The Doing Game isn’t just “therapy meets Chutes and Ladders.” It’s a masterclass in how play can hack human behavior.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just a board game geek, this thing’s a reminder that the best games aren’t about winning—they’re about uncovering what’s already there.
So next time someone says, “It’s just a game,” toss them a token chip and say, “Tell that to the kid who just beat anxiety by rolling a six.”
Last Updated on March 24, 2025 by Saket
