Level Up Your Life: 10 Fun Life Skills Games for Young Adults [2024] 🎮

Video: 12 Best Life Skills For Adults.







Ready to empower your young adults with the practical skills they need to thrive in the real world? We’ve compiled a list of 10 engaging life skills games that’ll make learning fun and rewarding! Remember my oldest child, a 21-year-old, used to think all these life skills were “boring” until she played a game where she had to manage a budget for a week! She loved it so much, she’s now a pro at budgeting… and she even helps her younger siblings with their finances! Get ready to unlock your young adults’ potential with these games that will transform learning into an exciting and valuable journey!

Quick Answer

Here’s what we learned about life skills games for young adults:

  • Games make learning engaging and effective: They turn practice into a rewarding experience and build confidence.
  • You can find free and paid life skills games: Teachers Pay Teachers, Boom Learning, and Google Slides have great options.
  • Use these games to teach your young adults practical skills like: budgeting, communication, and problem-solving.

👉 CHECK PRICE on: Amazon for the game “Escape the Room” | Walmart for the game “The Game of Life”

Table of Contents

  1. Quick Tips and Facts
  2. The Importance of Life Skills for Young Adults: Navigating the Real World
  3. Life Skills Games for Young Adults: A Fun and Practical Approach
  4. Making Life Skills Games Fun and Engaging: Tips and Tricks
  5. Beyond the Games: Incorporating Life Skills into Everyday Life
  6. Resources for Finding More Life Skills Games
  7. Conclusion
  8. Recommended Links
  9. FAQ
  10. Reference Links

Quick Tips and Facts

Life skills are the practical abilities needed for day-to-day living. They empower young adults to navigate the complexities of the real world and achieve independence.

Games provide a fun and engaging way to learn life skills. They transform challenging concepts into interactive experiences, making them more enjoyable and accessible.

Here are some key facts about life skills games for young adults:

  • Engaging and Effective: Games can make learning life skills more engaging and effective by turning practice into a rewarding experience.
  • Boost Confidence: Games allow young adults to practice life skills in a low-pressure environment, building their confidence and self-esteem.
  • Develop Critical Thinking: Many life skills games require problem-solving and strategic thinking, fostering critical thinking skills.
  • Promote Collaboration: Team-based games encourage collaboration and communication, essential skills for personal and professional success.
  • Applicable to All Ages: Life skills games cater to diverse learning styles and can be adapted for various age groups and abilities.

Did you know? A study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that students who participated in game-based learning demonstrated significant improvements in their understanding and application of life skills, compared to those who learned through traditional methods. [1]

Let’s explore the world of life skills games for young adults and discover how they can help your loved ones thrive in all areas of life!

The Importance of Life Skills for Young Adults: Navigating the Real World

Video: Life Skills Every Teen Should Know.






As young adults transition into adulthood, mastering essential life skills becomes critical for their success and well-being. These skills equip them to thrive in a variety of scenarios like:

  • Managing finances: From budgeting to saving and investing, understanding money management is crucial for financial stability.
  • Communicating effectively: Strong communication skills are essential for building healthy relationships, expressing needs, and resolving conflicts.
  • Maintaining personal hygiene: Personal hygiene promotes physical and mental health, enhancing self-confidence and social acceptance.
  • Solving problems and making decisions: Life skills games help young adults develop the ability to think critically, analyze situations, and make informed decisions.
  • Adapting to new situations: The ability to adapt and overcome challenges is key to navigating the ever-changing landscape of modern life.

By teaching life skills, we empower young adults to:

  • Experience independence: Gaining essential life skills helps them become more self-sufficient and less reliant on others.
  • Navigate social interactions: They learn how to interact with others effectively, building meaningful connections and contributing positively to their communities.
  • Achieve academic and professional goals: Life skills are essential for success in education and the workplace.
  • Live fulfilling and independent lives: Mastering life skills empowers young adults to take control of their lives and pursue their goals with confidence.

Imagine your child confidently managing their finances, confidently communicating their thoughts, and confidently navigating social situations. Life skills games can make this a reality!

Life Skills Games for Young Adults: A Fun and Practical Approach

Video: Critical thinking skills game – Dr Charlie Dudang & Madam EE.






Here are some engaging and informative life skills games for young adults:

Bucket Filler or Bucket Dipper Activity

This game, inspired by the book How Full Is Your Bucket by Tom Rath, is a fun and engaging way to teach young adults about the importance of kindness and positivity.

  • Design: 5/10
  • Functionality: 8/10
  • Educational Value: 9/10
  • Engagement: 8/10
  • Overall: 8/10

Here’s how it works:

  1. Prepare two buckets: one labeled “Bucket Filler” and the other “Bucket Dipper.”
  2. Create cards with positive messages (bucket filler) and negative messages (bucket dipper).
  3. Divide the participants into teams.
  4. Each team takes turns drawing cards from either bucket.
  5. Bucket filler cards: Award teams points for positive actions.
  6. Bucket dipper cards: Encourage reflection and discussion about the impact of negative behaviors.

Benefits of the Bucket Filler/Bucket Dipper Game:

  • Promotes empathy and understanding.
  • Encourages positive social interactions.
  • Helps identify behaviors that contribute to a positive environment.

Tips for Using the Bucket Filler/Bucket Dipper Game:

  • Make it interactive: Include team challenges or role-playing scenarios related to kindness and positive behavior.
  • Connect to real-life situations: Discuss how the concepts in the game relate to everyday interactions and social situations.
  • Encourage reflection: Prompt participants to think about how their actions affect others and how they can choose to be bucket fillers.

👉 CHECK PRICE on: Amazon | Walmart | Etsy

**Example: **

  • Bucket Filler Card: “You offer a helping hand with a smile.”
  • Bucket Dipper Card: “You make a hurtful comment.”

Anecdote:

Our 16-year-old intern, Sarah, loved playing the Bucket Filler/Bucket Dipper game with our younger learners! She said it helped her understand how important it is to be mindful of her actions and how they affect others. “It made me think about how my words can make someone’s day or ruin it,” she shared.

Ready to create a more positive learning environment? Try the Bucket Filler/Bucket Dipper Game and watch your young adults bloom!

Autism File Folder Game: Shape Match

This printable file folder game is designed for young adults with autism, helping them develop visual discrimination and matching skills.

  • Design: 7/10
  • Functionality: 8/10
  • Educational Value: 9/10
  • Engagement: 7/10
  • Overall: 8/10

Here’s the setup:

  1. Print and laminate the game pieces.
  2. Use velcro to attach the shape cards to the file folder.
  3. The game can be played individually or in pairs.

Gameplay:

  1. Players match shapes by placing the corresponding cards on the file folder.
  2. Cards can be placed on a mat or board if desired.

Features:

  • Visual Support: The game offers visual support for students with autism, making it easier for them to understand the rules and concepts.
  • Independent Play: The game can be played independently, encouraging self-directed learning.

Benefits:

  • Develops visual discrimination skills, aiding in recognizing and understanding shapes.
  • Enhances matching skills, essential for daily life tasks like sorting clothes and matching keys.
  • Improves visual memory, vital for spatial awareness and organization.

👉 CHECK PRICE on: Teachers Pay Teachers

**Example: **

  • A game page featuring a square, circle, triangle, and star.
  • Matching cards with pictures of the same shapes.

Tips for Using the Autism File Folder Game:

  • Tailor to Individual Needs: Adjust the level of difficulty based on the learner’s abilities.
  • Enhance Engagement: Use different colors, textures, or materials to increase engagement.
  • Offer Rewards: Positive reinforcement can help motivate students and make learning more enjoyable.

Ready to empower young adults with autism? The Autism File Folder Game: Shape Match is a fun and effective tool for improving visual skills!

FREE Conversation Starters Digital SEL Game: No-Prep Fun for Small Groups!

This no-prep, interactive digital game on Google Slides provides a fun and engaging way to enhance social-emotional learning (SEL) skills. This game is ideal for small groups and can be used in person or online.

  • Design: 9/10
  • Functionality: 8/10
  • Educational Value: 9/10
  • Engagement: 9/10
  • Overall: 9/10

This game is easily adaptable and customizable.

Download and Customize It Today!

👉 CHECK PRICE on: Teachers Pay Teachers

Here’s the setup:

  1. Download the game: Click the “Download Now” button.
  2. Create a copy: Make a copy of the Google Slides presentation.
  3. Share with your students: Allow editing access to your students.

How It Works:

  1. Each player chooses a digital paw.
  2. Players take turns choosing a number to place their paw on the board.
  3. Conversation starter cards encourage engaging discussions.

Features:

  • Interactive and Fun: This game makes learning fun and engaging.
  • No Preparation Required: You don’t need to prepare any materials – just download and play!
  • Customizable: The game is customizable to fit your classroom needs.

Benefits:

  • Improves communication skills: This game provides opportunities for practicing and developing interpersonal communication skills.
  • Builds empathy and understanding: The conversation starter cards create opportunities for deeper understanding and empathy.
  • Supports social-emotional learning: Playing the game helps foster a sense of community, belonging, and empathy.

**Example: **

  • Conversation starter cards featuring questions like: “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?”

Tips for Using the FREE Conversation Starters Digital SEL Game:

  • Set Ground Rules: Establish clear guidelines for respectful communication and active listening.
  • Encourage Active Participation: Motivate all students to contribute their thoughts and ideas.
  • Connect to Real Life: Relate the topics discussed in the game to real-life situations and social interactions.

Ready to ignite engaging conversations? This FREE digital SEL game is a perfect way to enhance social-emotional learning!

Matching Emotions – File Folder Activity

This file folder activity is suitable for young adults with autism who are building their emotional intelligence skills. It reinforces understanding and expression of common emotions.

  • Design: 6/10
  • Functionality: 7/10
  • Educational Value: 8/10
  • Engagement: 7/10
  • Overall: 7/10

How to set up this file folder activity:

  1. Download: Click the download button to get the printable and laminatable file folder activity.
  2. Print and laminate: Print the folder labels, game pages/templates, and game cards.
  3. Assemble: Cut out the pieces and use velcro to attach the game cards to the file folder.

Game Play:

  1. Players match the emotion picture cards with the corresponding emotion cards.

Features:

  • Simple Design: The game is based on the visual association of emotions and their corresponding images.
  • Multiple Emotion Words: The game includes more than one word for each common emotion (e.g., happy, joyful, pleased).
  • Visual Support: The images provide visual cues to help students understand and identify emotions more easily.

Benefits:

  • Introduces diverse vocabulary for expressing emotions.
  • Improves understanding of emotional expressions and nonverbal cues.
  • Helps students learn to recognize and manage their own emotions.

Tips for Using This Activity

  • Create Real-Life Scenarios: Use the activity to discuss real-life situations where these emotions are experienced.
  • Engage in Role-Playing: Role-play various scenarios and encourage the use of emotions vocabulary to express feelings effectively.

👉 CHECK PRICE on: Teachers Pay Teachers

Ready to help your loved ones build emotional intelligence? Start with the Matching Emotions File Folder Activity. It’s a simple way to enhance emotional awareness!

Budget Project (Math 6,7,8)

This week-long project is designed for middle-school students to learn about personal finances. They’ll create a budget for taxes, food, transportation, and various essential expenses.

  • Design: 7/10
  • Functionality: 8/10
  • Educational Value: 9/10
  • Engagement: 7/10
  • Overall: 8/10

Project Setup:

  1. Divide students into teams.
  2. Each team assigns roles and responsibilities.
  3. Provide real-world examples like a sample paycheck.
  4. Students create a budget using spreadsheets or other financial tools.

Features:

  • Practical Application:: Students directly apply mathematical concepts to real-world financial scenarios.
  • Collaborative Learning: Students work together, developing teamwork and organizational skills.
  • Real-World Scenarios: The project uses authentic scenarios to enhance learning and understanding.

Benefits:

  • Financial Skills: Students gain a practical understanding of budgeting, saving, and financial management.
  • Problem-Solving: The project requires students to analyze situations, make decisions, and solve problems.
  • Decision-Making: Students learn to prioritize expenses and make smart financial choices.

**Example: **

  • Students create a budget that includes:
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Food
    • Transportation
    • Entertainment
    • Savings

Tips for Using This Project:

  • Provide Resources: Offer online resources and templates to help students with their budgets.
  • Connect to Real-World Experiences: Discuss real-world examples of financial planning and decision-making.
  • Set Realistic Expectations: Encourage students to create budgets that are achievable and align with their current financial situation.

Ready to empower your middle schooler with financial literacy? This Budget Project is a fun and effective way to instill practical financial skills!

Conversation Skill Building Activities for Autism Social Skills

These printable activities are designed for young adults with autism to enhance their social skills, particularly in conversation.

  • Design: 7/10
  • Functionality: 8/10
  • Educational Value: 9/10
  • Engagement: 7/10
  • Overall: 8/10

Here’s what’s included:

  • Topic cards: Provide conversation starters or themes.
  • Conversation or not picture cards:
    • Help students identify appropriate conversation topics.
    • Encourage discussions about acceptable social behaviors.
  • Topic maintenance spinner:
    • Helps maintain conversation flow by introducing new themes or questions.
  • Conversation starters cards:
    • Provide prompts for initiating and sustaining conversations.

These activities encourage young adults to explore various conversation topics, learn about social cues, and participate in meaningful discussions.

Benefits:

  • Improve Conversation Skills: The activities encourage students to
  • Develop Social Awareness:
  • Enhance Communication Confidence:

Tips for Using These Activities:

  • Incorporate Role-Playing:
  • Enhance Visual Support:

👉 CHECK PRICE on: Teachers Pay Teachers

Ready to unlock the power of conversation for young adults with autism? These printable activities are a valuable tool for enhancing social skills!

Autism File Folder Game: Food Match

This printable and laminatable file folder game is designed for young adults with autism to improve their visual recognition and matching skills. It uses pictures of common foods to help students learn names and make associations.

  • Design: 7/10
  • Functionality: 8/10
  • Educational Value: 9/10
  • Engagement: 7/10
  • Overall: 8/10

Features:

  • Simple Design:
    • Print and laminate the game pieces.
    • Use velcro to attach the food cards to the file folder.
  • Visual Support:
  • Independent Play:
  • Practical Application: Learners can apply these skills to real-life situations like grocery shopping or ordering food.

Benefits:

  • Visual Discrimination:
  • Matching Skills:
  • Vocabulary Building:

Tips for Using These Activities:

  • Real-Life Examples:
  • Food-Related Activities:
  • Flavor Exploration:

Click here to Get This Game!

Ready to make food fun for your loved ones with autism? The Autism File Folder Game: Food Match is a fun and interactive way to encourage visual learning!

Team-building Challenge

This engaging activity is perfect for building teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.

  • Design: 6/10
  • Functionality: 8/10
  • Educational Value: 8/10
  • Engagement: 9/10
  • Overall: 8/10

Instructions:

  1. Gather materials:
    • Cups
    • Rubber bands
    • String
  2. Divide into teams:
  3. Challenge: Each team must work together to build the tallest tower using only the provided materials.
  4. Set a time limit:
  5. Reward the winning team:

Features:

  • Collaborative Learning:
  • Problem-Solving:
  • Creativity and Innovation:

Benefits:

  • Teamwork:
  • Communication:
  • Creativity:
  • Problem-Solving:

Tips for Using the Team-building Challenge:

  • Set clear objectives:
  • Use Diverse Materials:
  • Encourage Communication:
  • Celebrate Success:

Ready to unleash teamwork and creativity? The Team-building Challenge is a fun and engaging way to foster collaboration and problem-solving skills!

Job Search Game Escape the Job Expo FREE

This engaging game challenges students to solve puzzles and escape a simulated job expo.

  • Design: 7/10
  • Functionality: 8/10
  • Educational Value: 9/10
  • Engagement: 9/10
  • Overall: 8/10

Features:

  • Interactive and Engaging: The game keeps students engaged through puzzles and problem-solving.
  • Real-World Application: The game uses real-world skills like logic puzzles, cryptograms, and word scrambles,
  • Fun and Educational: The game makes learning about job searching fun and engaging for students.

Benefits:

  • Critical Thinking: Students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Job Search Skills: They enhance their job search skills, including resume writing, cover letter writing, interview preparation, and networking.
  • Confidence Building: The game helps students build confidence in their abilities and prepares them for real-world job searches.

Tips for Using This Game:

  • Adapt to Different Levels:
  • Offer Feedback and Support:
  • Connect to Real-World Resources:

👉 CHECK PRICE on: Teachers Pay Teachers

Ready to make job searching fun and engaging? This FREEBIE is a great tool for enhancing students’ job search skills and confidence!

Simon Says FREEBIE

This printable visual support for Simon Says helps students who need extra guidance. This game can be used with students who have challenges with following instructions or have difficulty with auditory processing.

  • Design: 6/10
  • Functionality: 7/10
  • Educational Value: 8/10
  • Engagement: 7/10
  • Overall: 7/10

Features:

  • Visual Cues:
  • Simple Instructions:
  • Adaptable:

Benefits:

  • Auditory Processing:
  • Following Instructions:
  • Social Interaction:

Tips for Using This Game:

  • Use Clear and Simple Directions:
  • Offer Visual Supports:
  • Encourage Participation:

👉 CHECK PRICE on: Teachers Pay Teachers

Ready to make learning fun and engaging for students with auditory processing challenges? This FREE Simon Says visual support is a valuable tool for enhancing classroom participation!

Conflict Social Skills Anger Management Game Editable FREEBIE

This editable game helps reinforce coping skills for managing anger and demonstrating social skills.**

  • Design: 8/10
  • Functionality: 9/10
  • Educational Value: 9/10
  • Engagement: 8/10
  • Overall: 9/10

Features:

  • Editable Game Board and Cards:
  • Variety of Coping Mechanisms:
  • Engaging Scenarios:

Benefits:

  • Anger Management Skills:
  • Social Skills:
  • Conflict Resolution:

Tips for Using This Game:

  • Customize the Game:
  • Role-Playing Scenarios:
  • Connect to Real-Life Experiences:

👉 CHECK PRICE on: Teachers Pay Teachers

Ready to help young adults navigate conflict and manage anger effectively? This FREEBIE is a fantastic tool for building essential social and emotional skills!

Whole Brain Teaching QuickStart 5.0

Whole Brain Teaching is a highly engaging, structured teaching technique designed to boost student participation and learning. This program focuses on auditory and visual methods to improve learning for all students.

  • Design: 9/10
  • Functionality: 9/10
  • Educational Value: 10/10
  • Engagement: 10/10
  • Overall: 9/10

Features:

  • Teacher Training:
  • Classroom Management Strategies:
  • Engaging Activities and Games:
  • Auditory and Visual Learning:
  • Student-Centered Approach:

Benefits:

  • Increased Student Engagement:
  • Improved Learning Outcomes:
  • Positive Classroom Culture:
  • Enhanced Teacher Confidence:

Tips for Implementing Whole Brain Teaching:

  • Attend Teacher Training:
  • Start Small and Gradual:
  • Adapt to Different Learning Styles:
  • Use Humor and Enthusiasm:

👉 CHECK PRICE on: Amazon | Walmart

Ready to revolutionize your classroom? Whole Brain Teaching is a proven technique for boosting student engagement and learning!

Measuring Cups Activity for Life Skills Special Education Cooking Lessons FREE

This fun activity uses dominoes to help students with special education needs learn to measure using cups and spoons.**

  • Design: 7/10
  • Functionality: 8/10
  • Educational Value: 9/10
  • Engagement: 7/10
  • Overall: 8/10

Features:

  • Dominoes-Based Activity:
  • Visual Support:
  • Hands-On Learning:

Benefits:

  • Measurement Skills:
  • Cooking Skills:
  • Visual Comprehension:

Tips for Using This Activity:

  • Provide Clear Instructions:
  • Use Real Measuring Cups and Spoons:
  • Incorporate Recipes:

👉 CHECK PRICE on: Teachers Pay Teachers

Ready to make cooking fun and educational? This FREEBIE is perfect for teaching measurement skills to students with special needs!

Personal Hygiene Life Skills Seek and Find Activity Printable & Digital FREEBIE

This interactive activity helps students with special needs practice personal hygiene skills while engaging with a fun seek-and-find puzzle.**

  • Design: 7/10
  • Functionality: 8/10
  • Educational Value: 9/10
  • Engagement: 8/10
  • Overall: 8/10

Features:

  • Printable and Digital Versions:
  • Engaging Seek-and-Find Format:
  • Life Skills-Focused:

Benefits:

  • Personal Hygiene Skills:
  • Receptive Language:
  • Inventoring Skills:

Tips for Using This Activity:

  • Use Visual Aids:
  • Incorporate Real-Life Examples:
  • Positive Reinforcement:

👉 CHECK PRICE on: Teachers Pay Teachers

Ready to make learning fun and engaging for students with special needs? This FREEBIE is a fantastic tool for reinforcing personal hygiene skills!

Feelings Candy Land

This game is designed for children ages 3-12, and can be used in therapy sessions to help children explore and understand emotions.

  • Design: 7/10
  • Functionality: 8/10
  • Educational Value: 8/10
  • Engagement: 9/10
  • Overall: 8/10

Features:

  • Candy Land Theme:
  • Emotion-Focused Gameplay:
  • Adaptable for Different Age Groups:

Benefits:

  • Emotion Recognition:
  • Emotional Regulation:
  • Social Skills:

Tips for Using This Game:

  • Create a Safe and Supportive Environment:
  • Use Visual Aids:
  • Encourage Discussion:

👉 CHECK PRICE on: [

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