Can Video Games Really Help Improve Your Child's Attention Span?

Why video games and attention aren’t sworn enemies

If you're a parent of a child between the ages of 6 and 12, chances are you've wrestled with the tension between screen time and schoolwork. Maybe your child zones out during homework but can focus for hours while playing games. It’s easy to label video games as distractions—but what if they could actually help improve attention skills?

Before we dive in, let's be clear: not all games are created equal. Some are endless loops of quick rewards and overstimulation, while others demand strategic thinking, memory, and concentration. As surprising as it sounds, certain games can support your child's ability to focus—and even complement their learning journey.

The science of focus: What games ask of the brain

Focus, or sustained attention, is a skill that develops over time. It's not just about sitting still—it's about keeping the mind engaged on a single task amid distractions. Some child development experts have noted that the cognitive demands of well-designed games can support this very skill.

For example, puzzle-based video games or strategy games often require children to:

• Keep track of multiple steps
• Remember patterns and information
• Ignore irrelevant distractions to reach a goal

In short, these games help engage the ‘executive functions’ of the brain—the very same mental muscles needed for doing math homework or completing a reading assignment.

Finding the balance: When and how video games help attention

Skeptical? You're not alone. It might feel contradictory to encourage video games when your child struggles with focusing on schoolwork. But it’s less about the screen time and more about the screen quality.

Consider this: a child who plays a logic-based adventure game that involves problem-solving, map navigation, and memory work is practicing many of the same skills used in the classroom. Games that unfold slowly, with increasing complexity—as opposed to fast-twitch, high-reward content—can gently train the brain to focus through stages of challenge and reward.

There’s even early evidence that some educational games can help children with attention difficulties. Of course, moderation and supervision are key. If your child loves games, try sitting beside them and asking questions about their strategy. This kind of co-play helps build language and critical thinking while reinforcing focus.

Making it count: Real-world strategies for parents

Helping your child turn their interest in video games into a boost for attention doesn't require expert skills. It simply involves making a few thoughtful choices.

• Choose games with structure and progression: Look for games that build over time, such as puzzle adventures or story-based games with goals. These promote long-term engagement rather than quick, dopamine-hitting wins.
• Set clear time boundaries: Rather than banning games entirely or letting your child play endlessly, try scheduling game time after homework or as part of a balanced routine. This helps children associate focused tasks with positive outcomes.
• Link gaming with learning: Would your child enjoy a math-based tower defense game or a reading game with a fantasy twist? There’s a growing category of educational video games that are actually fun—and help reinforce skills from school.

It’s also important to help your child reflect on what they do in games. Ask them to explain what level they’re on, how they solved a challenge, or what they found difficult. This reflection builds metacognition—aka, awareness of one’s thinking process—and can translate to more mindful behavior in class.

Complementing screens with deep focus moments

Even with high-quality games, kids need balance. Focus isn't built only in digital spaces. Listening activities, art, and even quiet storytelling can deepen attention spans in more reflective, screen-free ways. One gentle alternative to video before bed, for example, is an audiobook.

Apps like LISN Kids offer original children's audiobooks and audio series designed to engage imagination without overstimulating the senses. Available on iOS and Android, LISN Kids helps children wind down while still engaging in focused listening—a skill directly tied to attention development.

Shifting perspective: What your child’s focus on games might really mean

If your child seems “zoned in” during games but can’t sit still for homework, it might say more about the homework than the child. Video games often offer immediate feedback, a sense of competence, and clear goals—things that schoolwork doesn't always deliver.

This doesn't mean schoolwork needs to be turned into a game. But borrowing the elements that make games engaging—like setting visible progress markers, offering breaks between tasks, or using a reward-based focus system—can make a big difference. Consider reading this guide on balancing gaming and homework to get started with setting up those boundaries.

For some children, a love of gaming can even evolve into a healthy hobby or career path. Coding, storytelling, world-building—these are real skills. If you're concerned about screen time, that's natural. But also keep an open mind about how to channel gaming as a source of growth, not guilt.

Final thoughts: Focus as a growing skill, not a fixed trait

Attention takes time to develop, and it looks different in every child. If your child struggles with staying focused on schoolwork, it doesn't mean they're failing or lazy—it might just mean they respond differently to certain kinds of engagement.

Video games aren’t a magic solution, but they can be one tool among many. Combined with patience, balance, and thoughtful structure, the very thing you once saw as a distraction might just become a surprising ally in your parenting toolbox.

Curious about how games shape other life skills too? Take a look at this different perspective on whether video games can teach patience, or how certain games may even encourage your child to read.