Christmas and the Art of Slow Play
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The Gift of Unrushed Thinking
Introduction
Christmas has a strange power over time.
The world slows just enough for us to notice it.
For children, this pause feels different. There is no school bell, no rush to finish, no clock pushing the moment forward. And in that quiet stretch of holiday time, something rare happens. Children begin to think slowly.
At Thinkie, we believe slow play is one of the most meaningful gifts Christmas can offer.
Why Slowness Feels So Rare Today
Most children live in a fast loop. Fast answers, fast entertainment, fast transitions. Even play can become rushed, goal-oriented, and outcome-driven.
But thinking does not grow under pressure.
It grows in pauses.
Research in developmental psychology shows that unstructured, unhurried play supports deeper cognitive processing, creativity, and emotional regulation (American Journal of Play, 2019).
Christmas creates the conditions we rarely protect the rest of the year.
What Slow Play Looks Like
Slow play is not inactivity.
It is engaged thinking without urgency.
You may see it when:
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A child studies the game board longer than expected
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They hesitate before making a move
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They change their strategy mid-play
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They ask “What if?” instead of “What’s next?”
These moments are not delays.
They are learning in progress.
Why Games Are Perfect for Slow Thinking
Board games and strategy games naturally slow time.
They require:
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Waiting for turns
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Thinking ahead
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Accepting uncertainty
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Revising decisions
Unlike fast-paced digital play, tabletop games invite children to sit with their thoughts. Christmas, with its softer schedule, allows this process to unfold fully.
This is why Thinkie curates games that reward reflection, not speed.
The Holiday Advantage
During the year, parents often hurry play along.
“Just finish.”
“Hurry up.”
“Make a move.”
At Christmas, something changes.
Parents linger.
Phones rest face down.
There is space to let silence breathe.
And in that space, children discover that thinking itself can be enjoyable.
What Children Learn From Unrushed Play
Slow play teaches lessons that no instruction manual can:
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Patience without frustration
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Focus without pressure
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Confidence without praise
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Curiosity without reward
These skills form the foundation of lifelong learning.
And they begin at the table, one thoughtful move at a time.
A Simple Thinkie Christmas Ritual
You do not need a plan. Try this:
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Choose one game
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Remove time limits
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Let pauses happen
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Resist filling the silence
When children sense there is no rush, their thinking expands naturally.
The Gift That Lasts Beyond Christmas
Toys fade. Schedules return.
But the experience of being allowed to think slowly stays.
Christmas gives us permission to protect that experience.
Thinkie exists to extend it beyond the season.
Because sometimes, the greatest gift is not more stimulation.
It is time to think.