10 Simple Activities to Build Focus and Executive Function Skills

 

For a child who struggles with attention, everyday life can sometimes feel like everything is competing for their focus at once.

A conversation is happening nearby. Something moves across the room. A notification sounds. Their mind jumps to another thought—and suddenly the homework problem in front of them has been forgotten.

For children with ADHD or executive functioning challenges, difficulties with attention, working memory, impulse control, planning, and following multi-step directions can make schoolwork and everyday routines more demanding.

While there is no single game or exercise that will "fix" attention, children can benefit from regular opportunities to practice these skills in ways that are engaging and manageable.

    

Here are 10 simple activities families can try.

    

1. Try a Memory Pattern Game

Place several small objects—such as coins, blocks, or colored pieces—in a simple pattern.

Let your child study the arrangement for a few seconds, cover it, and ask them to recreate what they saw.

Start small and gradually increase the number of objects as your child becomes more comfortable.

This provides practice with visual attention, working memory, and sequencing without making it feel like schoolwork.

    

2. Practice a Short Reset Before Difficult Tasks

When a child is already overwhelmed, asking them to "focus harder" usually isn't enough.

Instead, try a brief reset.

Take a few slow breaths together, stretch, get a drink of water, or spend a minute quietly preparing for the task ahead.

Then identify one simple goal:

"Let's work on these three problems first."

Breaking the transition into smaller steps can make getting started feel more manageable.

    

3. Play "Freeze" Games

Games that require children to move and then suddenly stop can be a fun way to practice listening and self-control.

Try dancing while music plays and freezing when it stops, playing Simon Says, or creating your own stop-and-go game.

The purpose isn't perfect performance. It's giving children playful opportunities to practice pausing before acting.

    

4. Use Puzzles

Crosswords, word searches, hidden-picture activities, jigsaw puzzles, and age-appropriate logic puzzles can encourage children to stay with a task and look carefully for information.

Choose activities that are challenging enough to be interesting without becoming frustrating.

If your child becomes overwhelmed, reduce the difficulty or work together.

    

5. Play Memory Games

Traditional matching games, card games, and sequence games can provide practice with remembering information long enough to use it.

You can also create simple memory challenges during everyday routines.

For example:

"We need three things from upstairs: your backpack, your water bottle, and your book. Can you remember all three?"

That turns an ordinary moment into working-memory practice.

    

6. Add Movement

Some children concentrate better when movement is part of the activity.

Try simple movement sequences your child has to remember and repeat:

Clap → jump → turn → touch your toes.

As they improve, add another step.

Movement activities can make practicing sequencing, attention, and following directions more engaging.

    

7. Read and Predict What Happens Next

Read a short section of a story together and pause.

Ask:

"What do you think will happen next?"

Then ask your child what information from the story helped them make that prediction.

This encourages them to hold information in mind, connect ideas, and think ahead.

    

8. Try Mazes and Visual Challenges

Mazes encourage children to slow down, look ahead, and think about where they're going before making a move.

Instead of focusing only on speed, encourage planning:

"Before you move your pencil, where do you think this path will take you?"

The goal is to practice thinking ahead rather than rushing through the task.

    

9. Build Something Together

LEGO, blocks, crafts, models, cooking, and other hands-on projects naturally involve executive functioning.

A child may need to:

Focus, AttentionFocus, Attention

Let your child take as much ownership as they can while providing support when needed.

    

10. Practice Ball or Coordination Games

Simple activities such as tossing a ball back and forth, bouncing a ball a certain number of times, or following a movement pattern can require sustained attention and coordination.

Make it collaborative rather than competitive.

You might say:

"Let's see if we can get to ten passes together."

Then gradually increase the challenge.

    

Focus Develops Through Everyday Practice

Helping a child strengthen attention doesn't have to mean sitting at a desk doing extra work.

Opportunities to practice executive functioning are everywhere—in games, conversations, chores, sports, reading, cooking, and family routines.

The key is finding an appropriate level of challenge.

If something is too easy, a child may lose interest. If it's too difficult, frustration can take over.

Start small. Celebrate effort and progress. And remember that children develop these skills at different rates.

Most importantly, don't turn every activity into a test.

Sometimes the best opportunities for learning happen when children are simply playing, connecting, and having fun with you.

 

At Executive Brain Academy, we help students and families strengthen executive functioning skills that support attention, working memory, planning, self-regulation, organization, and greater independence in school and everyday life.

 

Benjamin Mizrahi
Founder, Executive Brain Academy
Educator | Learning Specialist | Family Coach
www.mrmizrahi.com