In today’s fast-paced digital world, many parents report a concerning trend: their children’s attention span seems to be shrinking every year. It’s a phenomenon that’s been observed across the globe, particularly in highly connected societies. But what if the solution isn’t more homework or less screen time? What if the secret to improving focus is hidden in fun and engaging activities, like martial arts, sports, and strategy games?

The Hidden Power of Movement and Play in Boosting Focus

Attention and Self-Control Are Trainable Skills – Here’s How Movement Helps
Dr Ryan Stevenson, Co-founder & Director at Bright Heart Education, a special educational needs tutoring company, suggests that focus isn’t something you either have or don’t have. Instead, focus is a skill that can be developed with the right tools, strategies, and activities. According to Dr Stevenson, “The systems in the brain that handle attention and self-control respond really well to the right types of movement, play, and even certain kinds of games.” By making small changes to how children engage with the world, parents can significantly boost their child’s ability to focus.

So, what’s the key? It turns out that combining physical movement, strategic thinking, and purposeful games can make a world of difference. The research and expert insights below explore how martial arts, open-skill sports, and even well-designed digital games can help children improve their focus, memory, and impulse control.

Martial Arts and Open-Skill Sports: The Surprising Link to Better Focus

Why Martial Arts and Team Sports Should Be a Must-Have in Your Child’s Routine
Martial arts and open-skill sports (like tennis or football) have been shown to boost mental flexibility, impulse control, and overall executive function. These are essential parts of a child’s ability to focus and succeed in both academic and social settings. A 2025 narrative review of martial arts programs revealed that children who practiced these sports had better attention, working memory, and inhibitory control. This was especially true for kids with ADHD.

What makes these activities so effective? Dr Stevenson explains that martial arts and sports provide consistent practice in “pause before you act,” which directly improves impulse control. For instance, in karate or taekwondo, children must stop and think before making a move. The same goes for open-skill sports like tennis and football, where players must think ahead, make quick decisions, and adapt to ever-changing situations.

In fact, a meta-analysis comparing open-skill and closed-skill sports found that open-skill sports, in particular, were more effective in improving cognitive flexibility and inhibition—the key ingredients for better focus. Whether it’s football, tennis, or karate, the repeated practice of stopping, choosing, and adapting under pressure makes these sports invaluable for developing a child’s attention span.

Swap Mindless Scrolling for Strategy Games and Puzzles: The Ultimate Focus Boosters

How Strategy Games Like Chess and Puzzles Are Helping Kids Stay Focused and Sharp
In an age dominated by mindless scrolling and fast-paced digital content, parents may feel like getting their child to focus for even a few minutes is an uphill battle. But the answer might lie in strategic games and puzzles. These types of activities help children practice thinking ahead, waiting their turn, and memorizing patterns—key components of executive function.

For example, a 2025 study on chess found that children who took chess lessons scored higher in visuospatial working memory than their peers who didn’t engage in chess. Dr Stevenson suggests that instead of letting kids mindlessly scroll through their phones, parents should introduce games that require strategic thinking, such as chess, card games like Dobble, or even logic puzzles. These games train kids to focus by teaching them to remember rules, wait for their turn, and think several moves ahead.

These activities don’t just entertain; they improve focus and attention by requiring children to practice planning and restraint. Dr Stevenson points out that a simple 30-minute family game of chess could be far more beneficial for focus than a half-hour of repetitive drills like times tables. Strategy games engage the brain in ways that nurture memory, attention, and cognitive skills, all while having fun.

Digital Games: The Hidden Heroes in Boosting Focus for ADHD Kids

When Used Correctly, Digital Games Can Improve Focus, Memory, and Self-Control
The role of digital games in improving focus is a controversial topic. Fast-paced, reward-heavy games often do the opposite of improving focus, fragmenting attention and reinforcing impulsive behaviour. However, when used in a structured and purposeful way, certain digital games—especially those developed as “serious games” or digital therapeutics—can actually improve attention, memory, and self-control.

A 2024 systematic review of digital therapeutics for children with neurodiversity found that serious games used within structured educational programs showed improvements in attention, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. Digital games designed specifically to train executive functions—such as planning, impulse control, and memory—are a great option for children with ADHD or those who are struggling with focus.

But it’s important to choose the right games. Dr Stevenson warns that not all digital games are beneficial. The key is to select games with clear goals, structured sessions, and an emphasis on cognitive skills rather than mindless play. Serious games that are part of a therapeutic program have been shown to engage children positively, improving focus and executive functions while reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity.

How to Build a Routine that Supports Focus: Advice from Dr. Stevenson

A Balanced Approach: Focus Isn’t Just About Sitting Still—It’s About Movement and Planning
Dr Stevenson urges parents to rethink what “helping a child focus” really means. It’s not just about making a child sit still for long periods of time—it’s about providing them with opportunities to practice focus in different situations. This includes engaging them in physical activities, strategy games, and digital programs that challenge their executive functions.

Dr Stevenson suggests that parents ask themselves the following questions to build a more focus-friendly routine:

• Does the child get enough breath-raising movement throughout the day?
• Are there activities that force them to wait, plan, or think ahead?
• Do they practice stopping themselves, whether it’s holding a karate stance or pausing before a chess move?

By creating a daily mix of activities that involve physical movement, strategic thinking, and cognitive challenges, parents can help children build the necessary skills to improve their attention and focus. Whether it’s through martial arts, sports, or games, the goal is to give the brain plenty of opportunities to practice focusing.

Focus Isn’t Just for Homework: How Daily Activities Can Make a Difference

The Surprising Ways Everyday Activities Can Build Better Focus
Building focus isn’t just about encouraging children to “sit down and study” more. In fact, a rigid focus on study time can be counterproductive. Instead, Dr Stevenson suggests that parents should take a holistic approach to daily activities, ensuring that children engage in a variety of exercises that target different aspects of attention and self-control.

From martial arts sessions to family chess games, every activity that involves physical movement, planning, and self-restraint can help children practice focus. The key is to give children opportunities to engage in these activities regularly. By creating a routine that includes these focus-boosting activities, parents can support their children in developing better attention, memory, and self-control over time.

Best Strategies for Parents: Create a Focus-Boosting Environment

Practical Steps Parents Can Take to Improve Focus at Home
Here’s a quick breakdown of how parents can encourage focus-building activities at home:

• Enroll children in martial arts or open-skill sports, such as football or tennis.
• Swap screen time with strategy games and puzzles that require planning and memory.
• Use digital games that are designed to boost executive functions, especially for children with ADHD.
• Include physical activity and planning exercises in the daily routine.
• Focus on creating an environment where children can practice attention in natural, fun ways.

By integrating these activities into daily life, parents can help their children improve their focus, memory, and self-control, setting them up for success both in the classroom and beyond.

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