A game is a structured form of play, sometimes used as an educational tool. It typically involves goals, rules, and an element of competition or challenge. Games can be played by one or more players, and can be either physical or virtual. They may be a part of formal education, or they can be informal social activities, such as family gatherings, birthday parties, and other celebrations. They can also be part of a commercial product, such as a computer or video game.

Some games involve a conflict between player and opponent, while others are purely skill-based. The distinction between a game and other activities has been debated for centuries. Some consider a game to be a form of sport, while others think it should be considered its own category because of the specialized skills involved. For example, a race or figure skating competition is a sport but not a game, while chess, a strategic activity, and a board game like Monopoly, which has very little strategy, are considered games by many.

Games have been used by all cultures throughout history, and are an ancient custom that brings people together for social opportunities. They allow people to experience a different place and time, to use their imagination, and to compete in an artificial environment that is safe from the real world’s dangers. Many games require the use of common tools, such as miniatures, cards, dice or a board with pieces, while other games have more idiosyncratic objects, such as a unique ball, chess pawns, marbles or Monopoly tokens.

In addition to the enjoyment of playing a game, research shows that gaming can improve mental health and well-being. In particular, playing interactive, challenging games helps children develop their vocabulary and cognitive skills, and increases concentration. Children need to be alert and attentive for extended periods of time in the classroom, but using different instructional approaches like games can help shape students’ attention and encourage them to continue learning long after class has ended.

Some games are designed to be instructive, teaching students about specific topics such as history or science. This type of game is often called edutainment and has been the source of controversy, since some people argue that it deprives students of the opportunity to learn in more traditional ways. Other games, however, are simply fun and arouse intrinsic motivations in the player, such as autonomy, competence, relatedness or pleasure. A study found that, conditional on the objective of the game, experiences of these factors were positively correlated with affective well-being.