What Super Mario Can Teach Kids About Problem-Solving

Kids jumping over mushrooms might just be learning how to navigate real life.

Whether it’s a side-scrolling level or the chaos of day-to-day decision-making, navigating systems takes persistence, pattern recognition and quick thinking. The games our kids play – whether screen-based or the old school ones we grew up with – aren't just entertainment. They’re training grounds for how to handle complexity, failure and progress.

Super Mario is all about staying the course, spotting opportunities and failing fast. Sound familiar? These are the same skills we expect from adults in problem-solving, negotiation and leadership.

Failure is baked into the game. You fall down, you try again. In Super Mario, kids learn to treat setbacks as feedback not a disaster. 

They’re also learning systems thinking. Each level has its own rules, patterns and feedback loops, all connected to achieving a better outcome. Kids quickly learn how to navigate systems not just solve isolated problems. In a way, they’re learning how to work towards something greater than just the task in front of them.

Watch someone playing Super Mario or Sonic the Hedgehog and you’ll see it: speed, pressure, consequence. Kids are making split-second decisions with clear outcomes, which is a surprisingly useful real-world skill.

These games train the brain to look ahead, anticipate risk and stay focused on the goal – skills that apply to everything from conflict resolution to everyday life.

In a world of infinite choices and constant noise, kids need the ability to cut through, stay calm and make smart calls. Understanding how systems work and when to follow, bend or challenge the rules, is at the core of 'adulting'. When kids play these games, they’re not zoning out. They’re gearing up.

Turns out Mario’s not just chasing coins – he’s helping your kid build critical thinking, one level at a time.