When playing games with children, do you let them win or make them earn it?

[Chazmatazz269]

There are benefits to both. If a child always loses, they may lose interest or even grow disdainful of friendly competition altogether. On the other hand, letting a child win doesn’t teach them the value of competition and learning to get better, as well as how to be gracious in loss.
Which way do you go? Do you let kids win or make them earn it?

[SueShe]

I haven't played board games or any games with children for quite a while. Although, I used to let them win, I also used to play fair with them after they reached a certain age,

Now, the only games I do play with kids, I usually let them win because those kids are ones that are afflicted with Down syndrome (trisomy 21). They love to laugh and play. I live not far away from a home for those kids and adolescent and often on my way back from university, I stop to have a chat and small board game with them. I just don't have the heart to let them lose because I can see the joy on their faces when they are able to beat an adult with their game.

[fishbone77]

Depends on the age of the child and the game.