Se analizan las características socializadoras, educativas y de diagnóstico que adquiere el juego en la prevención de problemas psicoeducativos. Se analizan experiencias lúdicas en diferentes escenarios: en aquellas instituciones denominadas “comunes” y las que atienden a niños con discapacidades y/o marginalidad, experiencias que posibilitan el acceso a la actividad simbólica. Palabras clave Juego Prevención Infancia Adolescencia ABSTRACT GAMES IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR PREVENTIVE VALUE SEEN FROM EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY Socializing, educational and diagnostic characteristics acquired by different kinds of games used to prevent psycho-educational problems are analyzed. Ludic experiences are analyzed in different scenarios: in those institutions known as “common” and the ones that deal with handicapped and/or marginal children, experiences that allow access to the symbolic activity. Key words Games Prevention Childhood Adolescence