The Lost Art of Board Games

Disclaimer:: I am not a huge fan of the over-saturation of electronics in the lives of children in this day and age.  That being said, this post isn’t meant to be about that, but it bears mentioning because it does color my point of view.  While, I do not intend to tell others how to raise their children, it does make me sad that more and more children seem to equate games with tablets and hand held devices and have never even heard of Candy Land, much less played it.

My children know that there are games on my smart phone and yes, I do let them play them on rare occasions. But, it is not routine and it’s in small doses when it does happen. I am a firm believer in the developmental and cognitive benefits that can be gleaned from good old-fashioned games and I am determined to make them part of my children’s younger years.

We play board games in our house.  A lot of board games.  Some of our current favorites are Uno, Hi-Ho Cherrio, Pretty Pretty Princess, Memory and a cake decorating/building game that I can’t remember the name of.  They are also getting Trouble for Christmas and I can’t wait to teach them that new one.

There are so many reasons to play games with your kids.

• Social Engagement – When you play card games or board games with your kids, you also inevitably have conversations with them.  Some of our silliest and best family interactions have been while playing games.  This has also been true when my kids have played games with their peers.  It’s so refreshing to see them interacting through play instead of internalizing.
• Family Fun – The kids thrive in the devoted attention they are given during the time we spend playing games and it’s good for our souls as parents as well.  There is always laughter and unavoidable relaxation.  It’s a break.
• Behavioral Lessons – Sure, playing the game is fun, but my children are also learning how to share with family and friends.  They are learning things such as what it means to take turns and to be patient when it’s not yours.  And the one we stress the most is how to be a gracious loser AND a gracious winner.  (I am also a firm believer in allowing winners, because that is an unavoidable life experience that I feel is best learned as you grow.)
• Educational – Games can be great tools to help children learn about, develop and master tasks that are important in life.  Things like, counting, colors, vocabulary, fine and gross motor skills, strategy, puzzle and problem solving, to name a few. Can you get some of these things from electronic games? Sure. But, there is so much more opportunity for you as the parent to engage and teach when you are an active participant in the game with your child.
• Challenging – And, as if that all isn’t good enough, then you have the rules.  Each game has its own set of rules that must be learned and followed.  It has been really fun exploring new and more challenging games with my kids.  I love testing the waters to see what they are ready to master and what might have to go back on the shelf a little while longer. My 5 year old has such intense pride in the fact that she can play “grown up Uno” that claims it is for ages 7+.  Even my 3 year old does fine with it, although she does need a little (although very minimal) parental guidance.

As a native Cincinnatian, I am excited for the day that I can teach my girls to play Euchre.  I can’t wait until they are old enough to understand the rules to Sorry and Clue.  Currently, we play games almost daily, but I fully intend to implement an official “family game night” as they grow older and busy schedules make the free time for games less available.  I am proud of the fact that when someone asks my kids if they want to play a game, they enthusiastically answer “Yes!” and run to our closet to get one of their many board games.

Do you and your family play board games?  What is your favorite?