Classic Games and Why To Have Family Game Nights
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There are so many great reasons to play games as a family, but here are some of my favorites:
1. Games Can Create Happy Childhood Memories
In the age of endless technology options, a classic board game can be a refreshing change of pace that brings the whole family together. At the very minimum, our family schedules a monthly game night on the calendar. We take turns choosing our favorite board game, pop some popcorn and enjoy being present with one another.
Some of my favorite childhood memories are playing cards and board games in the kitchen with my parents and grandparents during the holidays. I’m so thankful for those memories and I want our kids to be able to look back fondly on our special family times and pass traditions like these on to their kids.
2. Games Can Develop Learning Skills
Board games are amazing learning tools! Games helps children develop their imaginations, language skills, cooperation, problem solving, patience and concentration. The awesome thing is most of the times kids don’t even realize they are learning! Ha! It’s like when you add kale or other random vegetables to their fruit smoothies without them realizing it. Setting up game pieces, rolling dice, and shuffling cards can help kids develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The skills they learn when you are playing family games together are essential life skills that they will take with them.
3. Games Can Teaching Life Skills
Board games help children learn cause and effect. When playing, kids can learn each time they take a turn it will have an outcome on the overall game. Board games also encourage children to interact with others in appropriate ways.
Don’t get me wrong, sometimes it’s hard to lose! All of our kids at some point have had melt downs during family games nights. This is the perfect opportunity to talk about their emotions and learn how to be gracious winners and losers. Being able to problem solve and talk out our emotions as a family can be beneficial for children to develop in their emotional and social skills. Children learn how to be a good sports, how to congratulate others, and how to play fair through playing games.
4. Bonding Time for the Family
Board games are great tools for bringing families closer. They promote communication and working together through problems. Instead of each family member being sucked into their electronic devices, fill your home with conversation, laughter, love and lots of GAMES.
Choose one of these wonderful classic games and add a family game night to your calendar!
Go Fish
Uno
Monopoly
Sorry
Trouble
Yahtzee
Phase 10
Clue
Guess Who
Charades
Operation
Jenga
Skipbo
Life
Connect 4
Parcheesi
Trivial Pursit Family Edition
Twister
Battleship
Candyland
*Betsey Darley is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to amazon.com