When you were younger, you probably had a fair few board games. Options like snakes and ladders used to be essentials, while games like The Game of Life and Scrabble would appear as the years went by. These board games and the experiences we had playing them often form some of our most fundamental childhood memories. And, that’s at risk of getting lost on our children’s generation.
In a world where even coloring is done on an iPad, it’s not surprising board games are becoming obsolete. Even game manufacturers have no choice but to offer online versions of the games we used to know and love. For many parents, though, the idea of just letting their kids play on-screen is somewhat distressing. And, so it should be.
Board games are fantastic because they teach children lessons you can’t get through a screen. Whether you pull out your old Scrabble or invest in a new board, then, it’s vital to keep board games alive in your household for the following reasons.
That all-important quality time
Quality time as a family is always important. Yet, time together can be tough to come by when every child has their heads in different computer games. Even if they play together, it’s rarely possible to have more than two people for most modern games. By comparison, board games usually accommodate up to eight players. That means the whole family can get stuck in at any time. Quality activities like these are rare in modern life, yet they’re vital for keeping everyone in touch and giving you a chance to enjoy each other’s company.
The lessons to be learned
Never underestimate the educational benefits of board games, either. Though your kids might not realize it, there are plenty of lessons waiting to be learned from our favorite old games. Even snakes and ladders is a kind of game maze which enhances cognitive abilities. Scrabble provides endless lessons in language, even if your little one does need a little help to unscramble the words when they first get going. And, of course, The Game of Life teaches some of the most fundamental lessons of all, and ones which aren’t taught in most classrooms!
Teaching them to take turns
Teaching kids to take turns has never been easy, but modern life is even more opposed to this concept. Now, most kids have so many toys that they never really need to share. Most computer games involve one player or two who can go at the same time. Unsurprisingly, then, the ability to take turns is becoming even less common among younger generations. But, that’s not something you’ll ever need to worry about with board games. Your child wouldn’t have much fun if they didn’t wait their turn, after all. This alone can help to get them set for school life or help them to communicate better with their friends. That’s not bad going for a quick game. So, what are you waiting for? Someone get the Scrabble out!
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