Did you know that checkers or draughts is one of the oldest board games in the world? This game originated in Ancient Mesopotamia around 3000 BCE.
Gaming has been around for centuries and for good reasons. Not only is it a way to pass idle time, but it has many benefits.
However, as technology increases, more and more people are moving to video games and mobile games. These games are fun and have their own benefits.
But they are just not the same as sitting down with your family around the table and playing a good old-fashioned board game. If you love board games and want to convince your family that you should plan a family game night, grab some snacks and keep reading.
One: Board Games Start Conversations
How often do you find your kids stuck with their heads in screens? How often do you hear grunts or one-word answers from your teens?
Starting conversations can often be difficult when your kiddos are teens or would prefer to have their heads stuck in a tablet.
Games are a fun way to engage your children in conversation that doesn’t feel forced. You can make it as simple as sticking a deck of table topics on your dinner table.
However, other games such as apples to apples can create conversations as well. If you have a child that loves chess, you can spend time teaching them to play and talking with them over the chessboard.
Two: Board Games Strengthen Bonds
With the pandemic and technology, it’s quite easy to live your life within a digital space. Spending time playing a board game allows you the opportunity to spend time with actual people.
For people whose love language is quality time, this is very needed. However, even if your love language is not quality time, we all need attention and time from the people we love.
Games allow you to spend time together that is fun and puts the focus on your relationship. You will have the opportunity to strengthen bonds in this time together and create positive memories.
Three: Board Games Teach Teamwork
Have you ever played a co-op game? These games involve everyone working together to win against the board.
Pandemic is an excellent example of a co-op game, even though the theme hits a little close to home after the last couple of years. In Pandemic, you and other players work together to eradicate a disease before it spreads and takes over.
Each person has their own role, and the game only works if you figure out how to blend those roles and play together. Co-op games or even games that require you to team up, such as Headbandz, are great ways to learn how to work together as a team.
Four: Board Games Teach Life Lessons
When you are playing a game, every move you make has an effect. This allows board games to teach the valuable lesson of cause and effect.
Because you did this, this happened.
It also gives you the opportunity to address real-life emotions. If you have children who meltdown in the middle of a game, you can use these moments to teach them how to communicate those feelings and respond to them.
Doing this involves asking tough questions and patience on your part. However, it gives you an opportunity to help your child grow as a person.
Five: Board Games Make You Happy
Did you know that playing board games triggers the release of endorphins? Endorphins are known as the happy hormone, meaning that playing board games can make you happy.
If you’re having a bad day, you may want to try breaking out your favorite board game. Not only will you feel happier, but you will get to experience all the other benefits as well.
Six: Board Games Reduce Stress
Laughter truly is the best medicine. Playing board games with your family can create many opportunities to laugh and enjoy each other.
As you spend time together, the pressures of the world can feel like they are melting away. As you laugh, you will see your stress levels begin to reduce.
Seven: Board Games Teach Goal Setting and Patience
If you’re anything like me, you love strategy board games. Games such as Ticket to Ride or word games are my forte. These games require a little bit of luck, mixed with a lot of strategy.
To strategize well, you have to know what your goals are and be patient enough to accomplish them without giving your plan away. Strategy games think you how to think strategically, and part of being strategic is setting goals and being patient.
Eight: Board Games Increase Brain Function
Playing games requires you to think. You have to problem-solve, strategize, make decisions, and remember rules and other aspects of the game to be successful.
Playing a board game allows you to practice all of these skills in a setting that is fun. These skills can then transfer over to your everyday life.
Nine: Board Games Can Help You Learn
There are many board games that are specifically designed to build skill sets. For example, Scrabble or Scrabble Jr. gives children the chance to expand their vocabulary and practice spelling.
If your child is struggling with math, play Monopoly or make scorekeeping their responsibility. If you want your child to learn something in a fun way, find a board game that supports it.
Ten: Board Games Can Help Develop Fine Motor Skills
Do you have a child who struggles with fine motor skills? Playing games is a fun way to practice fine motor skills without it feeling like “therapy.”
There is a reason physical and occupational therapists often use games in their practice. If your child needs to improve their fine motor skills, sit down and play a game.
Plan a Family Game Night
Are you ready to plan your family game night? The most important thing to remember is to have fun!
Do you need suggestions for games to play with your family? I love board games and would love to help you find one. Leave a comment and let me know what you’re thinking, and I’ll give you my suggestions!
Gamer Girl 