I have always enjoyed playing games, and when I was younger and living at home with my brother, Mum and Dad I was always asking for us to play one of my favourite board games. Growing up I think favourites of both my brother and I were Cluedo, Monopoly, Guess Who, Connect 4 and, for me especially, Scrabble. As we got older, Trivial Pursuit was a game we would always play as a family, and at Christmas when we had family over, it would be got out and I honestly do not think I ever won a game of it!! Scrabble is still a game I enjoy playing – although since I no longer see as much of my fellow scrabble loving friend Abi as much as I did since I had the boys, I only play it on my app version!
The great thing about games, is that not only does it occupy you when it is too cold or wet to play outside, once you have bought them it is free entertainment which does not involve a screen – be it televison, an iPhone or an iPad! Also, another important life lesson which playing board games teaches young children, is about learning to win and lose gracefully, because while it is great to win, it is not so great to lose. I think it is good for us all to be able to know how winning and loosing feels, so that you can empathise with other people when playing games.
Recently, the boys and I have had some fun playing games after school instead of watching televison before tea, and it has been wonderful watching Burton and Jenson play games that I enjoyed as a child. While I did not own my own Twister or Kerplunk, I do recall playing them with friends who did, and I knew that the boys would get a lot of enjoyment from them.
I have to admit, that while Twister still seemed the same now as it did when I was younger, Kerplunk seemed much smaller somehow and maybe did not have the same ‘wow!’ factor that it gave me playing it as a child! Still, Burton and Jenson did not know about the way it was made back in the 1980’s, and they loved trying to remove a pick while trying not to let any marbles drop down.
Connect 4 has not altered at all. Mind you both boys do not quite understand the tactics involed in playing, and Jenson just enjoyed inserting the disks and then emptying them again – much to Burton’s frustration!
Monopoly is a game I have played a lot in my life, both as a child and then as an adult, and it is always good fun and will always remind me of my Na. I got the boys a Junior version of the game and they both loved this game the best of the ones we played. It is a much simplified version of the original game, but they soon picked it up and we have played this a few time now. We will be playing this with my brother on Christmas Day as he is a big fan of Monopoly!
It is great to have some quality family time together like this – it is what board games were made for! With the weather turning colder and the daylight dwindling, what better way to spend some family time together than to play some games indoors, and in the warm?
What is your favourite game?
I was sent a selection of games from House Of Fraser who have some great deals on at the moment in theor toys section, all perfect for Christmas, and for spending quality family time.
