When people think of the best Christmas gift ideas, board games don’t always top the list but they should! Board games build communication, create family bonding, educate, and offer hours of fun - all in one box. Played in most societies and cultures throughout history, board games capture people’s imaginations and allow for face to face interaction that is sadly rare today.
According to a report by the Council of Economic Advisors, kids 8 -18 spend seven and a half hours each day exposed to media. The rise of people glued to the computer is believed to be one of the main reasons for the decline in board games. It is not uncommon for each member in the family to be in separate rooms engrossed in a different form of media. Mom’s shopping online, Dad’s watching the game, Sis is texting, while Junior plays a shooter online with his friends. What makes board games great Christmas gifts is they force us to unplug and spend time together.
Parents and family members can have a positive impact on how children see and approach life. Kids who feel a close bond to their parents indulge in less risky behavior and are more successful in school. The earlier you start forming positive connections with your kids the more likely they are to stay close and keep the lines of communication when they hit the challenging teenage years.
Now is the time to reclaim at least one night a week to spend with the entire family. There is no simpler way than designating a family game night. With so many different types of board games, there is style of game for all taste and gameplay all ages can enjoy. Settle on a nonnegotiable day to hold game night every week. Rotate who decides what game will be played every week and post the weeks choice on a calendar. Consider letting the person also choose a special snack to compliment the chosen game. Crack open the box, and watch as the entire family loosens up with laughter and a whole new family interaction unfolds.
In the midst of all the storytelling and smack talking, a few lessons slip through. Kids learn the concept of following rules, flex their problem solving ability and improve general reasoning skills. Maybe even more important, the different game strategies compel your kids to reason through moral problems. Simply playing with parents they can learn how to lose, and win, with good manners and grace.
This year wrap a board game or two and slip them under the tree. In no time at all you’ll see why board games are some of the best Christmas gift ideas. Who knows, you may even start a new Christmas tradition.
jumanji
