by Maria C Collins

Created on: May 08, 2008   Last Updated: May 08, 2012

Board games are still a great favourite with all ages. There are many reasons for their continued popularity. Playing board games teaches children how to take turns, to wait patiently until it is their turn and also help with their concentration, but perhaps the most important lessons it teaches is how to win magnanimously and lose graciously and how to play fairly. When parents play board games with children, it can be a relaxing family experience and a memorable and enjoyable time, a bonding experience, very important in these frantic times when everyone is so busy. The mere act of turning off the television and the computer and making time to play together can reap huge dividends for family life. Many families make it a practice to buy new games at Christmas, so that the family will have a new game to play together over the holiday.

Playing board games can also help unobtrusively, and in a fun way, with some aspect of a child's education e.g. a junior scrabble game can help children with spelling and vocabulary and many teachers use chess as a means of helping with concentration and thinking and planning ahead.

There are so many wonderful board games available that the very choice is confusing. One must first decide the reason why you are buying the game and whether it is for children, a family or for adults. Then you must decide whether you want to choose from educational board games, strategy board games, vintage board games, classic board games, fun board games, or family board games. Consider whether you want a game for one, two or more players.

A game strictly for children needs to be fun, and the rules clear and simple, the game play should not be too complicated but should have some substance. Avoid gimmicky games, these tend to be the ones that are played once and put away in the box, never to see the light of day again, traditional children's favorites include "Snakes and Ladders" and"Ludo". There are also some board games which include movement such as "Twister" which might be good for lively children, or for a children's party.

A game for family play needs to be easy enough for children to play, especially if young children are playing too, and yet have enough substance so that adults are not bored. "Cluedo" is a great game for family play, since it is based on memory and logic and even children enjoy trying to guess "whodunit". "Trivial Pursuit" is an excellent game for families with older children or teenagers.

Amongst adults too, board games can be a stimulating way to enjoy an evening. Games such as "Trivial Pursuit" , "Diplomacy, are great for a simple game, or if you want to have a more elaborate evening, one of the Murder Mystery games can be the highlight of a themed evening, where everyone dresses in the style of the game and acts out their part which can be great fun.

The best way to choose a game is to go to a specialist shop which has a good range of games and browse, the proprietor has knowledge of what has proved popular and will assist you with your choice.

Board games can these days be played on the computer, either using the computer as an opponent or with others using the same computer, alternatively by using the Internet to link up with players all over the World.

Board games, whether they are traditional games, with a physical board and playing pieces, or virtual on your computer screen, continue to be popular because people of all ages still enjoy them so much that they have stood the test of time.

Learn more about this author, Maria C Collins.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.