by James Johnson

Created on: April 10, 2010

Childhood, for most it is a time of wonder and amazement, when we learned new things and the world was fresh and new.  We played games and had fun, and then grew up.  While no one should really live in the past, traditions need to be passed on to the next generation.  So, what are some of the best nostalgic childhood games to teach kids today?

For starters, few computer games are nostalgic, PCs have only been around a very few decades and games change so fast that after most people get good at one, it becomes obsolete.  Computers games such as Pokemon are fads rather than traditions, though if you are now 17 you might consider them nostalgic.  Nostalgic games should be much older and go back through several generations.

One ancient game that goes back through the centuries was Tic-Tac-Toe.  It, or some similar version, was likely scribbled in the dirt by stone-age man for playing with the grand-kids.  It is very basic, but very fun when you are young.  At first, the adult always wins, then you let the child win and before long it is always a tie!  It is basic fun for everyone and a game that will hopefully be carried to the stars if man ever makes it there!

Have you ever wondered how many versions of Scabble there are and how long some form has been around?  Did the Ancient Vikings play, and that was the source of rune stones?  It is fun and played by all ages, and is an excellent way to increase vocabulary as well as waste several hours. Scrabble has made it to the Internet and is played all around the world, crossing cultural and generational boundaries.  The nice thing is that grandparents can compete with grandkids and both still learn new words.

Monopoly was started at the turn of the last century and quickly became a success.  it was fun to race the shoe with the dog around the board and dipping into Community Chest or "taking a Chance".  You learned to pay attention, about taxes and finance, and the importance of "improving" your property at your expense.  Maybe instead of teaching kids Monopoly it should be revived to the Government!

Tic-tac-toe, Scrabble and Monopoly.  Those are some of the best nostalgic childhood games to teach kids today.

Learn more about this author, James Johnson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.