Family Board Games

A board game is a game in which counters or pieces that are placed on, removed from, or moved across a “board” (a premarked surface usually specific to that game). As do other form of entertainment, board games can represent nearly any subject.

There are many different types and styles of board games, including those, at the most-basic level, that that have no inherent theme-such as Checkers-as well as more-complicated games with definite subjects, or even narratives, such as Clue.

If your family has long discarded all your standard board games, maybe it’s time to look into some lesser known versions. After all, we all have the collection of favorites. From Sorry to Monopoly, our closets are filled with these tried and true board games. But after the box has been used so many times that it’s frayed at the edges and precariously held together by duct tape, you might find that your kids simply pass the game over. Looking for a new challenge, you should restock the game closet with some new and interesting games.

But it can feel more than a bit overwhelming shopping for new board games. With so many different options, it’s hard to tell what’s worth purchasing and what’s all flash and gimmick without any substance. If your kids are interested in games that require a bit more strategy and thought, one great benchmark is to see what kind of awards the game has been given. A game like Blokus, for example, has been bestowed with the title of “Game of the Year.” It was also a select winner from MENSA, and it took home the Teacher’s Choice Award. These kinds of accolades are a good sign that it will be challenging as well as fun and addicting.

For many people, their first job entails babysitting the children of friends or relatives. And it’s a great job for any responsible pre-teen or teenager. Not only will families pay surprisingly well for these services, but it easily lends itself to networking. If one family finds that you’re good with the kids, they are likely to recommend you to other friends and family members. Before long, good babysitters will find their schedule more than a little full.

But babysitting can be a difficult job, especially if the kids are hyper, clingy, or otherwise difficult. Whether they’re crying for their moms or hitting their little sister, sometimes it can feel like you’ll never make it out of the night alive. But if you’re looking to engage the children for a night, and you don’t want to simply place them in front of the television, consider bringing over a slew of board games. This will certainly get them involved and interested, and if they do get bored, just bring out a different game!