The Ridenhour household has lately sucumbed to an obsession of gaming. We bought a lot of new games for Christmas: Settlers of Catan Cities and Knights edition, Carcassone, Zombie Fluxx, and Munchkin. It’s one of our favorite things to do as a family, and for the past several months, I’d say we play a game either during or after dinner at least three times every week (usually Catan or Carcassone). Add to that an almost daily luncheon three-player game of Munchkin. The kids and I call it “Lunchkin.”
This is why I carve out so much time in our week to play games:
1) It makes me spend non-task oriented time with my kids. I’m not teaching. I’m not doing laundry. I’m not planning dinner. I’m just sitting there, playing.
2) It makes all of us laugh. A lot. Especially Munchkin.
3) It feels decadent, sitting there, playing those games. Like you’re having a terribly delicious dessert every day.
4) It provides family ritual/tradition. I love looking forward to small rituals in our family. Saturday morning pancakes, pizza-movie nights on Fridays, games, games games.
5) As a ritual, it provides a regular point of connection as a family. I’ve always held family meals as sacred, and am loathe to give many of them up during the week, unless it’s to share them with friends (friends are always welcome!). Playing games at the meal table extends that time together, and makes it feel even more like a special occasion.
6) It reduces stress. It just does.
7) It puts winning/losing in perspective. When you play as many games as we do, you win a lot and you lose a lot. There is ample opportunity to remember that we play because it’s fun, not necessarily to win (although winning is fun too).
8) It can teach patience and strategy skills, depending on the game(s) you like. We like games with a sense of story to them – funny characters, civilization building, Viking invasions – most of them have both elements of luck and strategy built in, and most of them take an hour or more to play. It’s been fun to watch the kids get better at playing our games and giving their mama a run for her money.
9) It helps homeschool feel more fun. There’s nothing like finishing up the hard work of the morning and sitting down to a lively game of Munchkin over a yummy lunch.
10) It helps me be in the present and really see and appreciate my kids and my family, and how precious our time is together. And really, if there weren’t any other benefit at all, that would be enough.
Do you have games you love? I’m always looking to add to our extensive collection!
I really like a game called “Eurorails”. Very fun and teaches the kids (and adults too) about European landscape/geography, imports and exports, trade, strategy and money management! I think that Ian would really get into this game–and once Eva is a little older, I think she could enjoy it too!
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/157/eurorails?
Here is a website that I found where you can find more information. I think they have other versions of the game. One that is based in the United States too.
Angie
#5 Empire Builder–is the USA game I was thinking about in my earlier post.
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/9808/top-railroad-games-and-what-we-make-of-em?
Thanks for the recommendations Angie! And have you heard of Ticket to Ride? I’ve been hearing about that one too lately, but haven’t played it. It sounds similar to Eurorails. I’ll definitely check those out-
I haven’t heard about a ticket to ride, but now I am curious! I Love railroad games!
My in-laws are apparently pretty excited about it. Jamie played it while visiting them last week and said it was very cool.
OMG! Munchkin! We love this game as well! Had just absolutely loves the Chainsaw of Bloody Dismemberment, the Badass Bandana and the Bastard Sword. We’ve been playing Cataan for years! Did you know there is a Star Trek version now?
Ha! I didn’t know there was a Star Trek version. We’ve just now evolved to the Cities and Knights expansion. I had no idea I would love it so much more than just the plain ‘old Catan, but I do.
The Munchkin game has led to all sorts of interesting conversations about words we use in public, and words we can hear or read but not use (this is not new for Ian, but Eva’s only 8, so it’s a bit of a primer for her). And of course there are a few “I’ll tell you what that means when you’re a bit older” points as well. But the kids love it and can clearly handle it; I think they appreciate that we trust them with some “mature” content.
It remains a daily joy for us!
Hi!
My name is Heather and I work for Worth Ave. Group. We’re currently holding a contest for K-12 teachers to win grants for their schools, and iPads or iPods for their classrooms. If you’re interested in participating or nominating a teacher, feel free to email me or visit the link I’ve posted below.
Have a great day!
http://www.voteforteachers.com
voteforteachers@worthavegroup.com
Sounds like a fun competition!