I’m not against modern games or technology – these are both great and have their advantages and disadvantages. There is so much that a child can learn by playing on educational tablet apps… and sometimes to make them sit quietly during a car ride Peppa Pig or Paw Patrol come to the rescue. However, I still believe that less screen time is better.
And don’t just take it from me, this article from the World Health Organisation highlights the importance of “less is better” when it comes to screen time per day. This doesn’t mean that screen time is bad or dangerous to children, instead of less screen time and more non-screen-based activities lead to improved physical and mental health as well as all-around well-being.
Traditional games are a big favourite of mine, from board games and card games to games tables and outdoor games. Traditional games are also a great way for the whole family to get together for some much-needed family time and healthy competition. Plus, as Motherhood the Real Deal mentions, traditional games “can help kids develop essential skills, such as cooperation, respect, teamwork, competition, creativity, strategy and social skills.”
I remember learning snooker and pool with my family and how exciting it was. Snooker is much more than potting balls on a table, by playing snooker you can improve critical thinking skills, focus, hand-eye coordination and more – it’s a great sport! If you’ve always dreamt of having a snooker table but never had the space for one, why not buy a bespoke snooker table from Hamilton Billiards, snooker table manufacturer and restorer. They can craft different sized snooker tables to fit your space and can even create snooker dining tables that go from a dining table to a snooker table in no time.
Other games that will always be part of our family games time include Cluedo, Snakes and Ladders, Trivial Pursuit and Monopoly. I might or might not have a whole living room cupboard dedicated to board games… Board games are fantastic and there are so many different board games that you can definitely find the perfect one for your family. Board games reduce stress, improve cognitive skills and bring people together.
For Mummy Mummy Mum Uno is a family favourite as she comments on this article. “It’s easy and portable, so we can take it away on holiday and play whenever we have some downtime.” Which is also a great idea! You won’t see me bring my board games with us on holiday but a deck of cards is definitely a must.
Maybe you’d like to transform your spare room into a games room, so you would not only have the perfect space for the family to play games but also to entertain guests. This article on Tantrums to Smiles is the perfect read! She explains how to put together a games room for the perfect family games night.
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