Holidays
Parents Rediscover Board Games as Gift of Choice for Holidays and Beyond
By
Dec 12, 2007, 00:20

(ARA) -- When it comes to gift buying for children, shoppers often find themselves faced with the difficult task of choosing between entertainment and educational value. Parents don’t have to pick between the two when they decide to give a board game that can be both fun and educationally engaging.

“Many of today’s parents are adding board games to their holiday and birthday shopping lists,” says Matt Carlson, a columnist on the popular parenting Web site gamerdad.com.

“Board games stimulate imagination, teach cooperative play, encourage analytical thinking and are often a child’s first encounter with important, real-world themes like like money management and practical decision-making.”

A 2007 study of American young people found that spending time with family was the number one response when participants were asked what makes them most happy. Though parents often lament the scarcity of family time, homes with a well-stocked game closet enjoy a built-in outlet for parent-child interaction. “Game play is an easy gateway to the type of family time that our parents and grandparents took for granted,” says Carlson.

With dozens of different products in the game aisle, however, which ones make good gifts? Carlson recommends parents look for three key qualities when selecting a board game.

1) Choose games the whole family will enjoy. There are hundreds of different games to choose from and all of them are fun to play, but may appeal to different groups of people. A carefully selected game will broaden the appeal of a family’s game collection to include friends, older siblings, parents and even grandparents. To select true family games, choose themes that cross gender lines and are ideal for a range of ages.

2) Look for games with a modern twist. Many of the popular pastimes of yesteryear have been updated to engage a whole new generation. For example, The Game of Life: Twists and Turns, a modern take on the classic game, offers far more choices and possibilities than the original. In addition, new technical features provide a fast-playing experience that those new to the game will appreciate. The game now includes a "LIFEPod," which helps players keep track of time and manage their careers, houses, cars and families with the touch of a button.

3) Check the age range before you buy. Recommended age ranges on games provide parents with a guide to themes and difficulty. Bringing home a game that is too complex may frustrate both child and parent. Premium brands like Milton Bradley and Parker Brothers print age recommendations, playing time and the number of players required for the game in an easy-to-locate icon on the front of the box.

“Savvy parents know that games are a great way to have interactive family time,” says Carlson. “Today’s board games provide opportunities for social engagement and educational value in a fun and interactive way that keeps kids returning.”

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