Post by Terra Incognita on Aug 11, 2019 13:33:07 GMT
I managed to keep video game consoles out of the house until my oldest was 14, and the youngest, 5. They were on a "sugar rush" until a few months ago; now they've rediscovered (with prodding from their parent) the joys of board and card games, which we played so often before the invasion of the body snatchers.
Were you like my own family growing up --when puzzles, cards, dice and tokens ruled the household during many an evenings and days of inclement weather? I used to know dozens of card games (including numerous solitaire variants) using the standard 52-card deck, but I've forgotten most of them! And I've had no reason to look them up on the interwebs and re-learn them, since the kids have never shown much interest in regular deck games. They do, however, very much enjoy games using specialized decks, as well as board games. Monopoly, Risk, Scrabble, Uno and Sequence have had their day in the sun, so now it's on to new adventures.
This is probably old news to some, but I discovered that in most cities, there are many specialty game stores where clerks will quickly demonstrate a particular product's gameplay so you can see if it's worth your time and money. I've even been to coffee shops and bars where patrons can choose from shelves stocked with hundreds of games and play while having a meal or a pint.
Anyway, my children and I enjoy buying a new game now and again. It's always a bit of a challenge, though, because of the age and skill differences between us: it's got to be relatively simple for even the 10-year-old, but allow some strategy for enjoyable repeated play. Most of all, luck has to play a signicant part to cancel any advantage an opponent may have in age, experience and brain power. Our latest find, for example, is called Fantasy, which is pretty easy and only lasts 10 or 15 minutes a game -- but there are usually several turnings of the tables before the final whistle, which is good for a lot of laughs!
So does anyone else here still partake in these "old-fashioned" pastimes? if so, what are they? Any recommendations? Do you have anecdotes or memories to share? Favourites?
Were you like my own family growing up --when puzzles, cards, dice and tokens ruled the household during many an evenings and days of inclement weather? I used to know dozens of card games (including numerous solitaire variants) using the standard 52-card deck, but I've forgotten most of them! And I've had no reason to look them up on the interwebs and re-learn them, since the kids have never shown much interest in regular deck games. They do, however, very much enjoy games using specialized decks, as well as board games. Monopoly, Risk, Scrabble, Uno and Sequence have had their day in the sun, so now it's on to new adventures.
This is probably old news to some, but I discovered that in most cities, there are many specialty game stores where clerks will quickly demonstrate a particular product's gameplay so you can see if it's worth your time and money. I've even been to coffee shops and bars where patrons can choose from shelves stocked with hundreds of games and play while having a meal or a pint.
Anyway, my children and I enjoy buying a new game now and again. It's always a bit of a challenge, though, because of the age and skill differences between us: it's got to be relatively simple for even the 10-year-old, but allow some strategy for enjoyable repeated play. Most of all, luck has to play a signicant part to cancel any advantage an opponent may have in age, experience and brain power. Our latest find, for example, is called Fantasy, which is pretty easy and only lasts 10 or 15 minutes a game -- but there are usually several turnings of the tables before the final whistle, which is good for a lot of laughs!
So does anyone else here still partake in these "old-fashioned" pastimes? if so, what are they? Any recommendations? Do you have anecdotes or memories to share? Favourites?