Holiday times are special family times but they can be relentless for parents. With more than a month off from school, many kids will emit the well-known cry of “I’m bored” as they laze around on the couch and start fighting with their siblings. Plus if the weather is rainy or windy and they’re stuck indoors all day, it can be difficult coming up with original ideas to keep them occupied.
Board games are a classic type of entertainment that never gets old, as they’re a great way of getting the whole family involved. They also teach kids skills and provide them with knowledge that they may not learn on TV or while playing video games. Here’s our round up of the top board games to try– maybe you can even wrap a new one up and place it under the Christmas tree?
1. Monopoly
This classic board game has been reinvented a few times so that you now get some exciting new versions. Try Monopoly Junior for kids – where they can buy ice-cream parlours or Monopoly Frozen for those little ones in love with Elsa and Anna, as well as the recently launched Monopoly Cape Town edition. Everyone can learn more about property and commerce, as they pass go and collect rent.
2. Trivial Pursuit
In the age of instant information at our fingertips with the Internet available at every turn, general knowledge has become a bit of a lost skill. So here’s one way to brush up on your general knowledge: Trivial Pursuit! Roll the dice and rack your brains for the answers to questions in specific categories such as Art and Literature, Science & Nature and Sports & Leisure. And the little ones don’t have to be left out, because there’s now a Family Edition that also includes questions younger brains can answer.
3. Jenga
Even tiny toddlers will get a kick out of this simple (but challenging) game where you stack wooden blocks and try and remove pieces without the whole thing coming crashing down. Jenga also teaches fine motor coordination and is guaranteed to generate lots of laughs, making this one of the best board games of all time.
4. Twister
Get twisted into a knot of fun with Twister, a physical game where spinners determine where your legs and arms must go! Try not to fall over as you put your left leg on yellow, your right arm on green and attempt not to be eliminated!
5. Cluedo
There’s murder afoot and you’ve been tasked to solve the mystery! This classic board game involves asking questions, looking for murder weapons and eliminating suspects (was it Mrs Peacock in the drawing room or Colonel Mustard in the library?). This top board game is probably only suitable for older children, as it involves some serious intellectual application.
6. Scrabble
What collection of board games would be complete without the addition of this perennially popular word game? Teaching children and adults a broader vocabulary, not to mention improving their spelling, Scrabble is a great game that encourages both English and Maths skills (try add up your scores manually without a calculator!).
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DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
