Growing up, I was not from one of those boardgame families that would spend hours diving into some obscure game that no one else had heard of. Though, I wish I was, because the kids from those kinds of families tended to be more intelligent than myself. There is a selection bias in that observation of course, but I do think that things like patience and critical thinking can be developed in those kinds of environments.
I am not great with either.
Or many other strategic soft skills. However, I would like Smallsteps to be less like her parents, and more like someone who will be successful in this world. Not that board games are enough, but they are a good way to spend some time as a family. And. since my wife goes back to work tomorrow, we decided to spend some time and try a boardgame bar that some of my friends frequent.
My smart friends at least.
They have hundreds of games available and they apparently rent them out too, because many of them are those obscure types that go on for many hours, or days. If course, we didn't play any of those, and they had some that were a little more kid-friendly.
Smallsteps first chose Labyrinth, which she lost, but was pretty good at. My wife struggled to begin with, but got the hang pretty fast. It is a super easy game, but might take a little bit of spatial awareness or something to plan for coming moves. The game only took about a half hour or so to play.
After that, we played Alias, which is a Finnish game similar to Taboo, and requires explaining words without using the word itself for the team to guess what it is. As there were three of us only, we made up our own rules and were pretty relaxed with the timer for Smallsteps. And, we were playing in both Finnish and English, and it was difficult at times for everyone. However, Smallsteps had a ball and did really well explaining. We ended up playing this for over two hours, and continued on even though the game had ended, because my wife had claimed victory early on.
I don't think we are smarter now.
But, it was a nice evening and I think it would be good to do it again at some point soon. We could of course do it at home also, but booking the table was cheap and it was nice to be out of the home for a few hours, with a cup of tea, coffee and a hot chocolate.
We play made-up word games a lot and whenever we drive, we tend to play some kind of variation of a word game, or perhaps a math game. They are fun, keep us occupied, and are also educational. I prefer these kinds of games than for instance, trivia games on general knowledge or even specific knowledge like the music game we played last night, because trivia is pretty useless - especially these days where information is available at the fingertips. Those mental and emotional soft-skills though, they still have some value and probably will for some time to come.
Come to think of it...
As a kid, my brother and I would play Risk.
Perhaps that is why I believe I can conquer the world...
What is your favourite boardgame?
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
I should take a photo of our games cupboard xD
it's not nearly as extensive as that
We played board games occasionally when the kids were little, we keep thinking about it now but never actually get around to it these days.
a lot of that is my fault as I'm extremely non-competitive and even the one cooperative game we have can be competitive as there is the option for a traitor
These days it's all Magic: the Gathering and roleplaying games.
Sure you could have done that at home (and maybe that's an option when it's snowing out and you really don't feel like travelling to the place) but there's a much bigger game selection over there that you can either try before you buy or just play there if you know it's not going to get played regularly :D
For sure!
I had friends that were really into the big role playing games and would build characters for years and the like, but I think I only ever played one round. It is great for the imagination though - which is also why I think it makes people smarter :)
This is what has stopped me buying boardgames, as I am not sure we would play enough. It would be good to have even a monthly game night.
I think I need to start making a schedule for things in life I want to do....
Probably not the worst idea if you're good at following schedules XD
it has taken me literal years
My favorite board game is an old one that I don't think they make anymore. It was called Stock Market and it was really awesome to play. I know what you mean about people who play really complex boardgames being a little more intelligent. The only problem is, they also seem to be a bit more socially awkward. At least in my opinion/experience. We often play word games with out friends when we are sitting around the fire. It's pretty crazy how complex and unique some board games are these days. That place you went sounds like it would be cool. We have some tap rooms similar to that. Did you see my post today about the board game we played over the holiday? It's called Hues and Cues and it was quite interesting.
I'm glad you share a passion for board games. I haven't had a chance to play Stock Market, but it sounds intriguing. I agree that some players of complex games can seem socially awkward, but your strategic skills are admirable. I'd love to know more about Hues and Cues, it sounds like an interesting game - definitely those tap rooms and places to play are a great way to spend time with friends and family!
By the way, I hadn't had the chance to wish you a year 2025 full of adventures, health, and abundance…
Thanks, Happy 2025 to you as well. The game is pretty easy, so if you are able to find it, you should be able to pick up on it quite easily.
If I had taken a picture of the other patrons, 95% would have fit visibly into the socially awkward category :D
I wish I was a camper. I reckon it would extract some great conversations!
You definitely would! Although sometimes the conversation flows like a river and others we just enjoy the fire and maybe some music. It's always a great time! You meet some interesting people too, so I am sure you would love that.
Aha! As I was reading, I immediately thought of my favorite game, which is risk. We didn't play it as a family early in life, but in my young adult life we played as a foursome at least twice a month, sometimes in marathon bouts overnight. I loved that game.
The boardgame bar is a brilliant idea. I'm guessing there are benefits of playing out in public, especially for young minds. The selection there looks massive.
Risk was such a fun game! I might see if they have it here in one of the shops. I am sure I can get it online, but there are so many different versions now - it is crazy!
Less tantrums! :D
It is huge.
Happy New Year @tarazkp
Sounds like you had a really fun evening :)
I remember playing (and really enjoying) Monopoly and Scrabble when I was younger, although my favourites were the held Nintendo Game & Watch games like Donkey Kong and Mario Bros.
Annabelle 😊
Scrabble was one of my favourites - though I suck at it now :) I still play Words with Friends with one person for over a decade now :D
Wow - I've never tried that one, and a for a decade! That's ace :) Covid and Long Covid have made my memory laughable at best, and I expect to be totally trounced next time I play Scabble.
Thanks @tarazkp
My favorite board game is chess, though I have not played it for real in a while and our daughter gets upset, because I can't loose or if I do she knows it was on purpose...
Chess is a great game, even if not great at it (like me), because there are rules and moves to plan ahead. I have taught Smallsteps the basics, and she is probably already better than me :)
Looks like fun. We used to play labyrinth as kids and now again, as adults ( as my sister got it for her kids ). I play Scrabble regularly and we played Risk, Reversi, Snakes and Ladders and loads of other games. It sure is good for the brain, social skills and a nice counterbalance to screen time.
And I almost forgot that I like to play chess although I mostly do so online, nowadays.
Smallsteps doesn't have much screen time, and what she has is spent watching a few cartoons on a Saturday and Sunday morning. We don't have any limits or anything, but so far, she prefers to do other things instead. But, it is a big issue for a lot of kids, and I think parents should play their role and participate in activities with the kids, instead of just telling them what not to do.
Chess is always a winner. Do you compete online?
This is actually damned cool! Wont mind having something like this in my town! Ingenious!!
Also Risk, amazing board game I'd like to get it again but heck dude that board game got expensive as hell! Should just buy it though because I already have a few friends that wants to play it. It's better than a night spent drinking.
Or, it could be... a night spent drinking and playing Risk!
Well at home yeah anyday 🤣 clubbing not so much 🤣
That first photo of you daughter is really beautiful!! (just had to say it:)
And interesting question, I was wondering the same about "stories". Will you be more "intelligent" if you hear lots of them growing up? Or how do you grow up if there are no stories, books etc. around...?
I think so too. Catches her character.
The abridged Einstein quote is: *If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.
A childhood without building an imagination, doesn't lead to intelligence it seems.
Playing board games not only promotes skills such as patience and critical thinking, but also fosters family connections through playful and educational activities. Although you did not grow up in a board game family, your desire to provide that environment for Smallsteps reflects your aspiration to cultivate important skills for success. The night at the game bar was a great way to strengthen family bonds and promote learning in a fun and relaxed environment, leaving a memorable experience that would be worth repeating. My favourite board game is Catan, I love the strategy and negotiation involved! I love it when you post about the family, especially little Smallsteps.
I think thatthis is what is missing in many families these days. Like I was saying to @bozz about campfire conversation - it doesn't really happen that much now, but it used to be a daily thing in families.
I have never heard of Catan - worth looking into or is it for older kids?
I play more card games than board games these days, but Frag is a lot of fun, and has recently been re-released in a smaller box with a folding paper "board." I also like word games like Scrabble and UpWords. Smallstes might also enjoy Carcassonne and Settlers of Catan.
Was just looking at Frag, seems like a fun niche game!
Upwords!! That was one of the first board games I ever got as a child!
Maybe I am a nerd...
Someone else mentioned Catan too, so will have to look it up.
Catan, also known as ‘Settlers of Catan’, is a board game designed by Klaus Teuber in 1995. The objective of the game is to colonise the island of Catan by building settlements, roads, and cities. Players earn victory points by building and developing their settlements, and the first player to reach 10 victory points wins the game.
The game takes place on an island made up of hexagons that represent different types of terrain, such as forests, mountains, wheat fields, hills, and pastures. Each type of terrain produces a specific resource (wood, brick, wheat, ore, and sheep) when the corresponding number on the dice is rolled. Players must manage these resources, trade with other players and build their settlements to win.
Detailed information on how to play Catan can be found on sites such as How to Play and Chaos and Science.
In terms of its cultural impact, Catan has transcended borders and has become a global phenomenon. It has been translated into multiple languages and is popular in many cultures around the world. It has also inspired several expansions and digital versions, allowing more people to access this fun and strategic game.
You had a great time with your wife and daughter. It was a nice activity.
I have never played these types of games before. Are Okey and Stranch included in the table games? I have played those types of games a lot. When you win, you are happy, when you lose, it makes you unhappy :)
I have never heard of those - what kinds of games are they?
Players try to finish by separating their stones according to their colors or by trying to line up the same numbers of different colors side by side. The first one to finish wins the round.
This is called ''Okey''
Me neither, but we were much more able to play the traditional games outside and they would develop our cognitive and physical skills :)
This is another part of life that is missing these days. Many kids barely see natural light.
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