Parents recognise that there are lots of activities which can help build togetherness and unity in a family. One activity that fits this ideal is a weekly games night, where all the family takes an hour or two to play games after an evening meal. Here are seven of the top benefits for you to hold one regularly with your family.
1 Inexpensive: For good, cheap entertainment, you can't go past family games. There are hundreds of games that can be played with only a single pack of cards. In fact, you could play a different game every week and still have plenty left for the next year. A set of dice are also cheap, while there are games that use nothing more than your imagination. What great value!
2 Suitable for all ages: Young children have games that are suited to their age while other games are better suited to older children and adults. However, there are so many games that suit everyone from great-grandparents to infants that no one needs to miss out purely because of their age.
3 Does not discriminate against physical disabilities: Since the idea is to have fun, it won't matter what level of physical skill you have. If your brain still works, you can join in family games. If someone cannot join the game, you can move the game to the sickroom so no one needs to miss out.
4 Both educational and entertaining: Many so-called 'educational' games can be a bit boring. With a family games night, children will be learning how to recognise their letters and numbers while they also learn to add and multiply, and learn facts about geography and history (depending on the game). All while they think they are simply having fun.
5 Provides varied entertainment: There so many types of games that are suitable for a family. From card games and dice games, to parlor games, board games (both commercial and free), word games, tile (domino) games and pen and paper games. No one needs to be bored!
6 Provides room for wonderful family interactions: As the night progresses, there are opportunities for great interaction through talking, sharing and caring. There could even be laughter and tears as some players win and others don't.
7 Builds strong character: It is as important to learn how to lose graciously is it is to win gracefully. A spirit of cooperation grows when a child (or adult) decides to enjoy the game instead of simply trying to win every game. When they learn to put others first, every one can have a wonderful time.
The benefits listed above are simply the beginning. A regular family games night should be one of the priorities on every parent's schedule to assist in building a strong and healthy family.
About the Author
Andrew owns {a href=" http://www.family-games-treasurehouse.com"}Family Games Treasurehouse which has rules for over a hundred family games. Visit http://www.family-games-treasurehouse.com and sign up for our free newsletter to download our ebook, "25 Family Dice Games". This article is copyright but may be freely republished provided the text, author credit, site links and this copyright notice remain intact.
7 Reasons for a Family Games Night by Andrew Low
Family Game Night Goes Digital by R.L. Fielding
Tech-savvy parents and kids are putting a new spin on family game night by gathering on the Internet rather than in the living room.
For many households, family game night is a time-honored tradition. Parents and kids set aside one night each week to spend quality time together while playing their favorite games. It's an opportunity to have fun, encourage family communication, and teach valuable skills such as sportsmanship.
Conventional wisdom holds that the best games for this sort of occasion are puzzle, trivia, card and board games. However, a new generation of parents is discovering that these classic games don't have to come in a cardboard box. Today's spectrum of online games offers new ways for parents to connect with their children while having a good time.
A New Generation of Games
Although it's often stereotyped as a solitary pursuit, online game play can be a highly social pastime. Communities have developed around the games - often with the encouragement of game developers who have launched their own social networks. In addition, casual games with enhanced in-game interaction now make communicating with - and competing against - family and friends a core component of the game itself. Whether mom or dad is on the road for business, the grandparents live in another town, or the kids are away at college, families are able to stay connected and have fun together in these online environments.
When everyone's gathered under the same roof, many parents are pulling up a chair and playing free online games alongside their children. Hours of entertainment can be had by taking turns playing and beating each others' high scores. And, at a time when the cost of most activities is going through the roof, the option to stay home and play classic puzzle, trivia, or strategy games at no cost is a big win for most households.
One revolutionary new game concept that's giving family togetherness an extra boost are casual games that can be shared on social networks, such as MySpace and Facebook, or via mobile platforms. No matter where they are on the Web or around the world, family members can now challenge each other to play a friendly game and compare top scores with the click of a mouse.
Bridging the Gap
Some parents are resistant to the idea of playing online games with their kids. Aren't online games just a waste of time? Do kids (especially teenagers) really enjoy playing the same games as their folks? The answers might surprise you. A June 2009 Nielsen report on teen media trends revealed that "[t]eens' favorite TV shows, top websites and genre preferences across media are mostly the same as those of their parents." Mom and dad may not be so out-of-touch after all.
"The puzzle, trivia and board games that we all grew up playing haven't been forgotten; they've just been adapted for the digital age," says Eric Lamendola, General Manager for Slingo, Inc., a leader in the casual games industry. "These days, the entire family can enjoy online versions of popular family-friendly games, as well as an exciting array of new game concepts."
Game night is still a great way to bring the family together-it's just that the medium has changed. Rather than looking at technology as a barrier to family unity, parents should look at online game play as a potential bonding experience. By sharing the games they love in a format that their kids enjoy, parents can bridge the age gap and ensure that their children stay engaged, interested and, above all, have fun. As an added bonus, by becoming an active participant in their kids' online activities instead of a mere observer, parents can better monitor their Internet use and take advantage of teachable moments.
In the end, the creation of a shared experience is what's most important to development of a healthy, happy family dynamic. Whether you're face-to-face or miles apart using mobile devices, the family that plays together stays together.
About Slingo
Slingo.com is a leading online destination for people who love to play games , win prizes and have fun. In fact, 1 out of every 20 people in the U.S. has played Slingo online. The Slingo website offers free, original online games, downloadable games, and contests with cash prizes, as well as a social-networking community for game players. For more information, please visit http://www.slingo.com/.
About the Author
R.L. Fielding has been a freelance writer for 10 years, offering her expertise and skills to a variety of major organizations in the education, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing industries.
Better Value in Board Games by David Trounce
For entertainment value, social interaction, skill development and just plain fun, few things beat the old-fashioned board game. Except, these days, board games aren't so old-fashioned.
There's something out there for everyone, whether you want quick-and-easy, deep strategy, games for one or two players, games for a roomful of people, games that allow you to show off your knowledge, games that rely mostly on luck. There are games with space themes, and games set in medieval times.
There are games based on popular movies. There are new versions of old favorites. "Games sales are way up," says Greg Jones, a game distribution rep for Fred Distribution, and a game aficionado of long standing.
"Board games are a better value than ever," he says, "and that's important in this economy.
For the price of taking the family to a movie, you can buy a game that offers an enriching social experience every time you play it.
A lot of today's board games sell in the $40-$70 range, although you can find some for less and some for more. "But these are games you can play multiple, multiple times," says Casey Sartain, owner of The Tutoring Toy Shoppe.
Strategies and actions may vary, he says, "but games are always good for building self-esteem, bringing families together, taking time out of your hectic life to have fun."
"Our sales of games is strong, in fact, thriving," says Matt Molen, vice president of marketing for SimplyFun, which sells games through in-home parties. "In times of uncertainly in other areas, people focus back on those things that are most important to them: security, community, faith and family.
Playing together as a family is not only fun, but it connects people and ties them closer together." "We get lot of people who say they have a tradition of playing a game every Sunday night," says Toni Hansen, owner of Claypoole Corner in Layton. "Or, people get together with friends and neighbors."
What she likes about games, she says, is that "every time you play, it's different. It's not like watching the same movie over and over."
Acknowledgment: Carma Wadley, Deseret News.
About the Author
David Trounce is the Owner & Proprietor of Games From Everywhere
Classic. Clever. Beautiful.
Learn Three Basic Steps To Win At Chess by John Skelly
These chess tips are more about understanding the game of chess and developing a firm position than about finding the best move. A good rule of thumb is to move your chess pieces to control the center of the chess board. This rule branches off into two parts: Control the center and Develop your piece.
It is pretty well known that it is important to control the center of the chess board, but not many people know why it is so important. The explanation to the importance of controlling the center area of the chess board is that this best allows you to move your trivial pieces while at the same time taking that very ability away from your opponent's pieces.
It is all about who controls mobility of your chess pieces and your opponent's pieces. The foundation of the center control of the chess board should be the bishop and the knight. The bishop and the knight make perfect pieces for control of the center because they have control over the most squares, which means your opponent has fewer squares to move to.
Developing your piece is important for the simple reason that pawns are not as valuable pieces because they can only move forward in one direction. This is why it isn't good to have a lot of pawn moves. They are vulnerable chess pieces because they are unable to retreat and have very poor mobility, and they are very limited when trying to adapt to an opponent's moves.
When you make a pawn move, the position of your piece is concrete and your only defense for it can be with minor pieces. Also, when you develop your chess pieces, you end up controlling more squares, thereby increasing your own mobility while decreasing your opponent's.
Another important move to understand and use is castling. When castling, a king and rook can move simultaneously, but only under the following conditions:
The king that will make the castling move has not yet moved.
The rook that will make the castling move has not yet moved.
The king is not in check.
The king cannot move over a square that is attacked by an opponent's piece during the castling move.
All squares between the rook and king before the castling move are empty.
The King and rook must occupy the same row.
In short, when castling, the king moves two squares towards the rook, and the rook moves over the king to the next square.
Castling in chess is a very good strategic move and although this is widely known, few know the reason for it. There are two reasons behind why you would want to castle your chess pieces. The first is that when you castle, you are engaging your rook into play and second is that you are placing your king into a safe position on the chess board. When you have both your bishop and your knight still on the back rank, which means you haven't castled, then your rooks are not engaged in play and have a limited mobility.
These are just 3 simple guide lines to follow that can help you greatly improve your chess game.
About the Author
John Skelly is owner of Quality-Chess.net, an online store at http://www.quality-chess.net, where you can browse a myriad of chess products including chess sets, chess boards, and chess pieces.
Try These Games for Improving Working Memory by Sean Davids
Did you know that one of the most effective means of improving working memory is to play games? Working memory is the more scientific term for what is often known as short term memory. Recently stored details such as names and phone numbers is stored in this area of the memory. Think about it as your brain's scratch pad. It is the opinion of the experts that working memory can store a total of seven bits of information at any one time.
A strong working memory is vital for things like literacy, numeracy, and solving problems. Making these skills better also improves your concentration and awareness. Many scientists are of the view that folks who play specific games make their working memory better. We will examine here a few of these games to improve memory.
Board games like chess might assist in making working memory better. The brain functions that are used to plan out your moves, which are crucial to mastering chess, require an understanding of relationships between various items of information. And this procedure occurs in the same area of your mind as the elements that control the storage of data for working memory.
Scrabble and other word games that require you to understand words and letters also exercise the working memory. Combining letters in different ways to form words and bringing them from long term memory into working memory can further assist your visual and spatial abilities, as this causes you to generate patterns in your brain.
Possibly the most famous game for making your memory better is simply called Memory, a card game that is also known as Concentration. Cards are arranged face down on the table, and then two of them are turned over a time. If the cards match, the player is allowed to keep them both. If it's not a match, the cards are put back, and the next individual takes a turn. Ultimately, the player collecting the most cards wins. Since more and more of the cards are turned over as the game goes on, attempting to remember where each card can be found is the key to gaining cards in the latter stages of the game.
Another card game utilized for an improved memory is bridge. Duplicate bridge is the type played in tournaments, and is more suited to this purpose than rubber bridge. The reason for this is that duplicate bridge requires you to remember bids, whereas rubber bridge involves more luck than skill.
Playing games to improve working memory can be as basic as just shutting your eyes and attempting to remember where specific objects are situated in a room. You can also ask another individual to write down a list of various items, show it to you, and then ask you to repeat back the items on it in the correct order. I'm sure you can dream up plenty of other games that are not only enjoyable but useful to your ability to recall things.
About the Author
Even if you haven't yet noticed any concerns with your memory, it's a good idea to start to learn memory improvement skills right now, early on, before problems in fact occur. Discover more by visiting the Improved Memory site.
The Rules to Cornhole by Chris Folmer
Here are a simple set of rules for the game of cornhole:
1. COURT LAYOUT
A) Cornhole / Bag Toss courts are to be 10ft wide X 45 ft long. Each court will consist of two cornhole boards, 8 bean bags, a pitchers box and foul lines.
B) Pitcher's Box - This section is where players will be throwing the cornhole bags from. Each box is to be 4 ft wide X 3 ft long.
C. Foul Line - These are imaginary lines from the cornhole to the opposite cornhole board.
2. PLAYING EQUIPMENT - CORNHOLE BOXES AND BAGS
A) A Cornhole Platform should be 48" X 24" and made of wood.
B) The hole for the board needs to be 6 inches in diameter and 1 ft from each side of the board.
C) The cornhole bags will be 6" X 6" and weigh between 14 and 16 ounces
3. THROWING DISTANCE
A) The distance between cornhole platforms will be 27 ft makeing the throwing distance roughly 30 ft.
4. PLAY OF THE GAME
A) The game of cornhole can be played with either 2 people or 4. Singles involve both participants playing from the same side. Doubles is played with partners standing on opposite sides.
B) How Cornhole is Scored.
(I) In the hole -- If the bean bag goes into the hole on the platform, 3 points are scored
(II) On the platform -- If the bean bag lands on the platform, but does not go in the hole, 1 point is scored
(III) Off the platform -- If the bag doesn't go into the hole or land on the platform, 0 points are scored
C) The throwing of the bags will be alternated until all 8 bags have been thrown. The scores of both teams will then be added up and the difference will be totalled up. The points of the lower scoring team will be deducted from the higher scoring team.
Please visit our site by clicking here to check out more information on the game of cornhole - bag toss.
About the Author
Cornhole Bagtoss has been selling bags across the world for the last several years. We carry bags, boards, and cornhole accessories.
Online Board Games: - They Are A Boon if you have A Single Child by swapnil
The good old days, when we all used to play games in a group are gone. In those days, the families used to have more than a single child does and it was a joy to play games such as monopoly and others. The joy was in the games as well as the group interaction. Today with many families opting for a single child, free online games are a boon for that child and the parents.
Imagine parents worrying about their child- who will play with our child? Will he/she never play group games on board that we enjoyed so much in our childhood? Will, my kid never know the joy of the board games? Please stop worrying about that. Computer is there as a friend to play game with your child. Yes, I agree that it may not be same as playing in a group of children, but we cannot have our cake and eat it too
A child needs to play board games. a child enjoys the imagery of games such as monopoly . The imagination works wonders for a young mind. Now do that with your computer. Look for a good gaming site that offers free online games. Download few free online games and play with your child in the beginning. Once you know which games are good for your child, guide him/her accordingly.
Let the child enjoy the pleasure of playing against the skill of the computer. Slowly raise the level of difficulty and let you child develop skills and have fun. These games will not only give him/her pleasure but also sharpen the intelligence. They will also save you from the guilt of not having any body to play with your child. Online games are surely a boon for families with single child.
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About the Author
My Name Is swapnil
