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.