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Benefits of Board Games

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As another school year comes to an end, kids across the Metro will close up their textbooks and set their sights on afternoons poolside, free from the confines of a classroom.  Minds may downshift into relaxed gears as the hazy days of summer set in, but that doesn’t mean learning has to come to a complete halt. Board games provide a rich, in-depth learning experience through play that both kids and adults enjoy. The research is in, and it turns out that board games are more than just entertainment. They actually improve brain functions like memory, reasoning, logic and social skills, to name a few.  From classics to the latest trends, board games are back and better than ever. So switch off those screens and sneak in some educational fun this summer.

The younger the child, the simpler the rules, but don’t dismiss these early childhood games. They really pack a punch in areas such as mathematics, socialization and reading. Leah Heinhauer, a former elementary teacher and Kansas City mom to four kids under the age of 7, loves the benefits kids gain from family game time. “Go Fish is a great game for kids learning to count, recognize numbers and take turns,” Heinhauer says. “We also love the game Hedbanz.  It’s really fun yet requires them to deduce their own clues.” Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land, Dominoes and Memory may be obvious choices, but consider branching out and trying games like Sequence for Kids, Zingo!, Bug Trail, Scrabble Junior and the Sneaky Snack Squirrel Game. Beyond the layers of cognitive development and fun, kids are also engaged in high quality, uninterrupted relational time while playing games. It’s a win-win from every angle.

Choosing the right games for children’s interests and abilities can be challenging. Katrina Kanary, local homeschooling mom of three, says, “What we look for in a good educational game is a combination of interest and education. I love to find games that can develop skills like cooperation, fair play, strategy, logic and reasoning—anything that expands their frame of reference and gets them to think outside the box or a game that reinforces knowledge sets (like Uno) and inspires their imaginations (like Blokus). However, the most educational game in the world is useless if they don't enjoy it!”

Kanary also values how playing board games helps children learn what it means to play fair and cooperate.  In all the competitive environments our children face, it’s important they learn to walk away as gracious losers and winners. Why not give them the opportunities to test out those character qualities over board games, where succeeding and failing are natural parts of the game?

Every year the IQ-based group Mensa America gathers to choose their favorite board games, and the top five earn the highly coveted “Mensa Select Seal.”  These are tried and true board games judged on criteria like originality, creativity, longevity and fun.  Maybe your family’s summer challenge could be to test all five of the 2013 winners and see whether you agree with the group’s selections. Last year’s winners were KerFlip, Forbidden Desert, Ghooost, Kulami and Suburbia.  You can find out more information at http://Mindgames.US.Mensa.org

This summer, pour the lemonade, slice up the watermelon and play a game. Play some classics and try out some new games you’ve read about here. You’ll thank yourself later, knowing memories were made, laughter was had and brains were challenged.

Board Game Fun Facts…

Kansas City writer and mom Jena Meyerpter avoids Monopoly like a stubbed toe and loves a great game of Scrabble.

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