The Benefits of Playing Board Games this Summer4 min read

Introduction

The summer heat can be oppressive at times, and you may need to seek relief indoors. Why not disconnect from the digital world this summer instead of playing a video game or watching a movie?

During the hotter months of the year, playing board games with your kids is a great way to spend time together. Did you know that playing board games with your kids has other advantages beyond just keeping them cool in the summer?

Playing video games also gives plenty of instructive moments. Sharing, listening, early literacy skills and following directions are all teachable moments. Other advantages of board games include the opportunity for youngsters to practise verbal communication, cooperating with others, taking turns, and learning to deal with wins and defeats. Even during summer, you may keep all of those abilities sharp by playing games.

1. Cognitive Benefits of Playing Board Games

Playing games with your children fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as increased memory. Critical thinking is aided by logic and reasoning skills. With practice, kids (and adults!) can improve their skills. They get more practice the more games they play!

Games aren’t just for students in elementary school. The brain exercises and mental stimulation that gaming provides can assist both teenagers and adults. It’s a win-win situation.

2. Family Benefits of Playing Board Games

We are a game-obsessed family! Why? Board games allow us to disconnect from the digital world and spend quality time with our families. Every time we play games together, we strengthen our bonds and create memories.

We laugh, joke, plan, strategize, solve problems, and establish goals when we play games as a family. Furthermore, there are far more games available today than there were when you were ten years old. Some of the classic games, such as Clue, Monopoly, and Chess, are still popular. A classic game is always a safe bet.

3. Reduces Screen Time

While it’s true that some applications and television shows can be instructive and constructive for children, professionals from a variety of fields strongly advise parents to limit their children’s screen time.

Parents who monitor and limit their children’s screen time have seen benefits in their children’s social, academic, mental health, and physical well-being.

Limiting the amount of time your children spend on electronic devices allows your family to spend more time interacting with one another and conversing face-to-face.

4. Creates Connections with Friends and Family

Family and friends of all ages gather around board games to interact, strategize, compete, and have fun. Playing board games has a larger social component than you may have realised. Cooperation is at the heart of this activity, as it requires players to interact with one another through collaboration. Playing board games is a great way to spend time with good company while also strengthening relationships.

5. Reduces Stress

Playing board games is a great way to take your mind off of negative events in your life that may be causing stress. Focusing on retreating into the world of a board game rather than your job, money, or any other problems you’re dealing with is an efficient way of relieving tension and giving yourself the needed break.

6. Makes Socializing Easy

While some people have a natural ability to adapt to any social environment, others find it difficult to interact with others, even if they’ve known them for years. When you’re playing a board game, however, you’re immersed in a social environment.

Playing board games allows people to communicate with a group without feeling obligated to come up with topics to discuss. This can be a beneficial method for people who are shy or have mental health issues like social anxiety to work through their issues without being exposed to further social demands. Interacting with other people while playing an organised game can assist you in developing and refining your social skills without the need for resistance. Furthermore, games like Hearts enhance socialization by fostering camaraderie and friendly competition, encouraging players to engage in lively discussions and strategize together, ultimately strengthening bonds and communication skills in a relaxed setting.

7. Increases Confidence

If you’re looking for a confidence boost, board games may be more beneficial than you realise. Playing board games can not only help you socialise more easily, but it will also help you gain confidence.

You improve your confidence in your own talents every time you make a decision while playing a board game. When you build a winning approach, you’ll begin to see yourself as capable and intelligent, capable of devising a sound strategy.

Conclusion

Humans are social beings by nature, and cutting yourself off from real human interaction on a daily basis will do you no good. For the sake of your child’s mental health, even the least sociable among us must emerge from our caves and go fill that socialisation metre.

Fortunately, society is catching up to this truth, and pastimes such as board games are becoming more popular, giving individuals more reasons to get together and communicate in person.

So, what do you have to lose? If you don’t already have a board game-friendly club, local game stores nearly always arrange events where you can meet like-minded people and form one.