The summer months provide distinct explorations. Whether through camping, traveling to State or National Parks, exploring your city, or visiting family members, summer opens itself to new educational possibilities. What to do, though, on the blistering hot days, the rainy and gloomy days, or days where you don’t feel like leaving your home?
How about exploring your game closet!?
As young kids, we are introduced to board games like Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, and Sorry. These kinds of games teach us to learn and follow systematic rules for order and game play. As we learn and develop in our understanding of game play, doors are opened into the ever-expanding world of 2+ player games. But to keep learning on the forefront of game play we look at games through two lenses: thinking and fun. Don’t get me wrong. I love the classic board games of my childhood that had me traveling through Peppermint Forest and sliding down chutes. However, by adding a learning component to your game play, your time is spent constructively (and your littles don’t even know it!).
When it comes to thinking and fun games, there are many avenues to travel in selecting your next gaming adventure! Flex your skills in critical thinking; weave together a narrative for your character; test yourself with finances. The options seem never ending. Our choices are affected by our time constraints, the player skill levels, the game subject, the people playing–not to mention what style of game. Let’s consider some different game styles.
Saga Games
[Historical Conquest Games, Root Games]
These are games that have or can have a story line built into the game play. Growing up, Oregon Trail was the best use of our computer time! While this is a strategic game, there is a narrative to write as you play. These types of games have a setting, a time era, and roles each player will play. Whether you are whisked away on an adventure, navigating through dangerous woods, or battling for the win between Genghis Khan and Wyatt Earp, saga style games will have you immersed in a world not your own.
Strategy Games
[Photosynthesis, Quoridor, Power Grid]
Put your critical thinking skills to use in strategy-based games. These are games that require you to think beyond your next move. How you choose to play determines the outcome of the win and changes the way each player will play. Do you choose to stop someone’s advancement, cut off supply chains to resources, or grow the tallest trees in the forest casting shadows and wreaking havoc on all players? Hone your big-picture game play skills through strategy-based games.
Educational Games
[Constitution Quest, Budget, Rummy Roots Game]
We play these types of games all the time whether we know it or not. Think Hangman, Mad Libs, and I Spy. Educational games can be used as fun instructive tools. Dig in deep to the Constitution and U.S. government to beat out one another; beef up on your root words; or put your real-life math skills to good use and be the most financially independent person.
Let your thinking and fun gaming adventures begin this summer and take you to new places: all from the comfort of your own kitchen table. ~ Rebecca
