Board Games: Learning About Strategy, Learning About Life

Updated by Editors on 12/30/2024

Technology – everything from computers to appliances that talk to me to my children’s toys – has always intimidated me. My daughters have Juice Box (Mattel), a toy whose many uses – as a VCR, MP3 player, and photo album – defy its tiny size. My toddler plays with Silly Parts Talking Elmo (Fisher-Price), a funny fellow who magically knows if you have disguised him with an elephant trunk or chicken wings.

But as I’ve watched these electronic amazements, I’ve noticed something else: High-tech toys are often single-player toys. Even toys that allow for more than one player like Nintendo DS don’t encourage true interactive play.

That’s why I’m glad that our home is also full of a plenitude of board games, playthings that the experts describe as low-tech and I describe as relationship-friendly. Some are identical to the ones gathering dust in my mom’s basement: Candyland, Monopoly, Parcheesi. Others are “new and improved’ to catch the attention of our newest generation: the Harry Potter version of Clue and the Disney version of Trivial Pursuit.

Along with a good time, these board games still offer their players the same things they did decades ago. Some of the lessons are simple: counting, color recognition, and that all-important skill, taking turns. As the children become older and the games become more complex, they learn to plan ahead, to anticipate others’ moves, and to be a good loser (and winner).

While my children were throwing the dice and learning so many lessons that will serve them well in life, I was learning too. It was during a quick game of Mancala during breakfast that I learned that my 10-year-old daughter’s seatmate had begun to perform whispered, but still distracting, imitations of Ozzy Osbourne (complete with colorful language) during math class. Scrabble taught me that my older daughter suddenly found herself involved in a “sing to the death” fight for the lead in the school musical. And she was worried that being the winner might make her a loser as far as friends were concerned.

Who knows what makes the board game such an ideal place for confidences? Perhaps it’s the slower pace that the movement of a game piece requires or the focus on just one or two people to the exclusion of the dirty laundry, the work deadlines, and the ringing telephone.

Games also offer me a chance to say the things I never have a chance to say while life is rushing along past us. “I’m proud that you’re not arguing with your sister as much. I think you really worked hard on your history project. It’s a big help now that you started to straighten your room every (almost) morning before school.”

As my girls become older and their lives more complex, I’ve tried to stifle the tempting urge to say “no time” when they ask to play a game after supper. Instead, I’m dragging out the battered boxes and counting out the play money. You never know what you’re going to learn about someone when they land on Park Place.

Updates:

The Resurgence of Board Games in the Digital Age

While video games and digital entertainment continue to dominate the market, board games have experienced a remarkable renaissance in recent years. The global board games market size was valued at USD 13.75 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% from 2022 to 2030. This resurgence is partly attributed to millennials and Gen Z seeking more tangible, face-to-face social experiences.

Recent studies have reinforced the cognitive benefits of board games. A 2019 study published in the Journals of Gerontology found that people who played more games in their 70s were more likely to maintain healthy cognitive function in their 80s. This underscores the lifelong benefits of engaging in board game play.

Top 10 Board Games for Family Bonding and Skill Development

Monopoly: Financial literacy and negotiation
Scrabble: Vocabulary and spelling
Chess: Strategic thinking and planning
Pandemic: Cooperation and problem-solving
Ticket to Ride: Geography and resource management
Catan: Negotiation and resource allocation
Codenames: Communication and word association
Blokus: Spatial reasoning and strategy
Carcassonne: Planning and adaptability
Dixit: Creativity and social deduction
Localize or customize:

Incorporating Board Games in the Classroom: A Teacher's Guide

Board games can be powerful educational tools when integrated into the curriculum. They offer hands-on learning experiences that engage students and reinforce various skills. Here's how to effectively use board games in your classroom:

Align games with learning objectives
Use games to introduce or review concepts
Encourage reflection and discussion after gameplay
Create custom game elements to fit specific lessons
Use cooperative games to foster teamwork
Implement game-based assessment methods

By incorporating board games, teachers can create a more dynamic and interactive learning environment that caters to different learning styles and enhances student engagement.