Board Games and Crafts Make It Easy to Do Both
Raising kids and profits under one roof at the same time can be quite a challenge, especially when both demand so much of your most precious resource, your time! For example, today is Saturday, but like most Saturdays, I'm juggling home and business tasks. I'm not complaining though, especially since the new family games “Santa” brought this year are saving day.
Trouble is my favorite. The kids love to press the bubble (see action shot above!), which triggers a spring that causes the die to jump and “roll” a different number. “Popping” instead of “rolling” your number also makes an acceptable amount of noise. When it comes to kids, you can't go wrong with noise, right? Not only are board games a fun way for kids to spend their time, they also accomplish numerous other positive goals.
Moving the game pieces helps young children improve manual dexterity and counting skills. Winning and losing teaches them sportsmanship. And the simple act of playing something with a sibling builds and reinforces lifelong family ties. I still have fond memories of playing Trouble with my younger brother. I can hear him like it was yesterday saying: “I popped a six!” (When you pop a six, you get to move your man out of start, and you also get a second turn.)
Television shows and video and computer games have their place, but doing those things together in the same room requires long periods where you are not communicating with each other. Board games are more fun and do a better job of I strengthening family relationships. I think my kids get to know each other a little better each time they play, and that's a good thing.
“Santa” brought Trouble at Toys-R-Us for just $12.99, and there's a $3.00 rebate if you order online. Other games we are enjoying include Aggravation, Candyland and Chutes and Ladders. They're an inexpensive form of family entertainment and they make it possible for me to get a lot of work done!
Well, I've blogged long enough. Time to squeeze in a game of Trouble. See ya!
Question: What family board games occupy your kids while you get work done?
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I think I tweeted this but I’ll comment on it here just the same. We got Cashflow for kids for Christmas! My husband and I both have just read “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. THIS is an awesome game to be playing with times as they are without a doubt. As for it being played while I work, um not really but it does help explain WHY I work and that helps things too.
I think I tweeted this but I’ll comment on it here just the same. We got Cashflow for kids for Christmas! My husband and I both have just read “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. THIS is an awesome game to be playing with times as they are without a doubt. As for it being played while I work, um not really but it does help explain WHY I work and that helps things too.
@Regina: That’s great! I agree with you that it’s vital to teach them about money early. We all know the results now first-hand if we don’t take that responsibility seriously. Let me know how you like the game. What ages are appropriate? I’d buy it on your recommendation so let me know what you think after a few weeks of using it. Thanks for stopping by and sharing such a valuable resource.
@Regina: That’s great! I agree with you that it’s vital to teach them about money early. We all know the results now first-hand if we don’t take that responsibility seriously. Let me know how you like the game. What ages are appropriate? I’d buy it on your recommendation so let me know what you think after a few weeks of using it. Thanks for stopping by and sharing such a valuable resource.
Donna-Marie, Another great positive about the board games, and the children getting along, are the memories. My brother and I did not always get along all that well. We are 50 and 46 (him) now. Some of our fondest memories are of playing board games such as Monopoly, Sorry and Battleship. That young man always beat me at Monopoly! I enjoyed your post…brought back memories, and you made some very valid points!
Donna-Marie, Another great positive about the board games, and the children getting along, are the memories. My brother and I did not always get along all that well. We are 50 and 46 (him) now. Some of our fondest memories are of playing board games such as Monopoly, Sorry and Battleship. That young man always beat me at Monopoly! I enjoyed your post…brought back memories, and you made some very valid points!
Donna Maria,
With no television at our house, board games have been a huge source of entertainment during the winter for all of us! I’d like to share about a game one of my daughter’s received this year for Christmas – a very personal, one-of-a-kind game made by her sister. Isn’t it clever?
http://good-thymes.com/wordpress/2008/12/26/penny-saved/homemade-christmas-gifts-bring-extra-joy/
Donna Maria,
With no television at our house, board games have been a huge source of entertainment during the winter for all of us! I’d like to share about a game one of my daughter’s received this year for Christmas – a very personal, one-of-a-kind game made by her sister. Isn’t it clever?
http://good-thymes.com/wordpress/2008/12/26/penny-saved/homemade-christmas-gifts-bring-extra-joy/
@Cheryl: Thanks for sharing the inspiring creative spirit in your home. The handmade board game is fabulous and I want to encourage everyone reading your comment to paste the link into their browser so they can see it too! Thanks so much for sharing this with everyone at my blog. I will never look at a board game in a thrift store in the same way again!
@Cheryl: Thanks for sharing the inspiring creative spirit in your home. The handmade board game is fabulous and I want to encourage everyone reading your comment to paste the link into their browser so they can see it too! Thanks so much for sharing this with everyone at my blog. I will never look at a board game in a thrift store in the same way again!
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In order to maximize your tax returns, you are wise to start a small business to write off ordinary expenses and lower your tax bracket. For a free program to learn about starting a successful home-based business, visit http://www.justinpopovic.com/jayshomebusiness.html to learn the fast track to multiple streams of revenue!