Sitting around a table brings people together. The kitchen table brings families together. Sometimes that is for a meal; other times it is for family game night. Some might say the perfect time around the table is when it is full of people, board games and snacks.
Playing board games is the perfect way to unplug from socials and build connections with people. There is an unwritten rule to silence phones during movies. The same rule applies to game night. Phones distract people from taking in what is around them. When everyone disconnects from their phones, players become more engaged, have more fun, and are able to relax and enjoy the people they are around.
When winning a game, a player’s self esteem and mood can be boosted and stress levels lowered. Even if a person walks away without the champion title, the benefits of board games stack high compared to mindlessly scrolling social media. Problem solving, decision making, dealing with mistakes, improved memory, communication skills, and improved imagination are just some of the added advantages from board games according to SEN Magazine. While they might not seem all too important as teenagers, other perks from simply playing a round of cards include boosted math skills, positive attitudes against challenges and establishing logical and strategic thinking.
It is not possible to play a board or card game by oneself, so perfect game night is all about the people playing. When mentioning to others the idea of playing a game, it can get turned down quickly if not thought out correctly beforehand. Before suggesting to play a game, make sure a couple of game choices are already picked out so there is less left up to decide. Statistically, if a person gets an open-ended question they are more likely to not make a decision when compared to instead a choice between two or three options. When someone has only a few choices, the person will then likely make a decision faster, leading to more time to dive into the long game of Monopoly.
By coming together with family and friends, new relationships are formed and old ones are strengthened. Game nights create the perfect environment for friendships. While it is fun to win that game of Yahtzee, the memories and inside jokes made with the other players outshine the feeling of winning or losing. Players become more comfortable with each other and express themselves all while moving a tile across a board or rolling some dice. Arguably, the best games include Kings in the corner, Chameleon, Exploding Kittens, BS, Monopoly Empire and the classic fan favorite-Apples to Apples. These games stick out from others because of the easy setup and rules, accessible for all ages and fun atmosphere.
Whether people find themselves gathered around the table for a meal or for a quick game, board games will never go out of style. The game in the cupboard that gets reached for the most might change while growing up, but the feeling that comes attached to human interactment around a few cards or game pieces remains long after.
