The Game of LIFE

Nowadays, playing games at home means that the kids sit in front of the television with an Xbox or Wii, but for some, “games” are Yahtzee, Life, Clue or Monopoly – a family pastime that involves not just the kids, but the parents. According to local therapists, playing board games doesn’t just strengthen your ability to strategize. It also helps build the bonds of your family. When it comes to putting in QT with the family, it’s hard to go wrong with board games. They’re cheaper than dinner or movies and can be enjoyed for a longer period of time. Games also lend themselves to open dialogue and conversation among the family – something that has faded from modern American households. There are also more tangible benefits. A survey by RealNetworks Inc., a casual game developer, found that 75 percent of game-players see educational benefits for their children. Game-play also teaches some important life lessons, such as the ability to accept failure, celebrate wins, and strategize. According to Games Information Depot, these are the most popular games in America:

• Chess. More people on a global scale play and know the game of chess than any other game.
• Checkers. Considered “the poor man’s chess,” checkers is almost as complex and popular as chess, and the variations for play have entertained players for years.
• Monopoly. Monopoly, the most popular commercial board game, has thrived for almost 100 years.
• Scrabble. Scrabble has a fanatic following of wordsmiths.
• Clue. A whodunit guessing game and a favorite of children and adults alike.
• Risk. A war strategy game invented by a French film director in 1957, the goal of Risk is to dominate the world with your army by capturing countries through military might.
• Life. The Game of Life was first invented in 1861 and released that year by Milton Bradley. Players move through their life by spinning a wheel and following various tracks, making important decisions along the way.