Video Game Alternatives

If you are a parent looking for some way to get your kid interested in something besides video games, you should read this article.  Part 1 focuses on parents and kids.

The old addage is "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em".  Well honestly, I can't beat them, yet I refuse to join them.  Video Games have taken over as our youths most popular past time.  I am not trying to knock down video games or the people that play them.  I can definitely see the draw. Personally, I am not a fan of the whole video game thing.  I don't play World of Warcraft and I don't own any game systems.  I have a few games on the computer, but I don't spend more than a couple hours per month playing them.  I am just not interested, and part of the reason is because I found an alternative.  A good board game is better than any video game can ever be.  Just my opinion.  I know I will never convince a gamer of this, but that really is not my goal.  We are all entitled to our opinions.  I just want to raise awareness of some of the games out there that deserve a shot. 

My friends and I get together on average twice a month and play tabletop games.  We have a ton of them, and frankly not all the games are for everyone.  It takes a certain kind of person to play a strategy game that lasts 4 or 5 hours.  I realize this, and for now I am going to avoid even discussing these games.  I will focus on the games that are easy to learn, play fast, but still provide enough challenge to keep you interested.  I stumbled on this concept when I met my wife's family.  When they get together, they love to play games.  I played a few games with them, but after several hours of mind numbing Royal Rummy, Uno, and Monopoly I just wanted to go to sleep.  I decided to introduce one of my games, and it failed miserably.  It took too long to teach, too long to play, and outside distractions would just ruin the game.  I learned my lesson.

The next game I introduced was called Zooloretto.  An excellent little strategy game about trying to build the best Zoo.  It is easy to learn, but involved enough to really keep you interested and challenge your mind.  Your younger kids can play it (8 and up), but it is fun for the parent as well.  You can't honestly tell me that you look forward to playing Candyland with your kids.  Zooloretto has another version called Aquaretto.  Which is similar, but deals with aquatic animals.  The best thing is the two games are different enough that you dont feel like you are playing the same game.

Another game that is pretty user friendly is called Ticket to Ride.  This game involves connecting cities with trains, trying to complete tickets.  It is another one that is really easy to learn, takes about 1 hour to play, and the kids will love it. 

The last game I will highlight here is Dominion.  Unlike the previous two games, the subject matter of this game is not as interesting to younger children.  Kids love zoos and trains.  But this one is just as easy to learn, and it plays fast.  This one is recommended for 10 and up. 

If you are looking for something to do with your kids or simply want to get them interested in more than just video games, you should try some of these board games.  They require thought and strategy.  For younger children it will help develop math skills.  In this day and age of video games we can never completely eliminate them, but we can broaden the horizons a bit.

Lee Geurts - aka Lee Speakin

My website about board games and novels