Games for the Whole Family

Oh no, another rainy day? Too much snow outside, and too many children inside? Too many mosquitoes? Well then, it’s time to stay in and have fun! There’s so much you and your family can do together inside that needn’t include getting hot, frostbite, or bitten.
You can head to the kitchen and whip up your family’s favorite cookies or pancake recipe. Take turns adding ingredients and everyone can be involved. You could curl up around the fire and read books or do puzzles. You can even get out some board games like checkers, chess, or Parcheesi and have some good, “old-fashioned” fun. But why stop there?
Games tables make for an exciting and unique option for indoor family fun. Pool, Foosball and Air Hockey Tables are all great pieces you might consider adding to your home as a way to beat those boredom blues. While these tables typically allow for only two players at a time, you can partner up or get creative with the rules to make sure everyone can be included. Eight- and Nine-ball pool games can be played with teams, foosball tables typically have room for two on a side, and air hockey games can rotate people in and out of position to defend the goals.
Why play together? Not only does spending time together improve your family relationships – father and son or daughter, mother and daughter or son, and between siblings, and yes, even between mom and dad! – it’s just plain fun. Playing games such as these teaches the kids how to get along with others while engaging in some healthy competition.
Teaming up sibs that might normally be bickering might be a way to teach them to get along with each other better. (Of course, it may also set them up to nit-pick each other even more, in which case you’ve got a different situation on your hands!) Mix it up and play mom and son against dad and daughter; it will help your kids stay close to you, especially as they enter adolescence and puberty.
You might even get a little exercise along the way as well. While not quite a cardio workout, playing at a games table like air hockey, table tennis or foosball can get your heart pumping a bit, especially if you’re really getting into the game. If mild exercise is your goal, stick to a two player game – you’ll have to move around more and more activity increases your heart rate!
No matter your motivation, whether it’s getting out of the weather, spending some time with the kids in the kitchen, around the living room or even getting a little bit of exercise with a games table, there are lots of different things you and your family can do to play together. Your only limit is your own imagination – and the size of your space! So head on inside, get comfortable and play with your family. Only good will come of it. Have fun!

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