Hot Topics     Home and Family     Family Fun    

Board games are back



Old-fashioned game night returns, big time

Old-fashioned game night returns, big time


As the cooler months approach, you are no doubt wondering how you will get through the first (hopefully only) autumn and winter of the pandemic, when, inevitably, family members will be inside more. Luckily, one proven answer is board games, particularly board games that multiple ages can enjoy.

Fiona Cohen of Seattle’s Child has curated 10 games to play with your family during Covid-19 times (and after). Pondering what makes a board game particularly attractive to a family, she astutely notes: “They have to be simple enough for children to learn quickly, but there needs to be something about them that draws in adults. They have to be absorbing enough that it’s fun to play, even if you don’t win. And they have to encourage family members to interact, whether it’s competing for position, reacting with a groan or a giggle from an unexpected twist in the game, or trying to be stealthy about a strategy.”

Her list includes games for age 3 and up The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game and for age 10 and up Settlers of Catan. Some old favorites are included, like Connect 4 and Battleship, memories of which take me back to sleepovers and summer camp. Nice to know they’re still around and doing well, like old friends.

READ MORE: Five good reasons to play board games with your children

Even before Covid-19, board games were enjoying resurgence, and families were finding them a great way to have fun as a household, encouraging healthy competition, or even graceful losing. They’re a potent antidote to screen time – computers, phones, and televisions – and a welcome throwback and connection to simpler times.

READ MORE: A Hudson Valley Mom Approved list of 35 games to play at home

Board games have been around for millennia. According to archaeologists, this particular form of amusement has existed since at least about 3500 B.C.E., when Egyptian royalty played a game called Senet. Particularly now, in these uncertain times, it’s more pleasurable than ever to sit across from a family member or friend, engaged in collaborative play, where both luck and skill come into play, and especially where the rules of engagement, of winning and losing, are clear cut. Also, where everything can go neatly into a box afterwards.



Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • What parents should know about Pediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency (PGHD)

    Pediatric growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a relatively rare condition, affecting an estimated 1 in 4,000-10,000 children. read more »
  • Simplify summer with light lunches

    Bright, crunchy cucumbers are the star of this sammy

    Take the hassle out of lunch with these Cucumber Sandwiches that can be made in advance for afternoon pick-me-ups. read more »
  • Thinking about renovating?

    Check with your building department first

    From updating an outdated kitchen to adding a home office, home renovations can be exciting. Before you dive in, it’s critical to understand the local safety requirements that impact your projects. read more »
  • Your home safety checklist

    Simple steps to keep a safer, happier space

    Your home is more than just a place to live, it’s where you create memories, unwind and feel most comfortable. Yet, many household items and systems can hide potential safety risks. read more »
  • 4,000 reasons to love bees

    These little pollinators are essential to our food supply

    While most people picture the beloved honeybee when they think about bees, North America actually has 4,000 species of native bees, many of which are busy right now. read more »
  • Laying the foundation for writing

    What you can do to get them started

    Learning to write is one of the defining milestones of early childhood, but it doesn’t happen all at once. read more »
  • Choose play every day

    How to transform everyday activities into playful learning opportunities

    Play is a universal language spoken by people of all ages. Through play, children learn to forge connections with others, build a wide range of leadership skills, develop resilience, conquer fears and navigate relationships and social challenges. read more »
  • A perfect lemon and raspberry pairing

    Try this refreshing summer dessert today

    Enjoy the richness of summer with this Ooey Gooey Lemon Cake, which pairs a soft lemony cake with a sweet-tart raspberry drizzle that’s perfect for sharing with your nearest and dearest. read more »
  • How apartment renters can cut energy costs and save big

    7 tips to keep you more comfy

    With economic uncertainty and soaring housing prices putting homeownership out of reach for many Americans, apartment living is on the rise. read more »
  • A beginners guide to pruning flowering plants

    4 simple tips to keep your yard looking great

    Pruning, or the practice of removing dead or diseased branches from flowering plants – including certain herbs, vegetables, shrubs, trees and flowers – allows them to focus their energy on new growth and blossoms, which can result in a more robust and abundant flowering season. read more »