A Broadcast on CBC’s “The Current” got me thinking about games and all the fun families can have without a screen or joystick.
The particular game being described was Tombola, an Italian version of Bingo, which sounds like much more fun than Bingo. (I hope you can find a few minutes to listen to this fun description of the game. It is available on Amazon).
Playing board games seems to be a holiday favourite when families gather. My Presbyterian Great Grandmother frowned on card games but we could get out the Crokinole (likely a Canadian invention) when the Guilers gathered for Christmas. There was lots of laughter but I remember having very sore fingernails when it was done.
As an only child game playing wasn’t really on my radar. My games were more solitary pursuits like puzzles but when I went to visit friends and family game boards always appeared, especially this time of year.
My best friend’s dad, Chuck Watkinson, introduced us to a game I have never seen since and sadly can’t remember the name of but that might be because he and his siblings invented it. He drew it out on a piece of bristol board and we played it with chess pieces. One winter we played it often as I’m sure he and his family had during the long winters near Medicine Hat Alberta.
Pick Up Sticks isn’t a board game but it was always a staple in the game cupboard. In later years Jenga became very popular. Both great games of skill and coordination.
While game makers still strive to find the perfect family board games there are some staples which continue to conquer the market. According to Fun.com these are the most sold.
Chess: The total number of units sold is unknown, but more than 3 million units are sold yearly in the U.S. alone.
Checkers: 50 billion units sold since introduction
Monopoly: More than 275 million units sold
Scrabble: More than 150 million units sold
Clue: More than 150 million units sold
Battleship: More than 100 million units sold
Trivial Pursuit: More than 100 million units sold
Backgammon: More than 88 million units of the modern version sold
Candy Land: More than 50 million units sold
Rummikub: More than 50 million units sold
I would be surprised if one of these isn’t one you love. Checkers was one I could sometimes get my Grandpa Guiler to play with me. He never just let me win which forced me to get good at it early in life.
Do you have fond memories of board games at family gatherings? Maybe you also played other games like Charades or Pictionary.
Make a little fun this holiday season and find an old-fashioned game that doesn’t require much in the way of props. String games are fun. There are a host of games and instructions to be found on Wiki How to Do Anything.
I’d love to know about the games you loved most.
An author, minister and spiritual director, Peggy offers many years of experience as a coach, mental health peer support worker and trainer to her work. If you are someone who is on a spiritual journey, no matter what your background, you will find a compassionate listener and a wise companion in Peggy’s down-to-earth approach to faith and life. For more information on Spiritual Direction and other services offered by River of Hope Enterprises visit here.