And that spells Trouble
Hygiene Chronicles | April 17I grew up in a house that played games. We used to have game nights in which the four of us would sit around the kitchen table with a number of board games and just laugh & have fun. These are some of the greatest memories I have as a kid.
One excitement of becoming a parent is to relive that with my own son. It’s important to just slow things down and spend quality time together.
Then dreams become realities. Imagine my surprise at how ridiculously stupid Candy Land really is when you sit down to play. Sure, there are those great moments in Peppermint Stick Forest but overall, the game is mind numbing. Worse yet is Hi Ho Cherry-O. Could those cherries be any smaller to handle? And how many times do I think the game is over before my bucket spills and I have to begin again?
Truthfully, it isn’t about the game, but rather the laughter and the smiles. I could watch him all day play these games because it makes him so happy (and it provides good blog material).
However, after years of playing Buckaroo and Ants in the Pants, we have finally graduated to a new level. A few weeks ago, on the advice of another blogger, I got rid of the old kid games and we went out to buy new ones that we could play as a family. Up and down Target’s game aisle my son and I walked. He pointed out ones that caught his attention including Pictionary, How to Host a Murder Party and my favorite, Fact or Crap.
Dad settled on Trouble.
I loved this game growing up. And with the exception of how cheaply the plastic board is made, it is everything I remember.
His excitement with the popping dice, blocking your opponents and practicing how to count brought game playing to a whole new level in our household. We finally had something all of us could play and the best part is that everyone finishes pretty much at the same time. There is no definitive winner and the outcome changes with each game played.
The tradition that made me so happy as a child is finally being passed down once again.
Maybe we’ll do the Crap game when he turns six.
I love your site! Yep, boardgames were huge in my childhood. And when my daughter was little we used to play a lot too - Clue and Guess Who were two of her favorites.
But she’s eighteen now, so, to her, I don’t have a Clue and Guess Who is the game I play trying to figure out who she’s with.
Enjoy them while they’re young!
“One excitement of becoming a parent is to relive that with my own son.”
You said it, I think that is the best part.
Trouble was great, I would just pound on that clicker, even when not really playing the game. Monopoly was my fix, even in the lower elementary grades. It also really helped me learn math as it was my worst subject. (Still is)
I was REALLY thankful when my oldest daughter finally got the hang of Sorry! and her Monopoly Junior, as there’s only so much ‘Candy Land’ and ‘Chutes and Ladders’ one can take. :) She also loves the UNO Blaster.