Have you done your fair share of binge-watching series on Netflix and are now looking for ways to entertain yourself and the family while staying home?
Here’s an idea: Take a break from your gadgets for some good old-fashioned board games.
You may not know it but there is a wide range of board games to choose from that are both fun and educational for kids of all ages.
The best part is that you can even turn it into small bite-sized teachable moments for your kids with the right games that can equip them with real-world knowledge. The value in that is simply priceless.
4 Benefits of Playing Board Games
1) Meaningful family time
Technology is a beautiful thing. We have come from horse-drawn carriages to reusable rockets in a period of unimaginable technological advancement.
On the flip side, we have also allowed technology to consume us, because we can do so much more without even leaving the bed.
With more virtual interactions rather than meaningful connections taking place especially this year, a good way to reconnect with your family is to bust out some board games.
Board games can help foster greater family ties by improving interactions and upping your child’s social skills at the same time.
2) Train the brain
Kids learn by example and they do it at an incredible pace. Every parent at some point has been caught by surprise by something their child said or did and probably wondered where they picked it up from.
Playing board games with your kids will allow them to learn new skills that can be useful not just in their formative years but later in life as well. It trains the brain to think critically, strategise, analyse and plan ahead.
All beneficial skills that are best taught while still young in order to excel in school and the workforce.
3) Learning tool
As a parent, creating healthy competition by playing board games with your children will help you gain some insights and better understand their thought process.
This can help you nudge them in the right direction through real-world examples by connecting their gameplay strategy to everyday tasks.
This is especially true for board games that have elements of financial literacy embedded into the gameplay.
4) Learning to lose
If we’re being realistic, losing is part of life and also the fastest way to learn.
Instead of handing your child a participation trophy, dish out some cold-hearted moves in the game but lead by example and congratulate them on being a worthy opponent.
Teaching your child to lose will help them build up their resilience, graciously accept defeat and more importantly, learn from their mistakes.
5) Responsible parenting
Need a creative way to teach your kids some financial literacy basics like managing money, learning to spend wisely, and thinking about needs versus wants?
Try some board games that will bring out the little investor or business tycoon in them. The best people to equip kids with personal finance hacks are parents because of the sheer amount of time spent together.
Board games can be a gauge to know when to begin actively speaking to your children about different aspects of finances such as household expenses, the importance of saving and investing, paying the bills and buying a home.
It helps them grasp your decision-making process and think twice about pestering you for those chocolates at the cashier counter.
It can also be a gateway towards making it inclusive for all family members to work towards setting and achieving financial goals as a family.
Top 3 Board Game Picks For Financial Literacy
1) Cashflow
From the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad comes Cashflow. As the name suggests, the game is a realistic introduction to cashflow situations people encounter in today’s world.
From your income level based on your occupation to incurred debts in the form of student loans or home loans, this game will give players insight into their personal financial style.
The game also helps players determine how they stack up against their opponents and will undoubtedly get everyone thinking critically and discussing the opportunities and drawbacks of making certain moves.
The tagline should give you a hint if this game is for you – how to get out of the rat race.
2) Monopoly
A classic that should positively be in every home. This board game was first invented in the early ’90s to teach people about income inequality and continues to dominate with updated versions in the form of playing cards and online.
The aim of the game is to amass properties, build houses and hotels then charge your opponent’s rent if they land on your properties.
The winner is determined based on their money management skills to acquire properties and cash, sometimes at the expense of liquidating others.
3) The Game of Life
The objective is to be the player with the most money at the end of the game.
It includes all the elements you might encounter throughout life, such as choosing a career which will determine your salary, making home loan and car loan repayments, getting married and having kids plus some unexpected life twists to spice things up.
You will be able to ‘live life’ experiencing significant milestones while learning to make critical choices that impact your finances and ultimately your net worth at retirement. A good lesson or two for those who could do with a dose of reality.
As the holidays approach, why not try setting up a family board game night once a week to bring out the competitive spirit in your household and who knows, you might just be nurturing the next Robert Kiyosaki!
For more exposure to different players and their varied strategies, consider online versions of educational games that allow you to play with family and friends across the world.
We’ve also got 15 rewarding things to do when staying at home and These 6 Beautiful Interior Design Tips to Spruce Up Your Home!
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