| Almost every family home has one form of board | | | | Now, you don't have to have a special deck of cards |
| game or another. Whether it be your standard board | | | | for games like Go Fish, Old Maid, or War. Any |
| game such as Monopoly, Sorry, Trouble, etc., or a DVD | | | | standard deck will do. So, when the kids are awake, |
| type trivia game, these can provide hours of fun. | | | | you can play those card games that are child oriented, |
| While DVD style games are fun, the classic board | | | | and when they go to bed, you and your friend, or |
| games are better as you will never have the same | | | | significant other can play a more adult oriented game |
| outcome. Meaning, even though you are playing the | | | | such as poker or Rummy. |
| exact same game, the winner is unknown until you | | | | Always have some sort of "prize" on hand if you plan |
| have finished the game. | | | | on having a family Go Fish tournament. And be sure |
| Try spicing up the game by playing for different types | | | | that everyone is a winner with the prizes going down |
| of prizes, but be sure that everyone will win something. | | | | in vaule or size. This is especially important for younger |
| The prizes could be dividing up chores that are to be | | | | children so that no one every feels as if they are a |
| done, having the 1st place winner getting the easiest | | | | "loser". And, no one likes to feel that way, even older |
| household chore and the last place winner receiving | | | | children. Although they might never admit it ;-) |
| the more difficult, or the chore that is least preferred | | | | If you don't have a board game lying around, why not |
| by all family members. | | | | invent your own games? Activities such as "treasure |
| You could also try having the prizes consist of allowing | | | | hunts" can be fun and educational at the same time. |
| the 1st place winner pick tomorrow's activity, 2nd place | | | | You can create your own maps or clue lists and let |
| winner picking the following day's activity, and so on. | | | | the first place winner(s) have first pick at the |
| Almost every "dollar store" sells decks of cards for a | | | | treasures. And, of course, the treasures can be |
| buck. And, almost everyone knows how to play card | | | | anything you can think of that would have significant |
| games. Whether it's "Go Fish", "Old Maid", Gin Rummy, | | | | value within your particular family unit. |
| or 5 Card Draw Poker. Obviously, you wouldn't want | | | | Also, a good game of hide and seek can also be |
| to teach your child how to become a poker virtuoso, | | | | hours of fun for all ages. And, hide and seek can be |
| but playing a card game such as "War" or "Go Fish" | | | | played both indoors or outdoors depending on the |
| can help develop your child's math skills. | | | | weather. |