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