Board games have been in existence for thousands of years. The oldest game is believed to be some form of dice as there was a set of dice-like pieces found in a burial mound in Turkey that dates back more than 5,000 years. From ancient dice games, board games progressed to games like Senet that is thought to have been a game enjoyed by Ancient Egyptian pharaohs. Games have been linked to religious icons and found in tombs of royalty.
Originally thought to be an adult past-time, board games began to be enjoyed by children as early as 500 BC. In modern times, board games are popular with children and adults alike. The resurgence in the popularity of games can be attributed partially to the introduction of a genre of games known as Eurogames. Another contributing factor to the current popularity of board games seems to be a web series called TableTop which features board games being played by Wil Wheaton and other celebrities and was the brainchild of Wheaton and Felicia Day.
Great Board Games for Kids
Not only is playing board games for kids a fun activity for children, but also playing games helps them learn skills that will last a lifetime. Depending on the game, children can learn simple skills like identifying colors or counting, or they can learn more complex strategic reasoning skills. Games teach sportsmanship and appropriate ways to communicate with others as well. Some of the great board games for kids teach them math or language concepts while they are busy having fun.
Young players will enjoy simple classic games like Hi-Ho Cherry-O, Candyland or Chutes and Ladders. Slightly older players might find games like Monopoly, Jenga, Clue or Spot It enjoyable. The tween and teen crowd will probably gravitate toward games that require higher strategy or problem solving skills such as Splendor, Pandemic, 7 Wonders or Settlers of Catan. For those who like to draw, Pictionary is popular as is a game called Telestrations. To build vocabulary or spelling skills, Scattergories, Scrabble and Boggle are good choices. Regardless of age or skill level, there are a multitude of appropriate games available for children to experience and enjoy.
Great Adult Board Games
More adults are choosing to spend a night in playing board games either with family, friends or a date. After the initial cost, board games for adults provide hours of inexpensive entertainment in perpetuity. Choosing games for a game night can often set the tone for the event. Some games evoke hours of laughter while others are more conducive to serious concentration. Choosing the right game becomes of utmost importance.
From classic games to Eurogames to funny party games, there is a game available for almost any situation. Classic games still enjoyed by adults include Risk, Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit. Ticket to Ride, the Catan series of games, Forbidden Island and 7 Wonders are favorites among the Eurogame enthusiasts. For fun party games, Quickwits, Cards Against Humanity and What Do You Meme? are popular choices as are Monikers and 5 Second Rule. Other great adult board games include DixIt, Cosmic Encounter, Pandemic Legacy and Pick Your Poison.
Best Online Board Game Stores
In today's world, purchasing the best board games is easier than ever. It is no longer a requirement to drive to a brick and mortar store to make a purchase. Shopping can be conveniently accomplished online from any location.
The best online board game stores often sell games, accessories and collectibles. The general consensus is that CoolStuffInc is the number one place to shop online for board games. Game Nerdz, Cardhaus Games and Boardlandia are also popular among serious game enthusiasts. Miniature Market and Dicey Goblin are other notable choices for locating that perfect board game.
The popularity of board games continues to increase. As more families try to find ways to unplug, they are returning to the more simple fun of game nights. Board games are a perfect activity for friends, families and date nights. Online shopping options make purchasing board games a much easier task. So, introducing board games into a regular routine of activities is now a more readily achieved goal. The hardest part of establishing a game night will be choosing the perfect game from the multitude of available choices.
