These are the primary benefits of playing board games:
- Strengthens relationships between friends, family and loved ones
- Helps to share experiences with others
- Decreases stress
- Stimulates brain function
- Reduces screen time
- Stimulates laughter
- Develops patience
- Acts as an icebreaker when socializing
- Helps you learn from failure
- Available anywhere, anytime
Playing games like chess can serve as entertainment and relaxation, and even encourage healthy competition among players.
Board games are also relatively easy to play. Anyone and everyone can play them, as long as they know the rules.
Board games can help players deal with stress productively and creatively, as well as improve mood significantly.
They can also improve one’s sense of achievement and encourage endorphin flow in the brain.
These are just some examples of why board games are good for you.
We will discuss these examples, and more, in this article!
Why Board Games are Beneficial
For starters, they’re tons of fun when enjoyed in the right company.
While this is undoubtedly the most straightforward answer to the question, it is essential to note that the benefits associated with playing board games do not end here.
In fact, having fun is just the tip of the iceberg!
There are so many other excellent reasons that make board games “good.” Yes, board games are good fun.
But they are also good for your brain, good for your creativity, and good for your teamwork skills, while also acting as effective icebreakers!
There are just so many excellent benefits associated with playing board games!
The best part is that everyone can benefit from playing these games.
Not only children, but adults, the elderly, and toddlers can reap the rewards, too!
Benefits of Board Games for Preschoolers
There are many ways in which preschoolers can benefit from playing board games.
From critical thinking to creativity, board games can help encourage both, and more!
Preschoolers have seemingly boundless levels of energy. They are always ready to try new things and require constant engagement in creative endeavors.
Many teachers feel it’s best to give their preschool students board games to enjoy to satiate this need.
1. A Great Way to Interact with Others
These games can be played with other classmates, making them an excellent way for them to interact.
This works particularly well for those kids who are a little on the shy side.
When playing board games with other kids, they may find it easier to open up and make conversation with their classmates.
This can help them gain new friends and strengthen class unity.
2. Stimulates Teamwork
Moreover, board games can often be played in pairs or teams.
This offers teachers an excellent chance to use these games to teach their students about the concept of teamwork and partnership and mutual respect and support.
3. Stimulates Creativity
Playing board games can also stimulate creativity in children as they seek new ways to win.
By playing with teammates, not only do they learn how to work in sync with others, but they may also understand the importance of asking for help from their friends.
Together, alongside their friends, preschoolers can develop creative ways to solve the problem at hand by putting their heads together.
4. Improves Focus
Many children struggle with focusing on the task at hand. Luckily, board games are an excellent tool that can help enhance focus.
When children are allowed to play board games, particularly ones they enjoy, their attention span significantly improves for longer periods.
5. Helps with Anxiety
Playing board games can also help soothe anxiety in younger kids.
Many children feel anxious when they don’t have clear instructions on what to do or have trouble communicating with those around them. Interestingly, board games can tackle both of these problems.
Most board games come with clear instructions. For example, children who play snakes and ladders are familiar with the rules.
They know that they have to roll the die and move their counter accordingly.
This clear-cut familiarity with the rules can help children feel less anxious when playing.
6. Encourages Person-to-Person Communication
Board games serve as excellent ice-breakers.
Playing with other kids can encourage preschoolers to communicate more, even if it’s just through smaller actions rather than words.
Additionally, we live in a fast-paced world where our everyday tasks are strongly influenced by modern technology.
While devices like smartphones, TVs, and tablets indeed come with their fair share of benefits, it’s always good to get away from them for a while.
Benefits of Board Games for Adults
Most people think that board games are only for children, but this could not be further from the truth.
There are some games, in fact, that are designed especially for adults to play with one another that bring many cognitive benefits.
Some games may require an adult’s understanding of the world. Chess and Risk are some great examples.
1. They Make you Smarter
Adults who play board games are proven to be smarter than those who don’t.
This is because board games encourage players to learn new facts, improve their decision-making skills, and develop the ability to make strategic plans for the future.
Board games often force us to make essential decisions on the spot.
When playing a game, one wrong move could significantly set you back.
So, you need to be careful when making decisions. By playing them regularly, we can improve our cognitive skills and learn to think on our feet.
2. Boost Self-Esteem
In addition to this, board games can serve as an excellent form of therapy for troubled adults.
Making small wins in-game can boost an individual’s self-esteem and make them feel good about life.
3. Improve Happiness Levels
It can also raise their happiness levels. This is because playing board games, which are essentially a form of enjoyment, can boost endorphin levels in the brain.
Endorphins are special chemicals that are in charge of an individual’s happiness and satisfaction levels.
When we play board games, our brain’s “reward center” lights up and instructs the rest of our consciousness to switch to a more positive mood.
4. Lowered Stress Levels
The flood of endorphins triggered by playing board games can also reduce stress levels.
Stress is one of the deadliest weapons against your well-being.
People who are always under pressure are more likely to develop heart problems, headaches, and wrinkles, amongst other things.
Luckily, by playing board games, you can significantly reduce your stress levels. In fact, many people feel much lighter after finishing a good game.
5. Improve Productivity
Feeling happier and less stressed can encourage adults to be more productive.
Happier people are more likely to succeed in whatever project they are currently working on.
For this reason, many offices have started stocking board games for employees to enjoy during their free time.
6. Helps to Socialize
Playing board games with your workmates can help you break the ice and meet new people from across your office.
It can also promote in-office bonding and encourage employees to learn to work in teams.
This positive shift in attitude ultimately translates into their work life.
Workplaces in which employees are given a chance to bond over board games are more likely to succeed at teamwork-related projects.
Benefits of Board Games for the Elderly
So far, we have established that board games have numerous benefits when it comes to children and adults. But what about the elderly? Board games are for everyone, not just the young and middle-aged. In fact, many senior citizens regularly enjoy board games with their loved ones. Board games help keep the elderly engaged and benefit their memory and focus!
Most older people tend to have large families. Board games are an excellent way for all family members to get together and spend time with one another. When older individuals play these games with their family members, they get a chance to further strengthen their bonds and spend quality time with the people they care about.
On a mental level, regularly playing board games can improve memory and focus. These two tend to diminish over time and are significantly compromised in elderly individuals. However, by playing board games often, these individuals can train their brains to be more efficient and alert. The act of playing board games can actually serve as a mental workout-how great is that?
For those seniors who live in old age homes, board games serve as a fantastic way to bond with other home members.
Benefits of Board Games for Toddlers
You might be wondering how toddlers and board games could be connected.
Anyone would assume that toddlers are too young to be playing board games, right? Wrong!
The main benefits of playing board games for toddlers are:
- Improved creative thinking
- Better decision-making
- Improved ability to carefully analyze situations effectively
Did you know that certain board games are designed just for toddlers?
Simple games based on straightforward concepts, like color and matching shapes, are often employed to develop board games unique to this special age group.
Board games can encourage many valuable skills in toddlers who are only just beginning to understand the world around them.
These skills will stay with them throughout their life.
These are essential real-life skills that are valid in every scenario, be it at home or at the workplace.
If toddlers begin to understand these skills at a young age, they are bound to be extremely successful in life in the future.
Popular Board Game Examples
Below is a list of some excellent board games you can play with your friends and family:
Scrabble
Scrabble is an all-time favorite family game that is enjoyed in all parts of the world.
The best thing about this game is that it can be played by individuals of all ages-the only condition being that they know how to spell.
A game of Scrabble does not take too long to finish, either, and the point system makes it exciting and competitive.
This game can also encourage children to work on their spelling. It can help adults spend quality time with their kids while engaging in a task that is both educational and fun!
Monopoly
This is another excellent game that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Monopoly is remarkably interesting but can take hours to finish sometimes.
For this reason, it’s best to save this game for the weekend!
Chess
Chess is a classic example.
This game has been around for centuries and has garnered attention from all corners of the world.
Legend has it that the game originated in China, even though it is not played everywhere.
There are many professional chess championships, too. Intermediate players can also take part in casual local tournaments in their area.
Overall, Chess is a great board game to enjoy between two people.
Be warned, though!
Many people take the game very seriously, so be ready to see some fierce competition when playing.
Pictionary
Another fun, family-friendly game anyone can enjoy.
Pictionary is one of those games that can tie the whole family together for an hour or two. It is also a popular choice among art students.
This is because the game is heavily dependent upon the players’ drawing skills-the better they are, the higher the chances of winning!
Conclusion
As you can see, the list of benefits that comes with regularly playing board games is impressively long.
These games are great for helping people maintain their overall well-being and can improve one’s quality of life by infusing laughter and friendly competition into the mix.
So, what are you waiting for?
The next time you see a board game, be sure to pick it up, invite your friends or family, and start playing together!
You’re guaranteed to have a blast and pick up a few valuable skills along the way.
Now, what do you like most about playing board games?
Drop your answer below and don’t forget to check our other amazing content!