It can be tough to compete with video games these days, especially when kids seem glued to their screens. Be it a tablet, smartphone, or a console, video games are everywhere and it’s hard to stop our kids from indulging in them. But, there are plenty of fun ways to share time together while exploring different types of games that can be just as exciting as any video game.
Whether it’s solving a crossword puzzle, playing a board game, or even introducing them to new outdoor challenges, the key is to make it engaging, without feeling like you’re pulling them away from something they love. So here are a couple of ideas to help you enjoy games with your kids who only play video games.
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Understand the Appeal of Video Games
To start, it’s important to understand why video games are so appealing to kids. Video games offer immersive worlds, exciting challenges, and the chance to connect with friends. They’re not just a way to pass time; they can provide a sense of accomplishment and fun that keeps kids coming back. Games often have rewards, levels, and new experiences that constantly keep them engaged, which can make traditional games seem less thrilling in comparison.
However, many of the things that make video games exciting, like strategy, competition, and social interaction, can also be found in other kinds of games. By recognizing what they love about gaming, it becomes easier to introduce them to activities that provide a similar sense of excitement. Try to play video games with them or observe them when they do to see what it is they enjoy about them. It’s not about replacing video games but expanding their interests to include other fun options.
Start with Games That Mix Technology and Real Life
One way to ease kids into different games is by combining their love of technology with real-world activities. There are board games and puzzles that have tech elements integrated, like augmented reality or app-based challenges. For example, games like Ticket to Ride have digital versions that can complement the physical board game, allowing for a blend of screen time and family interaction.
Interactive trivia games that connect to apps can also be appealing. These types of games keep the use of technology but require active participation beyond just holding a controller. This can make the transition from video games to traditional games feel more natural and fun for kids.
Incorporate Family Time Into the Fun
Another great way to enjoy games with kids who usually only play video games is by making it all about family time. When kids see that playing games is a way to bond and enjoy time with family, it becomes more appealing. For instance, having a regular family game night where everyone gathers around the table to play something new or challenging can create memories they look forward to.
Whether it’s a puzzle, a board game like Monopoly, or something physical like charades, kids are more likely to participate when it becomes a family tradition. The focus should be on spending quality time together, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company rather than trying to pull them away from their favorite video game.
Try New Games That Involve Strategy and Problem Solving
Many kids love video games because of the strategic thinking involved, so it helps to introduce them to games that also require problem-solving and planning. Crossword puzzles are a great example of this. Solving a crossword isn’t just about knowing random words; it involves critical thinking, pattern recognition, and often, teamwork. It may take some convincing, but once kids see it as a challenge, they might become more engaged.
Board games like Risk or Settlers of Catan are also excellent choices for kids who enjoy strategy-based video games. These games offer opportunities to think ahead, outsmart opponents, and feel a sense of victory when they succeed, similar to what they experience in video games. With a bit of patience and encouragement, kids can begin to appreciate these types of games for the challenge they provide.
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Introduce Physical Games and Outdoor Activities
Sometimes, the best way to draw kids away from the screen is by offering an entirely different experience such as physical games and outdoor activities. Games like tag, frisbee, or even setting up a backyard obstacle course can provide excitement and a healthy dose of exercise.
Engaging kids in activities like scavenger hunts, where they have to solve clues to find hidden items, is a creative way to incorporate problem-solving, which they love in video games, into real-life activities. These types of games provide action and a sense of adventure, which can be just as thrilling as their digital counterparts.
Use Rewards and Goals to Encourage Participation
Kids love earning rewards in video games, whether it’s unlocking a new level, winning coins, or getting special abilities. That same principle can be applied to other games as well. When introducing new games, it can help to create a system of rewards or goals that they can work toward, similar to what they experience when gaming.
For example, with board games, create a chart where they earn points for each game they win. After collecting a certain number of points, they could earn a small prize or get to choose the next family activity. This way, they can still experience the satisfaction of achievement while playing a new kind of game.
Focus on Cooperative Games That Encourage Teamwork
Video games often encourage cooperation with friends or teammates online, so it makes sense that kids would be drawn to that social aspect. Introducing cooperative games where the family works together to achieve a common goal can tap into that same feeling. Board games like Pandemic where players have to work together to stop global outbreaks, offer a shared challenge that feels rewarding.
Kids will appreciate the sense of teamwork, and it can show them that other games can also provide that same level of social interaction. Cooperative games encourage communication, collaboration, and sometimes even negotiation, which can make them a fun way to bring the family closer together while trying something different.
Make It Fun and Low Pressure
Lastly, it’s important to keep things light and fun! If kids feel pressured to play new games or like they’re being forced to stop playing video games, they’re more likely to resist. Instead, focus on making the experience enjoyable, without taking it too seriously. If they see that playing different games isn’t about getting away from video games but adding another layer of fun, they’re more likely to participate.
Let them pick the games sometimes, or rotate between games everyone likes. When kids have a say in what’s being played, they feel more involved and excited to try new things. The key is to keep things relaxed, avoid making it feel like a task, and emphasize the joy of spending time together.
Conclusion
While video games are a huge part of kids’ lives today, they don’t have to be the only kind of fun they experience. By understanding what makes gaming appealing to them and finding ways to introduce other types of games that incorporate similar elements, it’s possible to broaden their horizons and create new family traditions.
Whether it’s a crossword puzzle that challenges their mind, a board game that tests their strategy skills, or a backyard game that gets them moving, there are countless ways to engage kids beyond the screen. The key is to make it enjoyable, fun, and a way to bond as a family
Disclosure: collaborative post
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