Why We Play Games – Connection

When I tell people that our family’s big hobby is collecting and playing board games, we get a few different reactions. Sometimes we get the blank stares followed by a comment such as “You mean, like Monopoly?” And then I get to watch their eyes either glaze over as I talk about the different types of games we enjoy, or I see their eyes light up as they realize that this world of tabletop games is so much bigger than they realized.

Sometimes, I get enthusiastic reactions from people who remember playing board games together as a family when they were kids, and all the funny stories that came with those game-play moments.

This is why we play games.

It is worth the time, energy, and financial investment because games, tabletop, specifically, are uniquely suited for building connection within our family.

Playing table-top games builds a family culture of connection.

Playing board games builds a family culture of connection. As I am typing this, my six year old is patiently waiting for me to play Trash Pandas * with him. This is a simple and fast game that it’s really easy to say “Yes” to, so we keep it on hand in our cupboard that is easily accessible. As he waits for me, he is practicing his shuffling, and making up his own rules to the game we have played dozens of times together. He is waiting for me, because he wants to play with me. Our kids know that at any time they can say “Hey, Mom!” Or “Hey, Dad!” “Do you want to play a game with me?” and they will almost always get a yes.

Open play can be challenging for adults, and for kids who struggle with neurodiversities that make imagination and story telling intimidating. Games with rules allow for connection without the overwhelming feeling that open-ended play can bring. Watching my husband play with my kids is one of the most beautiful things I could witness. He gets to use his imagination in ways that utilize his logic-smarts and allows him to connect at a deep level with our children without the mess of playdough, or pretending to eat playfood from a pretend restaurant.

When we play games together we are sitting face to face, looking at each other, communicating with each other, and learning and growing together. We are building a shared vocabulary. We are making memories of wins and losses and inside jokes that will build a legacy of togetherness. We are acknowledging strengths and weaknesses and helping each other overcome hard things, all within the safety of a game.

So when I look at all the ways that our family could be spending our time and money, there are few hobbies I can think of that fit our family in way that will always bring us closer than our tabletop game hobby.

*This is an affiliate link, which means that I get a small kickback for each game purchased through my link. Thank you so much!