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Great Old Games

Before the advent of television and computers, families often gathered around the kitchen table to play board games to pass the time. Outdoors, there were no organized sports leagues for youth, rather, children played such spontaneous games as stick-ball, skipping or hide and seek. Parties were often hosted in order to play such games as "Charades" or to enjoy games of "Whist" or "Euchre." There is a wealth of fun in these old-fashioned games that can bring as much joy to a new generation as it did for previous ones.

Old Board Games
- Chess remains a popular old game.
  
  Old board games never go out of style. "Scrabble" was invented during the Great Depression and is still a much-loved game. It has, as of April 2011, been translated into 29 different languages. "Monopoly" is another beloved board game, as are "Snakes and Ladders," chess, and "Risk." "Sorry" and "Clue" are also old board games that are still among the top sellers in toy and game stores.
Classic Card Games
- Card parties are still in vogue.
  
  Generations of people have enjoyed card parties where people can play card games for a whole evening. The more modern game of "Bridge" evolved from an older game called "Whist" that was popular in the early 1900s. "Solitaire" has been in existence for at least two centuries, has many variations, and can now be played on the Internet. Poker is another classic game that has been revitalized by the Internet. Again, there are several versions of this classic card game, some older than others.
Party Games
- Charades can be played in teams.
  
  "Charades" is an old party game that can be played by a few people, with partners, or in teams. One chosen person acts out the clue phrase and the rest of the party -- or team -- attempts to figure out the answer. "Forfeits" is another really old game that can be played by most age groups. Players give up a personal item that is placed in a "forfeit" pile. A judge is chosen and players have to perform a specific act such as doing a somersault in order to reclaim their forfeited item.
Action Games
- "Musical Chairs" is a fun action game that is still played by children. Chairs -- one less than the number of players -- are set up in a line with every alternate chair facing the other direction. When the music stops, everyone tries to sit in a chair. The person left standing has to leave. "Sardines" is like playing "Hide-and-Seek" but in reverse. One player hides and everyone searches for that player. When found, the hunter joins the hider until everyone is crowded in the hiding spot and they're packed in like sardines. The last one to find the rest is the loser.

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