Family-Oriented Games

Board Games

• What makes board games suitable for a family is that the more players participating, the better. Unless you are in a very large family, you can play every board game available on the market. The most renowned games are Monopoly and Scrabble, which, apart from the fun they offer, provide an opportunity for your kids to practice their literacy skills and money management. Other popular family-oriented games include Cluedo and Stratego 4.

Card Games

• You only need a standard 52-card deck to play most card games. Avoid casino card games when playing with kids (blackjack, poker) and choose games such as Go Fish, Snap, Pig, War and Euchre. You can find the rules of each game at the Family Games Treasurehouse website. Apart from these games, you can also play some fast-paced rounds of Uno by buying the game's special cards set.

Video Games

• Since the commercial success of the Wii console by Nintendo, developers pay more attention to the impact games can have on the so-called casual gamers, releasing more and more family-friendly titles. These titles include sports and simple platform games, which are easy to master for both kids and adults, such as Wii Sports and Mario Party. A common element of family-oriented video games is the ability for multiple (more than two) players to participate simultaneously, as well as the omission of violent or controversial themes, including war and crime.

Outdoor Games

• Outdoor games you can play with other members of the family include ball games, such as soccer and volleyball. If there is sufficient space, you can spread out and play with a flying disc. To give children an equal chance of emerging victorious (without this meaning you allow them to win), avoid activities where your physique gives you an evident advantage, such as basketball or chasing games.