It’s no secret that gaming is becoming more popular, particularly with young people. But why should they have all the fun? Playing games with your kids, nieces, nephews or grandkids can be a powerful bonding experience for families. Taking an interest in your young family members’ hobbies will make them excited to share more with you, and you might even get hooked yourself.
You might even be surprised at some of the skills these games take to play, and also the ones your kids are learning through playing them. If you’re not into video games, getting your child to teach you all about their favorites can be an amazing learning experience for both of you. So let’s look into the best games you should play with your kids.
1
Geoguessr
Geoguessr is a great suggestion not only because it teaches us about different countries, but also because it’s free and available on almost every electronic device. There are different modes, but the game basically gives you less than a minute to look at a small area of the world and then you guess where you are.
It can be quite challenging, particularly for those who are less traveled, but the more you play, the more you learn what different countries look like. It also teaches you different countries’ flags, how to recognize certain languages, and on which side of the road certain countries drive on.
2
Minecraft
Minecraft is a popular choice with kids the world over, and with good reason. It’s all about creativity, as players use different materials to craft things in their own virtual world. Frankly, some of the things people have built using Minecraft are downright impressive, with everything from gorgeous castles to the entirety of Middle-earth being recreated in-game.
Working to build something together with the young people in your life is a bonding experience much like LEGO for the current generation. It may be all on a screen now, but the joy of building something with someone important to you is very much real.
3
Overcooked
This is probably one of the most stressful games on the list, as you have to communicate well with your partner or team in order to succeed. Strategizing a plan in Overcooked is the key to running your kitchen successfully, as most of the gameplay takes place in the living room rather than on the TV.
Overcooked is all about failure. You will fail at each cooking challenge many times before you succeed, and teamwork is required to ensure victory. Not only does it teach us how to communicate better with others, but it will also teach important lessons about sharing, delegation, and working cooperatively. Through all the frustration and tears, your family is sure to be all the closer for it.
4
Jackbox Party Pack
The Jackbox games are packs of mini-games which you play as a group. Most of the games involve a theme on the screen, and you each input your idea using your smart device. The latest set sees you answering interview questions for a job, drawing short animations, a whodunnit, trivia, and a form of Mr. and Mrs.
Each game requires skill: whether that’s drawing, detective skills, or knowledge about each other. And that’s not the only benefit. The game encourages funny answers, and you’ll find yourself bonding with your family by laughing away at each other’s jokes. It’s rated for teens but there is a family-friendly filter making it suitable for younger children, too.
5
It Takes Two
It Takes Two took the coveted title of Game of the Year at last year’s Game Awards, and it’s easy to see why. Each scene in the game must be taken on cooperatively, meaning that if one of you can’t finish the level, you both fail. It tells the story of a marriage on the brink of divorce, where the couple works together to overcome challenges and fall in love again.
This can be a delicate topic but can teach kids some valuable lessons. Obviously the theme of teamwork runs throughout, but also teaches us that when relationships are strained, both parties are in it together. It teaches them to ask for help when they need it most. It shows us disagreements can sometimes be overcome with good communication and a helping hand.
Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.
