Toys and games are not only limited to children because they are also suitable for adults. Adults are never too old to play games with children because they too can benefit and learn from them as well.

Family games not only improve mental and physical skills of children, but also with adults. From our childhood, games are already part of our life and routine. We have games to spend time with our family and friends, to enjoy, to have fun, to while our free time, to blow off anger and to bond with children and friends. However, not all of us realized that playing games are one of the best method to build lasting relationships with friends, colleagues and loved ones and to teach valuable life skills.

With the presence of numerous online social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and many more, we seldom interact with relatives and friends face-to-face. By playing games during gatherings and events, we can be closer to our friends and family members. When we laugh, talk and enjoy the games we play along with other members of the family or friends, we can have sense of belongingness and connectedness.

How can we foster closer relationship the people we love? According to the National Parenting Center expert panelist Evelyn Petersen, playing games with children using different types of games can create closer family ties and can develop interactive children. Aside from board games, card games, outdoor and indoor games, online interactive games also enhance communication skills and closeness between friends and other members of the family. Moreover, these games also teach participants invaluable life skills.

Different life skills developed through playing games:

1. Teamwork/cooperation – By playing games, participants can learn to cooperate and respect the ideas of other members of the team.

2. Responsibility – Participants learn to become responsible in complying with game rules, to take care of game materials and keeping them properly.

3. Patience and perseverance – You learn to be patient because you have to wait for your turn to play the game. You learn to persevere and hang on until the game is over.

4. Honesty – You learn honesty by playing fair, learning to admit mistakes and learning from your flaws.

5. Sportsmanship – You learn to accept defeat. You develop the value of sportsmanship, wherein you know that in every game that we play, there is always a loser and a winner. Losing does not mean the end of the world, but it serves as a stepping stone to learn from your mistakes and to serve as a benchmark in the next game you will play.

Different types of family games:
* Chess
* Board games
* Badminton
* Ping-pong
* Corn hole
* Croquet
* Millionaires
* Snake and Ladder
* Volleyball

It’s never too late for us to reclaim part of our childhood. By planning and scheduling outdoor games with friends and family members, you will not only enjoy and have fun, but it will also serve as an exercise because of the running, walking, catching and flexing of muscles associated with the game. Turn off your game console and television sets and take part in outdoor games along with you friends and children. Start building relationships and skills. Lastly, do not forget to have fun!

Author Bio: William U. Steinmetz enjoys writing for Targettossgames.com which sells bean bag toss game and weather resistant cornhole bags as well as a host of additional products.

Category: Family Concerns
Keywords: family games,playing games,outdoor games,board games,play games