Monday, 5 January 2015

1000 Flowers for the Planet - #405 Revitalise Some Childhood Games

1000 Flowers for the Planet - #405 Revitalise Some Childhood Games


When I was a school girl I had to do an assignment that involved interviewing an older member of my family to find out what games they played as a child. I interviewed my great-uncle Harry, who grew up in the bush on the Australian gold fields in the early 20th century. He told me some fantastic stories about the types of games he used to play as a young boy – simple games like marbles, chasey, knuckle jacks and games that needed no tools whatsoever. No fancy board games in Uncle Harry’s house.
Do you remember Mousetrap, Twister, Trivial Pursuit and Kerplunk? I bet you can remember lots of fun games you used to play when you were a child. Perhaps you still have some of them in the cupboard, or at least your children have some under-used board games hiding away there. We’re talking about games that don’t require batteries – just a lot of fun and laughter, maybe a little skill or luck, but definitely some real interactive play. Turn off the TV, take a look in that cupboard and pull out a dusty old board game, blow off the cobwebs, sit down at the kitchen table with your family and spend an hour or two having fun. Watch the laughter on the faces of your loved ones, reconnect with them through play, teach young children some skills or strategies through play and relax while you’re doing it. Forget the office or the workshop, forget the bills, forget what’s happening on some crazy unrealistic ‘reality’ TV show and spend some real time with your family. It will be worth it.

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