board game

Nov

2020

5 More Classic Board Games

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Here are 5 more classic board games that you can play with your family and friends to combat stress or boredom and have some fun instead.

1. Clue / Cluedo

2-6 players

This classic board game is one of the best murder mystery games out there. It’s been around since 1943 and is much loved by armchair detectives.

The aim of the game is to figure out who killed the murder victim, where the murder was done and what weapon was used. Players try to hunt down clues to uncover the truth. It’s a race against time as you try to gather the evidence before the other players get to it. Then, like an investigator, you have to piece together the clues and connect the dots together to figure out the details of the murder mystery. The player who gets the most details correct, wins!

2. Connect 4

2 players

If you want tons of fun in a short period of time then this game is for you. This game is simple but requires fast thinking of strategies.

The aim of the game is to line up 4 chips of the same color in a row. Both players alternate in dropping their chips on the grid to stop the other player from forming their line while trying to construct their own. You can go horizontal, diagonal or vertical. Your luck depends on where your chips fall and how fast you can counter your opponent’s move.

3. Monopoly

Multiple players

Monopoly is one of the world’s favorite, classic board games. There are even versions based on movie themes as well as for pet lovers. Electronic versions are also available.

This game is all about buying property and building houses or hotels that you can lease out. Your luck depends on the roll of a dice and the card you pick. Some players have experienced a turn of bad luck where they keep landing on their another player’s hotel and getting sent to jail. Luckily, it’s all in the board game, so you can just add the experience to your collection of funny stories. Those who are familiar with the game have come up with some strategies too.

4. Scrabble

Multiple players

If you want a classic board game that’s perfect for a lazy afternoon, then try out Scrabble. This game has been around for over 80 years. Although it’s meditative and relaxing; it does get your brain a workout.

Players get to select some random letters which they must form into words on the board. Certain combinations and specific tiles get you more points but you can only add them to words that already exist on the board. You never know what combination of letters you end up with, so it’s exciting and challenging for each round of the game. Of course, the better your vocabulary, the easier for you to come up with words.

5. Twister

Multiple players

The biggest board game on this list, Twister encourages you to test your balancing and strategic skills.

A spinner tells you where you should place your hands and feet on the board. You need to balance, twist and turn to get your hands and feet on the right spots on the board without falling down. Adults and children can enjoy this game. You not only enjoy the game, you burn some calories too!

There are many ways to have more fun in your life and playing board games is one of them. We’ve listed another of these 5 classic board games that you can enjoy with family and friends.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Kathy Marsh on Unsplash.

Apr

2020

Fun Things You Can Do When You Are Stuck at Home

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Most countries around the world have implemented some form of lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Lockdown is the now the new normal. While some places are already beginning to ease restrictions, some are still extended while others are shut down again because of fear for a second wave. If you are one of those people who still do not have the liberty to go out of the house, here are some fun activities that you can do to keep your boredom at bay when you are stuck at home:

1.Binge-watch a TV Series

In normal times, binge-watching is bad because it is unhealthy and unproductive but during these extra-ordinary times, it can be good especially if you are watching shows that you can learn from or increase your emotional intelligence. You can also make it a family activity by watching a marathon of movies that you can enjoy with the kids.

2.Learn a New Language

Learning a new language does not only give you a competitive edge in your career, it is also beneficial to your mental health. It boosts brain power. It improves your memory. Learning a new language also sharpens your mind. It can also help boosts your confidence. In addition, it can help you understand movies or dramas without reading subtitles especially if you are a fan of foreign shows like Korean dramas.

3.Plan Your Next Vacation

In a s tudy that was published in the journal Applied Research in Quality of Life, it shows that a great proportion of people’s happiness comes from planning the next vacation. It is largely due to the anticipation of relaxing, going on a holiday and travelling to a different place.

So, what are you waiting for? List down your travel goals and start planning for your next vacation!

4.Play Board Games with your Family

While no one can argue with the benefits of technology, sometimes good old fashioned board games is a welcome change. Instead of individual family members holding their different gadgets, why not bond together as a family and enjoy quality time playing with your parents, children or siblings. For sure, it will be fun. It also encourages open communication among family members. You can play board games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue, Life, Pictionary, Battleship and Cranium.

5.Read Books

Reading books is good for you. It improves your brain function. Through reading, you will be able to increase your knowledge. and broaden your vocabulary. It makes you smarter, improves your memory and enhances your level of concentration. In addition, reading also reduces stress. It also keeps you entertained. The advantages are simply too many.

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
Dr. Seuss

6.Redecorate your Home

The way your home looks have a great effect on your mood. A home that is clean, well-organized and has the right atmosphere can help get rid of anxiety and stress. You can start by decluttering and disposing things that you no longer need.

7.Sleep

In this modern world, a lot of people in the urban areas are caught with the hustle and bustle of city life that most are not getting the required hours of sleep that the body needs. Take this rare opportunity to get enough sleep. Remember that sleep is a vital factor in boosting your immune system. Your immune system is your best defence against diseases.

8.Start a Group Video Conference Call with your Friends

Social distancing does not necessarily mean breaking up friendships. While it may take a long time before you can party and go out with friends again, you can still connect with everyone through video chats. There are many free platforms that you can use like Facetime, Google Hang-out, Facebook Messenger, Skype, Viber, WhatsUp, Zoom and many others.

9.Start a New Hobby

Is there something that you really wanted to do when you were still a kid? Something that you have been putting off simply because you neither have the time nor money to do so. Now is the time to start doing that. There are many indoor hobbies that you can do. You can knit, weave, sew, paint, quilt, cross stitch, origami, make jewelries, write poetry, make a scrapbook, garden etc.

A hobby helps you relax. It allows you to take a break from all the stress and just simply enjoy the moment. It is good for your mental and emotional health.

10. Visualize your Future

Success starts with a vision. When you visualize, you imagine things. You see yourself in the future in vivid details living the life that you want to live. The more specific your imagination will take you, the better it is. By doing so, you are already increasing the likelihood of success.

Visualization is fun. It gives you something to look forward to. It also helps you rise above the storm and challenges in life because it helps focus your energy on the desired outcome rather than the problem. It is all about looking into the future rather than being depressed about the present.

If there is anything that you wish to add, please feel free to do so. Your inputs will help a lot of people go through these hard times.

Feature Image by Posted by A.L. Jonas in Intellectual, 0 comments

Apr

2020

5 Family Staycation Ideas For a Tight Budget

Reading Time: 2 minutes

When we think of going on a vacation, the first thing on our mind is traveling to a destination. But what if you don’t have enough in your budget to travel far from home? Then a staycation is the answer! A staycation is a budget-friendly way to spend quality time with your loved ones. Here are 5 ideas on how you can enjoy a cheap family staycation:

1. Make it A Game Day

Ask everyone to bring their favorite games and everyone select which ones to play and the playing order. Depending on the game, this is a good way to exercise physically and challenge everyone mentally while having lots of fun. Make sure the games can be enjoyed by family members of all ages.

2. Enjoy a Movie or TV Marathon

Got a favorite movie series or TV show you’ve all wanted to rewatch? Or if you have a list of dramas or TV shows you haven’t watched, this is the time to indulge. Make yourself some popcorn and a cold drink or get food delivered and enjoy the shows. Got kids? Watch their favorite cartoon or anime series or their most favorite movies together.

3. Do a Cooking Marathon

Instead of doing a weekly meal prep, why not let the whole family help in cooking all your favorite recipes? Everyone gets to eat afterwards and you can even cook a big batch to be enjoyed throughout the week. You can also choose to try out new recipes based on a theme. For example, you can search for recipes of Japanese food items; lay down a mat and a low table and add chopsticks and fancy bowls to complete the Japanese theme for your meal.

4. Refresh a Room or the Entire House

Cleaning can be a therapeutic activity and gives everyone a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day too. Assign tasks or rooms to everyone for a general house cleaning or select a room in the house to redecorate or to rearrange furniture. You can also use the day to do small, DIY repairs around the house. Be sure to take breaks and reward the whole family with a delicious dinner which you can order from your favorite food place.

5. Start a Garden

Let everyone help with some gardening. Whether it be indoor gardening with these herbs, or outdoor gardening, family members of all ages can be assigned some task to help with the activity. Kids can pick up weeds or sweep the yard or count seeds and place them in pots.

Spend some time to teach kids what to do to help the plants grow better. A book with pictures that they can refer to repeatedly would be a great help. You won’t only be growing plants, you’ll be cultivating yours and your kid’s patience and interest for learning and doing and maybe develop a green thumb in the process.

These are just some quick ways to bond with the whole family while you’re all staying at home. The trick is to prepare for it like you would prepare for traveling so everyone in the family gets involved and they will feel the specialness of the staycation even more. Try these out next time you’re strapped for cash, don’t want to wander around the mall or just too tired to brave the daily traffic that travel entails.

Edited version. First published in Pinoy Smart Living 04.04.2019.
Feature Image: Original Photo by cottonbro from Pexels.