Kiddipedia
Media kindly brought to you by Spin Master
In an unfolding global pandemic, families have rediscovered a love for the humble board game in order to lift their spirits and make the most of time spent indoors. In fact, board games have been flying off the shelves in Australia since the onset of the pandemic, with many retailers struggling to keep up with demand. So what’s the reason behind this board game renaissance?
Researchers at The University of Melbourne have previously explored the appeal of board games amongst frequent players, and found 4 key characteristics:
- They like the social experience of coming together with others around a table, with a shared focus.
- They value the intellectual challenge of making decisions, forming and re-forming plans, exploring and experimenting with different strategies
- They like variety – having a choice of games which are different every time they play
- They like the materiality of the game – being able to touch pieces and to rearrange them
[source: University of Melbourne]
Applied to this unique, ‘stay-at-home’ chapter of our lives, the renewed popularity of board games – whether it’s meant dusting off the old favourites in the cupboard or going on an online shopping frenzy – is pretty telling of how families are finding solace in board games to stay entertained, sociable and goal-focused.
Our friends at Spin Master have been providing leading toys, puzzles and board games to delight Aussie kids for years, including the classic game Hedbanz. Here, they share 5 reasons why parents should consider including board games as an ongoing fixture of their family’s entertainment.
Hedbanz to inspire fun family gameplay
Looking to get your family started in board games or find a new favourite? Look no further than the rapid-action, deductive-reasoning game ‘Hedbanz’! Parents may recall this iconic guessing game based on a ‘What Am I?’ premise and wearable name cards, which has been refreshed for a new generation with exciting new cards and characters.
Hedbanz contains the social, intellectual, variety and materiality that the Melbourne University research credits as the most appealing aspects of gameplay. It’s the versatile choice for families with 2-6 players, and loved by kids, parents and grandparents the world over.
- FUN FAMILY GUESSING GAME: Hedbanz is the fast-paced, easy to play question game of “What am I?” Ask “yes” or “no” questions before time runs out to figure out if the cartoon card on your headband is an animal, food or object. Earn 3 scoring badges to win!
- KID-FRIENDLY BOARD GAME: The Hedbanz categories are simple (animal, food or object), allowing everyone, even young children to join in on the family fun! Racing against the timer, each round moves quickly, ramping up your energy and challenging your wit!
- EDUCATIONAL PLAY FOR KIDS: Playing Hedbanz, kids will develop their deductive reasoning skills with the game’s simple question and answer method. Coming up with questions that will lead to answers, kids will also practice their critical thinking skills!
To add Hedbanz to your roster of family games, shop in-store or online at your favourite retailers:
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Encouragement of family time and interaction
Okay, so your first thought might be: ‘but at the moment, all we do is have family time!’ Sure, the quantity of time may be sufficient, but are you getting enough quality time with your kids? Gathering around the table to set up a board game is a commitment to fun, and an outlet to be silly together to offset any complacency, tension or boredom. A game that brings out the best in everyone, will help you learn more about each other’s talents and cultivate those relationships beyond those routine interactions. When was the last time you enjoyed a full-blown belly laugh with your kids? If it’s been too long, a board game – especially a fast-paced, rapid-action one, is a surefire way to get the giggles flowing.
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A break from screen time
Hands up if you’re sick of screens! Psst, you’re not alone! These days, adults and kids are bombarded with screens and hand-held devices in their respective schooling and working lives, and physical board games offer a novelty in this technology-saturated world. It comes as little surprise that board games are being embraced by kids who are charmed by the tactile nature of game pieces they can run their fingers over, and welcomed back with open arms by adults who have fond memories of their own board game experiences as a child. Preschoolers and younger children will benefit from the fine motor skills different board games require, and older kids who may be hooked on digital gameplay, will find it hard to resist the dexterity and lateral thinking that a complex board game can inspire.
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A healthy dose of fantasy
You may agree that the pandemic situation has made our world feel a whole lot smaller and limited that sense of wonder and possibility. Board games can come to the rescue in kick-starting our imagination to build or play in a new world – however temporary – that is not bound by harsh realities and restrictions. This escapism can be comforting in times of stress and anxiety, for both kids and adults. The best board games are ones that are immersive – meaning that for those 15 minutes or 1 hour of gameplay, you are transported to a different world. Whether you take on a different character to complete a quest or play as yourself in a totally outlandish situation, it can be an empowering thing, and you’ll wile away the hours before you know it!
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Encouragement of teamwork
A strength of board games is that they are a practical way to teach kids about the concept of winning or losing gracefully, and offer lessons in cooperation and group dynamics. Parents may have vivid memories of classic, elimination-style board games that used to rule the roost, causing disagreements or even tears in their household. Don’t worry, there are plenty of innovative gameplay options now on the market, that feature group milestones and teamwork to win the game. Especially if emotions are running high, these games will ensure that everyone is playing until the end, meaning no tantrums, flipped game boards, or hurled game pieces! Once you find your family’s groove and crown your favorite board games, this goal-focused play can strengthen your bond and can help set the tone for other activities you do together.
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Cognitive development (incl. problem-solving and spatial reasoning skills)
One of the most ingenious aspects of a board game is that they disguise learning through play! Virtually all board games on the market – even the basic ‘roll and move’ style – improve memory formation and concentration in children, so parents can feel reassured that play time is also boosting their child’s brain development. Spatial reasoning is another skill that board games have truly turned into an art form; explored by kids and adults alike, as they learn to navigate and rotate game pieces within the confines of the game board. Trial and error learning through deductive reasoning, aka ‘guess-who?’ style games, is yet another example that brings these concepts to life. Board games have come a long way, with a new breed of strategy-based, tabletop games offering older kids and adults more of a challenge to get your brain buzzing and sharpen mental acuity.
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