Tabletop Alchemy

Games – transforming goof-off time into lasting memories since forever.

If you’re anything like me you grew up with tabletop games. Losing games. Winning sometimes. And thinking about playing again. You wondered how you could get better, be more clever and/or compete at a higher level. It was fun. Then we stopped playing. (Well, some of us did!)

Born into it

Picasso famously said “All children are born artists…”. It’s true. And I think we’re all born gamers too. Games are pretty much our first experiences with resource management and cooperation. They show children how to be gracious losers and decent winners too. Children invent games. Some littles downright ignore game rules just to have more fun. Adults who welcome this have more fun too.

But if gaming comes natural to us, why do we do so little of it sometimes? Sure, time can be tough to find. But I think we mostly just forget about the benefits. There’s nothing better than waking up on the weekend, easing into the morning, and then catching a board/card game with friends or family in a relaxed setting. It’s how we escape the nonsense of reality and how we make memories with those we love. It’s healing. (At least as long as no one turns into a rage goblin if they lose!)

For social well-being

Champion tabletop games as a source of well-being.

Win or lose – have fun! Both outcomes can be fun when we keep a sense of humor and cheer each other on. Keeping things light-hearted lowers blood pressure and promotes positivity. Competition is good as long as it doesn’t make others uncomfortable.

Bonding with friends over games is natural. Ditch the mobile devices, but embrace the side convos. Linger in a conversation for a bit, then get back to taking a turn. That’s how connections are made and talking only serves to humanize others. And that never hurts.

Team up sometimes. Cooperative games have never been more popular. If you’re new to gaming or returning to it, they’re a good place to start. There are so many types of co-op games – strategy, puzzle, escapes, etc. Games that keep the focus on player interaction and collaboration are some of my favorites.

A couple notes for gaming with children.

Bend the rules. When the children in your life want to break game rules or explore random ways of playing the game, let em’. If it means more fun in the moment, your time will mean more to them. There will be time to play “for real” as they grow. But for now, encourage having fun.

Follow the rules. On the other hand, game rules exist for a reason. Do acknowledge them as you play, especially with those who lack attention or seem distracted. If the rules don’t make sense to a child, try inventing some house rules everyone can agree to. Consider it an experiment! Still, showing a child the reason why the rules exist can help them grow.

Make gaming an event. When possible liven things up with background music, or special snacks, or wearing funky hats. Anything to help kids embrace the time together. It may seem goofy in the moment, but someday those memories will be everything.

Long live the tabletop

Kitchen tables, patio tables, folding tables – they’ve always brought people together. And most people have access to one. Tabletop games provide all sorts of possibilities for shared experiences that are positive. And we need that right now. More than ever.

–E