Parents today have many concerns. With the hub-bub and rush of daily living, many parents are looking for family ideas for quality time. They are also concerned about enriching their children's education. Parents are concerned about teaching character and molding their children into honest, patient, well-rounded members of society. Family games are a great, wholesome way for parents to meet all of these needs at once.

Homeschoolers and teachers have known for years that games are a great way to learn.

And learn they will. Parents are often amazed when they stop to think about all of the possible skills enhanced by such fun family activities as game playing. Nearly all games will broaden cognitive skills by applying problem solving methods, critical thinking skills, and strategic thought. We've played many games that cause players to stop and think, "Hmmm, if I do this, then that will happen." Cause and effect are brought down to simple terms, and games are a great way to test these principles.

Games Encourage Developmental Learning

Izzy has learned to think ahead by toddler games we've played such as Life on the Farm (We R Fun), Luxor (Ravensburger) and the PEZ Trading Card Game. Many games are available that specifically develop certain skills. Often your child will be having so much fun, he won't even realize he's learning!

Games teach children to focus on details and sharpen their memory. This fires neurons in both the left and right sides of the brain. Recent scientific study relates the frequency of brain activities such as games and puzzles to the likelihood of having healthy memories and excellent brain function later in life.

Games Are a Way of Teaching Character

The benefits of game playing don't end with education. "Game time" also lends itself to sharing ethics and sportsmanship. Plato wrote, "You can discover more about a person in an hour of play, than in a year of conversation."

This is a perfect opportunity for parents to learn more about their children while modeling behavior they think is important. Many times families "joke" and "play around" while playing games, and share memories and family history during the play time.

Think a moment about the proverb, "Laughter is the best medicine." Parents and children alike are sure to benefit from this playful, relaxing time spent together.

Children Find Answers to "What Are Values?" While Playing Games

Life skills are also taught and practiced when playing games. Life's little necessities--like waiting patiently, teamwork, playing by the rules and taking care of materials--can all be introduced with game playing.

Game playing is also a time when self-esteem can be boosted. Just the mere fact that parents take the time to play with their children can be an amazing way for a parent to say, "You are important to me." Children also realize that their skills get stronger, and that boosts self-confidence.

Family Home Activities Are Easy on the Budget

Family games are also great for the family budget. Even higher-priced games can be bought and paid for in the amount of money you would spend on tickets and snacks for a family of four movie outing. Games can also be found, often in excellent shape, at yard sales and thrift shops. I found the game Tri-Bond at my favorite local thrift shop for $1. It hadn't even been played once and was in perfect condition! The great thing about games is that once you make the initial purchase, whether it is $1 or $30, it is yours to keep and enjoy for hours on end.

Games Easily Travel for Kids and Parents

Card games are especially useful for outings and appointments. I keep a pack of Blink (Out of the Box Games) in my purse, so if we are at a doctor's appointment, we can productively pass a few minutes together. Blink is perfect for this, as each round lasts only about two minutes, so we can stop and start at the drop of a hat.Games are also great for family trips and get-togethers. Games travel well and bring not only fun and recreation, but a little bit of home along with you.

Games are played in our household many times in a week. We do everything--from family game night with the whole gang (grandparents included), to one-on-one educational time, and the ever favorite "I'm up early, let's go see if Papa can play for a few minutes!" Whether you have fifteen minutes or several hours, take some time to play games with your family. You'll be glad you did.

Great Educational Games:

• Blink (Out of the Box Games): rapid analysis, visual perception
• Chebache (Pardee Games): strategy, math, cause and effect
• Charge It! (Talicor)- consumer skills, money management
• Funny Bunny (Ravensburger): counting, patience, basic game playing
• Jenga (Hasbro)- eye-hand coordination, perception, observation, concentration
• Kern Animal Alphabet Cards (US Games Systems): letter recognition, taking turns, memory
• Life on the Farm (We R Fun)-money management, patience, life skills
• PEZ Trading Card Game (US Games Systems)- strategy, counting, patterning
• Scrabble (Hasbro)- vocabulary and spelling
• Spy Alley (Spy Alley Partners)- memory, deductive reasoning, record keeping
• Yahtzee (Hasbro)- counting, totaling, record keeping

Great Strategy Games:

• Aquarius (Looney Labs)
• Continuo (US Games Systems)
• Charge It! (Talicor)
• Chebache (Pardee Games)
• Fluxx (Looney Labs)
• Life on the Farm (We R Fun)
• The Mage's Triangle (Laughing Gravy Games)
• PEZ Trading Card Game (US Games Systems)
• Save Your Planet (Abel Games)
• Spy Alley (Spy Alley Partners)

Great Introductory Games for Young Players:

• Cheerios Go Fish Card Game (Briarpatch)
• Funny Bunny (Ravensburger)
• Kern Animal Alphabet Cards (US Games Systems)

Great Group Games:

• Malarky (Patch Products)
• National Parks Pictionary (USAopoly)
• The Ungame (Talicor)
• Tri-Bond Jr. (Patch Products)

Great Academically Oriented Games:

• Apples to Apples (Out of the Box Publishing)
• Duo Card Game (US Games Systems)
• EQUALS (Grand Isle Games)
• Equate (Conceptual Math Media)
• Geo/Derby USA (TaliCor)
• GeoShapes (TaliCor)
• LETRAS (Grand Isle Games)
• My Word! (Out of the Box Publishing)
• Prime Pak (Conceptual Math Media)
• Snapshots Across America (Talicor)
• Tri-Bond Jr. (Patch Products)

Danielle Price Schultz is a freelance author of more than 30 early childhood curriculum books. Her parenting and activity articles have appeared in nearly 40 parenting publications throughout the United States and overseas. Dani and her husband are raising and homeschooling their two daughters.