Most families have favorite games that they have shared together over the years. When I was a child, my family was very keen on family games. It wasn't just the lack of other forms of entertainment that made us play them, we loved them anyway. Even if there had been more TV channels and computer games, we still would have got the family games out of the cupboard.



I think that kids miss out today by not having that quality time with their parents and siblings. It's a great bonding exercise and it teaches kids to be graceful in victory and defeat. So many activities are solitary today, and kids have entire home entertainment systems in their bedrooms. Families are fragmented throughout the house.

My father taught my brother and I to play chess from a very young age. Chess games and checkers were part of our Sunday afternoon routine. We also liked to play card games for matches or pennies. We'd play pontoon or gin rummy. Board games were another sort of family games we played a lot. Our favorites were monopoly, snakes and ladders and clue. Family games of monopoly could go on for days.

Outdoor activities were also popular with my family. We liked to go to the local park and play a game of cricket or kick a soccer ball around. There were tennis courts too, which we made use of.

When my own children were little, my husband and I carried on the family games tradition. They liked board games too, and we played the old favorites. My adult son still plays The Simpsons version of monopoly with his girlfriend. We also liked to play Risk, the war strategy game. Pictionary is still one of the games we enjoy. We have only recently got Twister in our house. It's certainly good for keeping you agile and its great fun.

Many games now have computer versions, such as Risk. I'd rather smell the board and hold the figures in my hand. Everything has to be on a screen now. I think we assume that kids won't want to play family games the old fashioned way. You can also play chess and cards on the computer.

If more families spent time together, perhaps they'd stay together. I have many happy memories of sitting round the table with loved ones, playing family games. It's great for stress levels, as long as you don't mind losing!