How To Use Game Tables To Bridge The Generation Gap
February 8th, 2009
Don Jacobson asked:
Close your eyes and imagine with me for a moment. Wait. Don’t close your eyes. (How else could you read this) Pretend that it’s Thanksgiving and all your family has gotten together. Your grandparents are there; your mom and dad, your sisters, their husbands and kids, your brother and his girlfriend, even your cousins and your favorite aunt and uncle have flown in from Cincinnati. Everyone is at your house, and all the preparations have come together. The house is beautiful, the turkey is in the oven, and you somehow managed to get the kids to clean up their rooms without shoving everything under their beds.
Dinner is a few hours away yet, and everyone is spreading out looking for things to do. Some opt for the Detroit game on TV; others head outdoors for their own version of the big game on the front lawn. But what about those who want to stay indoors and aren’t inclined to kick back and watch the game Set out a few board games, puzzles or simple crafts for those who might be interested in occupying their minds while distracting their stomachs. Another option might be showing off your new games table in the basement, garage, or spare room.
The great thing about games tables such as ping pong or air hockey tables is that almost anyone can play with one. As long as one can stand or sit and use the paddles to defend the goal, one can play. Age is not much of an obstacle. Anyone can participate. Get grandma and grandpa over to the table, and challenge them to a game with little 6-year-old Joey or Laney. Depending on the age of the grandparents, many kids this age are actually pretty equal physically when playing games such as air hockey. Not much skill is needed, just a bit of coordination.
Playing at a games table is a good way for a surly teen to be drawn into participating in the family activities. An uncle or aunt, grandparent or even one of mom or dad’s cousins could invite a teen to play a game. This can, in turn, draw the teen out a bit, making him or her more relaxed and thinking less of what else he or she would rather be doing.
Yes, it’s true, even the toughest of nuts to crack can be gotten out of their shell by getting involved in a friendly game of air hockey, table tennis, billiards or maybe foosball. This is also a great way to introduce new people to the family group. Your sister’s new boyfriend may be able to get to know your kids by playing with them at the games table. Your dad or mom might enjoy challenging this newcomer to a friendly game of air hockey; the movement of the game can help everyone relax a bit and learn more about each other.
Playing games together is a great way for members of every generation to spend time together and to get to know each other even better.
Close your eyes and imagine with me for a moment. Wait. Don’t close your eyes. (How else could you read this) Pretend that it’s Thanksgiving and all your family has gotten together. Your grandparents are there; your mom and dad, your sisters, their husbands and kids, your brother and his girlfriend, even your cousins and your favorite aunt and uncle have flown in from Cincinnati. Everyone is at your house, and all the preparations have come together. The house is beautiful, the turkey is in the oven, and you somehow managed to get the kids to clean up their rooms without shoving everything under their beds.
Dinner is a few hours away yet, and everyone is spreading out looking for things to do. Some opt for the Detroit game on TV; others head outdoors for their own version of the big game on the front lawn. But what about those who want to stay indoors and aren’t inclined to kick back and watch the game Set out a few board games, puzzles or simple crafts for those who might be interested in occupying their minds while distracting their stomachs. Another option might be showing off your new games table in the basement, garage, or spare room.
The great thing about games tables such as ping pong or air hockey tables is that almost anyone can play with one. As long as one can stand or sit and use the paddles to defend the goal, one can play. Age is not much of an obstacle. Anyone can participate. Get grandma and grandpa over to the table, and challenge them to a game with little 6-year-old Joey or Laney. Depending on the age of the grandparents, many kids this age are actually pretty equal physically when playing games such as air hockey. Not much skill is needed, just a bit of coordination.
Playing at a games table is a good way for a surly teen to be drawn into participating in the family activities. An uncle or aunt, grandparent or even one of mom or dad’s cousins could invite a teen to play a game. This can, in turn, draw the teen out a bit, making him or her more relaxed and thinking less of what else he or she would rather be doing.
Yes, it’s true, even the toughest of nuts to crack can be gotten out of their shell by getting involved in a friendly game of air hockey, table tennis, billiards or maybe foosball. This is also a great way to introduce new people to the family group. Your sister’s new boyfriend may be able to get to know your kids by playing with them at the games table. Your dad or mom might enjoy challenging this newcomer to a friendly game of air hockey; the movement of the game can help everyone relax a bit and learn more about each other.
Playing games together is a great way for members of every generation to spend time together and to get to know each other even better.