Are Board Games a Waste of Time?
Are board games and card games a waste of time?
I’m sure you already know what we think. Visiting a website for family board gaming, we’re sure you already know our answer. Nonetheless, we think it’s a valid one that need addressing.
I just finished reading “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch. If you haven’t heard of this before, you should really check it out. He was a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, and was asked like many professors to give a Last Lecture – ruminating on what matters most to them. For Randy it was particularly poignant because he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. His lecture wasn’t about dying, but rather all about living your dreams and seizing the moment.
Near the end of the book he makes a passing comment that TV is the biggest waste of time there is. Among many other topics in the book, this caused me to think about what I waste my time on. How can I make the most out of the time I have? And are playing board games with my family a big waste of time as well?
TV really can be a big waste of time (but not always)
First, I have to agree with Randy that TV can be a huge waste of time. However, I also really like to watch TV once in a while. In fact, last night our family watched the season finale of The Amazing Race together. However, I didn’t consider it a waste of time for one main reason – we were together as a family and we were having conversations about it along the way. We talked about the amazing locations they visited and the cool activities they had to perform. We also talked about how they handled themselves. Overall we thought it was a good use of time (and the kids loved staying up later on a school night as well).
And our 12 year old son has recently found out about MacGyver (wonder who showed him that…). For a kid that loves to take things apart and make up crazy inventions, MacGyver is a true hero. Sure it’s fictional, but he’s dreaming of his next inventions the whole time.
So TV doesn’t have to be a big waste of time and it can be engaging – but we need to make it that way. Because more often than not, it can simply eat up a lot of time passively watching in a catatonic state.
For that matter, driving in a car is a big waste of time as well. If everyone’s in the car together but off in their own world (iPods, Gameboys, video players, etc.) it can be a big waste as well.
But if we make the most of our time together as a family and have conversations, then the time doesn’t have to be a waste at all. If you have to all be in a confined space together for a period of time – make the most of it. Make the “getting there” fun as well. Tell stories, share thoughts, dream dreams, and encourage and uplift.
So where does that leave board games?
When I think about if playing board games with my family is a waste of time – that I should be doing something more productive – I have to answer “absolutely not!” Spending time with my kids is exactly what I need to do. No, I’m not going to slough off work – because as a father I need to provide for my family. But when I’m home with my family, being with my kids is exactly what I should be about.
Amongst all the sports, scouts, homework, and other activities, pulling out a board game to enjoy together is a great, light activity that can bring a lot of laughs and stronger relationships.
And to us, building and strengthening relationships is what life’s all about.
As a parting thought – take a quote from Randy Pausch in The Last Lecture, “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”
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I never consider playing a game a waste of time. They are a great way to spend time together, teach important principles (taking turns, being a good winner, being an even better loser, strategy, counting, color recognition, and the list goes on). When we are playing a game as a family rarely does anything interfere…there is no TV, no texting, no computers…just us. As part of a Mother’s Day ritual for the past several years, I have always given my wife two games…one for us to enjoy as a couple, and one that she(we) can enjoy with the kids. Playing games helps make us better parents, but taking 30-45 minutes and focusing entirely on our family.
BTW, her “family” game this year was “Hey, That’s my Fish!” after I saw your review of it last week. It was perfect for stepping my kids up to the next level of gaming.
Paul – I love your tradition for Mother’s Day. And we couldn’t agree more – setting aside other distraction and focusing just on the family is a great time.
Great post! I didn’t read Randy’s book, but I watched the lecture; I was certainly moved. But I agree with you. Our family also uses game to come together and share great moments.
Randy – I saw parts of the video a while back, but after reading the book, I want to watch it all.
I used to play some computer and console games, but at one point I made a decision to pretty much give them up completely because ultimately they felt like a waste of time to me. But for some reason, even solitaire activities for tabletop games (like playing a solo boardgame or planning an adventure for an RPG) feels more “real” to me.
Chris – I’ve found the same with video and computer games – they’ve dropped off quite a bit unless I’m playing in a social setting.
I would say any family time is not time wasted.
You’ve also essentially equated board games with family time. That may be the case for you, but would it be a waste of time if you weren’t playing with family? Personally I’d still say no because it’s something I enjoy.
Good point about equating it with family time. We do enjoy playing games with others as well as family. We don’t see it as a waste of time because in every case we’re socializing with others and strengthening relationships.
I don’t really care for video games, but I love board games; playing them is the one occasion when I actually socialize. Was never able to get my parents into them, but I did get my brother’s wife interested and she pulled him into it as well 🙂