Playing parlour games was considered to be part of every day life just a few short decades ago. Digital games tend to be quite solitary – unless you’re on an online team game I guess!

But what happens when the internet’s down or there’s a power cut? Relying on ‘the system’ can be very disempowering but I’m here to say ‘Bring the fun back whether the leckie or the teckie is working or not!’

So let’s break some conversational ice. When you play games, whether they’re board games, card games, pencil and paper games or any other game that doesn’t need to be ‘plugged in’, you do have to speak to each other.

That could mean simply saying things like ‘it’s your turn’ or ‘pick a card’. But if there’s someone in your game who can press his or her fun button, these quick speaks could be lengthened and before you know it, you’re all chatting and having fun. For example…

• Pretending that you’re going to cheat can cause riotous behaviour, although how riotous will depend on the atmosphere and length of fuses the players have.
• Getting it wrong as an adult always makes the kids chuckle. Happy kids are what we’re going for after all. I employed this tactic many times over the years and although my grown up children still probably think I’m a bit dippy, I can laugh alongside their sibling jokes about me (sssh… because I know better!)

So, here’s a game that’s been played for many years in various forms and is suitable for all ages who can put pencil to paper. Young children especially like this game.

The more players the merrier but the game can be played with just two players. Each player will need a piece of paper and a pencil. Cut A4 pages in half lengthwise and give one piece to each player. I would also have some paper clips ready if you have some and if none of the children are likely to put them in their mouth, nose or ears 🙂

Each player draws a picture of a head and neck at the top of their paper. This could be the head of a monster or a person or maybe a robot? The drawing must be kept secret. Make the neck slightly longer and fold over the paper twice to hide the drawing but leaving the two marks for either side of the neck visible.

Pass the piece of paper to the player on your left. You may find it easier to use a paper clip to hold the paper in place.

The next drawing is a body and arms. Each player draws a body and arms taking the two neck marks as guidelines but not looking at the head that was drawn by the previous player. Mark the bottom of the body so the next player knows where to start the legs. The paper is then folded over as before and passed on to the next player.

The next drawing should be the legs. You could include the feet on this one or make the feet another stage. Using the mark at the base of the body drawn by the previous player, draw the legs and fold over the paper again. Mark the bottom of the legs if you are passing it on again for the feet to be drawn by another player, or include the feet in your drawing.

Fold over the paper after the final drawing and pass on to the next player to open and reveal the weirdest and funniest people/monsters/animals that you’ve ever seen!

Have Fun

Linda x

P.S. This idea was taken from Family Games updated and available now!

Family Games

This is the fun stuff that children got up to before the days of computers. Bring the whole family together with a fun idea and the little darlings may even switch off the computer game voluntarily!

Using everyday items, and sometimes none at all, all 31 games are played without plugs, batteries or chargers. Pure and natural resources – imagination, creativity and a little energy – help develop life skills while having fun.

Finding the kid in you keeps you young, and, of course, you get to spend quality time with the children without having to dig out the credit card. Just about every game can be adjusted to suit the age and number of players.

Enjoy a whole month of rainy day games you can also play in the sunshine!

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