Board Games to Keep Boredom at Bay

It's summer, it's raining again, and the kids have nothing to do. So make some popcorn, get out the cocoa tin and bring out the board games. Not every game will appeal to everyone, but if you make a family affair out of playing, most children will love to take part. Who knows, they might even learn something!

Fifteen of the Best

Studies have shown that board games can help develop critical thinking skills, helping young people learn how to reason better and stimulating long-lost brain function in elderly folk. Basic games such as chess and draughts obviously inspire fine thinking skills, but even more modern-day games such as Rummikub are good to hone your strategy techniques.

However, it's a question of trial and error when it comes to board games, as everyone has their own likes and dislikes. You can probably guess what kinds of games your own children would like, but they may surprise you. If they haven't played a lot of board games before, stress that they are only games, and that winning is not the end goal. In the long run, developing good sportsmanship is far more important.

To keep boredom in check, here are 15 of the best board games on offer...

Games of Skill

• Draughts. A good first introduction to games of skill and chance. Easy to learn and fun to play.
• Chess. Not for everybody, but if your child shows an affinity for chess, there is a whole world of chess clubs out there in future.
• Scrabble. The classic word game that tests your dexterity with letters.
• Rummikub. A game of both skill and luck which is great for developing maths skills.

TV-Based Board Games

• Countdown Board Game. See if anyone in your family is a budding Carol Vorderman as they test their maths and literacy skills.
• The X-Factor Board Game. You get to be a contestant, starting with your first audition, then graduating to Boot Camp, auditions at the judge's houses and The Final.
• Britain's Got Talent. The Electronic Board Game. For ages 8 and above, it promises to “amuse you with its wonderful collection of talents.” Easy to learn.
• Winning Moves – The Simpsons Board Game. Contains six mini-games inside the big one, great for fans of these yellow people.

Classic Favourites

• Monopoly. The greatest introduction to capitalism of all time.
• Trivial Pursuit. Once the nation's favourite, now eclipsed by other games on offer.
• Cluedo. Six possible suspects, six potential murder weapons. One of the most popular whodunnit games in history.
• Risk. Object: to conquer the world. Plan your attack and win!

Vintage Games

• Operation. Pretend you're a surgeon as you test your skill level in removing parts of the body.
• Life. Grow up, get a job, get married, have kids, retire. Sound familiar?
• Battleship. Try to sink your opponent's battleship while keeping yours afloat.

Board games can be great fun, and they encourage children to turn down the telly, switch off their computers and put away their Nintendos and Gameboys. They also help keep boredom at bay, and may give you a blessed respite from that endless chorus of “What can I do today?”

Best of all, board games promote family fun, and teach the qualities of sportsmanship and being a team player, as well as help develop reasoning, literacy and maths skills. Pray for rain more often!