Do you still have a box of games gathering dust at the back of a cupboard?
At the end of a long day, the remote is the easiest thing to reach for. One episode turns into three, and the evening passes with everyone staring the same way and nobody saying much.
This week, why not take 15 minutes for a little hygge moment and play a board game instead of watching TV? A quick round of something simple, around the table or on the living room floor.
Snap counts. So does Snakes and Ladders.
Make it cosy
Set the scene for a proper games night:
- A short game everyone knows, or a pack of cards
- Cushions on the floor or chairs pulled close to the table
- A bowl of popcorn or a plate of biscuits to share
- Warm drinks or squash for the little ones
- The telly switched off at the wall, not just on standby
Your 15 minutes of games night
- Pick something quick. A game that fits into 15 minutes, with simple rules.
- Gather your players. Family, housemates, a partner or a neighbour.
- Set it up together. Let everyone choose a counter or shuffle the cards.
- Play for fun. Keep it light and do not worry too much about who wins.
- Go again if you like. Best of three is always allowed.
Slow it right down
Games give people a reason to sit together, look at each other and laugh. Even a silly round of cards can turn a flat evening into a warm one.
As you play, try to notice:
- The giggles and groans around the table
- The rattle of the dice and the shuffle of the cards
- Who turns out to be secretly competitive
- How the room feels livelier without the screen
Finish gently
Pack the game away together and leave the box somewhere you will see it next time you reach for the remote.
You could also:
- Make one night a week a no-telly games night
- Teach the children a card game from your own childhood
- Pick up an old game from a charity shop
- Keep a pack of cards in your bag for rainy days out
Your 15-minute challenge
Tonight, give yourself 15 minutes.
Switch off the telly. Open the games cupboard. Call everyone to the table.
Then roll the dice and see where the evening takes you.
It does not have to be a long game. It does not have to be a full set of pieces.
It just has to be tonight.
The best evenings are the ones you play together.
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