Games Children Play
What happened to using your brain to come up with new, fun ways to spend time?
Our kids are spoiled.
Look at all the toys, games, electronic devices and media saturated environments they are involved in. Most youth nowadays could probably break down a computer and design software if they were motivated, but can't figure out how to have a verbal conversation with their own parents in a social setting that doesn't allow texting.
Do you remember your life as a youth?
Heck, if I was lucky, I got to spend 20 minutes trying the cutting edge video game called PONG!
I had tinker toys, leg-gos, and ever-cool Lincoln Logs. It's when the best football games were the ones you played live, with friends, and come home with the trophy scars of war.
You remember those days, don't you?
The adults wanted you to play touch football or flag football. Yet as soon as the adults turned their heads or left the field, the rules went out the window!
Yeeeeeaaah baby!!
Knees, elbows and bloody lips were the call of the day. Pig skins rolled across the ground and you dove at it to save the day.
Now the only real, bloody lips, are from fights about who gets the playstation controller.
What happened to creative games? Creative game play?? Using your brain to come up with new, fun ways to spend time!?
So many of us are wasting our time on things of no consequence. Even business men play games of doing business, thinking it's some kind of achievement to create a business in the realm of 'moneyville’. That’s right, walk around the city, collect items, sell them at market and money. Not like your work will suffer in real life.
To be clear, I’m just as guilty as those I’m complaining about. I spent years playing Everquest, before Sony tried to reach for my wallet and credit card in the Bazaar. When I moved to World of Warcraft, it took time to realize it’s just a version of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’. Everyone raced to have the coolest gear, gain the coolest titles, pets and mounts.
All the things that matter in real life.
I have a lot of fond memories from when I was a child and the games I played.
...ok, they were actually games other kids played on me.
Alright, they aren't really fond memories.
Okay, they completely sucked, but I survived.
Hmph.
Bugger this.
I'm gonna go play Mafia Wars.
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BONUS: 25 culinary adventure activity ideas for families!
Here’s one of my favorite (25) ideas for your summer enjoyment. If you’d like the full list — including both low to no cost options and variations for special needs children, consider supporting kidCLANS by purchasing “Summer Survival Guide: 975 Ways to Keep the Kids Busy.” It’s only $5…and you’ll save 50 times that using our ideas over the summer =)
1. Homemade Pizza Night: Gather the family to make homemade pizza dough from scratch. Each family member can choose their favorite toppings and create personalized pizzas to bake and enjoy together.
2. International Cooking: Explore cuisines from around the world by selecting a different country each week. Research traditional recipes and cook a meal together that represents the culture and flavors of that country.
3. Pancake Art: Get creative with pancakes by using different colored batters and shaping them into fun designs. Use squeeze bottles to draw shapes or create intricate patterns on the griddle.
4. DIY Ice Cream Sundae Bar: Set up an ice cream sundae bar with various flavors of ice cream and a wide range of toppings, such as fresh fruits, sprinkles, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream. Let everyone design their own dream sundaes.
5. Family Bake-Off: Divide the family into teams and have a friendly bake-off competition. Each team can choose a different baked good to prepare, and the final creations can be judged based on taste and presentation.
6. Sushi Rolling Party: Learn the art of sushi making together. Provide ingredients like nori, sushi rice, and a variety of fillings such as cucumber, avocado, and cooked shrimp. Roll sushi rolls and enjoy the delicious results.
7. Homemade Pasta: Make pasta from scratch using flour, eggs, and a pasta machine or rolling pin. Cut the dough into different shapes like fettuccine, spaghetti, or ravioli. Serve with your favorite sauce and toppings.
8. Fresh Fruit Smoothies: Blend together a variety of fresh fruits, yogurt, and ice to create refreshing and nutritious smoothies. Experiment with different combinations of flavors and let everyone choose their favorite mix.
9. Gourmet Grilled Cheese: Elevate the classic grilled cheese sandwich by using a variety of cheeses, spreads, and add-ons like bacon, avocado, or caramelized onions. Experiment with different bread types for added variety.
10. Chocolate Dipped Treats: Melt chocolate and dip fruits, pretzels, marshmallows, or cookies into the warm chocolate. Let them cool and enjoy the sweet and indulgent treats together.
11. Salad Bar Night: Set up a salad bar with a variety of fresh greens, vegetables, toppings, and dressings. Let each family member create their own unique salad combinations.
12. Bread Making: Experience the joy of baking homemade bread together. Explore different bread recipes such as whole wheat, cinnamon raisin, or garlic breadsticks.
13. Mexican Taco Fiesta: Prepare a Mexican-inspired taco feast with a selection of proteins (e.g., grilled chicken, seasoned beef, or vegetarian options), tortillas, salsa, guacamole, and a variety of toppings.
14. Fruit Popsicles: Blend fresh fruits with a bit of juice or yogurt, pour the mixture into popsicle molds, and freeze. Enjoy healthy and refreshing homemade fruit popsicles on hot summer days.
15. Homemade Granola Bars: Create nutritious and customizable granola bars using oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and honey. Bake them together and have tasty, homemade snacks on hand.
16. Mediterranean Mezze Platter: Prepare a mezze platter with an array of Mediterranean delights such as hummus, tzatziki, olives, falafel, pita bread, and grilled vegetables. Enjoy a flavorful and communal eating experience.
17. Build-Your-Own Burrito Bowl: Set up a burrito bowl station with options like rice, beans, grilled chicken or beef, salsa, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. Let everyone build their own customized burrito bowls.
18. Homemade Pretzels: Make soft pretzels from scratch by forming and boiling dough before baking them to golden perfection. Serve with mustard, cheese dip, or other favorite condiments.
19. DIY Sushi Bowls: Create sushi bowls by layering sushi rice or brown rice with sushi-grade fish or cooked proteins, sliced vegetables, and garnishes. Drizzle with soy sauce or sriracha mayo for extra flavor.
20. Veggie Wraps: Encourage healthy eating by preparing colorful veggie wraps using lettuce or collard greens as the wrap. Fill them with an assortment of veggies, spreads, and proteins for a refreshing and nutritious meal.
21. Homemade Lemonade Stand: Set up a lemonade stand in your neighborhood. Make homemade lemonade using fresh lemons and let the kids take charge of selling and interacting with customers.
22. Build-Your-Own Pasta Salad: Cook a variety of pasta shapes and provide an assortment of chopped vegetables, proteins, dressings, and seasonings. Let each family member build their own delicious pasta salad creation.
23. DIY Trail Mix: Create personalized trail mix blends using a variety of nuts, dried fruits, seeds, and other favorite mix-ins. Package them in individual portions for convenient and healthy snacks.
24. Thai Stir-Fry Night: Cook up a Thai-inspired stir-fry with a mix of vegetables, proteins like shrimp or tofu, and a flavorful sauce. Serve over rice or noodles for a delicious and satisfying meal.
25. Make-Your-Own Fruit Pizza: Use a sugar cookie or biscuit base, top it with a sweet cream cheese or yogurt spread, and decorate with a variety of fresh fruits. Slice and enjoy your delightful and colorful fruit pizzas.