| Humanity has shown a strong love for board games. | | | | as they have ever been. Over the last twenty years |
| Even in today's world of high-tech video game | | | | or so, newer games like Cranium and Jeopardy have |
| consoles and computers, these more traditional | | | | become modern classics in their own right. |
| diversions continue to hold a fascination for many | | | | Many of these recreational products are designed with |
| people around the world. In fact, nearly every culture | | | | specific age groups in mind. For instance, children's |
| has a tradition of playing these games. | | | | board games are as popular now as ever. Nearly |
| In addition to this, their history dates back thousands of | | | | everyone has a favorite one from childhood. Many are |
| years. Among the oldest known of these games | | | | even passed down to the next generation. These |
| comes from ancient Egypt. Known as Senet, its | | | | games are often designed to help improve the |
| playing boards have been found in burial sites dating as | | | | cognitive functions of a developing child. As a result, |
| far back as 3500 B.C. In eastern China, for more than | | | | elements such as reading, writing, and arithmetic are |
| 2500 years the Chinese have been playing the | | | | essential parts of their play. |
| incredibly strategy-oriented "Go." Among America's | | | | Not all board games are family-oriented in nature. |
| oldest games is Patolli, which was played by the | | | | Plenty of their designers have created options that are |
| Mayans. | | | | meant solely for grown-ups. Often they are either too |
| Board games in the modern era are still extremely | | | | advanced in their rules and objectives or are too adult |
| popular. Today's options come in a nearly infinite | | | | in their themes for children. However, such selections |
| number of variations, ranging from classics like chess | | | | are extremely popular for dinner parties and other |
| and checkers to more contemporary creations like | | | | adult occasions. |
| Trivial Pursuit. New varieties are constantly being | | | | Regardless of their variation, board games have |
| invented and marketed to the public. | | | | become part of the human psyche. The best are |
| For many households across America, these different | | | | often entertaining as well as mentally challenging. |
| playing options offer a chance to bond and interact | | | | Considering both their history and ubiquitous nature, it is |
| with family members- a sometimes rare occurrence | | | | hard to imagine that they will not continue to be an |
| for today's busy households. Legendary family games | | | | important global pastime. |
| such as Monopoly and Life are just as popular today | | | | |