52 Places In 52 Weeks: Organizing Your Games

One of my most favorite things to do in life is play games. Anything from a card game, board game, to playing a sport outside. I would say I am a fairly competitive person, yet not to the point that I forget to have fun and enjoy actually playing. I know for some, they are just so competitive that it can set the tone for the rest of the night, depending on whether they win or lose.

So what was your favorite game growing up? I remember liking quite a few games growing up – Ker-plunk, Battletops, matching games, Life, Scrabble, Sorry, and even the good ole Monopoly. Honestly, there are so many games that I enjoyed as a kid, that I think it has carried over into my adulthood. I still love a good ole game of Ker-Plunk, Life, Sorry, etc. Now I would say my favorites are Ticket To Ride, Sequence, and Skip-Bo. In fact, my husband and I have a life-long “tournament” going on with Skip-Bo. It started a few years ago and when we get the chance, we play a round which consists of the best out of 3. Whoever wins, gets a point. Right now I am ahead by 8, but we have played over 75 games (that includes 3 each time typically unless one of us sweeps the other in 2) together. We turn on Pandora, relax, talk, and enjoy each other’s company over a few good games of Skip-Bo. We jokingly say that on our graves someday, we want the tournament score etched in because that just describes who we are – just living life and having fun doing it.

I think more people play video games than they do actual board or card games these days (hours played at least). I find that a little sad because there is value in sitting around a table, all strategizing over one board/card game, conversing all in the same room. I think with kids, screen time is such a high priority, that the love of board games is lost. Are board games boring? I suppose when you think about them,  maybe they do sound boring, but once you get into a game, it’s hard to stop.

So in a world of video games, what do you do with all of your board games? What is your desire as a family when it comes to games? How about time spent playing? And even what to DO with all of your board games that maybe are just sitting there?

Here are some ways you can organize your games and live with less:

1. Take all of your games out. (You may be getting sick of pulling everything out, but it’s the best way to go through EVERYTHING).

2. Make two piles – games you play, games you don’t play.

3. Look at the games you don’t play – Is that game worth the space it takes up? If you have no ties to that game, time to donate it.

4. The games you play – do they have all of the pieces? If not, get rid of it (especially puzzles).

5. Do you want to keep them all in one place? Maybe make a section for kids’ games and one for adults. Buying storage containers may be helpful in organizing them as well.

6. Take a game out in the next week and invite your family or spouse to play with you. You would be surprised at how much fun you will have!

Games are something that I feel never get old. People have been playing games for decades and centuries. Maybe today’s games look a little different, but the desire is still there. We have a large schoolhouse-sized chalkboard in our home, that sports record-breaking scores in Ticket To Ride. If you score over 150 in TTR in our home your name gets put on the board with the date and score. Dan and I have scored above that numerous times NOT in our home, but our rule is it has to be played in house. It’s a fun way to reminisce, but also keep the fun going!

So what is your favorite game to play? As a child? As an adult?