All Games and No Play Makes our Jills and Jacks Dull Kids

There was a time when mothers were happy that kids were out of the house. It gave them time to finish their chores in peace. Now we live in times when kids don't leave their homes easily. Yes, many growing kids rarely go out to play.

leaf pile by lecates

Here are three reasons this has happened, according to me:

1. Schools have reduced their recess
2. Kids are getting more involved in gaming
3. Parents are getting overprotective

Importance of Outdoor Play
This cannot be overemphasized. Play is where a child learns naturally. Kids should go out looking for mythical dragons rather than play dragon games at home. Digital games are great fun and very useful in many areas, but nothing is better than playing in nature. Their senses are stimulated. Joy is felt and expressed. The physicality of outdoor play is great for building hunger. Its the best thing for growing children. Small problems that are encountered and solved, become lessons in problem solving. Every sense organ is challenged and playing in dirt builds their immune system.

Importance of Imagination
Dragons are mythical creatures. Yet people go looking for them in real life. Imagination is that wonderful beast which can take us on a wild ride. Playing in nature teaches kids to be imaginative. Clouds have faces, tree branches are rockets to fly on and what can be better than sleeping on one's back and looking up at a sky full of stars?

Importance of Balance
Like most other folks, I love digital games. I do play them. I see no harm in introducing kids to games, but what I believe in is balance. It's important to emphasize this when the kids are young. Soon it should become a habit with kids. Balance helps kids make good choices even as they grow up. There is always a long list of what not to forget while your kids game. Watch movies, but discuss your favorite dragons, out in the yard!

I rest my case. Balance, balance and more balance in the things we do around kids.

Leveraging the Love for playing Dragon Games

Kids are fascinated by dragons (adults are too, but that's not for this post!) and by extension all things dragon. When the How To Train Your Dragon movies were released, the frenzy for HTTYD theme parties grew phenomenally. Although there are many interesting creatures on Earth, kids are fascinated by dragons even though they are not real and they cannot be seen around.

Overnight at the Chabot Science and Space Center by Steve Jurvetson

It has been observed that younger kids enjoy science experiments. But, as they grow, for some reason, many of the same kids get disinterested in science. Sometimes, its the way science is taught or it could be a teacher who does not inspire. Make sure you talk to kids about cool science jobs. Watch fun science shows. To keep their interest alive, here are three things you could try:

1. Dragon games 

This a good site for dragon loving kids. They can learn science in the world of Berk, where players can hatch dragon eggs and train their dragons. Other than the usual quests there are educational quests which focus on science used in everyday Berk life. It could be building a lightning conductor, understanding animal behavior, going into volcanoes, solving problems of noxious gases or a bunch of other things.

2. Science Centers

Introduce your kids to science via these centers designed for kids. These places inspire kids and build a lifelong interest in science. Parents can find a place close to their home and take kids from a young age. Even while on a holiday, its good to find a museum or a science center to take the kids to. People who deal with kids are trained to make the activity fun and appealing. There are even summer science camps which might interest kids. As they are designed for different age groups, parents can pick and choose a suitable one.

3. Science Experiments

When the kids are young, they love experiments. Start them on simple experiments they can try their hands at. The parts which are tricky can be handled by an adult, Make sure the kids are safe. Parents can even buy books which list science experiments for young kids or they can look for a suitable one online. There are videos with where you can watch the experiment and then try it yourself.

Other than this, schools and teachers can inspire kids to enjoy science. Kids enjoy tales about scientists and how they made their breakthrough. This gives a human face to science. Parents can easily find opportunities to point out the science aspect of ordinary things like yeast in bread increasing a loaf's size, rust forming on iron, water turning to ice, the shrinking Sun, the massiveness of some of the stars we see etc. Science is all around us, and it is for us to help our kids see it. 

I want a 'Dragon Go'

People are playing 'Pokemon Go' in a rather addictive way. There are reports of distracted players having accidents in this augmented reality game. What I want is an augmented reality dragon game. Pokemons are imaginary Pocket Monsters, so why can't there be a game to look for dragons?

Wooper in Kato, Hyogo 2(Harima Central Park) by Kasadera

Imagine the fun of looking for hidden dragons in our real world. And finding them! Maybe it would just be on my little screen, but it would be there. Dragons that I had spotted!

When science games can revolve around dragons, why not games to spot dragons? The Pokemon franchise makes tons of money thanks to addicted players. Imaging the money a dragon spotting game would make. Pokemon is familiar to a smaller group of people, but dragons - now they have been fascinating people for centuries. Across borders, cultures and ages.

It would also please me no end to meet other such dragon lovers in the most unexpected of places!

A Timeless Game we Love

Some games are timeless. People of all ages enjoy them and these games can be easily played by people of all ages. Games have to be interesting, must have a fun quotient and should be scaleable as in kids must be able to play while young but then they should be able to get better and play for many more years.

How could I resist? by  Mike Lynch

One of the best games which suits the bill is Scrabble. Young and old enjoy it. It can have players with varying competencies. Though it seems like a simple game, there is sophistication built in and the fun quotient is incredible. 

In many families, for years, family time meant Scrabble time. Many adults play it on their phones too. Word Wars is a movies which shows how Scrabble is a blood sport for some. That is the beauty of this game. It means many different things to different players. 

Father's Day Gifts for a Dragon loving Father

Father's Day is around the corner and it's a good time to start thinking of a nice gift for fathers. What if the father loves dragons? Good for his kids, but what do you gift such a father?

a good day by marco antonio torres

Here are a few ideas:

1. Get him 'Braq' a fully articulated dragon

Designed by Sonia Verdu, it's a dragon printed in 42 separate pieces on a 3d printer. Then the fun is in assembling it with an elastic cord. This makes it a fully articulated toy. Here's the link for more details.

2. Play around with e-lo lights
These are some of the most beautiful lights for designing. Just requires the e-lo wire, inverters and some imagination in shaping the wire to look like a dragon of your choice. With their strobing effect, this dragon will be a surefire hit!

3. Print a collage of images
Everybody loves a personalized gift. Get the kids to ask relatives and collect some images of their father from childhood to adulthood. Create a collage in the shape of a dragon and print it out. Rest assured that this gift is going to plaster a big smile on the dragon mad face of father!

Have a great Father's Day!