Page 74 - Family Resource Guide

HEALTHY FOOD RESOURCES NORTH STATE PARENT FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE FALL/WINTER 2021/2022
Nature-Themed Board Games For Family Fun
BY LISA SHARA
The times we live in have inspired revisiting old-school ways of having fun, and it’s no sur- prise that families and “friend pods” are finding
around-the-table gaming to be a highly satisfactory way to spend time together at home.
The array of board games available today is mind-bog- gling! Not only fun, many are educational and most stim- ulate new ways of thinking. For the youngest among us, game play helps develop early learning skills like count- ing, color identification and hand-eye coordination. So- cial skills and self-esteem are developed through coop- erative game experiences like taking turns, following the game’s rules, and listening to others.
Nature-themed games at Raven Tree and Velvet Ele- phant
Nature-themed games can instill knowledge and spark appreciation for plant life, animals and ecosystems. Kendra Bainbridge, owner of Raven Tree nature shop in Mt. Shas- ta, offers a variety of science-based games. “We select our games not only for their inspiring educational themes,” she says, “but because they are definite hits with families. Many offer different levels of play.” Iris Credo, owner of the Vel- vet Elephant Art Center & Fair Trade Emporium, also in Mt. Shasta, carries a variety of specialty games, including Men- sa Select and Spiel des Jahres winners. “As an art-based store, we look for games that stimulate creativity and thinking,”she says.“Teachers are big fans of our selections!”
Here are six award-winning nature-themed games to consider for your family’s collection. And, one fun way to try out games is to visit a board game café. The Wheel-
house restaurant in Dunsmuir, 5841 Sacramento Ave., of- fers nearly 300 board games. Check the website for hours and their full menu. www.thewheelhousedunsmuir.com
Wildcraft! – An Herbal Adventure Game
Available at Raven Tree in Mt. Shasta
Ages preschool-adult; 2-4 players.
In this popular nature-centered cooperative board game, players win or lose together as they learn about plant life and nature. Keeping its information simple, players learn plant uses for food and first aid, pairing beautifully illus- trated plant cards with ailment cards as they make their way through ecosystems to the center of the game board and back. Cooperation cards promote awareness of other players, with the goal of everyone finishing together. For expanded learning, a botanical coloring book, the Wild- craft! Story book, and an herbal field guide are available as digital files with purchase.
The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game!
Available at Raven Tree in Mt. Shasta
Ages 3+, 2-4 players
This much-loved toddler and preschool game has a high fun factor. Players use a spinner to take turns collecting colored acorns they place into coordinating holes in a log round, with the help of an endearing “squirrel squeezer.” The squeezer helps young players practice hand-eye coordination and de- velop pre-writing motor skills. Hilarity ensues as players learn matching, sorting, simple math skills, cooperation and strat- egy. A related card game and book are available.
Camp
Available at Raven Tree in Mt. Shasta
Ages 4-adult; 2-8 players.
Camp is designed to engage all ages, making it a popular family go-to. Four levels of play teach facts about nature as players navigate their game pieces through the great outdoors. Question cards reinforce what’s been learned with Fun Fact cards. The more the game is played, the more players learn about nature. Play goes quickly, and the adorable game pieces and decoder cards add to the fun for young players. Expansion packs are available to keep the fun and learning going.
Photosynthesis
Available at The Velvet Elephant in Mt. Shasta
Ages 8 & up; 2-4 players
A Mensa Select winner, Photosynthesis is a strategy game where players act as arborists, taking their trees through their life cycles while striving to become the dominant species in the forest as the sun revolves around the board. It’s a tactile game with simple rules, and strategies natu- rally change each time it’s played. Parents can play with children, and unlike many games, it works as well with only two players.
Wingspan
Available at The Velvet Elephant in Mt. Shasta
Ages 14+; 1-5 Players.
A Spiel des Jahres award winner. In this competitive engine-building game, players take on the role of bird enthusiasts seeking to attract birds to their wildlife pre- serves in forest, grassland and wetland habitats. The birds are represented in 170 beautifully illustrated cards that include data about diet, nest type, habitat, and that bird’s behavior in nature. Players create a chain of effective combinations as they build their engines to gain food, lay eggs and acquire additional cards for more points. Strat- egies include environmental considerations. Tip: Search for YouTube videos for a quicker understanding of game play. Expansion cards are available.
Ungame
Available online.
Ages 5 & up; 2-6 players.
What’s more natural than feelings? Ungame excels at helping develop listening and self-expression skills that support mental health and healthy relationships. A non-competitive game, it comes with two card decks, one with easy “getting-to-know-you” questions, and one prompting players to delve deeper into personal thoughts and feeling. Parents, therapists and teachers applaud the game’s ability to prompt children and teens to open up. Additional themed decks are available for families, couples, children, teens, 20-somethings and seniors.
74 North State Parent Family Resource Guide Fall/Winter 2021/2022 • www.northstateparent.com