A family vacation can often feel like a battle to get your kids off their game consoles and try to actually experience something new. Whether you’re taking a flight with kids attached to their Nintendo Switch’s or loading the car up with your child’s Xbox console, gaming means a lot to them.
It can be hard to try to get them to give it up, especially when games are designed to nowadays be sticky- keeping players attached to their games so that they log on every single day. Players don’t want to miss out on exclusive content or see their progression dwindle compared to their friends.
One way to get around this of course is just to ban all gaming on holiday. Fair enough- a hard line approach might work well in some situations but you could also try tempting them with other offerings.
For example, Board Games can be a classic way to keep kids entertained whilst getting them away from their digital screens. There’s board games for adults and kids these days, with tons of replay value and some even can have gaming sessions that last for hours. Board Games are a great way for socializing in real life without having to make it feel forced too.
You can also try playing sports on vacation; joining a local centre can offer up sports like Tennis or Badminton, Soccer or even Golf. These sports are made into video games anyway- so their entertainment value is already in the proof. Sports are great for meeting new people and keeping a healthy lifestyle, something which video games can consume.
Up the stakes a little by playing some card games. Poker is one of the most played games in the world and all you need to play is a deck of cards (though ideally you want to get a chipset). In fact there are so many different variety of card games, there is surely something for everyone involved. Even children card games can be fun for adults too.
If there is an insistence of bringing video games on vacation, perhaps setting up some specific rules for how long they can be played is a good idea. You could allow perhaps for a couple of hours a day at a specific time; not having to keep your own children entertained might also benefit you too.
At the end of the day, vacation time is about relaxing and getting away from the stresses of life. Video games can also be stressful and if you’re playing them 24/7 you’re going to find yourself tired, demotivated and unsociable. Having a break from video gaming is a great way to refresh your mind and try something new.
