We’ve definitely got some cold weather around the region this weekend so it’s got me thinking about one thing my family did to stay inside in the warmth: play board games. That is definitely something which has changed over the years. So let’s explore popular Board Games throughout the generations!
Boomers (1946 – 1964)
They saw the rise of games like “Candyland”: a simple game for kids all about going around a board themed with children’s favourite food group: candy!
Then there were more complex affairs like “Risk” to capture territory and divide many siblings, a long-haul board game that my family wasn’t particularly into, but I’ve definitely seen games that go on for a whole afternoon.
“The Game of Life” wasn’t only an idealized trip through a person’s entire adult lifetime, it was rife with adventure and setbacks… and possibly one of the loudest ways to decide movement on a game board: the wheel.
Generation X (1965-1980)
“Battleship” was the next generations own territory-capturing game, a two-player classic with lots of tiny pieces.
This generation seemed to have a lot of popular strategy games, as the board for the next entry is one you see in everyone’s house, always looking just a little different: Sequence, a five in a row game with playing cards, and a board patterned with playing cards. It’s one that I’ve definitely grown to enjoy over the years!
Millennials (1981 – 1996)
Generation X has game night classics with card games like Settlers of Catan: the resource-heavy game that has started many a war at the game tables in my extended family.
“Apples to Apples” is another pick, if you are looking for a more modern version of the Trivial Pursuit in your basement, this is it.
Generation Z (1997 – 2012)
I think Gen Z saw “Apples to Apples” and said “we can make a bit more adult”; enter “Cards Against Humanity”: the black and white card game with way to many fill in the blanks.
There are also more tame games, and this one comes in a fun case: “Bananagrams”: a wordplay game in a fun banana-themed case!
Those are just some of the popular games that have come out and entertained us through the generations! Did I miss one of your favourites, or do you have fun memories of game nights past? Let me know!
Tie-Dye Tam
