By Emily Butler
A needed diversion to occupy the kids is often a game of chance. What will pique their curiosity and interest for the next few hours that doesn’t involve the dreaded, “I’m bored! Now what?” takes some forethought. For parents and grandparents seeking to engage their kids in an entertaining and educational pastime, Diversions Puzzles & Games, a unique store in downtown Portsmouth, offers an array of classic and new board games that can captivate young minds for hours. With over 200 puzzles and games on display in their awesome game space, Diversions provides a free and welcoming space for families to bond and enjoy skill, strategy, and chance-based games.
The Revival of Board Games in the Post-Covid Era
In recent times, board games have seen a resurgence in popularity as families seek fun and interactive alternatives to combat the monotony of daily life. Although the market introduces around 3500 new board games every year, timeless classics such as chess, checkers, backgammon, Monopoly, and Scrabble remain among the top five board games of all time. Simultaneously, newer games like Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride are gaining popularity for their strategic gameplay and captivating experiences.
Board Games for Family Fun and Date Nights
Diversions offers an impressive selection of games suitable for families and couples looking for a stimulating time. Kluster, a magnetic strategy game, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, a social card game, and Buildzi, a colorful block stacking game, are just a few examples of entertaining choices for families. For couples seeking an exciting date night, Patchwork, a quilt-building strategy game, and Hive, a chess-like strategy game using bugs, present excellent options to enjoy each other’s company while strategizing and having fun.
Exciting Events and Gatherings
Diversions regularly hosts special event nights for specific games and open gaming nights, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among players. Magic: the Gathering, Dungeons and Dragons, Tuesday game nights, and monthly late gaming nights lasting until midnight are some of the inclusive events where players can drop in and enjoy gaming with others.
Another unique experience offered by Diversions is “Diversions Excursions,” a self-guided scavenger hunt that takes participants through the historic streets of downtown Portsmouth. As participants follow a captivating storyline, they solve riddles and clues, creating memorable moments with loved ones while discovering the city in a whole new light. These fun events are available anytime the store is open for a nominal charge.
The Social and Educational Benefits of Board Gaming
Ian Hall, the store manager, emphasizes the intuitive advantages of board gaming for children’s social and cognitive development. Board games teach essential skills such as patience while waiting for turns and more complex abilities like subject/object identification, visual spatial orientation and resource allocation. Ian remarks that, “shared experiences during board gaming sessions create strong bonds and lasting memories among family members and creates a sense of community.”
Resources and Community Involvement
For those interested in exploring the gaming world further, Diversions website, diversionsgames.com, provides creative ideas, information on purchasing games and a calendar of events. For game enthusiasts looking for reviews, how-to-play videos, and community insights, boardgamegeek.com offers a free membership that helps narrow down game preferences and player specifications.
Board games offer a perfect way to break free from the summer doldrums, keeping children away from screens while encouraging bonding, creativity, and learning. Purchasing a game from Diversions’ and hosting a game night event with friends and family is sure to bring fun and frivolity to any gathering. For more information, contact Ian Hall at portsmouth@diversionsgames.com or visit Diversions during their operating hours, 9 am to 9 pm Monday through Saturday and 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday.
