Parlour Games For Modern Families by Myfanwy Jones and Spiri Tsintziras

A review by Emma Streeton

Reviving the tradition of indoor family games, this book guide brings mental stimulation, silliness, and laughter back into the house. From games of logic, memory, and wordplay to rough-and-tumble activities and even simple recipes, this collection takes the environment into consideration, only requiring items easily found around the home. Parlour Games organizes the featured games thematically and cross-references for age-appropriateness.

Living in lockdown

If there is ever a time to buy this book it is now…..right now! Many of us are currently trying to survive the challenge of ‘home schooling’ with our bookworms. Packed full of games suitable for all ages this is an essential book for any family to break up the day. My bookworms have loved browsing through it and choosing games to try. It has proved a great distraction in this tough time of isolation and this alone makes me want to tell others about this gem of a book.

Nostalgia

Nostalgia is also a little something Parlour Games has offered to me. There are a few half-remembered games and I have enjoyed reminiscing with my girls about how I used to play them. They are keen for me to show them these games and take every opportunity to clarify whether I learnt these “in the olden days”. They are also keen to teach me new games to play and we have certainly had a lot of laughter in the house with some of the crazier games. A favorite of ours is “Spot the Difference” which involves the kids leaving the room whilst I subtly change five things around. When they return they have to spot the differences. This has generated a lot of amusement as well as some healthy competition!

The wrap

I think Parlour Games For Modern Families is the kind of book to have lying around on the coffee table. It is bound to get well used, unlike most coffee table books….am I right?! In our house it is also bound to be opened when we can have friends and other families over again. I look forward to those times just as I look forward to playing more games in this handy book.

Book details

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
ISBN13: 9781921844416
Format: Paperback, 288 pages
Released: 2011
Imprint: Scribe Publications
Category: games, non fiction

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