While researching about different development stages of baby – rolling, crying, moving, crawling and sitting, I came across a very frequently asked question from different parents as to how many diapers does a baby use in a year. Since every baby is different, the answer to this question isn’t exact. However, I will give a rough estimation on it.

How Many Diapers Does A Baby Use In A Year?

Ever wondered how many diapers does a baby use in a day? Here is a quick answer to your questions. Experts say that a baby requires somewhere around 10 to 12 diapers per day for the first few months of his or her birth. As they get older, they use less. So, here is a basic calculation:

8 to 10 diapers a day × 365 days a year = 3650 to 4380 diapers for the 1st year

In the initial months, babies may be pooping three to four & peeing almost seven times in a day. Though this seems big, but remember that as they grow up, they use less. Hope you got the answer to your question – how many diapers does a baby use in a year. This is not the end of this article. There are still few more things you require knowing.

Even though you get frustrated to change your diapers after your baby pees, the fact is that — it is good for your baby’s health. If you do not change it often, it could lead to a medical issue. Changing diapers is a sign that your baby is eating well & is acquiring proper nutrition.

The 1st Month

If your baby is a month old or even less, he or she should have wet diapers changed at least 6 or more times a day + have 3 or 4 every day bowel movements. It is common for a parent to change diapers at least ten times a day for the initial stages of their newborn.

1 Month & Older

As soon as your little one is a month old, he or she still have around 4 to 6 wet diapers a day. His or her bowel movements will depend on exact age & kind of food he or she is eating. Bowel movements must stay soft for first 3 months at least, as this ensures that he or she is gaining most nutrition from fluids.

Tracking Down Diaper Changes

When it comes to your baby’s diaper-changing, it is important to track it down because dirty and wet diapers are signs that a baby is getting sufficient to eat as well as drink. Even though every kid has different urine & stool schedules, on an average, a baby requires changing the diapers 6 times a day at least. This is the minimum. On the other hand, if a baby isn’t producing adequate urine & stool, it’s a clear sign that he or she is not obtaining enough nutrition. This is exactly the time when you should consult a doctor.

Older Babies & Potty Training

In due course, your baby will develop sufficient that he or she no longer requires diapers. Most kids have control on their bladders within 18 months, however, this doesn’t mean that they are ready emotionally to start potty training. About 22% kids are free from diapers only by the age 2-and-a-half and rest is free only when they are 3-and-a-half. If your kid stays dry without diaper change for 2 consecutive hours, consider teaching him or her to use toilet.

5 Things To Keep In Mind During Nappy Changing

Changing your baby’s nappy first time might seem very daunting. However, there are few things, which might be running in your mind and you wish someone could guide you on it. So here are few things to always keep in mind.

1. How Many Diapers Will Your Newborn Need?

As said earlier, a newborn will poop out many times a day &wee every 1 hour. This literally means that changing his or her diapers 10 to 12 times per day. And if you are using disposables, you will require around dozen in a day. If you want to save money, consider buying them in bulk. On the other hand, if you are using cloth nappies, you’ll require 20 & 3 wraps to wash every day. If you wash every 2nd day, you will require between 24 & 36 nappies. Never buy too many wraps of the same size because as your baby grows, it won’t fit in.

2. Disposables Or Reusables?

As a parent, you will be confused as to which to use. Either disposables or reusables? Now, this is your choice. You can go with what suits your baby. Usually, disposables are more convenient, particularly in those initial few weeks. But, if you are eco-conscious, you can use eco-disposables but the only drawback is that they will cost more.

3. Other Extra Stuffs You Will Need While Nappy-Changing

Other accessories you will likely need are:

Cotton wool, disposable wipes, washcloths and cloth wipes to clean baby’s bottom
Nappy sacks for neutralizing bad odor
Top & tail bowl to clean with water
Barrier cream for locking moisture & prevent rash

4. How To Change Your Baby’s Diaper?

Set up your changing region so that it is safe. Gather everything so that it is easy for you to access and you don’t have to run here and there looking for things leaving your baby. Wash your hands using liquid soap. Lay your mat onto the bed or floor. Pop muslin square or towel onto the changing mat in order to make your little one more comfortable. Now, keep your hand on the baby so that he or she does not wriggle off. Don’t ever do the mistake of leaving your baby, particularly on changing mat. The way to change your baby’s nappy depends on what type you use. Every brand has its own disposables. Read the instructions to know better.

5. How To Prevent Nappy Rashes?

Every newborn develops nappy rashes at some point or the other. It usually occurs during 9-months & 12-months of age, exactly after a baby starts consuming solids. This is when the poop’s consistency changes. To ensure that his or her skin does not get irritated, here are few things to bear in mind.

• Change the nappy often
• Never leave a diaper for long hours
• Once your baby poos or wees, change it
• Keep your baby’s genitals clean and hygienic
• Apply little ointment after every nappy change

 

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Top 5 Best Baby Rocker Chairs | 2016 Reviews

Top 5 Best Baby Rocker Chairs

Full disclosure: there is no single piece of baby equipment which has personally gotten more use or been more important in our home than a baby rocker chair. Not only did it serve as an infant rocker for quite a long time, it also was the only place that one of our kids would sleep through the night while she was going through struggles with GERD and colic. It’s impossible to count the number of nights that she – finally – fell peacefully asleep in her rocker chair, allowing us to get some much-needed sleep as well. In fact, we had two identical chairs, one next to our bed and one next to our living room couch, so she could rock to sleep in either room.

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Quick Comparison Table

Fisher-Price Infant To Toddler Rocker

BabyHome Wave Wooden Rocker

Tiny Love 3 in 1 Rocker Napper

bloom Coco Go Lounger

Nuna Leaf Baby Seat With Mesh

Of course, most first-time parents don’t rely quite as much as we did on a baby rocker chair. But it’s still an invaluable tool for calming and entertaining an infant while letting her get a tiny bit of exercise and stimulation when she’s in the mood for some gentle play.

Most rocker/bouncer chairs have a number of things in common: they rock, they vibrate and they have some combination of reachable toys and the ability to play music. What’s more important to consider when shopping for a baby rocker is their comfort and safety, because a chair that isn’t padded enough will never make the infant happy or calm, and many inexpensive bouncers are prone to tipping quite easily. Fabric that’s easily washable will also be a godsend when accommodating children of this age (diapers have a way of letting loose when a baby is rocking), and being able to make at least a few adjustments to the angle of the chair is a helpful feature as well.

You may also want to take a read on our comprehensive Baby Rocker Chair Buying Guide.

Here’s our list of the top 5 best baby rocker chairs – and the full disclosure above will give you a hint as to why we selected our #1 choice to top the list.

Quick Comparison Table

Fisher-Price Infant To Toddler Rocker	BabyHome Wave Wooden Rocker	Tiny Love 3 in 1 Rocker Napper	bloom Coco Go Lounger	Nuna Leaf Baby Seat With Mesh
$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$
7.7 pounds	10.1 pounds	11.5 pounds	8.8 pounds	11.5 pounds
Not foldable	Foldable	Not foldable	Foldable	Not foldable

Fisher-Price Infant To Toddler Rocker

Here it is, the rocker that saved our sanity. It isn’t the most full-featured chair on our list, and it’s definitely the least expensive at about $25. But we swear by this baby rocker chair.

The Fisher-Price model has a deep seat and reclines almost flat, so it’s perfect for naps whether baby’s the type who will go to sleep on her own, if you want to rock her, or if you prefer to let the battery-powered vibrator function on the chair (which, unlike some competitors, doesn’t feel like you’ve unleashed a volcano) lull her into sleepy time. The recline also makes it easy to bottle feed if your arms or back are tired. There’s a locking kickbar as well, which prevents the chair from rocking or moving when the seat is reclined. The seat pad comes in a selection of lively patterns, but more importantly it can be removed and tossed in the washing machine. There’s a three-point restraint system for safety.

When you move the seat all the way up, the Infant to Toddler Rocker becomes a fun place to rock and play, thanks to the removable toy bar that stretches across the top but is within baby’s reach. Depending on the model you choose, there’s also an elephant which will play music when pulled – always a hit with the young ones. The toys are sort of chintzy, to be honest, but they’re meant to entertain baby, not us or even older toddlers. On the subject of older toddlers, the Fisher-Price rocker chair is built to hold weights up to 40 pounds, so once your child has outgrown the “baby functions,” the deep seat may make this her favorite rocking chair for TV watching once you’ve removed the toy bar.

We’re biased, as you know by now, but we tried really hard to find a negative feature of this baby rocker to balance our review. The only one we can come up with (other than it’s a rocker, not a bouncer) is that you should feel guilty that you didn’t have to pay more for the Fisher-Price chair.

Details of the Fisher-Price Infant To Toddler Rocker
Weight Limit	40 pounds
Recline	Yes
Foldable	No
Vibrate	Yes, D Battery
Included Accesories	Toy bar
Washable	Pad is machine-washable
Size	15 x 6 x 25
Weight	7.7 pounds
Warranty	One year

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BabyHome Wave Wooden Rocker

We’re taking a major step up in style and price with this BabyHome rocker, which looks like a cross between an old-fashioned piece of furniture and something that would fit perfectly in a contemporary-style home.

The Wave rocker sort of resembles a folded chaise lounge, but the base and chair are made from high-quality laminated wood with a strong, cushioned fabric insert where baby reclines. Unlike the Fisher-Price, the BabyHome model is only designed for babies up to six months old; infants much larger would have their legs dangling out of this chair dangerously. The Wave Rocker can be used in three different positions which are at different degrees of incline, and in two of them the chair can be gently rocked with a front to back motion. The unit is heavy, though, so momentum won’t keep it moving for long and it requires constant rocking from mom or dad.

A three-point harness keeps baby firmly in position while in the chair, and the padded fabric is soft and very comfortable so she will likely be lulled to sleep quickly. It’s removable and washable, too. The BabyHome rocker chair isn’t a piece of inexpensive baby furniture that you will move from room to room (even though it does fold up nicely), or replace after a year or so. It’s a beautiful and extremely well-made (but heavy) piece that you’ll want to keep in one spot, perhaps even as the focus of a nursery or family room. But it also does a wonderful job of rocking baby to sleep – as it should, for a price of $150-175. The Wave’s fabric comes in a choice of four colors.

Details of the BabyHome Wave Wooden Rocker
Weight Limit	20 pounds
Recline	Yes
Foldable	Yes
Vibrate	No
Included Accesories	None
Washable	Pad is machine-washable
Size	20 x 16 x 32
Weight	10.1 pounds
Warranty	One year limited

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Tiny Love 3 in 1 Rocker Napper

The Tiny Love Rocker Napper “splits the middle” between our first two entries on this list of top 5 best baby rocker chairs: it’s designed for both infants and smaller toddlers (although we really can’t picture using it for babies older than about nine months), it’s sturdy but not tremendously heavy so it’s easy to move around, and its price falls in between those of the Fisher-Price and BabyHome chairs.

When set up for baby, this chair takes the form of a flat pad with raised sides which resembles a cradle or bassinet and is the perfect environment for her to nap in comfortably. It can also be raised to three different positions with the sides lowered, ideal for resting, rocking or playing. The “upright” position still has a pretty decent incline, so we can’t really see this working as an actual chair for older kids, though. As with our first two products, the 3 in 1 doesn’t rock itself but moves smoothly with an adult hand doing the work, and also has a very effective vibrating function which quickly lulls a young child to sleep. There’s a locking bar on the bottom which will stop the chair from rocking if you’d like.

An adjustable toy bar hangs from one side of the Rocker Napper, with two rattling light-up toys easily within baby’s reach; there are also nine short songs you can play to amuse her (and annoy you after a little while – but that’s all part of being a mommy, right?). The fabric isn’t the softest we’ve seen, but it can be removed and tossed into the wash which is certainly a positive.

If you thought that the Wave was too expensive for a rocker that could only be used for six months, the Tiny Love chair will serve you well for almost twice as long, at $90.​

Details of the Tiny Love 3 in 1 Rocker Napper
Weight Limit	20 pounds for Napper, 40 pounds for Rocker
Recline	Yes
Foldable	No
Vibrate	Yes, C battery
Included Accesories	Toy bar with music
Washable	Fabric is machine-washable
Size	30 x 19 x 30
Weight	11.5 pounds
Warranty	One year limited

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bloom Coco Go Lounger

Here’s a well-made, higher-priced alternative to the Fisher-Price and Tiny Love rocker chairs we’ve discussed. It provides most of the same functions: lying nearly flat for sleeping infants, set at several reclines for older babies, and sitting upright as a chair for toddlers (with a locking option). Two-speed vibration is a welcome alternative to hand-rocking, and this is the only rocker chair on our rankings with a padded five-point safety harness. There will be no problem rocking baby to sleep in this bloom model.

The Go Lounger is the plushest and most comfortable of all the chairs we’ve looked at, yet the 100% organic seat pad is still machine-washable. It’s also nearly as beautiful as the Nuna Leaf which we’ll look at next, with a minimalist design and formed-birch accents along with three available warm fabric colors. There’s one other noteworthy positive to the bloom: it’s the only one on our list of the top 5 best baby rocker chairs that folds up completely flat for transport in the included reversible travel bag.

Visitors to your home who see the bloom may mistake it at first for a designer chair for kids, rather than a baby rocker. The good news is that it’s both, if you don’t mind paying almost $200 for it.

Details of the bloom Coco Go Lounger
Weight Limit	25 pounds
Recline	Yes
Foldable	Yes
Vibrate	Yes, 2 AA batteries
Included Accesories	Travel bag
Washable	Fabric is machine-washable
Size	21 x 17 x 28
Weight	8.8 pounds
Warranty	One year

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Nuna Leaf Baby Seat With Mesh

OK, get out the credit card. This rocker chair will cost you well over $200 – but it will, in the words of the manufacturer, “treat baby to a mesmerizing ride…inspired by the carefree float of a leaf on a breeze.” Flowery language aside, this is one beautiful rocker chair at one huge price.

At least when you’re spending this kind of money, you’ll be getting a chair that won’t have to go into the garage when your baby becomes a toddler; the comfortable seat is suitable for children up to 130 pounds. Like the bloom chair, it will also look completely at home in a room with modern design as well.

The primary feature of this baby rocker, other than its comfort and beauty, is that it will rock and rock. Nuna says it will rock for two minutes with just one push, although you may find that the motion slows down noticeably after 30-60 seconds. You can also pay an extra $100 for the AC/battery Leaf Wind, which attaches to the base of the chair to rock it for you at one of six selectable speeds. One thing we do like is that the Leaf rocks from side to side instead of back and forth, which is a more soothing motion that’s helpful in coaxing baby to sleep. There’s a matching toy bar that can be purchased for another $40.

The Leaf is extremely well-constructed, and the organic cotton seat pad is machine-washable. However, there are only two modes for this rocker chair: swing mode to be used with a three-point harness until the baby can sit on her own, and chair mode. There’s no other incline feature (although there is a lock to stop the chair from swinging). That fact, plus the high price, make the Nuna model more of a toddler-sized chair to match a contemporary room, than a versatile baby rocker chair. It is gorgeous, though.​

Details of the Nuna Leaf Baby Seat With Mesh
Weight Limit	130 pounds
Recline	No
Foldable	No
Vibrate	No
Included Accesories	None
Washable	Fabric is machine-washable
Size	28 x 18 x 28
Weight	11.5 pounds
Warranty	One year limited

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Originally posted 2016-05-29 09:23:59.

The post Top 5 Best Baby Rocker Chairs | 2016 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Best Walkie Talkie Buying Guide

Best Walkie Talkie Buying Guide

Do you remember playing cops and robbers with your cousins and friends when you were young? Pretend robbers would feign stealing things around your play area and pretend cops would plan a bust and talk to each other using your toy walkie talkies. Or you might remember going on a wilderness adventure with your parents and each one of them had a walkie when you split up into teams. Those days were so much fun and walkie talkies were the pinnacle of coolness! Maybe they aren’t as big of a craze with your kids now – these days they all want the hottest new cellphone – but if they give it a chance, we’re sure that they will find a lot of uses for these cool two-way radios that are just as useful as they are fun.

What can you use a two-way radio for?

In this age of cellphones, the walkie talkie or 2-way radio is still one heck of a versatile communication system. Originally invented for use by the military, it has been adopted in different industries that require short to medium range communication devices. These days, your children probably just see them being used by security personnel and fire fighters. But acquiring a few units for your family can be very useful as well. You and your family can use walkie talkies for:

• Your trips to the mall

2-way radios can actually have a range of just about 5 miles (although some would claim to reach farther and wider) to be effective in a place where there are a lot of obstructions – such as in office and school buildings where there are a lot of walls. But it doesn’t matter because a you’re never too far away from each other when you are in a mall. So if you are in the mall with your family and you find that you need to split up to complete your tasks, it’s a good idea to have a walkie talkie to get in touch with each other especially when all you want is to have a quick word. You will find that the walkie talkie is faster than texting or calling. The best part is that you won’t incur charges on your mobile phone bill.

• Outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, climbing

When the product description of a 2-way radio claims to have a really wide range of 30 miles or wider, they really mean it as the product’s maximum potential range if the radios have a clear line of sight. The line of sight is a straight line between the two units. This means that you can fully take advantage of your walkie talkie’s range on top of mountains and across valleys where you would likely be hiking, skiing, or climbing, or doing some sort of wilderness adventure. These are also places that are not likely to have cell sites, so you will really get great use out of your radios when you’re outdoors. Maybe it’s time to plan a wilderness survival camping trip with the family!

• In case of an emergency

In case of a calamity that causes major cell sites to go off service, you will be really glad that you have a walkie talkie. Being able to get to communicate with your loved ones brings peace of mind and allows you to plan how you are going to move through a disaster. It also makes for a great way to reassure a family member who gets separated from the pack. In addition, you can use your walkie talkie to communicate with emergency personnel should things really go wrong. Truly, in unforeseen circumstances that place your family at risk, a two-way radio is of immeasurable value.

• Long range baby monitor

Of course we don’t recommend leaving your baby alone and travelling as far as your two-way radio will allow you. But if your baby monitor ever breaks, your walkie talkies can serve as a substitute until you can get your baby monitor fixed or until you buy a new one.

• Fun with the kids

The best way for kids to learn is through play. You can bond over teaching them to use a walkie talkie and maybe have a few laughs as you use code names and to contact each other. Maybe your kids want to play a game of cops and robbers? They can have a lot of fun without even realizing that they are learning the important skill of using a radio.

Features to consider when buying a walkie- talkie

Surprised that a walkie talkie is still a relevant communication tool in this day and age of cell sites and wifi? It’s high time for you to go out and buy a set for your family. Just remember the following features:

● FRS or GMRS

FRS (or Family Radio Service) and GMRS (or General Mobile Radio Service) are bands frequently used by two way radios. GMRS has a much larger range, however, licensing from the Federal Communications Commission is required to use this band. Most walkie talkies for personal use operate in FRS, but you will want to ask the vendor to make sure you are getting radios in the correct band.

● VHF or UHF

If you are buying more than one set of walkie talkies, you might want to pay attention to whether you are buying VHF (very high frequency) of UHF (ultra high frequency) radios. VHF frequencies tend to be loose and longer, making it the best option for covering wide distances and penetrating through foliage. UHF, on the other hand, makes for shorter waves. These can penetrate through building walls. Of the two, UHF is the more versatile.

The thing with VHF and UHF is that they are not compatible. So if you’re buying more than one pair of walkie talkies, make sure that they are all of the same kind.​

● Distance

As mentioned earlier, walkie talkie manufacturers will probably specify the farthest distance that the walkies will be able to communicate with each other if there are no obstructions between them. A product that has a specified range of 8 miles will probably be useful for only 3 or 4 miles in a building with a lot of walls. So make sure that you buy a set that will reach as far as you need them to go. Just remember that the wider the radius of your walkie talkies, the more expensive they will be as well.

● Location

The matter of where you are going to be using your walkie talkies is also an important factor in purchasing a product. Will you be using them where there are a lot of obstructions such as in a building or in a mall? Or will you be using them so you will be able to communicate from any point in your family’s farm? Knowing your location is a great indication of your needs. As a rule, VHF radios can reach far and wide across open spaces and bodies of water while UHF radios are pretty nifty for penetrating walls.

● Channels

Walkie talkies communicate with each other using channels or frequencies. Information from the device creates waves of varying speeds. The speed of the sound waves is what we call the frequency and when your two radios are operating in the same frequency or channel, then you can talk to each other. FRS radios can have as many as 14 channels and as little as 2. But the reason that you would want to have multiple channels is so that your frequency will be less likely to be interrupted by other two way radios in your area. Some radios can even scan all available frequencies, and this might be a feature that you want to look for in a two-way radio. One thing to note is that radios with more channels are more expensive, so you might want to get as much as would fit your budget.

● Battery

You can buy radios with rechargeable batteries or those that use alkaline batteries. The most convenient, of course, is to look for a pair that can use both rechargeable and disposable batteries as a power source. But, if your choice is limited, we recommend buying walkie talkies that use alkaline batteries in case you find yourself in areas where you could not recharge your batteries. Alkaline batteries are more widely available and it is not too cumbersome to carry extra packs, this makes them very useful in an emergency.

● Other features

Some two way radios are no longer your basic walkie talkies. Some additional features include:

• Backlit LCD screen and keypad so you can see and use the walkie talkie in the dark without the use of a flashlight
• Lock key that keeps your radios in the same frequency for quick contact
• Sub-channels that allow fine tuning of your signal by breaking each channel down to multiple frequencies
• Channel recall that lets the device “remember” the last channel used
• Incoming call alert that rings or vibrates first instead of broadcasting right away
• Weather radio that allows you to pick weather reports
• A mic and earphone jack for hands free communication

Amazing how technology made walkie talkies even better huh? These added features, though, are what is called nice to haves instead of must haves. But there really should be nothing stopping you from getting the most modern units available.

Tips for using your 2-way radio

• Designate a “BASE.” This is the person who calls the shots in case everyone needs to get to one place or to follow a specific instruction in a hurry. The base person can be either Mom or Dad.
• Give each other nicknames when you use a 2-way radio. It protects your privacy, even in just a small way. Besides, you and your kids will have so much fun calling each other by your special names.
• Learn “walkie talkie talk.” It might sound a bit formal or even funny to use words from old cop movies, but they really do help communication. Teaching your kids to communicate in “two-way radio speak” is a good habit that will serve them in the future.
• Coming up with your own codes might be fun but probably not a good idea in case your child needs to communicate with an emergency volunteer. Stick to the basics!
• Even though you have taught your young child to use a walkie talkie, it is still a good idea to have them accompanied by adult at any time they will be at a distance from you. They will always be more secure with a person they know. Remember, safety first!
• Always have extra batteries. You’ll never know when you might need it.

Our Recommendation

No doubt you’re raring to go out and purchase two-way radios for your family’s short or medium range communication needs. When it comes to walkie talkies, you are spoilt for choice which is a good thing if only it wasn’t super mind-boggling. To save you the overwhelming effort, we here at ParentsNeed HQ tested a large number of walkie talkies to narrow down your options. So before you go out, make sure you look at our Top 5 Best Walkie Talkies reviews and read about why they made it to the list. You will also want to read about the Midland GXT 1000VP4 FRS/GMRS Two-way Radio and why it is our favorite of all the units we tested. To us, it is the little radio that could and our top pick to be your handy dandy walkie talkie. And this is ParentsNeed, signing off. Over and out!

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Originally posted 2016-08-31 03:00:59.

The post Best Walkie Talkie Buying Guide appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Best Board Games Buying Guide

Best Board Games Buying Guide

Quite new to the idea of board games? A board game is essentially a game played on top of a flat surface where counters or pieces are place and moved on a marked board. The act of moving the counters depend on the set of rules of the game. Board games may be classified as a game based on strategizing, sometimes with an element of chance thrown in the game, or a game purely based on chance without requiring any skill from the players.

Board games have a goal that a player or a team will aim to achieve. In the earlier times, most board games involve winning a battle against an army. Most board games of the modern days are still based on winning against an opposing player with the use of counters, winning position, or accumulation of points. Some games may be considered role-playing games where the board serves to encourage the players to visualize and imagine the scenario of the game, while some games have no specific theme and narrative. The rules may be as simple as that of Tic-tac-toe or as complex and detailed as that of Dungeons and Dragons. The length of time required to master the set of rules of a game may differ between games, but the time it takes to learn how to play will not necessarily affect the number and complexity of the rules. This is true for games like Go or Chess where the rules are relatively simple yet their strategic depth may be quite great.

A brief history of board games

Board games have actually been around for centuries. It has been played in almost all parts of the world, in most cultures and societies. The oldest board game in history, Senet, is known to have existed 3500 BC and was found in the predynastic burials of Egypt.

In the US, the first board games ever published is the Traveller’s Tour. The year was 1822. In the nineteenth century when the United States was already shifting from agrarian living to urban, the middle class steadily gained access to higher income and greater time for leisure. The home of the Americans were quickly becoming the venue for education along with enlightenment and entertainment. Under the mother's supervision, board games were encouraged among children in order to develop their literacy and social skills as well as to provide them with moral instruction. Moral instructions were taught to children with the help of board games like The Mansion of Happiness. The mid-century saw the United States embrace capitalism. Games that gave focus to secular virtues were published. The Checkered Game of Life, for example, gave rewards to players when they get certain achievements like attending college, getting married or getting rich. Competitive capitalistic games saw an increasing popularity. It was during this time that Monopoly was published.

The period of 1880s to 1920s was deemed to be “The Golden Age” of board gaming in the US, but a decline in the popularity of the activity was seen in the 20th century. In the latter part of the 1990s, there was a substantial growth in the popularity of the hobby. With the rise of the internet, people had more access to information about new games. Finding people to play against also became easier. In 2010, board gaming was said to be having a new Golden Age as board games are being sold to a growing audience worldwide. Board games are making a comeback, thanks to improved graphics and more elegant mechanics of new games that are being made available in the market. This truth can be further seen with the rising popularity of board game venues or cafes in different countries.​

A game of luck, strategy or diplomacy

As mentioned earlier, some games depend completely on the skills of the player. Such games include Chess and Go. Games such as Monopoly and Risk involve some level of skill and luck. Adding an element of luck to a strategy game can add more excitement and diversify the strategies that may be played in the game. The skill of considering concepts like expected value and risk management may be developed.

Luck may be introduced by using a number of methods. Such methods include the use of dice, which can date back even to the earliest of board games. Another way of introducing luck is by using a deck of cards that create randomness when shuffled. Other forms include spinners and timers.

Diplomacy is another aspect of a board game. In a board game involving diplomacy, players may make deals and negotiate with one another. This entails convincing another player to deal with you instead of with another opponent, or teaming up with other players to defeat a certain player.

Board games for children often involve pure luck and require no decisions by the players. They are easy to learn and make use of a number of spinners and counters. Most board games for children develop comprehensive skills as well as social skills.​

Buying a board game for children

This is a buying guide for children’s board games. We here at ParentsNeeds HQ are believers of board games for children and we would very much like to encourage parents to involve their children in such games. We are here to help you figure out which is the best board game for kids to purchase for you and your children’s enjoyment. First, let us discuss with you the benefits of board games for children and give you some information about the different types of board games.

Bonding over board games with your children could be a fun and educational way to spend time with the whole family. Beyond entertainment, children’s board games can serve to do so much more. Board games help your children develop and improve their verbal and mathematical skills. Education board games for kids also improve your children’s memory, as well as their comprehension. All this learning while you are all having fun, imagine that!

You might think, with the advent of all the advanced gadgets, why not just let the children play online? While video games are quite popular and some board games are now available online as well, playing a real board game, with all its dice, spinners and timers, still serves to teach children key skills that video games normally cannot impart on your kids. Board games can allow for reading and arithmetic practice especially during setting up the game and learning all about the rules. Logical and rational thinking are encouraged. Additionally, the fact that your child will not be staring into his monitor or tablet while playing a fast-paced video game will ensure his development of socialization skills. Children’s board games may be classified as traditional, learning or modern games.

Traditional children’s board games include the likes of operation, chutes and ladders, sorry!, and candy land. This type of board game usually involves a race among players to reach a finish mark. How well a player will progress during the game depends on luck, which may be in the form of a dice or spinners. These elements of the game will usually dictate how many steps a player will take forward or back. Other games promote eye and hand coordination, rewarding the player with points for each successful task. Most traditional board games for children do not require strategizing and rely purely on luck. They are mostly focused on developing socialization skills.

Learning board games for children such as Scrabble promote skills including spelling and mathematical skills. These board games make learning enjoyable and fun. Children are able to pass time in a fun way without even realizing that they are learning tons of things.

Some board games make use of the advancing technology. Modern board games for children are now also available in the market. An example of a modern board game is a DVD game called Scene It? In this game, players are required to answer multimedia trivia questions in order to advance their position on the game board with the goal of being the first to finish the course. The number of steps taken will depend on the number given by a rolled dice.​

What are the things to consider when buying a board game for children?

● Easy to learn

The best board game for you and your children should be easy to learn. Reserve the board games with complex sets of rules for the future, when the age of your child is more appropriate. For now, settle with a board game with a simple set of rules that is not hard to learn. Instructions should be clear and direct.

● Easy to set up

The best kind of board game to get is one that is easy to set up. A board game that takes more than a few minutes to set up can prove to be discouraging and may end up being stored away because no one would like to bother bringing it out.

● Easy to clean up

Aside from being easy to set up, a good board game for children is one that is easy to clean up. It should come with a minimum number of props to its kit so that cleaning it up should not be stressful. A good board game is one that is easy to store and one that is easy to maintain. It should be easy to keep track of all the parts that should be present in the board game set. Board games with one too many parts to it may end up useless once one or two pieces get lost.

● Number of players allowed

Most board games for children can accommodate a minimum of two players to a maximum of 6 players per round. The best board game for your family is one that will let the whole family play. Ever watched Lilo and Stitch? In the movie, they said that family means no one gets left behind. Board games are best enjoyed when the whole family is playing so make sure that the game can let all the family members play.

● Age appropriate

Age plays a significant role in making sure the maximum beneficial effects of a board game are met. Different board games are designed for different age levels. The federal government even regulates the toy industry in order to ensure that manufacturers will design and properly label their board games according to the appropriate age level of the players. These age labels are determined by a number of criteria, especially when it comes to child safety. As with other toys, age labels are very important. Some board games may come with parts that are too small for your children to handle and may even pose choking hazards. Age appropriateness will ensure that your child will not be put under unnecessary pressure to learn a set of rules that might be beyond his age. Be sure that the board game you will choose for your family fits the age range of your children.

● Length of playing time

The best board game for children should only take 15 to 30 minutes maximum per round of each game. This length of playing time should be enough to keep them interested and not stress them too much or bore them. A family game night should be something to look forward to. Sure, it is called game night, but it shouldn’t mean it will literally take all night to finish a game.

Our Recommendation

Board games should be a staple part of anyone’s childhood. Even with the rise of video games, with the charm and dynamic of a good old board game, it is no wonder why board games are still very much popular. To help you pick out which board game to get, check out our Top 5 Best Board Games for Kids. We here at ParentsNeeds HQ have reviewed and put together a list of board games for kids that we deem the best among the products available in the market. Scrabble and Scrabble Junior are both in our number one spot. Read on and find out why

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Originally posted 2016-09-12 10:44:41.

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