There are the obvious, momentus things and moments that will bring joy to our lives. But we should also pay attention to the million, small things that bring us joy too! One of those things are most certainly the nostalgic joys of our childhood.
Bring Joy with Nostalgic Games
When I was younger, I so specifically remember weekends spent playing classic card games at my grandparents house. Sometimes with my grandparents, sometimes with my sister.
And often we would all gather around at family gatherings to take each other on in teams at board games, or charades!
It is simple memories like these that can really bring a large amount of joy into our lives when we then carry those traditions into our current day lives and with the newer generations we have created.
Here is a post dedicated to some of the wonderful games from childhood, that really bring about that ‘blast from the past’ feeling, and so much joy with them too. I hope they inspire you to break out the board games, packs of card or the good old computer solitaire again!
Classic Card Games
Break out a pack of playing cards and get ready to teach your family and friends (or re-learn yourself) how to play those classic, card games that your grandparents taught you!
I used to love playing things like Rummy, Cribbage, Go Fish, Snap and Shit Head (ha!) with my nan and grandad!
Sundays were packed with all of the above, and it was perfect! My grandparents had a cribbage board and would let us light and blow out matches to use as markers, which we thought was SO much fun, haha!
Classic Computer Games
As a kid of the 80’s/90’s, I very specifically remember the point where computers suddenly came onto the scene. On them were the always amazing, though very simple games like Solitaire, Minesweeper, Majhong and Pacman.
So here’s an easy way to bring back those classic, computer games! ONLINE! For free…
You can find so many versions of solitaire here on the aptly named solitaire.org. Including the standard version, but also more challenging versions such as freecell, which involves moving cards in and out of the game in order to progress. Also versions like spider, pyramid, tri peaks and golf?! Who even knew you could solitaire in so many different ways!
The site has an amazing collection of the classic games, make sure you have a really good look around! I absolutely loved getting stuck into the classic version of solitaire. It was like being transported back to my younger years. Telling myself I’ll just finish this one, and then starting another… on and on!
And you can also find the good, old Majhong too!
Do you remember Majhong? The pair the tiles game! It’s such a nostalgic classic!
I found this online version of Gin Rummy, which is pretty close to my heart as it’s the game I used to play the most with my grandparents. Though it doesn’t play quite like my nannan used to (it didn’t even remotely go easy on me! How very rude?!), it was a really easy to play and understand, online version!
A definite hit of nostalgic joy there. It’s these moments that really add into your joy ‘cup’.
I even found Online Minesweeper!! Still as difficult as ever!
Classic Board Games
Who hasn’t thrown the monopoly board across the room in a huff after a family game?! Haha! Just the memories of these moments bring a smile to my face.
The classic, family board game is easily forgotten in the day and age of technology, but for me, it’s still hugely meaningful and a great way to get a kick of joy from any given day.
Whether it’s Monopoly, Cluedo, Mouse Trap, Balderdash, Ticket to Ride, Trivial Pursuit or any other of the classics, they all hold a special place in my heart. Whenever I sit down to play any sort of board game with my loved ones it is an instant boost of happiness.
Well, until I start losing every game, of course!
Charades
Who doesn’t love a bit of a charades session? Watching people trying to guess is almost as funny as watching the person try to act out their word of choice! This family classic is always one that brings the big laughs. Also many yells of ‘how on Earth was THAT a chicken?!’ or… you know… along those lines haha!
Paper Games
Noughts & Crosses. Pictionary. Hangman.
These old school classics are both easy and fun! And don’t think that just because they’re simple that they’re eye roll worthy!
I love pulling out the paper and pens with the kids and playing these classics. It really does remind me of the many years my grandparents did this with me, and I remember it being the most special moments.
Did any of these suggestions have you going ‘oh YES, I used to LOVE that!’?! Honestly, pulling out all the joyful memories from childhood and making them current can really help inject a little joy back into your life. Why not give all of the above a whirl and let me know if it cheers life up a little!
