(NewsUSA) - An outing to the movies for a family of four could run upwards of $70 with the gasoline, parking, tickets and a snack bar visit. And an amusement park could be double that. As hard economic times are affecting more middle-class Americans, entertaining the family at home on a shoestring is becoming the trend.
The 21st century’s version of traditional parlor games (board games, charades, etc.) is video gaming. But even amongst video games, costs - and experiences - vary wildly. Compared with hardcore games designed for young males, family-friendly “casual” video games like Bookworm Adventures and Bejeweled Twist are far more cost-effective, easy to learn and appealing to everyone in the family.
Joe and Cary Anne Melton of Huntersville, N.C., have assembled a sizable library of casual classics which they play with their daughtersJenna and Claire. “When you consider the four of us have collectively enjoyed Bookworm Adventures for at least a couple of hundred hours over the years, the modest cost of the game is a tremendous deal compared to most other forms of family entertainment,” Joe says. “And these are games I can feel good about letting my daughters play. It’s a great bonding experience to have your child sit on your lap and help you solve the challenges in Bookworm Adventures or Peggle,” Joe notes. “We end up having thoughtful, enlightening discussions about everything from spelling and word definitions to zoology and physics.”
Casual games range in price from $10 to $20 and can be tried for free online. With the average casual game providing more than 100 hours of entertainment, that equates to pennies per hour of play. For a wide array of family-friendly titles, check out www.popcap.com, www.spintop-games.com or www.realarcade.com.
The 21st century’s version of traditional parlor games (board games, charades, etc.) is video gaming. But even amongst video games, costs - and experiences - vary wildly. Compared with hardcore games designed for young males, family-friendly “casual” video games like Bookworm Adventures and Bejeweled Twist are far more cost-effective, easy to learn and appealing to everyone in the family.
Joe and Cary Anne Melton of Huntersville, N.C., have assembled a sizable library of casual classics which they play with their daughtersJenna and Claire. “When you consider the four of us have collectively enjoyed Bookworm Adventures for at least a couple of hundred hours over the years, the modest cost of the game is a tremendous deal compared to most other forms of family entertainment,” Joe says. “And these are games I can feel good about letting my daughters play. It’s a great bonding experience to have your child sit on your lap and help you solve the challenges in Bookworm Adventures or Peggle,” Joe notes. “We end up having thoughtful, enlightening discussions about everything from spelling and word definitions to zoology and physics.”
Casual games range in price from $10 to $20 and can be tried for free online. With the average casual game providing more than 100 hours of entertainment, that equates to pennies per hour of play. For a wide array of family-friendly titles, check out www.popcap.com, www.spintop-games.com or www.realarcade.com.