Why Families Who Book Return Lodge Visits All Do This One Thing

Despite having 1,000 channels on TV, unlimited Netflix, and phones packed with games, research by parenting experts shows that families report feeling most connected during holidays when screens are switched off and they're gathered around a single table. 

Family research consistently indicates that families who incorporate traditional games into their holidays create stronger bonds and more lasting memories.

At Kiplin Lodge Park, we've noticed something remarkable.

The families who seem happiest, who linger longest over breakfast, who book return visits they all share one thing in common.

 It's not the families with the latest gadgets or the most planned activities.

It's the ones who've rediscovered the simple magic of gathering around our spacious kitchen tables with nothing more than a deck of cards or a well-worn board game.

The Forgotten Art of Face-to-Face Fun

This weekend at Ashton Estate, Lady Rothwell's stunning property, reminded me exactly why family gaming is so important.

Cath, Dott, Pete, Lou, Neil, Chris, and I gathered around the dining table, all completely absorbed in Herd Mentality.

The laughter echoing through those historic rooms as we tried to think like the herd was infectious.

Cards Against Gravity had everyone in stitches, whilst The Fuzzys Tower of Highly Unstable created chaotic moments as we carefully balanced ridiculous fuzzy creatures, holding our breath with each placement.

Which leads me back to Kiplin Lodge Park. Each of our 11 lodges features a generous kitchen table - not by accident, but by design.

These aren't cramped dining spaces where you can barely fit four plates.

They're real gathering spots where families can spread out a Scrabble board, deal cards for a round of whist, or tackle a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle together

.

More Than Entertainment: The Hidden Benefits

Board games aren't just holiday entertainment - they're stealth education and family therapy rolled into one.

While parents think they're simply keeping the kids occupied, something more profound is happening around that kitchen table.

Strategic Thinking Development 

Games like chess, Settlers of Catan, or even simple draughts teach children to think three moves ahead.

They learn about consequences and rewards, as well as planning and adaptation.

Your 10-year-old daughter isn't just moving pieces - she's developing the same strategic thinking skills that will help her navigate school projects and, eventually, business decisions.

Mathematical Skills in Disguise

Research indicates that children's numeracy skills improve significantly after playing games like Snakes and Ladders.

• Monopoly teaches money management and basic arithmetic.
• Yahtzee builds probability understanding.
• Scrabble expands vocabulary whilst encouraging mental mathematics for scoring.

Hand-Eye Coordination and Fine Motor Skills 

Physical games requiring precise movements - card shuffling, dice rolling, piece placement - develop dexterity.

For younger children, games like Jenga or Pick-Up Sticks improve hand-eye coordination in ways that touchscreens cannot match.

The Creative Minds Behind Your Favourite Games

The modern board gaming renaissance we're experiencing didn't happen by accident.

Behind every game that creates those magical moments around your lodge table are innovative companies pushing the boundaries of what tabletop entertainment can achieve.

The Industry Giants 

The global board game industry, valued at over £13 billion in 2023,  is dominated by several key players.

• Hasbro, the American giant with £7.3 billion in annual revenue, brings us household classics like Monopoly, Clue, and The Game of Life. These very games often spark those first magical gaming moments in childhood.

• Asmodee, the French powerhouse generating £2.1 billion annually, has revolutionised the industry by acquiring smaller publishers and bringing us modern classics like Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Dixit.

Their strategy of nurturing innovative game designers whilst maintaining global distribution has created the perfect storm for gaming excellence.

The German Engineering of Fun

Ravensburger, the German manufacturer, with over 140 years of experience, exemplifies the precision and quality that European game design is famous for.

With £160 million in annual revenue, they've built their reputation on family-friendly games like Labyrinth and some of the world's finest jigsaw puzzles.

Their commitment to quality components means their games often become family heirlooms, passed down through generations.

Innovation from the UK

Games Workshop, the Nottingham-based company that generates £800 million annually, has created something unique with its Warhammer universe.

While their miniature games may seem complex for family holidays, they've demonstrated how deep storytelling and community building can transform gaming from simple entertainment into a cultural phenomenon.

The Boutique British Brilliance

Big Potato Games represents the new wave of British game design.

Founded in 2013 by three London friends who "packed in their sensible jobs," they've grown from three people to over 50, with games sold in 45 countries.

Their focus on creating "games that are easy to learn, quick to play and hard to put down" perfectly captures what makes modern family gaming so accessible.

Their success with games like Herd Mentality, The Chameleon, and Bucket of Doom proves that great game design isn't about complex rules; it's about understanding what brings people together.

As they put it, their mission is "to lighten up the moments that friends and family spend together."

Fantasy Flight Games

Based in Minnesota and generating £100 million in annual revenue, showcases how American designers excel at creating immersive, narrative-driven experiences.

Their Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game and Descent series demonstrate that even complex games can bring families together when the theme captures everyone's imagination.

What This Means for Your Lodge Holiday

• Understanding the companies behind your favourite games helps you make better choices for your lodge gaming collection.
• Hasbro's classics provide familiar, multi-generational appeal.
• Asmodee's modern strategy games offer deeper engagement for older children and adults.
• Ravensburger's family games strike the perfect balance of simplicity and strategy.
• Big Potato's party games guarantee laughter and inclusive fun for everyone.
• The beauty of today's gaming landscape is the sheer variety available.
• Whether you're seeking the nostalgic comfort of classic Monopoly or the innovative excitement of Herd Mentality, these manufacturers have created something for every family dynamic and every lodge table.

A Journey Through Gaming History

The desire to play games together isn't new - it's ancient human behaviour that our modern world has temporarily forgotten.

Archaeological evidence shows that humans have been playing board games for over 5,000 years.

The Royal Game of Ur, discovered by British archaeologist Sir Leonard Woolley in the Royal Cemetery at Ur between 1922 and 1934, proves that even our earliest civilisations understood the importance of structured play. 

• Chess emerged in 7th-century India as Chaturanga, a war simulation game based on the four divisions of the military: infantry, cavalry, elephantry, and charioteering. 
• Playing cards arrived in Europe during the 14th century, bringing with them hundreds of games that required nothing more than 52 pieces of decorated cardboard and human imagination.

These games survived plagues, wars, and countless technological revolutions because they fulfil something fundamental: the human need for face-to-face interaction, shared challenge, and communal storytelling.

The Lodge Advantage: Space to Spread Out

One key difference between playing games at home and at your Kiplin lodge is the space available. At home, the kitchen table is cluttered with papers, homework, and the remnants of rushed meals.

Here, that beautiful wooden table is yours alone, no interruptions, no domestic distractions - just pure, focused family time.

Building Memories That Last

The magic happens in the moments between moves.

The gentle trash talk during Scrabble, the collective groan when someone draws the exploding kitten.

The negotiations during Monopoly reveal surprising family dynamics. These aren't just games; they're memory-making moments that children will recall decades later.

At Ashton Estate, it was the moment when we all gave the same answer in a Herd Mentality - "Yorkshire pudding" - for "Best thing about Sunday dinner," that created one of those perfect family moments.

Pete's attempt at balancing the final fuzzy creature while everyone held their breath had us all in tears of laughter when the whole tower came tumbling down.

Research consistently shows that children's happiest holiday memories rarely involve expensive activities or exotic locations.

Instead, they remember moments of undivided parental attention, shared laughter, and the feeling of being part of something together.

A Simple game of cards around a lodge table often outranks theme park visits in long-term memory formation.

Getting Started: Games for Every Age

For Families with Young Children (Ages 4-8):

• Snakes and Ladders: Pure luck-based fun that teaches counting
• Snap: Develops quick reflexes and pattern recognition
• Happy Families: Memory building and social interaction
• Ludo: Strategy basics with simple rules

For Mixed-Age Families (Ages 6-16):

• Monopoly: The classic that teaches money management
• Scrabble: Vocabulary building that adapts to different skill levels
• Cluedo: Logical deduction and process of elimination
• Uno: Fast-paced card game with simple rules but engaging strategy

For Adults and Teenagers (Ages 12+):

• Risk: Strategic warfare simulation requiring hours of engagement
• Settlers of Catan: Modern classic combining strategy and negotiation
• Poker: Mathematical probability with psychological elements
• Chess: The ultimate strategic battle that improves with every game

Modern Favourites for Multi-Generational Fun:

• Herd Mentality: Think like the herd to win cows - brilliant for all ages
• Cards Against Gravity: Clean fun with physical card challenges
• The Fuzzys Tower of Highly Unstable: Dexterity game that creates hilarious moments

For comprehensive reviews and recommendations of the best family board games, Prima Magazine offers an excellent guide to choosing age-appropriate options. 

The Technology Balance

This isn't about completely abandoning technology - it's about creating balance.

The UK Safer Internet Centre provides excellent guidance on balancing screen time during holidays, recommending that families "re-introduce board games, card play or toys to your family, with new titles like Fortnite, Monopoly or old favourites like Rubik's Cube." 

Your lodge stay offers the perfect opportunity to press pause on the digital world without the guilt or resistance you might face at home. When everyone's in the same boat (no work emails, limited WiFi, new environment), the transition to analogue entertainment feels natural rather than forced.

Many families report that the board game habit established during their lodge holiday continues at home.

Creating Your Lodge Gaming Experience

Pack light but pack smart. A deck of cards weighs nothing but offers dozens of game possibilities.

Travel versions of classic games occupy minimal luggage space but provide maximum entertainment value.

Many lodges, including ours, keep a selection of games available, but bringing your family's favourites ensures everyone knows the rules from day one.

The key is consistency.

• Make the evening game a holiday tradition, just like morning coffee or bedtime stories.
• Children thrive on routine, and when that routine includes focused family time, the benefits multiply.

The Lasting Impact

What starts as simple holiday entertainment often becomes something more significant.

Families discover communication patterns they'd lost in the daily rush.

Parents see their children's personalities shine through their gaming choices. Siblings learn to negotiate, cooperate, and respectfully compete with one another.

Your next lodge holiday offers the perfect opportunity to rediscover this simple pleasure.

Pack a few games, embrace the slower pace, and prepare for some of your family's favourite memories to unfold around a kitchen table in the heart of Yorkshire.

• The games are simple.
• The benefits are profound.
• The memories are priceless.

Ready to create your own family gaming memories? Book your Kiplin Lodge stay today and discover why the best holiday entertainment might be hiding in a box on your shelf at home.