Since the pandemic began, more families have been searching for more connection opportunities and for many this has meant board games, cards, dice games and more. One highlight of my Thanksgiving was playing a game after dinner that everyone enjoyed, from my 12, 14, 16, and 18 year-olds, to my 73 year-old father.

We didn’t need the official “Left, Right, Center” set to play a variation on the game. Three dice and three quarters per person were all we needed.  

To play:
1.    Start with three quarters per person (you can substitute with just about anything - Halloween candy, dollar bills, poker chips that can be turned in for a prize, etc). You need at least three people to play, and the more the merrier. We played with seven people.

2.    Decide who goes first and then take turns clockwise.

3.    First player rolls three dice. If a “4” is rolled, pass a quarter to the left, a “5,” pass a quarter to the person on your right, a “6,” put a quarter in the middle, or in the prize pot. If you don’t roll a 4, 5, or 6 you keep your money. If you roll a single “4” for example, you pass one quarter to your left and keep your other quarters.

4.    With three quarters in your possession you may roll three times. One quarter= one dice roll. If you don’t have any quarters left, you skip your turn but you’re still in the game because you might still get quarters from the people to your right and/ or left.

5.    The game ends when the last person with a single quarter wins the whole center pot.

I won the first round and said, “I’ll throw the money back in if you want to play again.”

Everyone wanted to keep playing! That, to me, was a success!

In the past I’ve written about other family games that are also fun for any age. One that stands out is the card game “Kings in the Corner.” Even young who can count and can place cards in a red, black, red, black pattern can play this. This game spreads across the table so you’ll need space.

What family games have been a win-win for kids and adults in your household?

My husband and I have split political beliefs, which might be a head-scratcher to some because he and I are a great match. I understand from our life experiences why we have different politics and we both have learned to not only accept, but to even appreciate, those differences. Our conversations about politics are rich, sometimes heated, but always respectful. We are each other’s weathervane for what the other side thinks. Because of this, as my kids get older it has become evident that they have been exposed to both sides of political issues, and for this I am very proud as a parent.