National Gaming Day celebrates family time

Cayson and Isabella, both of Willington, learn their colors while playing a game of Twister. Photo by Annie Gentile.

Who hasn’t enjoyed a good puzzle, board game, or physical game of play every once in a while? Games provide a great opportunity to learn, to socialize, and to have fun with family and friends.

On Saturday, Nov. 10, the Willington Public Library celebrated National Gaming Day with games for children and adults of every age.

An initiative of the American Library Association, National Gaming Day promotes ways to improve literacy and have fun at your local library, said library programmer Debbie Linares.

“We have a variety of game venues to help make learning fun,” said Linares. “With all games, there is something to be learned.”

Learning games for the youngest at the Willington Library included puzzles and memory games, matching games, simple card games such as Go Fish, and classic physical games such as Twister. The latter, Linares said, is a great way for young children to learn hand/foot coordination as well as their colors. Older children could play such games as Scrabble and Yahtzee or try their hand at more complex puzzles. Besides traditional games, the library also offered a variety of computer games for children to play.

“We have a family story time every Saturday at 10:30 a.m., and then we have a craft or singing or some kind of play that goes along with the theme of the book,” said Linares. “While we sometimes have to compete with sports and other extra-curricular activities, we try to offer kids and families something different to do,” she said.  “It’s open time every Saturday and it’s not just for residents of Willington. We invite children and families to stop in and take part.”