Hello Friend,

I have a new system for choosing which game to play with the family… and I love it. 

Some of the games on the shelf hardly ever get played because if I ask the children to pick, they usually gravitate towards tried and tested favourites. The favourites get played over and over, while others gather dust and don’t even get a look in. This is a self-perpetuating cycle and I’ve vowed to break it. 

Here’s the new plan. 

• Separate the games into groups and number them. You can do this while they are on the shelf. I have an Ikea Kallax system with multiple square box shelves. There are 36 shelves in total and I also have a bunch of games on top. So I have 37 numbers.

• Write down the numbers on pieces of paper and put them all in a small bag. 

• When you’re ready to play a game, delve into the bag and pull out a number. 

• You must choose a game from the numbered section. 

• Throw the number away.

Consider grouping all the favourites together in a single section or two - to give more variety when other numbers are pulled. 

I’ve used other game choosing systems in the past, which have also worked well for different reasons. I’ll share them in a future email. 

How do you choose what you’ll play?