After months and months of lockdowns and staying home, isn’t it great to have a little more freedom back! I say that even as the dreaded covid cases are on the rise again in my home of Northern Ireland. But anyway, a few weeks ago I was able to enjoy 12 days in Southampton, England. Visiting with my daughter and grandchildren who I hadn’t seen for over a year and a half due to covid restrictions and not being able to travel across the Irish Sea.
Off To Southampton
While we stayed in Southampton with my daughter, Siobhan and four of her five children and I did participate in some gaming. They have a Nintendo Switch as well as myself, and whenever I go away from home I take my Switch with me. After all, it works hard all year round making sure I can play all the games I review so it’s entitled to a holiday as well, don’t you think?
Two Switch’s, Two TV’s
We all decided to play some games off an evening. Even my non-gaming partner joined in with the fun. We set up an extra TV and Switch and dock in the dining room. That meant, as well as having their Switch and dock on the living room TV, by setting up the extra TV the children could play my Switch during the day too.
The boys, Jamie (12) and Matthew (10), had a blast playing some of the games on my switch. Most of them I’ve reviewed for LadiesGamers. A particular favourite of everyone was Fly Together ( the review for Fly Together is here.) The game really seemed to bring out the competitive streak in the boys as they tried to be the fastest to get their little plane and passengers transported to the airport.
Zelda fan
Having access to another Switch during the day, and not having to squabble with her brothers to use the Switch hooked up to the living room TV, allowed my oldest granddaughter to try out The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.
Abi (16) is a keen Legend of Zelda fan and was delighted to try out Skyward Sword on my Switch. Over the space of the 12 days we were there she managed to play 15 hours of Skyward Sword. I felt ever so guilty taking my Switch home with me and cutting off her playtime on the game. Abi did extremely well in her exams and is moving on to college later this month. So as a congratulations on your exam present, I bought Abi Skyward Sword and she is now able to play and enjoy the game herself.
Evening Fun and Games
Most evenings after dinner was finished we settled down in the living room and the dining room in two teams. We played a few games in teams, boys against girls or adults against the children. Trivial Pursuit on the Switch was a firm favourite between us all. Lots of giggling and whispers ensued as each team decided on the answers they wanted to give to the questions. It was also a great learning experience for the boys as they found out the answers to some things they wouldn’t know.
Another game we played a lot of was Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Again we split into teams and hotly conferred over the correct answers. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire has a family mode, that has been specially created with children. With tailored questions included, for the players to play as a family no matter how old they are. This meant even the youngest of my gaming grandchildren, Matthew, could take part and answer some questions.
We all had a right laugh and a blast while playing video games of an evening, and I can’t wait for the opportunity to do it again soon.
What are your recommendations for good family gaming sessions? Feel free to leave a comment with your suggestions!
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