Board Games (and plastic-free jigsaws)

Board games used to be the way to while away the hours, when it was raining outside. As long as you don’t have a ‘troublesome toddler’ who throws everything up in the air once losing (and actually it would be a good exercise perhaps to learn to co-operative), board games are great fun.

Keep board games away from young children and pets, due to choking hazards (dice etc).

The Board Game Family covers 100 popular board games and how to play them, plus a history of board games and their benefits.

You could go for traditional board games (there are local versions for Monopoly if you prefer) Or go for one of the modern board games dedicated to learning about the planet and wildlife.

MontroseBiology offers fantastic nature-inspired board games. These have been created by an American biology teacher, who spent his childhood fascinated by David Attenborough programs. The text is science, but the art is makes these extra-special, with digital 1700s maps or lithograph prints from the 1800s.

Complete (plastic-free) Jigsaws

Jigsaws require the brain to work in different ways. You can now buy good plastic-free jigsaw brands. Again, keep jigsaw pieces away from young children and pets.

Wentworth Puzzles are all made with sustainable materials, sold in plastic-free packaging. Made in the heart of the countryside, you can choose from ones focused on animals and nature, fine art or ‘extra difficult!’

These puzzles don’t use chemicals, so they smell a bit like ‘burnt wood’ from the woods used, but this should disappear in a ventilated area. It also offers a free replacement service, if you find a few pieces missing on delivery (within 6 months).

If this is beyond your budget, most local charity shops sell them (don’t support animal-testing charity shops). Of course the risk here is that you may do it, then find a piece missing!