Like Father, Like Son: Bonding Over Block Games

Photo: A father explains “Julius Caesar”at PrezCon, Winter 2018

Boys need their fathers and benefit from the time spent together. Experts are quick to point out the need for boys to bond with their dads. It would be hard to overstate the important role that fathers play in the lives of their sons. As noted by Rutgers University professor of sociology, Dr. David Popenoe:

Involved fathers...bring positive benefits to their children that no other person is a likely to bring. They provide protection and economic support and male role models. They have a parenting style that is significantly different from that of a mother and that difference is important in healthy child development.

Dr. Popenoe’s statement also matches the findings of a study conducted by the University of Newcastle. The study of 11,000 British men and women revealed that children who had spent large amounts of time with their fathers had higher IQs than those who didn’t. 

Pennsylvania State University conducted their own study of teens and the positive influence of time spent with family. Researchers tracked 200 families, finding that the time teens spend specifically with their fathers was of critical importance. More time spent alone with dad resulted in higher self-esteem. Further, more time with their fathers in a group setting led to better social skills.    

Focus on the Family has also highlighted the unique and vital role fathers play in raising boys. Men will often play tougher with boys, foster competition, promote independence, and are more likely to encourage bold risk taking.      

Many of these elements are present when fathers and sons enter into the world of block wargames. Through wooden blocks on a large mapboard boys are introduced to classic battles and historic military campaigns. But more importantly fathers are introducing their sons to the characteristics and qualities which block games foster. And of course, these dads positively impact their sons through the time commitment required. 

So what is it exactly that makes these board games such a good fit for fathers and sons? 

• Great Battles: What son wouldn’t want to learn about the Roman Civil War or the Crusades by playing a game with his father? Every dad should teach his son about history and war. Great battles were won with equanimity and boldness. Boys want to learn about this.
• Great components: What boy doesn’t like to play with wooden blocks, no matter how young or old? Add to the mix incredible boards with roads, rivers, and various other terrain elements which expertly capture the topographical challenges faced historically.
• Great game mechanics: I’ve written about this before. From block rotation for step reduction, to the fog of war aspect captured by the upright blocks, to the luck of the dice, these are fun games to play. 
• Great times: Block wargames normally require 2-3 hours on average to play an entire battle. Quality time is often nothing more than quantity time. Simply spending time together.

Important too is the ease of play, which means that fathers can “battle” their sons from 9 years old to 19 and beyond. But don’t confuse ease of play with easy play. The strategic and tactical challenge presented by these well researched games are not easy to master. 

Tactical thinkers. Audacious leaders. Self-confident and smart. The men of tomorrow are the boys of today. As dads, are we giving them our time and attention? As our generation forms the next, we should consider the constructive role that recreation plays in that very formation. Block wargames effectively serve that very purpose.