British parents planning to buy at least three tabletop games to play this Christmas, research finds

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a parent in possession of at least one child is going to spend a fair amount of time playing board games over Christmas.

What might surprise you is that it won’t just be tired copies of Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit crawling their way out of cupboards this December.

A survey of more than 1,000 parents of four- to nine-year-olds by publisher Drumond Park found that parents are planning to (or have already) buy at least three new tabletop titles to play this Christmas. (via Toy News)

The research doesn’t go into details about the kinds of game expected to be hitting tables across the UK – and bear in mind this was a questionnaire filled in by parents of younger children – so don’t expect Twilight Imperium to be a popular option after Christmas dinner.

What’s more, though, is that the study found that families already own an average of six games, and that sales of board games this Christmas are expected to be up by 51% on last year.

“We are hopeful that such a quantum leap in purchase intentions may indicate a fundamental shift in the mindset of parents," commented Drumond Park marketing director Mary Wood.

"Perhaps they feel that electronic games, while very popular with their children, don’t bring the family together in the same full-on way that a rumbustious tabletop game can. The entertainment and social engagement value of games is infinite, and we believe UK parents are acknowledging that in their Christmas buying list.

“There’s no doubt about it, whatever difficulties our harried 21st-century lives throw at us, tabletop games are a perfect outlet for good old family fun."