Board games - Info pack
History Resource Description
Delving into the realm of classic board games, we begin with the timeless 'Snakes and Ladders', a favourite for over a century. This game was a staple in many households, particularly during the festive Christmas gatherings when families would come together. The simplicity of the game, involving dice throws and navigating a board peppered with ladders and snakes, made it an accessible and enjoyable pastime. Climbing ladders represented a swift ascent towards victory, while encountering a snake meant a disheartening slide away from the finish line. The ultimate goal was to be the first to reach the final square, typically numbered 100, to claim the win.
Equally entrenched in family traditions is 'Ludo', another board game cherished for more than 100 years. Its popularity soared during the same era as 'Snakes and Ladders', and it was a common sight during Christmas celebrations, requiring four participants and thus perfect for family play. In Ludo, each player selects a colour and uses dice rolls to navigate their four counters around the board, aiming to safely bring them home. The game is spiced up with the chance to have an additional turn upon rolling a six and the strategic opportunity to send opponents' counters back to the start. Meanwhile, 'Battleships' offered a more strategic challenge, where players secretly plotted the positions of their fleet and took turns calling out coordinates to locate and sink the enemy's ships. This game, too, has stood the test of time, transitioning into modern electronic formats while retaining its nostalgic charm.