Did you realize games like Candy Land teach kids valuable skills? Your children probably won't know they're learning while playing games, but moving pieces around game boards offer lessons in basic math, social interaction and more. This year, take a break from hectic holiday activities and sit down to play a game with your preschooler. You'll spend quality time together while painlessly teaching useful skills.

Play Together
"Games cross all generational, educational and ethnic lines," says Bob Moog, Chairman of University Games. "The combination of skill and luck make game playing a great family activity."

Psychologist Harriet Mosatche agrees. She started playing games with her two children early, modifying Boggle rules for her small daughter to make the game fun for everyone in her family. Mosatche encourages families to turn off the television and interact around a game board. "Common activities bring family members close," she says.

Some of Moog's best childhood memories are of playing games. "My brother had a very serious physical condition, which confined him to the house most of the time. We often invented games and played games together." After playing chess or Stratego, Moog would hand crutches to his brother, and they'd go raid the kitchen for chocolate cream pie and milk. To build similar happy memories with his 5-year-old daughter, Moog tries to begin each day with a quick game of lotto or Kids on Stage with her.

Finding time to play is sometimes difficult. One idea is to schedule a family game night twice per month. Add snacks and everyone will look forward to a night of fun.

Playing to Learn
In addition to strengthening family bonds, playing games together fosters learning. Louis Pukelis of Illinois often played entry-level computer games, like Reader Rabbit, and board games, like Chutes and Ladders and Memory with his son and daughter. "Playing games helped my son and daughter with reading, shapes, etc.," says Pukelis. "Today, my son, who is a second-grader, is reading and doing math at the fifth grade level, and my daughter, a kindergartener, is reading at a third grade level."

Indeed, preschoolers can learn plenty from playing games of all kinds.

• Games teach basic social manners. Kids learn to wait for turns, share and work together.
• Children develop compassion and empathy when they watch competitors face challenges.
• Game playing encourages critical thinking skills. Kids practice problem solving, counting and math.
• Games develop gross and small motor skills. Think of your child "jumping rope" in Charades or turning over cards one at a time.
• Kids learn creativity and open-ended play from games.

But playing games with preschoolers isn't always easy. "At first, game night with my 4-year-old son took patience!" says Kristin Madson from Salt Lake City, Utah. "Sam hated waiting for his turn and even up-ended our Trouble game board in frustration. After I carefully explained the rules to him and why we have rules, he now understands waiting for his turn." She adds, "I've noticed he's more patient with his friends at preschool since we started a regular game night." This Christmas, Sam asked Santa for Ants in the Pants, and Madson is looking forward to playing the new game with her son.

Shopping Savvy
Toy stores are crowded with a variety of games. How do you know which game your child would like? Try asking friends about games that their children choose to play often. Also, keep your particular child's interests in mind. If your son likes fitting things together you might consider a puzzle, or you might buy a game featuring your daughter's favorite Dr. Seuss character.

This busy holiday season, take time to play with your child. "Kids see this as one discreet moment when their parents are focusing on them as a friend rather than as an authority figure. "It's fun for the child and it's fun for the parent," says Moog. Christmas is hectic and it's hard to squeeze things in. Don't forget to play!