An article in the local newspaper notes that every dog in the United States is currently in ecstasy. They have no idea what is going on, but everyone in the family is home right now all day long and the dogs couldn’t be happier.
But what about the humans? Looking for a fun family game?
Years ago, I wrote up a game for my family designed around our physical home. Choose an adult to walk around the house and make note of various things. These were my questions, and you will have to adapt to how your home is laid out.
Windows
How many windows are in the master bedroom? How many windows in the boys bedroom? In the girls bedroom? In the kitchen? In the family room? In the garage? When standing outside the house facing it, how many windows can you see?
Note well, you will have to decide on the definition of “window” especially if you have double hung windows. When there are two double hung windows, are there two windows? Or one big one?
Kitchen.
How many door handles are on all the kitchen cabinets? What brand is the microwave? What brand is the refrigerator? What brand is the dishwasher? In the refrigerator, how many eggs fit on the egg tray? How many shelves are there in the refrigerator door? What color are the numbers on the clock in the kitchen? Name four different things found on the window sill.
Family room (or living room).
What brand is the television? What brand is the DVD/VCR? How many light fixtures are in the family room? How many remotes are found in the family room? What color are the walls? How many photos or other things are hanging on the walls?
Bathroom.
How many light bulbs in the fixture above the sink? How many prescription pill containers are in the medicine cabinet? How many containers of shampoo and conditioner or other hair products are there in the shower caddy? How many bars of soap are there?
We have two bathrooms in my home, and if you have more than one, ask about upstairs bathroom or guest bathroom or small bathroom, etc.
Laundry room.
What color is the washer? What color is the dryer? What brand is the washer? What brand is the dryer? What is the brand of the laundry detergent?
Doors.
For this, “doors” are defined as leading from one room to another, so excluding closet doors and cabinets. How many doors are in the house? How many doors lead to the outside? (Potential trick question – storm doors are also doors!)
I could go on and on. You can ask questions about your pantry, about photos hanging on the walls in rooms not mentioned above, the color of the numbers on the outside of your home, how many steps are there from the front door to the outside, the brand of the barbecue, the plants and shrubs in your garden. Some questions should be slam-dunk easy, like the color of the walls in which the family is playing this game.
It’s interesting to see how many family members with mild OCD will know many of the answers to these questions and how many will be clueless. Remember, this is a game so fun is to be had. Don’t forget to include your dog, although she will be too excited to have the entire family home that she won’t get any of the answers right. Have fun and please stay safe.
Rod J. Herrera, LCSW, is director, Office of Child and Youth Protection, Diocese of Camden.
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