Hi Tracan i took my 2 boys last March they are age 6 and 9 i was told that they would be bored, as there is not much in Goa for children, we stayed just up the road in Calangute and i can honestly say they were not bored once, we stayed on the beach most nights untill quite late, and they were happy playing with the Goan children, we went to a few different hotels that had entertainment like the Nizmar and we played bingo in the Hotel Horizon, that was really funny, you have to be there to believe it we went to kareoke in a restaurant on Baga beach, they brought their nintendo's so when we were having a meal they sat and played them, all the waiters would come over to have a go as they had not seen one before, your children should'nt get bored as it's so different your children will come away so gratefull for what they have got. Go on the trips, see all the wonderful sights and have a wonderful time.
crystal

Those comments have put to rest any fears that I had too, crystal, as we are taking our 6 yr old in Feb, however we are going to a quiet (i think) area called Varca, he will have his DS (havent got it yet). Hey, how did you manage with the DS? Did you take the plug in charger? Batteries? How does that work?

Hi the DS don't have batteries, it's like a mobile phone you charge it up over night and then they can play it all day and the battery does last for hours, it's the best present i have bought, they played it on the plane the whole 9 hours but at least it kept them quiet
I,m sure your love it and your child will learn so much.
Just ask if you need any more info, crystal x

Thanks crystal-I may just take you up on that!!!!

Having just returned from a restaurant where the kids at the table next to us sat and played electronic games throughout the wait for the meal, the meal and afterwards whilst the parents had a drink I felt quite saddened. No one spoke virtually throughout the course of the meal.
My kids and teenagers do have various forms of elecronic games, MP3 players, portable DVD players etc etc. I'm not a complete luddite. However, I do feel there is a time and place and I realise everyone does not just stick a game in their child's hand and ignore them as this couple did. Obviously on the plane journey they are a huge advantage
I think you'll find there's loads to do in Goa because so many of the Goan people are so gregarious they love chatting to the children, specially the younger ones in the shacks.
Last year we also bought some dice in one of the shops and taught them how to play games with the dice, playing cards were a big hit too.
I know each family is different and everyone has different ways of doing things but honestly my children have never been bored in Goa and although we weren't planning on going this winter we were looking for somewhere else to take them, they've been talking about it a lot lately and I am tempted to go again. They are quite widespread as far as age goes too 8,11&16, we have gone for the last 4 years

I agree, the hand held games have a time and a place for their usage. We have held off getting one for a long time by a lot of people's standards. We spend lots of time together, board games, natural things like exploring in the woods etc. When we are in Goa there is no way my son will be using it all the time (like the family you described), but it will be an alternative when necessary. Minimum rather than maximum use of.

whilst in Goa last season we started a bit of a craze off!!! we started playing connect 4 in the beach shack and ended up having to buy a couple for the shack as everyone was wanting to play it, then some of the restaurant and bar owners caught on and suddenly all the local shops were running out of connect 4 games!! Montanas had them and Vilo villa and others, also the Kashmiri wood sellers got hooked after we played a game or two with them and then they could be seen playing it outside their shops as they waited for business!! we got this idea years ago in Bali where you would find connect 4 and Genka on the restaurant tables and you played whilst waiting for your meal, it is really a great idea and a great game and not just for kids!! they do travel ones too!!
chilly

Excellent-it's like that in the Sinai (Egypt) with the backgammon (or sheshbesh!!)

I like to play Cribbage.

If you do play crib.

There is nothing better than having a game in silence, with an audience that doesn't have a clue as to what you are doing.

Okay I have a mean streak, still fun though.

les

Wow we LOVE crib, even my 5 year old is getting into it-15/2 15/4 and the rest dont score lol!!!!

5 yo is just the right age to start, she will be good at mental arithmatic and learn how to carry wood by the time hes 10

les

edited cos I can

Yes he will wont he