Need A Casual Hobby To Pad The Time? Try Gaming

And we get that; video games tend to appeal to a younger demographic, and it’s often a bit challenging to try and engage in the same way when you’re a busy parent with a lot to get on with. 

But really, not all gaming is like that. You don’t have to suddenly get up to date on the latest console news or learn about different PC specs and what they mean for game performance. You simply need a device you’re comfortable using, an internet connection, and then 20 or so minutes of your free time. 

Because gaming is incredibly accessible, has little to no learning curve to master, and if you want something you can dip in and out of without any issues, it’ll be right up your street. 

And if that sounds like something you’re willing to give a try, here are a few tips to get you started.

Make a Steam Account

If you don’t know what Steam is, it’s a digital store front for buying PC games. 

And the reason we recommend making an account? Because they have the largest variety of games on offer, with regular sales and fantastic customer support. If you want to find a few games that look interesting, Steam will most likely have the range you’re looking for. 

They even have an interactive recommender tool. You can use it to set game genres you’re happy to try, and then adjust according to game age and popularity. And as you move these settings, the recommender will pull up a bunch of different titles that might appeal to you. 

Quick and easy, and all totally free to use.

Download Puzzle Apps

Do you like puzzles? Then take them on the go with you! There are plenty of different puzzle apps on Google Play and the App Store, whether you like word searches, pictograms, or you want to try out something more creative and indie. 

Some puzzle games are free to play, with in-app purchases or a premium upgrade you can get to access more puzzles or an ads-free version. Some puzzles are paid games, and that might not feel like something you want to spend on. 

However, we recommend trying out paid games the most, as at the very least you get to buy the game outright and then never pay anything for it again. 

Play Card Games Online

Simple, easy, fun! Just what you’re looking for here! And when it comes to card games, you probably already know the rules and how to play. So you can just get straight to it, no need for a tutorial. 

A few rounds of hearts, if that’s what you’re into, or maybe solitaire, freecell, or rummy. If you’ve played them with a real pack of cards, you can find a game for it online! Then, just bookmark the site and come back to it when you want to do something speedy yet fun.

When You’re New to Gaming, Here’s What to Remember

Now we’ve gone through a few of the things you can try out, we want to lay down a few tips for beginner gamers.  When you’re new to buying and playing games, keep these kinds of things in mind. 

Set Some Screen Time Limits

You don’t want to end up spending hours on gaming – it’s bad for the kids and it’s bad for you too. So try to set some screen time limits before you start. 

If need be, you can set up a block on the app after a certain period of time has gone by, which can be done either in your phone settings or using another app.  But you can also simply set yourself a reminder to pop up, that lets you know a certain amount of time has passed and it’s time to put the game down! 

If You Like a Board Game, See if it Has a Digital Version

Like Clue, or Monopoly, or Ticket to Ride? They all have digital versions you can play! And the same is true for various other board games as well. 

As such, it’s worth having a look around to see if these games do have an online version for you to try out. It might be a bit different than what you’re used to, but you’ll still get the same essence and fun of a game that you already know and love. 

Take Reviews with a Grain of Salt

As with anything else in life that you want to buy, always check the reviews section before you pay for a game or download it. You want to know if other customers have had anything to say about their experience. However, try not to believe everything the reviewers say outright. Both super positive and super negative reviews should be taken with a grain of salt, and you can safely bet a little bit of bias exists in both these review types.

The truth about the game will always be in the middle, and if you still want to give it a go, feel free to.

Gaming Could Be Your New Casual Hobby

If you’re in the market for a casual hobby, and you’re happy to give anything a go, gaming could hit the spot quite nicely. And whether or not you’re a ‘gamer’ type of person, playing video games is a fun thing to do! 

Because there’s a million different games out there, all ready-made for different kinds of people. You’re more than likely to find something that suits you.  And if you need to put the game down and get dinner ready, or someone needs help with homework, or a friend has called and needs to talk about something, you can simply press pause, save, and then come back later. What could be more parent-friendly than that?