Birthdays have a way of making us pause and reflect, especially when it comes to children. They grow so quickly that every year feels like a milestone, every candle on the cake a reminder of how far they’ve come since those early days of clumsy steps and scattered toys. When a child turns five, the changes are even more striking. They are no longer the wobbly toddler you once had to coax to sit still; they are full-fledged little people, with personalities, opinions, and developing passions. And in the case of Mason, this passion has firmly rooted itself in the world of tabletop gaming.
This past year has been a revelation. The early days of gaming with a very young child can be tricky — a mixture of patient rule adjustments, constant snack breaks, and the occasional tantrum when a meeple gets knocked over or a game piece doesn’t go their way. But somewhere between four and five years old, something shifted. Mason stopped being a tagalong at the table and became a real partner in play. He went from simply rolling dice when told to actively reminding other players of the rules, strategizing about his turns, and asking to play specific games by name.
The excitement begins every time you ask if he wants to play something. There is rarely hesitation. The only time you can recall him ever refusing was on a day when he had the stomach flu and needed to throw up — a perfectly acceptable excuse in any household. The reliability and enthusiasm with which he approaches games now are remarkable. He is not just willing to play; he is eager. He is the one who comes to the table ready to set things up, pick characters, shuffle decks, and dive in.
Of course, favorite games quickly emerge at this age, and Mason’s top choice is clear: Terror in Meeple City. Although your family prefers to call it by its original name, Rampage, there is something about the chaos and freedom of that game that resonates perfectly with a five-year-old boy. Rampage is a game about monsters toppling buildings, flicking pieces across the board, and creating delightful chaos out of cardboard cityscapes. The appeal is obvious — it allows him to be big, loud, and destructive in a way that is controlled and acceptable.
There is something wonderfully cathartic about this type of game. It gives a child permission to let loose, to smash and knock things over, to laugh as meeples fly across the table. But within that freedom is a structure, a set of rules that must still be followed. You can’t just destroy indiscriminately; you have to do so strategically, deciding which building to attack and when, managing resources, and thinking ahead to the next turn. For Mason, that blend of unstructured play and structured decision-making is magic.
Coming in close behind Rampage is Battleball, a game that combines elements of dice-chucking chaos with tactical planning. Its futuristic sports theme is a natural fit for a young gamer who enjoys conflict and competition. What he loves most about games is the moments of big action — flicking a piece, rolling a clutch die, knocking something over, or pulling off a move that changes the state of the board dramatically.
But these preferences also create important growth opportunities. Games with destruction and conflict can sometimes lead to difficult moments, especially for a young child still learning how to manage emotions and think about how their actions affect others. There have been awkward moments when Mason discovered that it isn’t always fun to be on the receiving end of destruction, and those moments have become teaching tools. Gaming provides a safe space to explore fairness, winning, losing, and handling disappointment — lessons that are just as important as learning to count or read.
Watching Mason develop a sense of sportsmanship over the past year has been one of the most rewarding parts of being his gaming partner. He is beginning to understand not only how to win graciously but also how to lose without letting it ruin the fun. That growth does not happen overnight. It comes from repetition, from playing games that have both moments of triumph and moments of frustration, and from guiding him through those moments with patience.
As the year has gone on, Mason’s taste has begun to expand beyond just the games of pure destruction. Camel Up has become a frequent request, and its mix of betting, racing, and unpredictable outcomes keeps him engaged from start to finish. Camel Up is one of those games that feels perfectly tailored to younger players — its rules are simple, its turns are quick, and the moments of drama when camels leapfrog over each other create hilarious table reactions. Watching Mason cheer on his chosen camel is almost as fun as playing the game itself.
Sushi Go! has been another hit, and it has had a surprising effect outside of the gaming table. The game’s cheerful art and light drafting mechanics have turned into a real-life curiosity about sushi. Mason now asks for shrimp tempura and other sushi dishes by name, transforming what was once just a game about collecting sets into an actual culinary adventure. There is something remarkable about the way games can connect the imaginary world with the real one, sparking curiosity and expanding a child’s experiences.
Black Fleet has also joined the rotation of beloved games, adding a bit of pirate-themed fun to Mason’s repertoire. The idea of moving ships, collecting treasure, and sinking opponents appeals to the same love of action that drives his enthusiasm for Rampage. And recently, Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small has caught his attention — perhaps because of the animeeples, which are irresistible to kids and adults alike.
Another fascinating development this past year has been Mason’s transition into a full-fledged rules lawyer. When he was younger, you could make up the rules on the fly to keep things moving. Little kids don’t want to wait around while an adult puzzles through the rulebook. But now, Mason remembers exactly what you told him the first time — and he holds you to it. If you get it wrong, he will remind you and accuse you of changing the rules. This level of recall and fairness shows not only how much he is absorbing but also how seriously he takes the game experience.
It has reached the point where he can now teach games himself. Though shy at first, once he gets comfortable, he enjoys teaching his nana and great-grandmother how to play. At first, they didn’t believe that a four-year-old could explain the rules correctly, but now they trust him — and that confidence is a joy to see. Games have become a way for him to step into a leadership role, to guide others, and to share something he loves.
Perhaps most impressively, Mason can now beat you straight up at several games. Ghost Blitz is one where his reflexes and sharp observation skills give him an edge. He regularly wins memory games as well, which is humbling but also a clear sign of just how quickly he is developing cognitively. Losing to a five-year-old might sting a little, but it is also a point of pride. It means you are playing on a level playing field now.
This year has been a reminder that children are sponges at this age, soaking up everything around them. Every game night becomes an opportunity for them to practice critical thinking, social skills, patience, and problem-solving. Games are not just entertainment; they are tools for growth, ways to practice life skills in a safe and engaging environment.
Growing Through Games
There is something uniquely powerful about games as a teaching tool. They are, in a way, a microcosm of life — complete with rules, challenges, victories, and defeats. For a child like Mason, games are not just a way to pass the time. They are a classroom, a playground, and a social experiment all in one. Each session at the table has given him opportunities to grow — to develop patience, emotional regulation, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work with others toward a shared experience.
One of the most significant areas where games have made a difference this past year has been in emotional development. Young children experience their feelings in big, overwhelming waves, and games can be an excellent way to teach them how to navigate those waves. Losing a game, for example, can be devastating when you are four or five years old. It feels unfair, like the world is stacked against you. But because board games are repeatable experiences, they give a child a chance to practice losing gracefully in a safe environment. Each time Mason has faced a disappointing roll, a piece being knocked off the board, or a crushing loss, he has had the chance to experience those feelings and then reset for the next round.
These moments are not always easy. There have been tears, pouting, and a few dramatic exits from the table. But over time, the intensity of those reactions has softened. Now, he takes a deep breath and often asks to play again rather than storming off. That resilience is something that can’t be taught with words alone — it must be experienced. Games provide a perfect setting for that practice.
Conflict is another major theme that gaming has helped Mason navigate. His favorite games often involve a certain amount of destruction or confrontation — toppling buildings in Rampage, sinking ships in Black Fleet, stealing treasure, or outmaneuvering opponents. For a child, there is a thrill in being the one who causes chaos. But there is also an important lesson in realizing that when you do it to someone else, they might feel frustrated or upset.
Those moments have become teaching opportunities about empathy and fairness. When Mason first started playing games with conflict, he loved to win at all costs, often laughing gleefully at his opponents’ misfortunes. Over time, though, he began to notice how his actions affected others. There have been moments where he paused, considered what he was about to do, and then made a different choice — one that still followed the rules but felt less punitive toward another player. That kind of growth is hard to quantify, but it is visible in the way he now celebrates his victories without gloating and comforts others when they lose.
The concept of fairness has become particularly important to him. Because he remembers the rules so precisely, he has developed a strong sense of justice at the table. If he perceives that something is unfair or that someone is not following the rules correctly, he will speak up. At times, this leads to heated debates — the classic “rules lawyer” moments — but it also shows that he values integrity in play. He wants the game to be played the right way, not just so that he can win, but so that everyone has the experience they are supposed to have.
This attention to fairness has extended beyond games as well. You notice it when you divide snacks or share toys with his younger brother. Mason will often insist that everything be distributed evenly and that everyone gets a turn. These little moments demonstrate that gaming is not just teaching him about meeples and dice; it is shaping his sense of justice and equality in everyday life.
Another remarkable change has been Mason’s ability to focus and pay attention for longer periods. Games require concentration — they demand that a player remember what has happened, think about what might happen next, and make decisions based on that information. For a child, that is no small task. At first, he would get distracted easily, wander away from the table, or forget the objective mid-game. But over time, his ability to stay engaged has grown dramatically.
Now, he can sit through games with multiple steps, phases, and more complex rule sets without losing interest. Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small is a perfect example. It is a game that requires planning, resource management, and strategic thinking, and Mason not only enjoys it but asks for it by name. The fact that he wants to play a game that involves long-term planning shows just how far his attention span has come.
This focus has also spilled over into other areas of life. He listens more carefully when given instructions, follows through on tasks, and remembers details that you might expect a five-year-old to forget. That memory shows up most strongly during gaming sessions, where he will recall the exact outcome of a previous playthrough or remind you of a rule you explained weeks earlier.
Beyond personal growth, gaming has given Mason opportunities to connect with others. Teaching games to family members has become one of his favorite activities. Though he is shy at first, once he warms up, he enjoys explaining rules and guiding new players through their first turns. There is a special pride in watching him take ownership of that role, becoming not just a participant but a leader at the table.
At first, his nana and great-grandmother would ask you to confirm the rules he explained, perhaps not trusting that a child could convey them correctly. Now, they have learned that he is often spot-on, and they no longer second-guess him. That confidence boost has been invaluable for him. It has given him a voice and shown him that adults respect what he has to say.
Interestingly, his younger brother has also benefited from watching Mason play. The younger sibling almost has the rules to Ghost Blitz down and is close to beating you at it as well. This creates a sense of shared activity and healthy competition within the household. The two brothers are learning to play together, sometimes as allies and sometimes as opponents, which is another important step in social development.
Even outside of family, Mason has shown an increased ability to interact with peers through games. When friends visit, he will sometimes suggest a game and take the lead in setting it up. This ability to initiate group play is significant because it helps him build social confidence. Games provide a natural framework for interaction, giving children something to do together and a set of shared goals to work toward.
The culinary impact of games has been another delightful surprise. Sushi Go! has encouraged Mason to try new foods and develop more adventurous tastes. Where he was once a very fussy eater, he now asks for shrimp tempura and sushi. That connection between the game and real life shows how powerful games can be as a tool for encouraging curiosity. What starts as a card with a smiling shrimp on it becomes a real-world request at the dinner table.
Watching Mason learn to navigate wins and losses, develop patience, show empathy, and share his love of games with others has been one of the greatest joys of parenting this past year. It has been confirmed that gaming is more than a pastime — it is a shared experience that helps children grow into thoughtful, fair, and engaged human beings.
Lessons from the Table
Each game that Mason has played over the last year has brought its own lessons, challenges, and stories. Looking back at them one by one, it becomes clear how much of his growth is tied to the moments spent around the table. These games are not just entertainment for him — they are tools for developing problem-solving skills, social awareness, memory, and creativity.
Terror in Meeple City, or Rampage as it is fondly called in our house, remains the crown jewel of Mason’s gaming world. There is something immediately appealing to a child about a game where you get to destroy things. The act of knocking over buildings and sending meeples flying is pure joy to him. What makes Rampage special, though, is that it is not just mindless destruction. There is timing involved, decision-making about which building to attack, and consideration about when to use certain actions.
Mason has learned that he cannot just go in and smash everything at once — he has to plan his moves carefully if he wants to maximize points and avoid leaving an opening for the other monsters. At first, he would gleefully cause chaos without thinking about the consequences. Over time, he began to pause before each action, looking at the board and figuring out where he could do the most damage efficiently. This planning is an early form of strategy, and seeing him start to connect actions with long-term outcomes has been fascinating.
Another benefit of Rampage is the way it encourages dexterity and hand-eye coordination. Mason has gotten more precise with his flicking and dropping techniques, learning how much force to use and how to angle his monster’s attacks. That physical control is another form of growth — a sign that his fine motor skills are developing right alongside his cognitive abilities.
Battleball is another game that has become a staple for him. The appeal here is slightly different. While Rampage is about destruction, Battleball is about competition and sportsmanship. It’s a game that mirrors football in a simplified way, giving players a team to manage and tactical decisions to make on the field. Mason has become very good at anticipating plays, choosing which dice to roll, and when to go for big moves.
This game has also taught him about risk management. He has learned that sometimes it is better to play it safe and move his players carefully rather than always going for the high-risk, high-reward rolls. When he does take a risk and fails, he has begun to accept that as part of the game rather than getting upset. That shift shows emotional maturity — he is learning that even when the dice do not go his way, the fun is in playing, not just in winning.
Camel Up has been another surprising favorite. At first, Mason found the idea of betting on racing camels a little confusing, but after a few plays, he began to understand the mechanics. This game has been an excellent exercise in probability for him. He has learned to look at the dice that have already been rolled and make educated guesses about which camel is most likely to advance next. He has also learned that sometimes a clever bet can win more points than simply cheering for the camel in the lead.
One of the funniest parts of playing Camel Up with Mason is watching him react to the chaos of the game. When the camels land on each other and create stacks, he laughs so hard that it is hard to keep him focused on the game. But even in that laughter, there is learning — he is absorbing the unpredictability of the game and discovering that sometimes luck turns everything upside down. Instead of getting frustrated when the camel he bet on falls behind, he is now more likely to cheer for a wild comeback or laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation.
Sushi Go! has been another game with an unexpected real-world impact. Drafting games teach players to evaluate options, weigh what they need against what they think their opponents might take, and make quick decisions. Mason has gotten very good at spotting valuable card combinations and planning for the next round. But beyond the strategy, Sushi Go! has influenced his tastes in real life.
The game’s charming artwork and cute presentation made him curious about the food it represents. Where he once refused to try anything new, he now asks for shrimp tempura and sushi at dinner. It is not an exaggeration to say that Sushi Go! Changed our family’s grocery list. More importantly, it opened his mind to the idea that trying something unfamiliar could be rewarding — a lesson that applies far beyond food.
Black Fleet has given Mason the chance to play with a mix of luck, tactics, and a bit of mischief. The game allows players to control pirate ships, merchants, and even the navy, creating opportunities for clever plays and big swings in fortune. Mason loves sending pirates to plunder cargo, but he has also started to understand the importance of protecting his own ships and planning for when the navy might strike back.
This game has also been an excellent teaching tool for turn order and sequencing. Mason has learned that sometimes the best move is not the obvious one and that it can be worth waiting to strike until the right moment. That kind of forward-thinking shows just how much his strategic thinking has matured over the last year.
Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small has probably been the most complex game he has enjoyed regularly. Worker placement is a challenging concept for young players, but Mason has taken to it remarkably well. He loves collecting resources, building pastures, and filling them with animals. The little wooden animals are a big draw for him, but he also understands that he needs to balance short-term gains with long-term goals if he wants to do well.
Watching him plan out his farm is like watching a small engineer at work. He will sit back, look at the board, and figure out which actions he needs to take in which order to get the outcome he wants. When a plan comes together, he beams with pride. When it doesn’t, he still laughs and resets for the next round. Agricola has been a perfect game to show him that even in a structured environment, there is room for creativity.
Ghost Blitz has become a test of speed and perception, and Mason has risen to the challenge. The game is all about spotting patterns quickly and reacting faster than your opponent. Mason’s small hands are quick, and more often than not, he beats everyone else to the punch. It has been humbling to realize that he can consistently outperform adults at a game that relies purely on mental processing speed and reflexes.
These wins have been important for his confidence. Beating adults fairly at a game shows him that he is capable, that his skills are real, and that he can succeed even in a competitive setting. It is a reminder that games can be a great equalizer, where age and size do not matter as much as focus and quick thinking.
Even memory games have taken on a new level of seriousness. Mason regularly wins them, and it is clear that he is exercising that part of his brain with every play. Memory games are deceptively simple, but they require focus, recall, and spatial awareness. Mason’s ability to track where cards are and remember sequences of moves has sharpened considerably, and it shows up in other areas of his life as well.
Each of these games has brought something different to the table — literally and figuratively. Together, they form a kind of curriculum, teaching Mason lessons in math, strategy, planning, empathy, patience, and sportsmanship. And perhaps most importantly, they have provided countless shared moments of joy, frustration, laughter, and learning.
Growing Up with Games
Watching Mason grow through gaming has been a deeply rewarding experience. Each play session is not just an isolated moment of fun but a stepping stone shaping who he is becoming. Games have given him more than just entertainment; they have given him a space to learn how to think critically, how to interact with others, and how to handle both victory and defeat gracefully.
One of the most noticeable changes over the past year has been his ability to focus for longer periods of time. When he first started playing games, even short ones would stretch his patience. He wanted to act quickly, take his turn, and move on to the next exciting thing. Now, he is willing to sit through longer rules explanations, take his time when it’s his turn, and even wait patiently while others think through their moves. This growth in patience is a milestone that carries over into other areas of life. He has become more willing to sit through reading time, more focused during school lessons, and more capable of seeing a task through to completion without rushing.
His growing love of rules has been an especially fascinating development. Like many young players, he started by simply trusting what he was told, taking any explanation as the truth of how the game worked. Over time, however, he began to notice inconsistencies. He remembered what I had told him in previous plays and started holding me accountable. This rule-lawyering stage has been challenging at times — especially when he is convinced he is right and I know the official rules say otherwise — but it has been a valuable lesson for both of us. For him, it has reinforced the importance of listening carefully, remembering details, and advocating for fairness. For me, it has been a reminder to be consistent, to teach carefully, and to treat his input seriously even when it comes from a five-year-old perspective.
Socially, games have become a bridge between Mason and the rest of the family. He used to be shy and hesitant around extended relatives, often clinging to me or avoiding conversations altogether. Now, when his nana or great-grandmother visits, he is quick to pull a game off the shelf and ask if they want to play. Teaching them how to play has been a huge confidence booster for him. He speaks clearly, explains steps in order, and beams with pride when they understand the game thanks to his instruction. These teaching moments are helping him find his voice, literally and figuratively.
Games have also provided a way for Mason to practice empathy. In competitive games, there are moments when he wins handily and moments when he loses badly. He is learning to celebrate victory without gloating and to handle defeat without tears. When another player makes a mistake, he has started to point it out gently rather than mocking them, and when someone else wins, he is quicker to offer a genuine congratulations. These are important lessons that will serve him well outside of gaming, helping him be a gracious competitor in sports, school, and eventually in life’s bigger challenges.
One of the more subtle ways gaming has shaped Mason is in the development of his problem-solving skills. Many games require players to think several steps ahead, weigh probabilities, or plan around scarce resources. Mason has learned to break down problems into smaller parts, consider multiple options, and choose the one that gives him the best outcome. When he makes a mistake, he often analyzes what went wrong and resolves to try a different approach next time. This iterative process is exactly the kind of mindset that leads to growth, both in gaming and in academics.
Creativity has also flourished through play. Sometimes Mason wants to tweak the rules or add new ones. Sometimes he wants to tell a story about what is happening in the game, giving characters names or imagining what their lives are like outside the board. These small acts of creativity show that he is not just following a system — he is making it his own. This willingness to experiment is part of what makes gaming such a powerful tool for development. It shows him that rules are frameworks that can be explored, adapted, and sometimes even reinvented.
Another aspect that has been heartwarming to witness is the way games have strengthened our bond. When we sit down to play, we are creating shared memories. We are laughing together when something absurd happens in Camel Up. We are working together to take down a Shoggoth or save our farm animals. We are groaning together when the dice betray us or when the Provost moves at just the wrong time in Caylus. These moments accumulate, forming a shared language and history that we can look back on fondly.
Even Mason’s relationship with his younger brother has benefited from gaming. At first, there was tension when the younger one tried to join in but couldn’t quite follow the rules or sit still for a full game. Now, Mason has become more patient, explaining rules at a slower pace and encouraging his brother to participate. He has started to enjoy being the teacher rather than just the player, and this shift has helped reduce sibling rivalry and replace it with moments of teamwork and shared accomplishment.
Looking forward, it is exciting to imagine what games we might be playing together in the years to come. As Mason’s reading skills improve, more complex games will open up to him. As his mathematical understanding grows, he will be ready for deeper strategy and heavier euros that demand economic planning. As his imagination continues to develop, storytelling games and roleplaying games may capture his interest, giving him an entirely new creative outlet.
These possibilities highlight one of the most beautiful aspects of board gaming as a hobby — it grows with you. The games that captivated Mason at four may one day be replaced with games that challenge him as a teenager, and those may later give way to games he plays with friends in adulthood. For now, though, we are in a golden age of discovery. Every game is new, every session is an adventure, and every night at the table is a chance to learn something together.
Games are shaping Mason into a thoughtful, patient, empathetic, and curious young person. They are giving him tools that go beyond the tabletop — tools for thinking, communicating, and connecting with others. And they are giving us, as a family, a way to spend quality time together that feels meaningful. As he blows out his birthday candles and enters a new year of life, the shelf of games behind us feels like a treasure chest full of possibilities, waiting to be opened one play at a time.
Conclusion
As Mason turns five, it feels like we are not just celebrating a birthday but also a milestone in our journey together as gamers. Over the past year, we have rolled dice, stacked meeples, flipped cards, toppled buildings, and laughed until our sides hurt. More importantly, we have learned together — about games, about each other, and about what it means to share time meaningfully.
Watching Mason’s love of games bloom has been a reminder of why so many people are drawn to this hobby in the first place. It is not just about competition or clever mechanics; it is about connection. Each time he eagerly runs to the shelf, pulls out Rampage, and shouts “Let’s play!”, he is really saying “Let’s spend time together. Let’s make a memory.” That simple invitation is at the heart of why board games matter.
Games have given him a way to express himself, to grow more confident, and to explore ideas safely. They have given him opportunities to practice patience and resilience — whether by waiting for his turn, losing gracefully, or finding creative solutions to problems. They have given him stories to tell, characters to root for, and imaginary worlds to explore. And for you, they have given countless moments of pride as you watch him teach his nana a game, beat you fair and square at Ghost Blitz, or carefully place pieces on the board with the concentration of a seasoned player.
The best part is that this is only the beginning. At five years old, Mason has an entire world of games still ahead of him. Soon he will be ready for longer campaigns, more complex strategies, and collaborative adventures that demand even deeper planning and teamwork. He will discover genres you have not yet explored together and perhaps find favorite games that surprise you. One day, he may even bring home games for you to try, eager to introduce you to something new, the same way you introduced him to gaming.
In a way, these early experiences at the table are laying a foundation for the kind of person he is becoming. He is learning to think critically, to play fairly, to share both victory and defeat, and to cherish time spent with others. Those are life skills that extend far beyond meeples and cards, and they will serve him well no matter what paths he takes in the future.
So, as you celebrate his birthday, there is joy not just in cake and presents but in the shared understanding that this hobby has become a part of who you are as a family. It is not just a pastime but a tradition — one that will evolve as Mason grows, just as it has evolved for you.
Happy birthday to Mason, the tiny table topper who is already a formidable gamer, a thoughtful teacher, and a constant source of surprise and joy. Here’s to another year of adventures — of toppling cities, racing camels, flipping sushi cards, and maybe even starting to build that first farm in Agricola together. Whatever comes next, it will be another chapter in a story that is as much about growing up as it is about playing games. And that is a story worth celebrating, one turn at a time.