Minecraft is one of our go-to family activities, and it is easy to see why. Check out 9 of the many reasons I love playing Minecraft with my kid.
It all started with a horse…My son was maybe 6 or 7 years old, and we had just gotten him the Java Edition of Minecraft for the computer. He caught on pretty quickly, but he got frustrated as all get-out one evening because he could not figure out how to ride a horse. After looking it up on Youtube (along with a slew of other newby things), I finally decided it would be easier just to download it for myself.
I wouldn’t admit it to my friends, but it was pretty freaking cool. Much more complex and interesting than I was expecting. Thankfully, my husband felt the same way.
Ever since then, we have played together as a family, and it is one of my favorite things to do with my son.
Sure, it may seem like a silly game, but I have found that playing Minecraft with my son has some unexpected benefits. From getting a chance to bond to teaching life skills, here are some of the many reasons I love playing Minecraft with my kid.
The Benefits of Playing Minecraft With Your Kid
1. It is Great Bonding Time
Playing Minecraft with my son gives us something to do together that we both enjoy, without any of the usual eye rolls or grumbling. There is no pressure to talk about what is going on in his life, and I’m not nagging him to do his chores. We just play.
2. Playing Minecraft Gives us Something to Talk About
Let’s face it, as parents, we’re not always the coolest people to talk to. Getting my son to talk about his day (or anything really) is like pulling teeth. But, when it comes to Minecraft, he’s happy as a clam to spill the beans.
3. I Get to See My Kid’s Creativity in Action
Watching my son create amazing structures in Minecraft is one of the coolest parts of playing the game together. I love to watch him build, and I’m constantly amazed by how crazy fast he is with redstone. It is so cool to see what he comes up with.
4. We Get to Practice Working Together as a Team
When we first started playing Minecraft as a family, my son was pretty selfish with the resources. My husband and I would spend a bunch of time mining and farming, and the kid would swoop in and take whatever he wanted.
Now, things are much better. We’ve learned how to work together as a team towards a common goal. What my son lacks in time spent mining, he makes up for with automatic farms and saving our bottoms during raids.
5. It’s Great for My Son’s Self Esteem
There are still some things I can do better than my son. I generally win at chess, I am a better cook (at least for now), and there are one or two other things that I can do better than he does.
But, when it comes to Minecraft, the tables are turned. If he’s had a tough day, sometimes “letting him win” (ha ha!) in Minecraft mini games is just the ticket.
6. I Get to Learn New Things from My Kid
One of the things I love most about playing Minecraft with my son is that I get to learn new things from him. He has a seemingly endless supply of knowledge about the game – from cool tips and tricks to creative ways to build structures. It’s been fun to see him take the lead and teach me new things, which has also given me an opportunity to bond with him and see the world through his eyes.
7. It’s a Fun Way to Teach Important Life Skills
OK, so my son will not need to worry about how to fight creepers and Ender dragons in real life, but he still learns a lot of important life skills. Together, we learn about resource management (always re-plant your trees!), how electricity works (redstone is cool!), efficiency (automated farms), problem-solving, building, working together as a team, and more!
8. I Get to Impress My Son (Every Now and Again)
I’m not gonna lie…I have done internet searches specifically to find cool little Minecraft hacks and Easter eggs, just to try and impress my kid. He doesn’t care that his t-shirts are folded like a pro or that I weeded and mulched the flower beds, but he was impressed that I learned how to turn a cow upside down.
9. I Actually Enjoy Playing Minecraft
After a long day, sometimes I just want to relax and unwind. It is pretty Zen to make the rounds: harvesting crops, breeding the animals, and then trading with the villagers.
Why Minecraft Will Always Have a Special Place in My Heart
I hope that after reading this article, you can see why Minecraft is more than just a game to me – it’s a way for me to bond with my son and create some pretty cool memories together. From exploring new worlds to learning new skills, Minecraft has provided us with endless hours of family entertainment.
But more than that, Minecraft has brought us closer as a family. We’ve laughed, learned, and worked together to create some truly impressive builds.
So if you’re looking for a fun and engaging way to connect with your child, I highly recommend giving Minecraft a try. Who knows – you might just discover a new passion and make some pretty good memories along the way.