Playing for Connection: Why Games Still Matter

Why I Started Creating Free Printable Games to Nurture Connection and Self-Worth

How do you feel about games?
Did you play them when you were a kid — maybe with your family after dinner or your friends at sleepovers?

As a child, I loved playing games with my family. My siblings, my parents, and I would gather around the kitchen table with a deck of cards — hearts was our favorite. I’m sure we didn’t play every night, but the nights we did are stamped into my memory with warmth. In my heart, it feels like we played all the time.

When we visited my grandparents, I’d sit beside the wood stove and play backgammon with my grandfather while he smoked his pipe. Those memories still nestle inside me like small glowing embers.

And now, decades later, I see that those moments weren’t really about winning or losing — they were about being together. The laughter. The connection. The belonging.

But lately I’ve noticed something: so many of today’s activities aren’t really about playing together. They’re about being entertained. We sit beside each other, not always with each other.

That’s why, at Ploppals, my mission is to help people feel better - to remind them they’re loved, valued, and not alone.

And that’s why creating free printable games that foster connection and inclusivity lights me up.

With Halloween fast approaching, what better excuse to make a new one? 🎃

Can’t wait to play? Skip the story and scroll down to grab the Tricks & Treats printable! ↓

The Disappearing Magic of Play

Between busy schedules, screens, and endless to-do lists, slow, shared play has become rare.

Maybe your UNO deck is half-lost behind the couch.
Maybe your Monopoly board is missing every $100 bill.
And even when we do sit down to play, so many games are built around competition - not connection.

While competition has its place, let’s be honest:
Most of us aren’t craving more rivalry…
We’re craving closeness.

We want to laugh.
We want to feel seen.
We want to be silly without feeling judged.

Why Play Builds Connection (and Self-Worth)

Play does something beautiful that words can’t - it breaks down walls and builds bridges.

Research shows that families who play together:

• Communicate better

• Feel less stress

• Enjoy a deeper sense of connection

Cooperative games, especially, boost empathy, confidence, and emotional well-being - especially in kids.

That’s why play is so central to Ploppals.
It’s not just entertainment — it’s emotional nourishment.

It’s how we remind each other:

✨ You matter.
✨ You belong.
✨ You’re worth connecting with.

Let’s Play Together

At Ploppals, we design gifts that foster connection and self-worth.
That includes our snuggly plush messengers - little bundles of love with big-hearted messages -
and our growing collection of free printable games.

These aren’t just activities — they’re invites to connect.
To laugh, to share, to feel good — together.

So if you're thinking:
"I want to play something right now!" - you're in the right place.

👇 Scroll down for our latest printable game… or hop over to our Free Gifts Page to see the full collection.

No screens. No fancy equipment.
Just print, play, and connect. 💛

👻 Introducing: Tricks & Treats — A Spooky-Silly Printable Game from Ploppals

Our newest creation is here to bring laughter, kindness, and connection to your Halloween season — no candy required (but hey, we won’t stop you 🍬).

Each roll of the dice takes you to either:

• 💙 A Trick – silly fun like “do your best ghost impression” or “stomp around like a zombie.”

• 🧡 A Treat – heartfelt actions like “give someone a compliment” or “share something you’re grateful for.”

It’s sugar-free, screen-free, and stuffed with joy.

All you need is:

• Scissors ✂️

• A little tape 🩹

• A few minutes together ❤️

And the rest? That’s just pure connection waiting to happen.

Play. Laugh. Connect. Repeat.

At Ploppals, we believe connection doesn’t have to be complicated — it just has to be real.

Whether it’s Halloween night or a random Tuesday, give yourself permission to gather, giggle, and grow closer.

Because the magic isn’t in the game itself — it’s in the people sitting around your table. 💛

Ready to Play?

Pop your name and email below, and your Tricks & Treats printable will land in your inbox faster than a friendly ghost. 👻 Whether you're playing at home, in your classroom, or in your community — you're spreading joy. And we love you for it.

Heather
Founder, Ploppals