CNN Parenting

Being on lockdown isn't all fun and games. But families need fun -- and these games help

By David G. Allan, CNN

Updated 2121 GMT (0521 HKT) March 18, 2020

Monopoly was first issued by Parker Brothers in 1935, though there is some controversy about who invented the game. Some say it was Charles Darrow during the Depression; others say it was originally Elizabeth Phillips who called it The Landlord's Game, patented in 1904. Like many games and toys, the look has changed over the years.
Photos: Our childhood toys: Then and now
Monopoly was first issued by Parker Brothers in 1935, though there is some controversy about who invented the game. Some say it was Charles Darrow during the Depression; others say it was originally Elizabeth Phillips who called it The Landlord's Game, patented in 1904. Like many games and toys, the look has changed over the years.
Hide Caption
1 of 40
Monopoly Empire by Parker Brothers in 2013. More than 275 million games have been sold worldwide, and it's available in 111 countries, in 43 languages.
Photos: Our childhood toys: Then and now
Monopoly Empire by Parker Brothers in 2013. More than 275 million games have been sold worldwide, and it's available in 111 countries, in 43 languages.
Hide Caption
2 of 40
The Rubik's Cube: Since its invention by Hungarian professor Erno Rubik in 1974, an estimated 350 million Rubik's Cubes have been sold, and about one in seven people alive has played with the cube, <a href="http://rubiks.com/history" target="_blank">according to its website.</a>
Photos: Our childhood toys: Then and now
The Rubik's Cube: Since its invention by Hungarian professor Erno Rubik in 1974, an estimated 350 million Rubik's Cubes have been sold, and about one in seven people alive has played with the cube, according to its website.
Hide Caption
3 of 40
In 2009, the cube was upgraded to modern times with the Rubik's TouchCube by Techno Source, which bills it as the first completely electronic, solvable Rubik's Cube. The TouchCube is one of many examples of how traditional games are becoming more and more popular in electronic format, from sports like football and baseball to board games like chess and checkers.
Photos: Our childhood toys: Then and now
In 2009, the cube was upgraded to modern times with the Rubik's TouchCube by Techno Source, which bills it as the first completely electronic, solvable Rubik's Cube. The TouchCube is one of many examples of how traditional games are becoming more and more popular in electronic format, from sports like football and baseball to board games like chess and checkers.
Hide Caption
4 of 40