Busy Philipps and Babybel Goodness Land celebrate flavorful playtime, interview

Like many other parents, Busy Philipps appreciates that some of the most memorable family moments happen during playtime. With the help of Babybel Goodness Land, snack time combined with play can open the doors to a new family tradition.

Parents have many things on their plate when it comes to guiding their children through the years. From trying to have balanced food choices to getting a beyond a one-word response to how are you, the struggles can make even the simple day feel cumbersome.

Still, a moment of playtime can break down some of those barriers. By putting down the screens, encouraging a moment of engagement, and hopefully having some fun, those few moments around the table can make all the other noise seem less overwhelming.

Recently, Busy Philipps partnered with Babybel to launch its new Babybel Goodness Land. As the name suggests, this board game borrows from the classic Candy Land. While there might not be a Mr. Mint or a Duke of Swirl, the easy to play, all ages game encourages families to take a moment and interact with each other. And, if a Babybel snack is incorporated into that game time, it is a secondary win.

Ahead of the program’s announcement, Busy Philipps spoke to FoodSided about this partnership and how she engages with her children. Even though the talented entertainer admits that she might not always get everything perfect, she believes that a little playtime can help to get her kids to be a little more open with communication.

As Philipps shared, “The amount of real communication that ends up happening when you’re doing something like playing a board game with your kids is so valuable because we all want to know what our kids are doing and what they’re like and what their feelings about things are. Sometimes when you ask kids directly, they do not want to talk. But, in the world of playing a game together, kids are just much more free to tell you things.

“I had a realization a couple of years ago that I had been trying to sort of force my kids to like things I liked. What’s important to kids is that they feel like their parents understand what they are into and are able to enjoy those things, too. I really did try to learn how to play some of these video games that my kids are into and I’m terrible at it. It that became like a bigger joke. But, we can play a board game together.”

Those board game moments even extend beyond just her table. Philipps mentioned that even her parents FaceTime and join the game. Given that the Babybel Goodness Land is based on a familiar, generationally inclusive concept, it brings everyone together around the table.

Since the game can open the door to a conversation, Philipps believes that the touch of distraction can be helpful when tackling some bigger subjects. As she mentioned, “my number one rule about parenting is that you have to be distracted when talking about the big conversations. When you get into deep stuff, make sure that you’re doing other stuff that isn’t so deep. Learning that your grandmother is a sore loser might make talking about bigger subjects less difficult.”

The Babybel Goodness Land can be that backdrop. Plus, combining it with some Babybel cheese can make it even easier. Some people tend to be more forthcoming when they are not hungry.

In her household, Philipps tries not to focus on good or bad food labels. While her friends, like Jenny Mollen, might make the picture perfect, curated lunch box, Philipps takes a more laid back approach. Having easy, ready to enjoy food on hand is her go-to option. Grabbing a Babybel cheese, apple and a drink while running out the door can be a simple solution. Nailing that moment is a good thing.

While parents are always looking for ways to keep the balance during those hectic days, Philipps did recall that her mom used to write a note on a napkin in her school lunches. That little gesture totally made her day. Maybe there can be a way to add a note to those Babybel cheeses in the lunch box and continue the tradition.

For another tradition in the family, consider sitting down to a board game and having a few moments of playtime. Even if one person always wins or another person can never remember the rules, those moments of distraction can open the door to some other conversation and the laughter can make lasting memories long after the game is put back on the shelf.

The Babybel Goodness Land board game is part of a giveaway that runs through October 4. More information on how to enter can be found online.