Got kids or teens yearning to connect with friends? These video games are also great social experiences

Quarantining during the coronavirus pandemic has helped us discover our inner video game fan. Sales of video games have surged this year, as both adults and kids stuck at home turn to gaming to stay entertained and connect with friends. During the second quarter, between April and June, total consumer spending on video games in the U.S. hit a record $11.6 billion, research firm NPD Group reports, up 30% from last year. "During the pandemic, many have turned to video games not only to keep them preoccupied, but also to stay in touch with family and friends," NPD analyst Mat Piscatella said. For many parents with tweens and older children, video games can serve as an outlet to maintain fledgling relationships with classmates unable to physically connect at school.