You've probably strolled past them, you might've even stopped to play one yourself, but do you know why large wooden board games like Noughts and Crosses and Connect Four are popping up on our streets?
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It's all a part of MidCoast Council's Vibrant Spaces concept, which encourages local businesses to use the footpaths outside their shops to liven up the street and engage customers in innovative and creative ways.
Started by the Greater Taree City Council back in 2014, the initiative was adopted by MidCoast Council following the merger and rolled out in all town centres in the area in early 2018.
The games, which were made by Taree-based manufacturer Diesel's Wooden Toys, were then handed out to businesses in the Forster Tuncurry area in December 2018 as a way to show shop-owners how they could draw in customers and create atmosphere around their stores.
Wharf Street, Forster retailer Yarads Menswear was one of the first businesses to take responsibility for displaying and storing the games, and owner Michael Yarad believed they'd brought positive energy to the street.
"People of all ages stop and play," he said.
"It certainly adds to the street."
With the instantly recognisable games encouraging the public to slow down and enjoy their experience in local business areas, the Forster Tuncurry Business Chamber (FTBC) got behind the initiative and recently purchased six more sets, distributing them to FTBC members in Wharf Street and Manning Street, Tuncurry.
"It's created a really nice energy," FTBC secretary, Maxine Calladine, said.
"It's the start of greater things."
It's a part of a collaborative feeling that's starting to evolve.
- Maxine Calladine
Gai Taylor of Just Patchwork in Manning Street received one of the games, and she was more than open to the idea.
"I was very excited," she said.
Mrs Taylor believed creating 'linger nodes' - or areas in the street that captured people's attention - was an excellent way to stimulate activity in business districts, especially one like Tuncurry which had a lot of unique shops and organisations.
"I'd like to see the centre part (the pedestrian island that runs along Manning Street) beautified," she said.
MidCoast Council's economic development coordinater, Robyn Brennan, said generating innovative thinking among shop-owners was what Vibrant Spaces was all about.
"It's about creating an atmosphere on the street which encourages the public to engage with the businesses," she said.
"Several businesses have taken that initiative and run with it. We're really proud of them for taking it on."
