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Families don’t seem to have much time together anymore. Between both parents working and the children’s after-school activities, you might need a bit of a breather. Taking a little time to spend with the family is as easy as starting a family game night.
If you aren’t sure how to get one started, here are some tips for you:
What Night?
You need to choose a night that works for everyone. If there are no nights that seem to be totally free, pick the best night for finding the time to be together. Make it a little later in the evening if you have to. Allow the kids to stay up a bit later than usual. Do whatever it takes to find the time to spend with your family to play some games.
What Do You Play?
That’s really up in the air. You can play whatever games will work for the entire family. Some great starters are Monopoly, Scrabble, Operation, and Twister. These are old family favorites that stand the test of time. You can play card games or even a game that is made up by the family. It doesn’t matter what game you play. They all result in the same thing. The family spends quality time together. You will make memories during game night.
Every kid loves to play games. From bingo to Zingo, there is a wide variety to choose from. I think game nights are a great way to save money while spending quality time with the family. Here are my 10 best game choices for a family game night.
Monopoly
Monopoly is a must-have game for all families. I love the little houses, play money, and “buying Boardwalk.” This game isn’t for little kids. In fact, it is recommended for ages eight and up. While the competition can go on for a long time, it’s an engaging game. If you have children between the ages of five and eight, there is also a Monopoly Jr. game.
Chutes and Ladders
This was one of the first games I purchased for my daughter. Recommended for ages three to seven, Chutes and Ladders is a basic board game with fun pictures. It doesn’t take a long time to play and the rules are easy to understand. Thus, it’s perfect for kids who are learning how to play board games. When you land on a space with a ladder, players can climb up. However, beware of the slides!
Spot It
This fun game accommodates two to eight players, thus, it can be ideal for bigger families. Coined as a “visual perception” game, Spot It challenges players to find the one matching symbol between two cards.
Jenga
This game is a real nail-biter. After making a tower, each family member takes turns pulling out blocks until the entire thing crashes down. Jenga is for kids eight years and up.
Chinese Checkers
Growing up, Chinese Checkers was one of my favorite games. Good for kids eight and older, Chinese Checkers can be played with two, four, or six players. I like watching the marbles glide across the board in an elegant race to claim their spot on the other side.
Hungry Hungry Hippos
Hungry Hippos may not be much of a thinking game. However, it’s hilarious to see who can chomp up the most marbles. The hippo who eats the “golden marble” wins. This one has small parts and is recommended for ages 4 and up. This is a short game and a good way to end your night when the kids say, “just one more game!” Hungry Hippos is for two to four players.
Scrabble Slam
This fast-paced game is quite different than the original Scrabble. The objective is to change words and get rid of your cards. Scrabble Slam only takes about 15 minutes to play. Thus, it’s a good one when you want to fit a couple of games into your family night.
Twister
I like this game because it gets everyone moving. It says it is for ages six and up but I have played it with younger children. Don’t forget to stretch before playing Twister. After all, I have gotten into some pretty odd positions!
Go Fish
Go Fish is a simple game but one even very young kids can get involved in. Shuffle the cards, pass them out and then see who can come up with the most matches.
Pictionary
For ages 12 and up, Pictionary is ideal for families with older children and, hopefully, some who can draw. It’s always fun to see what family members will draw to represent certain words and phrases.
Other Tips For Great Family Fun
Family game night is a time for the family to interact with each other. It isn’t nearly as fun if the players are watching the television or checking their phones in between turns. Keep the television off, devices away and have fun with the kids without distractions.
Make it a Party
Buy some snacks to sit around the table. It will give the feeling of a party atmosphere and make it much more fun. You don’t have to buy junk food either. Fruits and vegetables can be used in place of chips. Add a little fun with some dip for the goodies. This makes the kids feel as though they are eating something bad when there is actually nutrition going into their bodies.
Decide Where
After you have gotten some games gathered and snacks prepared, decide the best room to have the game night. A kitchen is a great place because the table will be large enough for everything you want to do. It can also work well in the family room or living room. You can sit on the floor together or around the coffee table.
Now all you have to do is enjoy your family. You will love family game night and so will your kids. It’s a great way to sneak in some quality family time. The kids will never know your secret! Aside from sitting at the table for dinner, this is one of the best times to get your children into a good conversation. They will also remember those nights for the rest of their lives and so will you.
These tips and game ideas will make family game night a blast!
Taking things outdoors? Check out these super fun lawn games you can play!
