Sometimes, you blink and it seems your kids have grown another year. It’s essential to make time with them and cherish those moments as best as you can. While there are family dinners and vacations, regular get-togethers give you more opportunities to spend time and have fun. Here’s how to begin family game nights and make them a tradition everyone looks forward to.
Starting Game Nights
A family game night is about bringing family members together and having a good time. The introduction is always the most challenging part, especially if your young ones don’t immediately seem on board with the idea.
Step zero is getting them interested. Tell them about how you can have so much fun together. You can incentivize them to participate, like subtracting a chore for the weekend or letting them play a video game for an extra 30 minutes. Once they get into the swing of things, they’ll likely join game nights even without a reward.
1. Plan the Game
The first step is planning the game. Avoid overwhelming the children by picking an easy yet fun game. For my first family game night, we decided on Word Factory. My son shook up a box of cubed letters and turned over the little hourglass to time our search for the different words hidden on the board. It was simple enough for the whole group to figure out.
Word Factory took a good chunk of our time, but we were still fired up for more after. That’s when my son suggested a quick game of Scrabble Junior to end the night. Make sure to involve your kids in the planning stage, as it might entice them to keep family game nights going.
2. Create the Schedule
While impromptu family game nights are fun, having a schedule is in everyone’s best interest. You have work responsibilities to tend to every single day. Meanwhile, kids spend about 19% of their time in school, not including time for homework and extracurricular activities.
Weekend nights are a prime time to hold these gatherings with your children since everyone will likely be free. Remember to give the kids a heads-up so they have something to look forward to.
3. Provide Snacks
Everyone loves snacks, so plan food for family game nights. Nachos are simple since you just need chips, salsa and cheese dip. Kids with a sweet tooth will love ice cream cookie sandwiches.
Snacks are essential if your night’s games involve more physical activity. Club sandwiches and fruits are great for appeasing your kids’ appetites. Just make sure to wait two to three hours before putting them to bed to ease digestion.
4. Focus on Relaxation
The goal of playing games is to win, but too much competitiveness may rub your kids the wrong way. Avoid boasting and making them feel bad. Family game nights should be about relaxing and bonding with one another.
Focus on having fun with your kids. Don’t get upset if they overstep a rule, but do make sure they understand how to play. Check in with them by asking if they’re still enjoying themselves every once in a while. Take small breaks if they say otherwise.
Making Game Night Stick
Once you introduce family game night, the next endeavor is determining how to make it a regular occurrence in the household. Set a regular day and time so your kids look forward to it. It will build a habit of family togetherness.
Some families have it weekly, while others do it twice a month. See what works for your clan. You could also pick a family member to choose the games and lead each session. It’s an excellent way to ensure everyone’s participation.
Why Family Game Night Is Important
Family game night is crucial on so many levels. It creates plenty of social media breaks since everyone needs less screen time, unless you decide to play video games. It’s easy for people to get caught up in their own lives, even if they live in the same household. Those bonding experiences and quality time become all the more significant.
Those moments are also grounds to teach your kids and foster a better relationship. For example, playing games regularly as a family promotes sportsmanship and confidence in kids. You also build up your communication skills when planning and playing.
Family Game Night Ideas
Playing Word Factory every time can get a little excessive. Variety is what makes these hangouts all the more fun. Here are family game night ideas to add to the calendar.
Video Games
There are endless video games to play with your kids, from first-person shooters to farming simulators. Remember to save your progress and continue it during future family game nights. Plus, you can peek into their online activities and ensure their safety.
Table Games
Teach your kids fun table games like cards. Poker is pretty straightforward. You can also try dedicated table sports like shuffleboard, air hockey or pool. There’s a bit of a learning curve with each of these, so put your dad hat on and demonstrate how it’s all done.
Board Games
Bust out your old board games like chess, checkers and Candyland. The Game of Life is also a classic. For adults, it helps you reminisce dreaming about the future without regard for the choices. Meanwhile, kids get a glimpse of what life would look like and the decisions they could make.
Outdoor Games
Outdoor games provide a great avenue to exercise and move your feet. Children and adolescents should have 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Turn on the lights outside and play toss and catch paddleboard or capture the flag in the yard. You can also drive to a nearby mini golf course.
Educational Games
Simple learning games are also ideal for family game nights once in a while. Search for general knowledge quizzes and have a fun competition. You can also hold a spelling bee for your word wizards. Bigger families can partner up or form teams, but remind them that the only prize is bragging rights and that everyone should still focus on having fun.
Let the Family Bonding Begin
Family game nights are magical moments — you have fun with your kids, teach them different skills and spend time together. I wouldn’t trade my memories for anything. Pursue the same joy and organize regular get-togethers your children will look forward to.