Families For Life | Game on for family night!
This article is a sign that your family should start having family game nights! They are fun, entertaining, and a great way to unwind after a long day. Plus, games present opportunities for you to learn valuable life lessons, all while learning and bonding with your loved ones.
No matter how many years it has been since you last opened a Scrabble board or touched a controller, you’re never too grown up to play games, especially with your loved ones! Read on and learn why you should incorporate family game nights into your routine.
Benefits of family game nights
Aside from the fun and laughter, games present various opportunities for your family to learn about each other. There are different kinds of games you can play – from skill and strategy, to chance and teamwork – and everyone approaches these games differently. Your eldest son might have a hidden competitive side, or your spouse’s sense of humour may tickle everyone. You’d only learn about these traits when you play games with each other!
Games also present opportunities to teach valuable life lessons in a way that is fun and natural. Taking turns, following rules, practicing fair play, and being okay with winning or losing – these are some of the values you and your kids can learn when everyone is invested in having a good time together.
Best of all, game night offers a space for you and your loved ones to be fully present with one another. Spending even an hour playing together is a powerful way to strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories.
Tips to make family game nights a success
Game nights don’t have to be complicated to be memorable. It doesn’t matter what activities your family does together – the important thing is spending time together and building memories. Here are some simple tips to help make it smooth, fun, and memorable for the whole family:
Be consistent
Choose a day that works for everyone and make it a recurring event. The more consistent you are, it becomes a part of your family’s daily routine that everyone can look forward to.Let everyone choose a game
Choice is an essential ingredient for high engagement, especially for kids. Take turns choosing the next game you play on family game night, and keep track of whose turn it is to pick next time. This keeps things fair, so no one feels left out, and introduces variety to every game night.Put distractions away
Being on your smartphone or doing something else during game night only defeats the purpose. Setting distractions aside will create a cosy space where everyone can focus on each other and have fun!Celebrate the little moments
Whether it's a funny mistake or an unexpected win, take time to laugh, encourage each other, enjoy each other’s presence, and make memories together.
Family-friendly games to kick off game nights
Thinking of starting family nights now? Here are some suggestions for games to get you started on your first game night:
Classic board games
From Monopoly and Scrabble, to even chess or checkers, there’s a reason why board games are timeless and enjoyable!Tabletop card games
Games like UNO are easy to pick up, while most collectible card games like Pokémon and Magic The Gathering require strategy and smarts to win.Dungeon & Dragons
This role-playing tabletop game is perfect for imaginative players and storytelling lovers. You can create and go on magical adventures with a unique cast of characters, made by you and your family members! It works for older kids who’d love to express themselves too.Party games
Get everyone up and moving with party games like charades, musical chairs, or hot potato.DIY games
Don’t shy away from inventing your own games! Trivia about family members, homemade bingo cards, or scavenger hunts can be just as fun as store-bought games.
Unplug, play, and reconnect
Family game night is a small tradition with a big impact. Give it a try – you might be surprised how much laughter, connection, and joy can come from one evening around the table.