Most families nowadays are finding it hard to have one night of the week when everyone is home. While it may be difficult, it is still one of the best ways to stay connected as a family. The routine of a family game night can quickly become boring, so throw some excitement into this precious time to make it special for everyone in the house.
Mix Up What Games are Played
Don't stick to just board games that make everyone literally "bored." Add in other favorites, such as movies and crafts or projects that the family enjoys the most. Scene-It offers many DVD based games that require a lot of participation and action, which combines TV with a board game.
One of the best parts about family game night is that anything goes. It doesn’t matter how silly the game or different the rules may be (in fact, make up new rules for old games). It is about spending quality time together and having a great time.
Start Off with Dinner Fun
Start the evening off right with a good dinner. Consider buying all the ingredients to make pizza from scratch. A family will enjoy rolling out the dough and picking favorite toppings to put on top of pizza. Use paper plates so clean up is a snap. Other foods that are good for family game night might include:
- Taco bar
- Baked potato bar
- Sub bar
Once the family has finished eating, it’s time for the fun to begin. Choose games that are age appropriate. This can be hard if there are multiple age differences between children. In cases like this, let one child pick the games each week. That way everyone gets the one they like.
And the Winner Is
One great way to make the games more fun is to offer prizes for the winners. Now here is where imagination comes in. Don’t just offer candy or little dime store prizes. Get creative. Think about offering coupons for getting out of chores. This can be anything from the lowest scores doing the winner’s chores, or even Mom and Dad picking up the slack.
Another good idea is to pick up a bunch of gift cards. While they may only have a few bucks on them, it’s great for kids who like a certain restaurant. Make sure each kid understands quickly that any sore feelings will immediately disqualify her from any prizes. This usually will help ensure the games are fun and uninterrupted.
Move Family Game Night Outside
When the weather starts getting warm, move the party to the back yard. Think about lawn darts, badminton, volleyball, or a fun game of touch football. Not only can this be a great time, but can get the family moving, too. Far too many kids today are spending the days playing video games, rather than getting in exercise.
Kick it up another notch by inviting other family members or friends over. The kids will love playing with the grandparents or the neighbor's kids. And, these people may have some neat ideas that will make it an exciting evening for everyone.
Celebrate Good Times
If it’s a night to celebrate good grades, well behaved kids, or even a birthday, consider a trip to the bowling alley, the movie theater, or to play miniature golf. This doesn’t have to happen every week. Save it for something special, and chances are the kids will be very excited.
Family game night doesn’t need to be a boring game of Old Maid. Use a creative imagination to think up new games and to create new traditions within the family. It’s a lot easier for a kid to want to stay home with Mom and Dad when she's having a great time.
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