Need help planning your next family game night?
Here are a few family game ideas that will help make your night fun for the whole family!
Schedule it!
Decide in advance which day will be your family game night. It doesn't matter which night of the week you choose - any night will do!
As long as the date is marked on a calendar that everyone can see and the parents make it a priority to keep the appointment, the next family game night will be one to remember!
Involve everyone in planning
Involve the whole family in the planning process by allowing the kids to pick the games or choose the snacks.
For variety, rotate responsibilities each time you have a family game night.
Create a tradition
Whether it's a specific family favourite dinner before family game night, the way that teams are chosen or a 30 minute extension on bedtime, establish an activity on family game night that becomes a family tradition.
This additional tradition will create even more excitement with everyone in the family.
Keep a family scoreboard
From week to week, recognise the family member who won the last family game night by posting their name on a special scoreboard - perhaps it's a place of honour on the refrigerator. Or, create a family crown that can be worn by the winner at dinner or during the next family game night.
Remind everyone
To keep the date with the family, set up reminders to make sure that family game night happens. Set up an alarm on a handheld device or on the family computer. For the kids, put a note in their lunchbox reminding them about family game night. By building anticipation, you will help build excitement for family time.
Mix it up with "special guests"
To expand the fun, invite other families in your neighbourhood to participate in a family game night tournament. Or, if you have extended famliy members staying with you or if you are travelling during a scheduled family game night, invite everyone to participate!
Serve fun foods!
To keep the game moving, pick food that is easy to eat in between turns. Finger foods often work best and are the easiest to clean up afterwards. Choose what works best for your family, but a few suggestions include: vegetable tray, fruit slices, cookies, mini chocolate bars, smoothies and milk shakes, chunks of cheese, mixed nuts, nachos, crisps and popcorn.