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Family Game Night How you can start a "family game night" tradition. Kit Bennett  Do you feel envious of the family on the board game box? Mom, Dad and 2.5 children all happily playing together with a bowl of popcorn to share. To top off your jealousy, they probably have a loveable dog laying under the table. Before I provide you with tips on creating your own game time, I need to tell you this…that family on the box is NOT real! They’re not even related! They’re models and have been paid to look so blissfully “family like”. The idea of having a family game night is nothing new. Families have been playing together since they could place stones in holes. However, modern families are competing with video games, web surfing and of course the television. Board games are no match for a virtual character traveling through time and space, collecting gold coins. It may take some convincing to bring your kids on board, especially older kids. After time, you may find they look forward to this designated family time and you’ll no longer feel jealousy, or guilt as you walk down the game aisle of your department store. Why start a family game night? 
Family time of course.
Game play teaches sportsmanship and good healthy competition.
Playing together promotes communication.
Family game night is inexpensive. Traditional parlor games are free! (see below for suggestions)
Family game night creates life long memories!
Heck…it’s good old fashioned fun!GETTING STARTED
Set a consistent day and time. You’ll need to schedule about an hour to
an hour an a half. If every week is difficult, try twice a month to start. Mark it on a calendar and keep it a priority.
If you don’t already have games in a closet somewhere. Purchase few to
get you started Then, gradually add to the collection.
When game time approaches ,give the kids a 30 minute reminder. This allows them the time to finish up what their doing and will come to the table with a positive attitude.
NO interruptions or distractions; turn off the TV, cell phone, PDA and
let your voicemail pick up phone calls. You’ll be sending a great message to your kids, that they are your priority.
Select games that everyone will enjoy. Often this is difficult if there
is a large age difference between your children. Parents or older siblings can team up with little ones or you can create a variation of a more challenging game.
Designate a family member “in charge” of each game night. They pick the snack and game for the evening. Trying to get everyone to agree on games and snack, may prove impossible. HAVE FUN! A FEW NOTES ABOUT GAMES: When our youngest was 4 and the eldest 18, finding a game that was fun for everyone posed a challenge. Kerplunk, modified charades, Jenga, Cranium and other games, where reading or strategy were not required were the most popular. There were times when our daughter’s game pick was Pretty , Pretty Princess. Nonetheless, we ALL played…no complaining allowed! Game night was after all a lesson in sportsmanship, cooperation and getting along as a family! GAMES TO CONSIDER Our favorite games and games that have stood the test time: Junior Monopoly, Clue, Sorry, Othello, Battleship, Boggle, Operation, Chutes and Ladders, Candyland, Trouble, Sorry, Pictionary, Cranium Family Fun, Hoopla and Whonu?, Bop-It, 20 Questions, Go-Fish, Apples to Apples, Memory (also known as concentration) DVD games like SCENE-IT, are a popular new trend that will require a TV, so it’s kind of cheating…but they’re quite fun. With the variety of genres, ranging from sports to Disney movies, they can accommodate most family members. Parlor games: 20 Questions, Charades, Dictionary, the name game Click here for more parlor games >> (external link) |
