Family Game Night Ideas for a Fun Night In -

The average American family spends just 37 minutes of quality time together every day. If you’re looking for a way to be together more often, how about planning a family game night?

Game nights not only boost quality time spent together, but they’re fun for everyone, too. Keep reading to find our favorite family game night ideas.

1. Plan It

Before we delve into actual activities and family games, let’s talk about planning your family game night.

Set a regular day and time for this event. Will it be every Friday after dinner? Or every second week on Sunday night before school and work begin for the week?

Once you decide on your game night intervals, mark it on your calendar. This will set the date in stone and give you and your kids something to look forward to.

Let someone new lead game night every week. Allow them to choose the game(s) and snacks.

2. Get the Right Games

Buy a few games to get your collection going. If you’re on a budget, look for second-hand games online or in thrift shops. You don’t need to spend a fortune to have fun with your family.

Try to find games that everyone can enjoy. This can be difficult if you have children with big age gaps, but it’s not impossible. Team yourself or your older children up with your younger ones. Look at these tips from yes gamers to help choose.

The right games are easy to learn and inclusive.

You can even choose video games to play together as a family. Video games can increase grey matter in the brain for better memory function and sensory perception skills.

You may explore the latest popular games, or you may opt for taking a nostalgic trip back to your roots and delve into old classics like Jackie Chan Stuntmaster. Regardless of your choice, it’s all about the joy and excitement the game will bring to your family game night.

3. Play Classic Games

You don’t need to play new-fangled and complicated games to have fun on game night. Introduce your kids to the games that were your favorite as a child, such as a good old murder mystery game. This taste of nostalgia will spark joy that you can instill your love of games with your child.

Mattel has some of the best games the “older” generation was into as kids. Uno, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Phase 10, and Kerplunk to name a few. They also have newer games your kids will love like Pictionary Air, Apples to Apples, and — gulp — Fart and Go Seek.

4. Play Non-Traditional Games

Family game night doesn’t need to be spent around the dining room table.

A family scavenger hunt is a fun and active game that most kids love. Add a competitive flair by breaking up into teams to see who can find everything first.

The scavenger hunt can center around things you find indoors like a lone sock, crayon, ruler, and paper airplane. Make it more of a physical activity by walking around the neighborhood to find things. Search for items like an oak leaf, an ant, a bird’s nest, and a pinecone.

Minute To Win It-style games are also a hit with most kids. Players must try to complete a fun, silly, or challenging task before the clock hits one minute. These are great for younger children with shorter attention spans.