One of the most common and beloved family bonding activities would have to be game night. Whether you play a friendly game of Monopoly or deal a few hands for Rummy, a game night can be a great way to have fun with your family at every age. Though video games and the Internet seem to dominate our attention, hosting a family game night can be a great way to connect with your family.
Disconnect
Much like with preserving the quality time associated with family dinners, you should encourage every participant to put away their cell phones, tuck away their gaming devices and mute their smartwatches; doing this will encourage genuine interaction that may not occur as often as it used to. Tuning into family game night without the distractions that social media and video games provide can improve focus, conversation, and overall connection.
Keep it Consistent
The easiest way to plan a regular game night is to account for everyone’s schedules and designate a day and time to host it. You don’t have to spend the entire evening playing board games, but setting aside a specific hour each week for this purpose will help establish a routine. When the schedule includes something fun like game night, adhering to that routine becomes more compelling.
Try New Games
Games like Sorry! and Parcheesi are still as much fun as they were decades ago, but that doesn’t mean they have to be your only option. If you play the same game every week, it will inevitably become a chore. Check out games you’ve never heard of or ones featured in online reviews. Letting the kids choose what games they want to try can help them feel involved and respected, and you’ll get a chance to learn what interests them.
If you’re a stickler for the classics, you could try some variants. For movie fans, consider the Star Wars or Indiana Jones versions of Monopoly for some creative options. Being open to change can help keep game night exciting while also showing your family you are eager and willing to hear their opinions.
Have Fun
Ideally, a game night would be full of laughter, playful banter, and good-natured competition. However, reality often seasons such events with arguments and frustration. The important thing to remind both your family and yourself is that the night is meant to have fun. It’s okay to disagree about the rules of the game, but facilitating productive conversations in place of shouting matches is a great way to ensure the night doesn’t descend into chaos. Showing the kids that you’re enjoying yourself and making an effort to appeal to the other participants will make the night more fun.
Game nights are a classic way to spend an evening. They’re informal gatherings where you can relax and bond with your family. Rather than sit around a television in silence, consider implementing a regular game night for your family to encourage conversation, connection, and fun.