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Family Game Ideas
Family Game IdeasIf your family doesn’t get to spend a lot of time together, then maybe you could use some family game ideas for a family game night.
A weekly family game night allows you to have dinner together, catch up with each other AND enjoy a great family game together.
Family game nights can be weekly or every two weeks or as often as you like. Include just yourselves and the kids or invite more family over to play ~ or even your neighbors.
When I was growing up, we’d visit my grandmother’s house and played loteria, or Mexican bingo. These are treasured memories for me because three uncles and their families had homes next door and across the street. This meant there were always cousins, aunts and uncles coming and going. There was talking, eating and lots of loteria games.
The most important thing to do on family game night is have a great time playing a fun family game and enjoy each others company!
Create wonderful family memories together while playing your favorite board games or other games.
Here are family game ideas that will get you off to a good start.
Featured Image: Family Game Night by Deborah on Flickr, Commons 2.0
Family Game Night Ideas Have Bonuses
Besides the time spent together, these family game ideas have other benefits too.
Board games teach your child dexterity, counting, strategy, and following rules. Board games can also support teaching children about team play and sportsmanship.
Playing games with the family on family game night will solidify the bonds among your family members as you play and laugh together.
Just remember…
Game night isn’t just about what game you play or who wins. It’s about spending quality time together as a family. What’s more important than that?
Sorry Board Game ~ Great Family Game Ideas
Sorry Game (Amazon Exclusive)
Sorry is one of the most popular family game night games. In fact, it’s been a beloved family board game since 1934. Can you believe that? That’s a long time to be entertaining generations of families with a board game.
Take a chance on what the next card will be to see who will move ahead to ‘home’ or who has to start over!
An exciting race around the board, Sorry is designed for 2-4 players age 6 and up.
Sorry is known as the game of sweet revenge because you never know what your next card will be. You might move ahead or send one of your opponents backwards to slow them down.
Family Game Night Tables & Chairs
5 Piece 34″ Square Folding Table Set
Card tables make family game night portable. Would you rather play in a different room than the dining room?
Portable, folding card tables are perfect for setting up family game night. You can find all kinds of folding tables that would make set up and put away easy as pie.
Set your game night foods on one table and sit at another for a party atmosphere.
Do you have extra players and want to have a family tournament? Jigsaw puzzles can be left set out on a folding game table for continuing the family fun.
Card tables are super handy for parties too! It certainly pays to have a set (or two!) of card tables in the house
Meco Sudden Comfort Deluxe Double Padded Chair and Back – 5 Piece Card Table SetMeco Sudden Comfort Deluxe Double Padded Chair and Back- 5 Piece Card Table Set
Trouble Board Game ~ Pop The Bubble & Race Your Peg Around The Board
Race each other around the game board, tumbling the dice in the bubble to see if you advance or bump someone back to the beginning by landing on their peg. Hilarious!
One round of the Trouble board game can last 25-35 minutes for 2-4 players age 5 and up. Slap, press or even pound that pop-o-matic bubble to roll the dice. It’s tough enough to handle the frustration of losing players.
Get your 4 game pieces all the way around the board to win. If you land on your opponent’s piece ~ he gets bumped all the way home. But don’t you get bumped home or YOU’RE in Trouble!
Monopoly Board Game ~ A Game Of Luck, Chance, Wheeling And Dealing
Monopoly ~ Classic Family Board GameMonopoly
The whole family suddenly turns into wheeling and dealing tycoons as they buy and sell properties, build houses and hotels, charge huge rents and … go to jail!
What I love best about this game is the story behind it. An out of work heating engineer from Pennsylvania actually created Monopoly during The Great Depression. He had to get Parker Brothers to take over the production because he couldn’t keep up with the demand. What a great success story, right?
Now Monopoly is printed in 26 languages and has sold 200 million sets worldwide. Some of the special editions are absolutely breathtaking too!
Strike it rich and charge your family rent playing Monopoly. Laughter included!
How About These Family Game Ideas?
Hasbro Connect 4 GameHasbro Scrabble Crossword GameThe Game of Life – Amazon Exclusive
More Family Game Night Ideas – Let’s Play Cards
Not all family night games require boards. Some of the best family night games can be played with a standard deck of cards.
Here are a few of the classic card games that can be fun for the whole family:
- Poker
- Bridge
- Gin Rummy
- Pinochle
- Spades
The rules and instructions for these games and countless others can be found here.
How To Have A Family Game Night
Perfect Game Table Sets For Your Favorite Game Night Ideas
Why not set up a game table set in your den or family room? These game table sets would make a very nice addition to your home decor.
Coaster Home Furnishings 100873 Casual Game Table, OakSteve Silver Tournament 48″ Wood Round Casual Dining Table in Cherry Finish
Budget Friendly Family Game Night Snack Ideas
Snacks & foods for family game night don’t have to be elaborate. Remember that the focus should be on having a great time with the family, not stressing over what to serve. Keep your family game night snacks healthy and easy!
I’ve seen LOTS of beautiful game night snacks images on Pinterest, but if you’re strapped for time and money, why not try some of these ideas ~ a little more on the ‘keep it simple’ side:
- Vegetable sticks and ranch dressing (carrots, celery, brocolli, cucumber, cauliflower, etc.). If time and budget allows, turn it up with toothpicks for black olives, cherry tomatoes and mini meatballs. You can add a little sour cream to the ranch dressing for extra creaminess.
- Flavored popcorn; store bought or buy some flavoring to sprinkle on. I like cheddar cheese flavoring on my popcorn!
- Sloppy Joe Sliders; sloppy joes on sour dough rolls are to die for! Add a slice of Swiss or American cheese if you like.
- Mini-pizzas; Use a can of refrigerator biscuits like Grands and spread them out with your fingers. Spread with pizza sauce. Sprinkle on mozzarella cheese, chopped pepperoni and anything else you’ve got for pizza (onion, peppers, etc.). Bake till the biscuits are done and voila – mini-pizzas!
- Brownies; Take it easy with brownies from a mix or use a simple brownie recipe.
- Fruit Kabobs; Cut your family’s favorite fruits into bite size chunks and slip onto some skewers. Include Cool Whip, Greek Yogurt or some sour cream for dipping.
Classic Yahtzee, An Exciting Game Of Skill And ChanceWinning Solutions Scrabble Deluxe Wooden Edition with Rotating Game BoardPictionary GameJenga Classic Game
Budget Snacks ~ More Family Game Night Ideas
- Game Night – Country Living
On a lazy evening in, brighten the mood with an impromptu get-together filled with colorful board games, aromatic comfort food, and good company. Country Living has lots of ideas here! - Busy Cooks | Snack Recipes For A Fun Night In | Recipe4Living
Sometimes the thought of going out on the town is simply exhausting. If you’re lacking the energy, the funds, or just the desire to go out, try having a fun night in! No night in is complete, however, without some monumental munchies. Girls’ night? - Family Game Night | Taste of Home
Plan a fun family game night with these game-inspired recipes the whole family will love.
Jigsaw Puzzles Are Perfect Family Game Night Ideas
Jigsaw puzzles remain a very popular ‘game’ for solo or group play. I love when we can set up a table with a jigsaw puzzle. Hubby and I both love jigsaw puzzles, so we both enjoy “drive-by” assembling individually. When we can work on one together, we just pull up our chairs and go to it.
Add a jigsaw puzzle or two to your list of family game night ideas and you’ll see how addicting they can be! In fact, why not pick up a few right now over at The Jigsaw Puzzle Store?
Enjoy Your Family Game Night!
Whatever you decide to play and whatever you decide to eat, I hope you have a wonderful time creating some beautiful memories with those you love!