Family Game Night Fun

Need help planning your next family game night? Below are a few family game ideas that will help make your night fun for the whole family.

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 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.

Whether it's a specific family-favorite 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.

From week to week, recognize the family member who won the last family game night by posting their name on a special scoreboard—perhaps it's a place of honor on the refrigerator. Or, create a family crown that can be worn by the winner at dinner or during the next family game night.

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 for family game night, you will help build excitement for family time.

To expand the fun, invite other families in your neighborhood to participate in a family game night tournament. Or, if you have extended family members staying with you or if you are traveling during a scheduled family game night, invite everyone to participate!

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, Pretzels, Mini chocolate bars, Ice cream shakes, Mixed nuts, String cheese.

From Hasbro Family Game Night site.