Have you ever wanted to create a tradition of connectivity in your home after passing everyone stuck on their “own” devices and hearing loud annoying “Tick-Talk” videos endlessly scroll? There is a way to happy weekend relaxation with your loved ones, and in this article, we’ll explore how to make game nights memorable.
By creating a comfortable and safe place for everyone to be themselves without judgment you will find your family game nights soar in popularity with everyone more willing to put down isolative media gadgets for the night.
Family game nights are an excellent way to bond and create lasting memories with your loved ones. If you’re just starting off make sure the games are simple to teach and learn. Classic games have a tried and true feel to them and might be a good starting point before jumping into something a bit more trendy. Simple dollar store prizes are a great incentive to join in especially if you have some reluctant teenagers or little ones with shorter attention spans. In this article, we hope to inspire you to host an awesome family game night, and to accomplish this we’ve created a thorough article with lots of tips and tricks to spark your creativity!
1. Make It A Safe Place
I love when I can make my children feel like I created a restful nest for us to get into our imaginations and board game together. The time I spend on cleaning and organizing the play area really pays off in the end.
You should start by creating an inviting environment for family memories. Clear the clutter from and around the area everyone will play in. Put up your favorite wall art and make room on a shelf to display your favorite board games. You could even make a chalkboard art calendar displaying the upcoming board game night dates and prizes. You don’t have to go so far as to make a complete room makeover but if you want to spice up your family game night you might try these simple additions that really add flare!
Free Download
We put together a super cool FREE printable flyer for your game nights!
Download the PDF with the link below.
Kallax Style Cube Organizer
The Kallax is super popular for displaying board game collections. There are a couple of colors to choose from and they can be placed long ways or width ways. We love them!
Magnetic Double-Sided A-Frame Chalkboard
Great for the inner artist that likes to keep everyone informed on upcoming events…like board game night!
Farmhouse Coffee Table
Make your living room a game room with a farmhouse coffee table. Both side tabletops can be lifted up to reveal spacious compartments ideal for storing board games while keeping them away from dust and maintaining a clean and tidy living room. Comes in 3 colors.
2. Make It A Refreshing Place
Some of our favorite treats around the game table are pretzels and gummy worms. However, If I can find the right snack I’ll sometimes try to make it fit into the game nights theme.
A great way to keep everyone interested is to speak the universal language of snacks. Without a doubt, some simple treats like fizzy drinks on ice and non-greasy finger food will go a long way to keeping everyone engaged. A cooler with your favorite cold drinks is a great visual that everyone identifies as relaxing. Remember to set some rules for drinks at the table such as setting your drinks in spill-proof areas nearby. If you want to kick your family game night up a notch try adding these suggestions!
Machine Washable Rug
We love using this under our gaming area just in case of spills. Washes super easy!
Igloo BMX 52 Quart Cooler
Everyone loves cold drinks. Having some ready-on-ice is great for attracting anyone to the game table! Comes in many colors too!
3. Make It A Resting Place
You know you’ve done game night right when your kids ask when the next one will be. My goal for game night is to make sure my family rested together so we’re refreshed for the week to come.
Speaking of staying refreshed you might need an air conditioner for your game room like we did. Air conditioning made life better again. We have a couple of recommendations that we wrote about in these articles: The Midea U-Shaped Window AC, and The Mini Split AC.
The family that rests together stays together. Remember to create an environment of rest from all the normal drama of life. After the main games are over try spicing up your family game night by having a finale. Finales are a great way to end the night with connective fun. Let everyone know what the finale will be upon the chalkboard calendar and at the start of family game night. Have a time set for the finale. If you are playing multiple board games or one lengthy one have a finish time. The finale might be a movie and popcorn or simply a campfire with s’mores. If it’s a campfire hold a final contest of who can identify the flavor of the marshmallow, and if it’s a movie have everyone write a sentence on a piece of paper of their favorite or worst part and hold a drawing in the morning with a small prize. Give it a try and heat up your family game night with these cozy ideas!
Gourmet Popcorn Maker Machine
Made of non-stick stainless steel, the removable stir-style popcorn kettle is easy to use and clean. The magnetic kettle cover attaches to the top of the machine for easy filling and emptying.
Smores Tabletop Flameless Marshmallow Roaster
Bring that cozy outdoor camp vibe inside! This is the perfect cool home gadget for game night, movie night, date night or just as a party on its own. Makes for great memories!
Magical Flames Fire Color Changing Packets
Perfect for fireplaces, fire pits, bonfires, or just a cozy campfire. These fire changing color packets are safe to use both inside and outside. Great for camping games and ambience!
4. Make It A Themed Place
Our family uses a simple pirate hat prop for playing pirate board games. It’s simple but does the trick cause everyone wants to steal the hat!
Okay, this one is for the more advanced veterans but if you want to level up family game night you can announce or suggest a simple theme. A pirate-themed game night is a great go-to as the costumes are easy and fun. In fact, dressing up like a pirate for any game night is fun. Pirates can play all sorts of games for the right booty and often go places they’re not invited…like playing board games with other themes arrr! Dressing up is a great way to let the inhibitions down and relax with the family!
Pirate Fluxx
- The Ever-Changing Pirate card game
- 2 to 6 players
- 5 to 30 minutes
- Ages 8 and up
Plunder: A Pirates Life
- Wage war against rival captains and rule the seas
- 2 to 6 players
- 20 mins per player
- Ages 10 and up
Pirate Captain Hat
The hat is made of PU leather, which feels good and is very comfortable to wear. The headband is made of imitation silk fabric, which has a good texture.
5. Play Classic Board Games
Pull out your favorite board games such as Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue, or Life. These games provide hours of fun and friendly competition. I know for the hardboiled trendy gamers this might be like dragging your nails across a chalkboard, I understand but think baby steps. In the end, it will pay off to be patient and kind because you’re creating time to bond with your loved ones. If you’re still finding the idea of those classic board games difficult to swallow you should try these retakes on classic games!
SEQUENCE
- Plays feels like a mix between Connect 4 and Chess.
- 2 to 12 players
- Short to Long games
- Ages 7 and up
Sirlin Games Pandante (2nd Edition)
- Lighthearted, social gambling game that can also be played for real money
- Play feels like a poker bluffing mixed with abilities and pandas!
- 2 to 6 players
- Ages 13 and up
- Expansions included
Captain Sonar
- Play feels like Battleship but with teams and different roles.
- 2 to 8 players
- 45 minutes
- Ages 14 and up
We featured this game in our article on How To Throw An Awesome Pool Party! and it’s definitely a well loved addition to any fun get together!
6. Play Card Games
Gather around a table and play card games like Poker, Rummy, Crazy Eights, Uno, or Go Fish. Overall, card games are fantastic family games because they are accessible, versatile, and promote social interaction while offering opportunities for skill development and cost-effective entertainment.
Magic The Gathering (MTG) released a Tales Of Middle-Earth series that offers a captivating theme and chess-like maneuver-counter maneuver gameplay. MTG has been around for 30 years and has nearly 35 million players. If you like fantasy art and various strategies then the Tales Of Middle Earth Series is a great intro you should try! We wrote an article covering some awesome features of the series here. If your family is into deeply cooperative games that require a bit more dedication and crunchiness take a look at our 2 Living Card Game suggestions:
- Arkham Horror LCG Is The Essence Of H.P. Lovecraft
- Enhancing Immersion: Lord of the Rings LCG Revised Edition for 2-4 Player Cooperative Game Nights
There’s something about the silliness of Cards Against Humanity Family Edition and Trial By Trolly that creates a really good humorous vibe in our home. If your family loves to laugh or needs to laugh you might try these tried and true favorites that our family continually requests:
Cards Against Humanity: Family Edition
All the silliness of CAH in a family-friendly edition! There are also 2 expansions available on Amazon
.
Trial by Trolley
- You’re the operator of an out-of-control trolley, and must make horrible, unspeakable decisions about who to run over!
- 3 to 13 players
- 15 mins
- Ages 14 and up
7. Play Trivia Games
Test your family’s knowledge with a trivia night. You can use a board game version or find trivia questions online. Divide into teams and challenge each other to see who knows the most. Try to pick subjects that are universal in your household like Harry Potter. This way no one feels “not” as smart as a fifth grader. Trivia night is a great way to introduce prizes for the team that knows the most. Spice family trivia night up with a buzzer!
Harry Potter Trivia Game 600 Questions
Great topics to challenge even the smartest of wizards such as The Dark Arts, Hogwarts, Magical Spells and Potions, Magical Objects, Magical People, Animals, and Magical Creatures.
8. Play Charades
Family Charades is a fantastic activity because it combines elements of entertainment, teamwork, and laughter, making it an enjoyable and bonding experience for everyone involved. It promotes effective communication and non-verbal expression as players act out various words or phrases, encouraging creativity and improvisation skills. Family charades create a positive and lively atmosphere, fostering a sense of togetherness and shared experiences as family members cheer each other on, resulting in lasting memories and strengthened relationships. It’s a game that transcends age barriers, allowing children and adults to participate and connect on a level playing field. In essence, family charades are an excellent way to bring joy, laughter, and unity to the entire family.
9. Play Pictionary
Pictionary is an incredibly fun game that brings out the artist and guesser in everyone, making it an engaging and enjoyable experience. The combination of drawing skills, creativity, and quick thinking adds an element of excitement and unpredictability to the game. Players have to translate words or phrases into visual representations, often resulting in hilarious and sometimes even abstract drawings that spark laughter and amusement. The guessing aspect adds a sense of challenge and competition, as participants eagerly try to decipher the drawings within a limited time frame. Pictionary encourages teamwork and communication, as players collaborate and strategize to convey and interpret the drawings effectively. The game’s fast-paced nature and interactive format ensure that everyone is actively involved, creating a lively and energetic atmosphere that is both entertaining and memorable. Overall, Pictionary is a fantastic way to unleash creativity, have a great time with friends and family, and create lasting memories.
Artsy Fartsy
Family-friendly party game with plenty of fresh and silly categories and content that will have you drawing and guessing things that are fun to draw and even funnier to guess.
10. Play A RPG Together
Tabletop roleplaying games are a wonderful activity for families as they foster imagination, collaboration, and bonding. By assuming the roles of characters in a shared fictional world, family members engage in a collaborative storytelling experience that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and communication. These games provide a unique opportunity for family members to connect on a deeper level, as they work together to overcome challenges, make decisions, and embark on epic adventures. Tabletop roleplaying games also promote critical thinking, empathy, and teamwork, allowing family members to understand each other better and strengthen their relationships in a fun and interactive way. Overall, they provide a platform for shared experiences and lasting memories that bring families closer together. If you want to surprise your family by running a fun family RPG night try these entry-level sets!
D&D Starter Set: Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
An ideal introduction to the world of Dungeons & Dragons, offering players and Dungeon Masters a turnkey onboarding experience.
Starfinder Beginner Box
Explore the Galaxy! Launch into an exciting universe of science fantasy adventure with the Starfinder Beginner Box!
11. Play Outdoor Games
Outdoor games offer numerous benefits for families, making them a fantastic choice for quality time together. Firstly, they provide an opportunity for physical activity, promoting health and well-being while encouraging everyone to get moving and enjoy the outdoors. Outdoor games also offer a break from technology and screen time, allowing families to disconnect and engage in face-to-face interaction. Whether it’s playing catch, tag, or a scavenger hunt, these games foster laughter, friendly competition, and teamwork, strengthening family bonds and creating cherished memories. Moreover, outdoor games often involve problem-solving and strategy, helping to develop critical thinking skills and decision-making abilities in a fun and interactive setting. By playing together outdoors, families can enjoy fresh air, engage in physical play, and cultivate a sense of togetherness that promotes both physical and emotional well-being.
Jolly Pirate Scavenger Hunt
- 10 minutes to set up
- Multi-generational family fun for everyone
- Builds Creativity and Imagination
- Durable & Fully Waterproof Cards
Bocce Ball
COMPLETE SET: 90 mm (3.54 in) bocce balls (2 red + 2 green + 2 blue + 2 yellow).
12. Play Cooperative Games
Instead of competing against each other, opt for cooperative games where the family works together to achieve common goals and promote teamwork and problem-solving. Live together, strive together, and die together! Jump into a more sophisticated trendy board game that’ll really set the tone for game nights with these!
Zombicide 2nd Edition
Check out our article on this super engaging cooperative survival game that is easy enough for my 8-year-old to understand. We have a blast playing this.
Star Wars Imperial Assault
AN EPIC ADVENTURE BOARD GAME IN THE STAR WARS UNIVERSE
13. Throw an Awesome Pool Party
Embrace the inner mermaid or walk the plank like an outcast pirate with a Pool Party Game Night!
Combine game night with a pool party by checking out this article in which we put together tons of ideas for combining these two cool activities!
