Introduction

Family game night is a planned event where family members get together to play games and have fun. It is organized and scheduled with a specific date, time, venue, and activities. The purpose is to have fun and bond as a family.

Benefits

Family is a child’s first-ever team. This is where their first exposure to the world begins, and it is where a child is molded. Whether intentionally or not, children learn, copy, and develop through family experiences. Playing games helps children develop skills to socialize, compete, regulate their emotions, problem-solve, plan, and cope with stress. It provides an opportunity to build trust and bonds with parents, siblings, and other family members present. For adults in the family, game nights are a good way to take a break from adult responsibilities, promote good mental health practices, and stay connected to their children.

Steps to Get Started

Decide on a day that is most convenient for everyone and determine how often you want these game nights to occur, whether it’s weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly. Make them at least one hour long or longer. Choose games that are easy to learn and inclusive of everyone and their abilities. Involve all members in suggesting games and include games that your family members already enjoy. Make a list of all the games you plan to play and ensure they are available before the game night begins. Decide on the venue for your game night, whether it’s indoors or outdoors, and prepare the area by gathering all the games there. Remove any safety hazards and distractions. For example, you may want to turn the TV off if the game is not being watched, or you may have certain rules about using cell phones during the games, etc.

The Purpose of Having a Family Game Night

Agree as a family on some game night rules to avoid any incidents that may disrupt the game night. The aim is to have fun; everything else is an added benefit. The guardians or parents involved in the game must keep a watchful eye to ensure everyone is comfortable and address any instances of competition that get out of hand. Allow the younger family members to take the lead and ensure every individual is treated equally in teams.

Team family is the most important team to nurture. Keep it simple – the fun is in the experience, not necessarily in the details. These games will help the family understand each other better and how individuals deal with the realities of the outside world. Family game night is an activity worth investing your time in. Most importantly, have fun.

Conclusion

Family game night is one of the best family investments for both the nurturing of relationships between family members and the development of many important skills people need. It doesn’t have to be complex and planned to. You will know you are doing it right if everyone is having fun and engaging. Go ahead and plan your next one.