Last Updated on February 5, 2018 by Diane Hoffmaster
This post about how to plan family game night has been written by me on behalf of Spin Master Games for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
Want to bond with your kids? Create lasting memories? Maybe get worked up and laugh, yell and generally annoy one another in good fun? Learn how to plan family game night and your whole family can spend an hour or two just relaxing and reconnecting with each other! Of course, without a bit of planning, your family game night may be a flop. Do you want tears from the 5-year old who doesn’t understand the game? How about a game that lasts 3 hours when you have to bake cookies for the bake sale? Situations like that make family game night no fun at all. Want to learn how to plan family game night so that everyone actually has FUN? Here are a few tips!
How to Plan Family Game Night
Choose an age appropriate game: Make sure that you take into account the youngest member of your game night. Either choose a game they can easily understand or work in pairs to even the playing field.
Turn off the TV: Minimize distractions so that everyone is focused on family game night and not the scores for the latest football game!
Plan for Breaks: Everyone gets antsy after playing a game for an hour. Plan for a few breaks for bathroom, snacks and letting the dog out!
Bring snacks! Family game night is hungry work. Plan for non-messy snacks (no dripping on the gameboard!) to keep you well fueled!
Think about your time limits: Don’t choose a game that lasts 3 hours if you don’t have 3 hours to commit to family game night! It’s no fun calling the game a draw because you don’t have time to finish!
This weekend, I spent some time with my husband and the teenagers playing Would You Rather by Spin Master. My teenagers have been playing a ‘would you rather’ game with each other for years…just a verbal game of chit chat that helps them pass the time on car rides or waiting in the doctor’s office. Who knew that this was actually a board game now? It was an easy game to learn and trying to guess which weird thing they would rather do was kind of amusing! Would dad rather live in a world with sky sharks or a world with street squids? There were some crazy scenarios to choose from and we all had a great time playing!
This game is recommended for ages 12 and up. It is very simple to play and our first game lasted less than an hour. The only real ‘skill’ necessary is reading, but some of the cards contain pop culture references or other scenarios that young kids may not really ‘get’. If that happens, just have them draw a new card!
Spin Master offers several games that would make for a great family game night. If you are considering learning how to plan family game night and getting a new tradition started next year, here are a few games you might want to choose from. You can purchase Spin Master games from Amazon, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target or ToysRUs.
- Hedbanz : Play Hedbanz – the quick question game of “what am I?” You never know what you are until you start asking! Figure out if the cartoon on your head is an animal, food or man-made object. Be the first player to guess what you are and win! Hedbanz – the game where everybody knows but you!
- Quelf: Quelf is the multi-award winning game that gives random a new name! Use your creativity and imagination to answer crazy questions and perform ridiculous stunts. There’s only one rule – OBEY THE CARD! If a player obeys their card they get to move ahead! You’ll laugh until you cry with this outrageous, unpredictable, and fun filled party game. Be the first person to cross the finish line and you win! Enjoy a non-stop hilarious adventure with Quelf!
- Would You Rather: Would You Rather is the zany game of deranged dilemmas and difficult choices. Discuss, debate and laugh your way to the finish in the ultimate ice-breaking party game as you ask: Would You Rather have to wear a tuxedo made of taxidermied squirrels or a swimsuit made of live starfish? Would You Rather asks you and your friends bizarre, imaginative, hilarious and occasionally disgusting questions.
We had a great time this weekend playing Would You Rather with the teens! It isn’t always easy to get them to unplug and spend quality time with family but playing a game together always seems to be a great way to pass the time. Want to learn more about Spin Master games? Check them out on the following links!
Spin Master Games
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We love doing family game nights! They are such a fun way to get together and have some fun. Even now as we are all adults it’s still so much fun!
Family game night is the best. There’s nothing better than sitting around the table with friends and family.
These are all great games. We love family game night!
I love Headbandz! It’s a lot of fun to play at parties or just hanging out with family and friends.
I used to love family game night! My older kids have their own lives, my little guy is just starting to be able to play with out cheating or spazzing lol