If you are anything like me, I often find myself wondering how I am going to be able to juggle everything that life throws at me. Between going to work, taking the kids to school, doctor’s appointments, extracurricular activities and making dinner, I sometimes feel like the Ring Master of a circus. With weeknights and weekends full of things to do and the television and video games for when there’s not, I think it’s important to set aside designated time with the family, once a week, to spend quality time together. Our family has set up a Family Game Night for either Friday or Saturday nights, depending on what’s going on that week, and it’s our time to spend together, relax and have fun without any interruptions.
Games: It’s important to pick games that are fun for all ages, which will help to alleviate fights among the kids. However, since this can be a challenge at times depending on your kids’ ages, you can always play on teams, this will satisfy the older kids and still make the younger ones feel like they’re involved.
Below are a couple of options that will help to contemporize your family game night, as well as a few of my favorites. You can find all 5 Ways to Bring Family Game Night Into the 21st Century by clicking here.
- Digital Games: The most important part of family game night is the game itself, but what should you play? If you’re not feeling traditional games of cardboard and plastic, there are plenty of digital options.Sure, games like Scene It? include a multimedia aspect, but you can go even further. Digitize your night by setting up an iPad in the middle of your table to play your favorites in a new way.Be sure to check out UNO HD, one of the hottest board game apps for iOS. Or if each family member wants to use his or her own device, download a game like Ludo (for iOS or Android) and play each other for some high-tech family bonding.
- Dice Rolling Apps: Everyone loves a classic: Monopoly, Yahtzee, Clue — you name it, these games have stuck around for a reason. But how many times have you chosen a different game because someone in your family lost the dice a long time ago?Well, have no fear. As long as you have a smartphone handy, you’ll always have dice at the ready. There are multiple apps for both Android and iOS devices. Check out Teazel’s Dice app for Android and Mystery Coconut’s Pip app for iPhone and iPad.Using a BlackBerry or another brand of smartphone? Access websites with similar dice rolling services, via mobile web or your computer. Random.org’s virtual dice roller will generate random numbers for up to 60 dice.
- And who could forget about the Classics? Here is a list of some of our favorites mixed with some of the classics. What is your favorite game to play with the family?
- Monopoly
- Apple to Apples
- Scrabble
- Uno
- Skip Bo
What are some of your fun family game night ideas? Leave us a comment.
*Editorial Source: Mashable
Spending time together as a family is what seems to make the holidays the brightest, and who doesn’t love popcorn?
