One of the best multigenerational and multi-age-group ways to spend a fun night with the family is playing board games. But if you don’t want to just have the same-old-same-old family game night, you need some new, fresh ideas. Here at The Board Game Collection, we’ve got our experts on it – planning, playing, and recommending the best family game night ideas around for the whole crew from young kiddos to grandma and grandpa joining in on the fun. Check out the suggestions, questions to ask, and more below.
Why Family Game Night is Important
Family game night is an essential part of building strong relationships and creating lasting memories with your loved ones. It’s a time to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with each other, promoting social interaction, teamwork, and communication. Regular family game nights can also have a positive impact on children’s cognitive and emotional development, teaching them important skills such as problem-solving, strategy, and good sportsmanship.
When you gather around the table for a family game night, you’re not just playing games; you’re creating a tradition that can be cherished for years to come. These moments of laughter, friendly competition, and shared experiences help strengthen the bond between family members. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to ensure that everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, feels included and valued.
Why Plan for a Family Game Night Instead of Just Winging It?
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Okay, so some folks might think it’s a bit much to “plan” a game night for the family. But if you plan, you’ve got several advantages that could help engage the kids more, make the night the most looked-forward-to event of the season, and ensure you’re fully prepared for a complete and total blast.
Allowing each family member to choose their own game can enhance the experience and ensure everyone has a great time.
And bonus: When you choose the right games and activities, you get to help your kids learn better social interactions in a safe space, while also teaching them things like history, art, music, and even math.
Things to Think About/Do
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Some things to keep in mind as you gather your family game night ideas:
Consider awarding prizes for every game you play. It could be something monetary like a coloring book and pencils or you could get creative and award a “chore-free day” to the kiddos who claim their prizes. Consider awarding prizes that appeal to both young kids and older teens to keep everyone engaged. Make sure you have plenty of prizes, though, with runners-up and such in mind to help avoid aggressive competition or anyone feeling totally left out.
Do a costume or theme night! For example: Unicorn Fever, Unstable Unicorns, and Hungry Hungry Hippos Unicorn Edition with everyone wearing their best unicorn costumes while eating Unicorn Swirl ice cream or unicorn cupcakes.
Pick games everyone can enjoy playing. This means ensuring the skill levels required meet every age, and that the games are enjoyable for the whole crowd.
Make a family Spotify playlist that everyone can contribute a few favorite songs to for the game night playlists. Make a few set themes, and have that extra touch of fun with dance breaks to keep energy up between games.
Make sure everyone gets a chance to pick games for the game nights and alternate who picks which game comes next.
Decide ahead of time how long you want to keep game night going. Ensure the games on option fit this timeline. (I.e., skip Axis and Allies if you’re hoping for a 2-hour game night with multiple games going!)
Consider hosting the family game night right after you buy some new games – or buy new games with a specific game night in mind.
Choose the best night to have your family game night. Skip school nights, really sunny days when everyone should be outside, nights when the family’s favorite shows premiere, or nights before other events that can affect the whole family.
Mix up the game types you play to keep variety rolling and the whole clan happy. That is, don’t just play card or dice games, grab some of both, along with maybe some classics like Parcheesi or Mancala for lower-key moments between raucous games like Exploding Kittens or Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza.
Consider letting each kid invite one friend for the night or just go for a family and friend game night. Often kids enjoy their time more with someone else their own age around and this can help even out some of the competition as well.
Consider cooperative, group cooperative, team competitive, and individual competitive games and how they’ll work for the group. If your kids are pretty evenly matched and don’t get “mean” with competition (maybe your partner or parents need to be included in this assessment!), you can combine the various types of game mechanics and types for a mix of cooperative and competitive fun. If one or more of your kids are younger, timid, or not especially competitive compared to the others, focus more on cooperative and team games.
Have special snacks available that the kids associate with family game night. This not only makes gaming fun now but embeds beautiful, nostalgic memories to come when the kids are older. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be Grandma coming to play game night someday, enjoying the same snacks you served your kids.
Involve the kids in your planning. Let them suggest themes, games, snacks, prizes, and other family game night ideas. This helps them claim ownership of the night – especially if they’re otherwise not that enthused about spending loads of “quality time” with their younger siblings.
Tips for Hosting a Game Night
Hosting a successful game night requires some planning and preparation. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Choose Games for All Ages: Select games that are suitable for all ages and skill levels to ensure everyone has a great time. This inclusivity keeps the fun rolling for the entire family.
Set a Theme: Add an extra layer of excitement by setting a theme or scheduling a specific type of game night, such as a board game night or a movie night.
Plan Ahead: Make sure you have all the necessary materials and equipment for the games you’ve chosen. This foresight helps avoid any last-minute scrambles.
Encourage Teamwork: Divide players into teams or have them work together to achieve a common goal. This not only makes the game night more engaging but also fosters cooperation and camaraderie.
Keep It Simple: Don’t overcomplicate the game night with too many rules or complicated games. Simplicity ensures that everyone can follow along and enjoy the evening.
Snacks and Refreshments: Have plenty of snacks and refreshments on hand to keep everyone energized and focused. A well-fed group is a happy group!
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to hosting a successful game night that everyone will look forward to.
Let’s Get Started – and Plan That Family Game Night!
Snack Ideas for Family Game Nights
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Every good game night needs snacks! You want finger foods or non-messy plate foods that won’t create grease, dust (like Cheetos!), or other messes. But if any of these are big faves with the fam, keep some wet washcloths or wipes handy for cleaning hands between snack rounds.
Some great snacks include:
Flavored popcorn
Pigs in a blanket
Sliders
Hard candies
Grilled cheese
Deviled eggs
Caprese skewers
Find more great options and flavor choices in our game night snacks post.
Game Suggestions for Family Game Night
There are literally thousands of games out there, probably even tens of thousands. Narrowing down the list to the best games for family game nights is challenging, to say the least. So, we’ve compiled lists by age, group size, and more that you can review for the best suggestions. But here are some of our top suggestions for family game nights overall.
Sleeping Queens
Overboss
Wingspan
Catapult Feud
The Game of Cat and Mouth
The Quacks of Quedlinburg
Roll for the Galaxy
Above and Below
Trekking the National Parks
Love Letter
Root
Pandemic: The Cure
Roll Player
Dice Miner
Arboretum
The Mind
Taco Vs. Burrito
Throw Throw Burrito
Our Family is Weird
Beat the Parents
Do You Really Know Your Family?
Consider adding a trivia game like Trivial Pursuit to your game night for an engaging and educational experience.
Not sure what’s right for your crowd? Check out our games by age and games by player count for other options.
- Quick, easy-to-learn gameplay.
- Fun drafting mechanics with cute artwork.
- Fast-paced, great for short game sessions.
- Strategy is light, mostly luck-based.
- Limited interaction between players.
- Best with 3+ players, not as fun with fewer.
Game Night Ideas for All Ages
Here are some game night ideas that are suitable for all ages and can be enjoyed by the entire family:
Classic Board Games
Monopoly: A classic real estate trading game that’s great for teaching kids about finance and strategy. It’s a timeless choice that brings out the competitive spirit in everyone.
Scrabble: A popular word game that’s perfect for families with older kids and adults. It’s a fantastic way to expand your vocabulary while having fun.
Clue: A detective-themed game that’s great for encouraging problem-solving and critical thinking. Who doesn’t love a good mystery?
Risk: A strategy game that’s perfect for families with older kids and adults who love history and geography. It’s a game of global domination that requires careful planning and strategy.
Active Games for Family Fun
Charades: A classic acting game that’s great for encouraging creativity and self-expression. It’s always a hit and guarantees lots of laughs.
Pictionary: A drawing game that’s perfect for families with kids of all ages. It’s a fun way to showcase your artistic skills (or lack thereof!).
Simon Says: A classic game that’s great for encouraging physical activity and teamwork. It’s simple, fun, and gets everyone moving.
Scavenger Hunt: A fun game that’s perfect for families with kids of all ages, encouraging teamwork and problem-solving. Create a list of items to find around the house or yard and let the adventure begin!
Party Games for a Fun Game Night
Taboo: A fast-paced word-guessing game that’s great for encouraging teamwork and communication. It’s a fantastic way to test your quick thinking and vocabulary.
Apples to Apples: A party game that’s perfect for families with older kids and adults, encouraging creativity and humor. It’s all about making the funniest or most fitting comparisons.
What Do You Meme?: A party game that’s great for families with older kids and adults, encouraging creativity and humor. Create hilarious memes and see who has the best sense of humor.
Escape Room Games: A fun and interactive game that’s perfect for families with older kids and adults, encouraging teamwork and problem-solving. Bring the excitement of an escape room to your living room!
By incorporating these game night ideas, you’ll ensure that everyone in the family has a blast, regardless of their age or interests.
Family Game Night Ideas: Prizes
Prizes can add a whole new layer of fun for the whole family. So, consider grabbing some inexpensive, silly, and exciting goodies for the crew. Think through the ages of all participants and come up with a smattering of options for winners to choose from. Be sure to have enough for everyone – and probably some duplicates or extras – to ensure no one winds up feeling left out or “cheated” because of an “unlucky” game night.
Also, consider having awards like “best competitor,” “best attitude,” or “best actor” – or, if your kids enjoy the absurd, try “most gracious loser”, “worst luck,” or “never won” and make these the most exciting prizes of the night. It can be super fun but also a great opportunity for kids (and adults!) to learn skills in cooperation, failure, and good attitudes.
Some great prize ideas include:
Household coupons – Chore-free day, an extra hour of screen time, a shopping spree (with a price limit) with a shopping trip with [safe adult], trade your chores for a day (works great if there’s something they hate doing!), control of the TV, Alexa, or radio for a set period, etc.
Special treats – Like candy, cookies, or similar that aren’t normally kept around the house (although you’ll want to do this in limited amounts, of course!)
A coveted new toy, game, or wishlist item (be sure it’s a group prize or have one each for all the kids, or a promise of a similar prize at each game night to come until everyone wins)
Silly costume accessories for game/family night fun now and in the future
Craft supplies or project packs
Special mugs or glasses
Gift cards to kids’ favorite stores or online shops
The overall winner picks the next game night theme or family outing
Family game night trophy – the new champ of the night wins it, and the next family game night someone else has the chance to unseat the champ
Mood Setting and Accessory Ideas for Family Game Night
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Parties are always more fun with mood lighting and music. And family game night should definitely be a time of celebration. So, grab some string lights and decorate the room, or find some fun ambiance lights like lava lamps or colored lamps that can boost the mood. Some of them shift light colors, pulse, or add other fun effects (perfect for high-energy games!) and really add that party atmosphere to the usual home space.
Add a colorful speaker or smart speaker to add more fun – and use your phone or voice to command the music. Let the kids take turns changing the light and music settings on smart devices, or use pre-existing program settings for smooth transitions as you play through the evening.
You can also curate a collection of fun props and decor to use every game night. These can be included in your prizes (like – whoever wins the first game of the night gets the crown for the night) or as fun add-ons you pull out for silly photos and fun times together getting goofy.
Also Read: Enjoy the Best Chinese Board Games for Family Fun Night
Family Game Night Theme Ideas
Some great themes to consider for your family game night ideas list include:
Animals (specifics or general) – Grab copies of games like Zoo Vadis or Meadow, have animal crackers and Zebra cakes for snacks, and pull out animal-themed props for goofy photos.
Mystery – Loads of games center on the concept of mystery, like Deception: Murder in Hong Kong or Clue. Add in some mystery prizes like grab bags, drink mystery mocktails, and dress up as fictional detectives.
Food – Play games like Sushi Go, Piece ‘o Cake, Murder a la Carte, or Steam Up: a Feast of Dim Sum, skip snacks and go straight to a buffet-style meal, and discover new foods and food histories together as you explore the cuisine of the world.
Holiday game night – Into celebrating Arbor Day? Love World Oceans’ Day? Global Running Day? Why not theme your game night on one of these obscure holidays with silly puns, great games (there are tons that fit just about any holiday!), and snacks.
Music – Play music-themed games like On Tour, Drop Mix, Opera, or Battle of the Bands, create a killer playlist to spike the mood, and toss in some karaoke and costumes for added musical fun.
History night – Games like Chronology, Coup, Churchill, and 7 Wonders are just some of the awesome options for a game night focused on world history. Mix in some music themed on history (also tons out there!) and snacks named for wonders or historical moments.
Travel – Trekking the National Parks to Let’s Go! To Japan and Ticket to Ride, plus many more, all focus on the concepts surrounding travel, exciting destinations, and the world. Give a light-up globe or fun travel games for a prize, announce travel plans to the family (with exciting options for things to do and see along the way), dress the part, and try snacks from elsewhere in the world for the ultimate game night experience.
Outdoor adventure – Take your game night outdoors on a comfortable evening, gather around the picnic table, and play some outdoor-themed games. Maybe toss in some outdoor games, too, like Cornhole or Badminton. Board game ideas include The Oregon Trail, Command of Nature, Summit or Plummet, or some of the Trekking game series games.
Art – Why not let family game night be a night of culture? Grab some games like Sunrise at the Studio and Art Decko for gameplay, pop on some classical music, and dress up as your favorite artworks or artists. Prizes could include art supplies, tickets to art museums (make sure it’s a group prize!), and possibly some posters or prints of your kids’ favorite artworks. Bonus points for obscurity!
Conclusion
Remember to grab the right games, make or buy snacks, and try some new things to get the whole family involved in a fun family game night. Use these ideas to plan ahead and you’ll create the perfect family activity to play on repeat.
FAQ for Family Game Night Ideas
1. What are some fun family game night ideas?
Family game nights can be made more enjoyable by incorporating themes, awarding prizes, and selecting games that cater to all age groups. Consider hosting costume or theme nights, such as unicorn-themed games with matching snacks. You can also mix up the types of games played, from board games to card games, ensuring everyone has fun.
2. How do you plan a successful family game night?
To plan a successful game night, involve every family member in the planning process. Let family members suggest themes, games, snacks, and prizes. Choose games that everyone can enjoy and decide on the duration of the game night in advance. Consider the timing, avoiding school nights or other busy days.
3. What snacks are ideal for family game nights?
Ideal snacks for family game nights include finger foods that are easy to handle and not too messy. Options like flavored popcorn, sliders, grilled cheese, and deviled eggs work well. Keep wet wipes handy if you choose snacks that might leave residue on fingers.
4. How can prizes enhance the family game night experience?
Prizes can add excitement and motivation for participants. Consider offering household coupons, special treats, or silly costume accessories as prizes. Awards like “best attitude” or “most gracious loser” can make the night more fun and encourage good sportsmanship.
5. What are some mood-setting ideas for family game night?
To set the right mood, use string lights or colored lamps to create a festive atmosphere. Curate a playlist that matches the theme of the night and let family members take turns choosing songs. Incorporate props and decor for added fun and memorable photo opportunities. Consider using props and decor that appeal to both younger kids and older family members to create a fun and inclusive atmosphere.