| Take a chance! When you tell the family that it's | | | | someone lands on a red square everyone must |
| games night at your home, the kids might think | | | | take a bite of pineapple. Spin a ten and all must |
| you've come unhinged, but make it non-optional | | | | eat a macadamia nut! If you select the Go to Jail |
| and make sure you make it fun! Take it from | | | | card, it's your turn to do the Hula dance. Get the |
| me, I've done it and it works. Everyone joins in | | | | idea? |
| either as a player or a spectator when we played | | | | At the end of each game night, discuss next |
| games on XBox. The house is filled with laughter | | | | week's theme. Family members can take turns |
| and cheering and it's nice to see everyone having | | | | choosing the theme and the accompanying snacks |
| a good time. Playing games is ageless and there is | | | | and décor. If it's too much for one person |
| virtually no generation gap. | | | | to coordinate or if children are younger, these |
| Plan for one night a week where everyone will be | | | | tasks can be delegated. Your three year old can |
| home. If you don't have one night where | | | | decide she wants a clown theme complete with |
| everyone will be there, you need to juggle things | | | | balloons and everyone will wear clown make-up. |
| around so you have at the very least one night | | | | Your 6th grader made opt for an art theme and |
| where the entire family is home. | | | | paint or draw the decorations. |
| Then there's board games to consider. You could | | | | If you want to keep it simple without the extras, |
| play everything from Monopoly to Snakes and | | | | that's okay too. You're sure to be a hit with |
| Ladders depending upon the ages of the children. | | | | games and their favorite snacks. Everyone will |
| You could set up themes to play a game for | | | | want to come back again and again. |
| example a Hawaiian theme. Have pineapples and | | | | This should be an inexpensive night. You can pick |
| things like that, everyone wears leis. Each person | | | | up new games at thrift stores and garage sales |
| could talk about what they know or as questions | | | | for $1.00. Most decorations you may already have |
| about Hawaii. Use your imagination. You know | | | | around the house or can be picked up at the |
| what your family likes. | | | | same places you're getting second hand games or |
| The game itself doesn't have to relate to the | | | | even the dollar store. |
| theme; just the atmosphere and conversation. | | | | Make it fun. Your children won't remember and |
| You could be playing Yatzee, Life, Clue, Sorry, | | | | thank you for all the hours you put in a work, but |
| Snakes and Ladders, Don't Spill the Beans or Uno. | | | | they will always cherish the family time together. |
| It doesn't matter which game you're playing. You | | | | The family that plays together stays together. |
| could incorporate your theme into various | | | | Have fun! |
| intervals throughout the game. Each time | | | | |