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