Between home-schooling and quarantining, we’ve learned the importance of family game night. Game night has allowed us to take our minds off the world for a little while, to bond, and to spend some precious time together without spending extra money or having to go out.
If you’re stuck inside, or you just want to spend some time bonding with the little ones, here are my recommendations for family game night.
Ages 3-6
The little ones aren’t always the most cooperative when it comes to family game night. You’ll need something fun enough to keep their attention and easy enough for them to understand. And while I get that every child’s level of comprehension is different, these are my recommendations for kids aged three to six years old.
– is the preschool version of the UNO we all know. It teaches colors and is relatively easy for the little ones to grasp. Plus, it’s fast-moving enough that the older kids won’t get super bored right away.
The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game – Another great game that teaches colors with the added benefit of teaching fine motor skills. This is a low-key game and won’t take a ton of energy out of you.
A fun shapes and colors game that actually quacks as the ducks’ spin around. The game works on children’s memory and matching skills, as well as shape identification. Plus, it’s adorable.
Ages 6-10
Guess Who– A simple but silly game where kids identify characteristics and have an honest go at guessing who’s who. This one can be used for the littler kids too- but it really varies. You know your kids best!
Trouble– The goal is to move your piece around the board and bring without getting bumped back home again. But the absolute best part about this game is pushing the giant bubble in the center of the board game known as the “Pop-O-Matic.” This bubble ensures you’ll never loose your dice and an extra bit of fun for kids of all ages.
Ages 10+
Twister– Parents, you may have to stretch before playing this one! Twister is a bending, stretching, competition game where players are assigned a color, and a body part. They must then bend and twist themselves to keep that placement on the mat, even while other players do the same. It’s a whole lot of fun but squishing is inevitable, so maybe leave the little ones on the couch for this one.
Uno– The game of colors, numbers, alliances, and trick cards- Uno is a card game that the older kids, and adults, will definitely enjoy. There are all sorts of types of Uno now adays, but the classic is still my favorite version.
Monopoly– The one that started it all, the ultimate classic “family board game”! Monopoly, like Uno, now comes in a variety of versions, but the classic still reigns superior to me. Unlike Uno, Monopoly can go on for a while. So, if you have an hour (or two) to kill, this is the game for you.
At the end of the day, no matter the age of your little ones or what games you play, what matters is that you spend time together. Kids grow up quick, and before you know it, the weekend is over. Do your best to plan a family game night now and implement that idea of spending time together with your kids while they’re young, and they’ll be more inclined to do it when they grow up. (Proverbs 22:6).
Happy game night!
