Benefits of Family Game Nights

It is always a good idea to put all screens, devices and distractions away and engage in some quality family time. Game nights are one of many ways you can grow as a family with intentionality.

Picture this: family is sitting around the table with a bowl of popcorn or warm cookies from the oven, good music streaming from a speaker, and a board game in the middle of the table. Soon laughter fills the air… at least until someone loses.

If you have never experienced a family game night, you are missing out! When done right, game nights benefit everything from your child’s cognitive development to your family bonds. They create fun memories, aid emotional and mental development, boost creativity, and increase social engagement. Pretty good for one activity! Here are a few more benefits of family game nights: 

Games help children learn how to win and lose well. 

Losing isn’t fun for anyone but it’s part of life. It’s important for our children to know how to lose while also celebrating the winner. Frequent times of losing as well as winning will help your child learn to navigate his/her feelings of frustration and disappointment in a safe and encouraging environment. 

Games help with problem solving skills.

Strategy games help kids develop skills to solve problems, engage in critical thinking and make good decisions. You can help your child by asking questions that guide them to think before they react and thereby coming up with a plan of action and solutions to a problem. 

Game nights build family bonds and good memories.

Playful banter and laughter can create lasting memories and plenty of inside jokes for your family. It’s important to keep competition light and fun especially with young children instead of focusing only on winning so that everyone looks forward to game nights and walks away with positive feelings. 

Games help children with social interaction.

Children learn how to wait their turn, celebrate another person, cooperate with each other, and win or lose graciously. Playing games together as a family also helps children have a sense of belonging which enhances their emotional and mental health.

So what are you waiting on? Grab a board game, a yummy snack, party music and create some fun family memories…even tonight! It isn’t just good for your kids, but for you too!

Here are a few game ideas to get you started.

1. Clue (Regular or Jr.)
2. Monopoly (Regular or Jr.)
3. Ticket to Ride (Regular or Jr)
4. Jenga
5. Uno
6. Guess who
7. Battleship
8. Pictionary
9. Charades
10. Any card game (Spoons, Speed, Nertz, Crazy 8’s, etc)

 

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