articles

The Best Family Game Night Ideas!

Board Games, Card Games, Funny Games and more - all with no Technology

By Naida March 8, 2023

In today's digital age, it's more important than ever to make time for screen-free family activities. Game night is a perfect way to bond with family members while having fun and creating lasting memories. Our family LOVES game night! We try to play fun, new games as often as possible and have and still play all the recommendations you will find below.

Here are some fun and engaging game night ideas for the whole family.

    1. Board Games

Board games are a classic game night staple. They come in all shapes and sizes, from strategic games like Settlers of Catan to quick games like Uno. Board games promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and social skills. They also allow for plenty of laughs and friendly competition.

Some of our favorite games we highly recommend are:

Happy Little Dinosaurs: A Funny Prehistoric Adventure for Everyone

Ticket to Ride: A Railroad Adventure Board Game for All Ages

Azul: A Tile-Laying Strategy Game That Brings Portuguese Art to Life 

Blank Slate: A Clever Party Game Where Fill-in-the-Blank is the Name of the Game

Chameleon: A Deceptively Simple Deduction Game That Will Have You Guessing Until the End

Click on each one to find them and their descriptions on Amazon

   2. Card Games

Card games are another great option for game nights. Whether you choose traditional games like Go Fish or more complex games like Poker, card games are perfect for all ages. Card games promote strategy, math skills, and memory skills. Plus, they can be played with just a deck of cards, making them a budget-friendly option.

Some other fun card games our family likes and recommends are:

Doomlings: A fun card game racing against the end of the world
Exploding Kittens: A Hilarious Card Game That Combines Cats and Explosions
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza: A Fast-Paced Party Game for Food Lovers
Splurt: A Rapid-Fire Word Game That Will Test Your Vocabulary and Reflexes
Unstable Unicorns: A fun party game where you build your unicorn army to defeat your friends

Click on each one to find them and their descriptions on Amazon


  3. Charades

Charades is a classic game that can be played with any group size. Players take turns acting out a word or phrase without speaking while the rest of the group tries to guess what they're acting out. Charades promote creativity, teamwork, and communication skills. It's also a great way to get everyone up and moving.


     4. Pictionary

Pictionary is another game that promotes creativity and teamwork. Players take turns drawing a picture of a word or phrase while the rest of the group tries to guess what they're drawing. Pictionary is perfect for all ages and can be played with just paper and pencils.


      5. Trivia Games

Trivia games are perfect for families who love to learn and compete. There are plenty of trivia games available, from general knowledge games to themed games like Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit. Trivia games promote memory skills, teamwork, and critical thinking.

Beat the Parents: A Family Trivia Game That Pits Kids Against Adults
The Magical World of Disney Trivia: A Journey Through Disney's Enchanting World of Characters and Stories
All of Us: A Collaborative Trivia Game That Celebrates Diversity and Inclusion

Trivial Pursuit: Classic game of trivia covering great core categories like History, Geography, Art & Entertainment, Sports and Science. There are many new versions now as well with multiple themes and skill levels - something for everyone

Click on each one to find them and their descriptions on Amazon

Tips for Making Game Night a Regular Part of Your Routine

  • Set a specific day and time for a game night each week to make it a regular part of your routine.
  • Let each family member choose a game to play to keep everyone engaged and excited.
  • Make snacks and drinks part of the game night experience to create a fun and festive atmosphere.
  • Keep the games age-appropriate and vary the types of games to keep things fresh and engaging.
  • Take turns hosting game nights at different family members' homes to change things up and keep the fun going.

Game night is a perfect way to bring the family together for some screen-free fun. Whether you choose board games, card games, or classic games like charades, there are plenty of fun and engaging options for the whole family. By making game night a regular part of your routine, you'll create lasting memories and strengthen your family bonds.


Be sure to tell local businesses and events you found them 
on Macaroni Kid Greater Woodbridge ... 
and make sure to tell all your friends!