If your family game nights have become stale and repetitive, it’s time to take them up a notch. And the first step is recognizing that you need to improve the game nights from the get-go. Here are some tips and tricks on how to do just that.
1. Be Prepared
On the day of your family game night, it’s a good idea to have your games and some snacks ready. Here’s why. First, you want to make sure that you’re giving everyone a chance to play each game before guests arrive. That way, you will see how much everyone enjoys the games as well as know what kinds of snacks or alcoholic beverages are going to get enjoyed. Also, make sure that your guest schedule is clear so that there is sufficient time for everyone to play.
2. Keep it Light
When your family game nights are a bit off, the best thing to do is keep things light and fun. For instance, when people are stressed or having a bad day, you can ask everyone to tell a joke. It takes everyone’s minds off of what’s bothering them and helps to keep the mood positive. It also gives everyone in the room a chance to interact with each other.
3. Set the Rules
The next thing to do is to make sure that your family game night rules are laid out ahead of time. It will save you time and energy when it comes time for your guests to arrive. Just knowing what the games are going to be and knowing the rules will help make things smoother. If there are any rules that people seem confused about, make sure someone is available to explain them in more detail.
4. Invite Guests
One of the most important things to do when planning family game nights is to invite your guests ahead of time. If you’re worried about awkward situations, send out some invitations by email. You can even write a question that your guests will have to answer. This way, you will know a bit about them without having to ask them directly.
5. Play in Moderation
When it comes time for the night of the family game night itself, make sure that everyone is playing in moderation. If you notice that a guest is over-indulging, it’s a good idea to make sure that they have a designated driver or see if someone else can drive them home. Also, make sure that you’re watching everyone as they’re having fun. You don’t want anyone doing anything dangerous or destructive during the family game night.
6. Think About Next Time
Another thing, when planning a family game night, don’t just think about tonight’s event. Think about what went right and wrong during the night. Remember that there is always room for improvement. Try to think of some new games that everyone can enjoy and remember to involve all of your guests in the planning process.
7. Have Fun
The most important thing to do when planning a family game night is to remember to have fun. Game nights are supposed to be a good time, so don’t let them become too stressful or complicated. Make sure that everyone has fun, eats well, and enjoys themselves overall.
8. Thank Your Guests
Make sure that you have your guests over to thank them for coming. Let them know how much you appreciate their effort to show up, and make sure they feel welcome and appreciated. It will help to make the next game night go even smoother.
9. Adapt to Changes
Once you have family game nights down, make sure that you stay adaptive to changes. Remember that people’s interests and viewpoints will sometimes change over time. You may have a new baby in your house and need to come up with a new strategy for playing games with the family. Or maybe one of your friends has passed away and you no longer have a game night to attend. So make sure that you stay adaptive as things change for your family and not become stagnant because of it.
10. Change the Schedule
If you’re determined to make family game night a regular thing of yours, then you’ll need to change up your schedule and the games that you play. You may have a baby at home now or you may need to put some new games like customized board games on your next family game night. But remember to change it up every once in a while; otherwise, it will become very boring for all involved.
A lot goes into planning a family game night and it doesn’t have to be as hard as some people think. All you have to do is follow these tips and tricks to create an enjoyable, fun, and stress-free family game night. You’ll be surprised at what a difference it can make.
