5 Reasons to Bring Back Game Night
Over scheduled kids, 500 channels of cable TV, video games and portable technology… sometimes it’s hard to carve out a little low-tech, no-stress family time. But flick through your fondest family memories and there are probably a few epic family games.
Here’s why it’s time to unplug the family, bring back game night and make memories.
Cheap or Free Fun
As our economy continues to decline, our expenses continue to rise. Bargain nights, Monday to Thursday, at Legends Phoenix Movie Theater will set you back $5 a person. Add drinks and snacks, and you could be looking at $40 or $50 for your family. Go on the weekend and you can almost double that figure. In Kansas City there are many other activities that will set you back $10 - $25 per person.
At-home fun can be cheap or free. Games are inexpensive, last a long time, can be borrowed—and you can even make your own games using found materials or just your brains.
Learning Opportunities
Use game night to sneakily teach your kids a host of social, physical and academic skills at any age. Younger children learn social concepts like patience, taking turns, following rules and being fair, while also learning basic math and English skills via sorting, matching, colors, shapes and numbers. My 2-year-old loves matching flashcards with numbers, letters and especially words.
For older kids, games like Uno, Scrabble, Cribbage and Pictionary, reinforce academics, logic and strategic and critical thinking skills. Families that homeschool often use game night as an integral part of their curriculum. If your child is struggling with mathematical concepts like addition or subtraction, try Dominoes or Life to practice skills while playing. Building family unity and having a great time are bonuses.
Discovering Strengths
My sister knocked Mom off her Scrabble podium. My brother dominates Monopoly. I am Connect Four champion, my husband rules Mexican Train, and my mom and I are Canasta queens. My brother kept records to track total wins by game.
Alternating games by type and with differing levels of luck and skill, gives everyone a chance to shine. Games like Cranium, with multiple components, are great for families. Try cards, board games, strategy games, action games, DVD games—and don’t forget the classics.
Before long, your kids will be fighting over what to play, not whether to play. Generally, video games don’t encourage the same interpersonal interaction (except maybe Rock Band and some Wii games).
Bringing Family Closer
Good old fashioned quality time is practically a cliché these days. All too often, it means veg-ing out together watching TV or joint car travel to and from sporting events, tutoring or friends’ houses. Reserving a night just for the family—no interruptions, no phones, no homework, no distractions—will build bonds and trust. And you’ll learn more about each other’s individual lives. Whether it’s monthly or weekly, setting a standing date lets the family know “It’s ON!” Everyone has something to anticipate, reducing scheduling conflicts.
Stress Relief
Regular game nights reinforce healthy habits. When parents come home tired and cranky, game night can help set the tone. Nothing relieves stress better than laughing, so why not get that laugh by thumping your kids in a friendly game of Operation?
I’ll never forget the first time my little sister beat me at Scrabble. Or the time my brother gave a fully stacked Canasta deck away on the last card – the girls thrashed the boys in one hand. What will your kids remember?
Victoria Pressley is currently training her 2-year-old to be the drummer in the family RockBand in Leavenworth.