Tag Archives: game night

20 Great Ideas for Family Game Night

For family fun, movie night is a sure bet. We love them all–the good, the bad, and the guilty pleasures.  You can’t quote movies like we do and be lukewarm about the silver screen. Sometimes even the best ideas can wear a little thin though and you are left looking for a little inspiration. Well, seek and ye shall find, friends. A good old-fashioned family game night is what all the cool families do to get their fun back on.

Need some family fun ideas? Check out all these great games for family fun---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Lest you think we don’t practice what we preach, this is the proof that Erin has board games in no less than five places in her house.

Need family fun ideas? Here are 20 great ideas for family game night---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

And lest you be intimidated by the thought of being trapped around the table for too long with your fun hostages, er, family, the following games are not just entertaining, but they mostly clock in around an hour.

Ticket To Ride

This one is Erin’s mom’s favorite and there’s a great reason why: this is a board game for people who don’t love board games. If you haven’t played one in awhile, it can be hard to get back in the habit but this game will bring you back to the fold. With almost no reading, appealing train pieces, and simple but interesting moves, Ticket to Ride can literally be anybody’s game. Just about any age player can learn and even enjoy this game after playing just a few rounds, not an easy feat. Another plus: younger kids can play with older kids, a huge bonus with sprawling families like ours.

Great ideas for family game night---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Ticket To Ride – Europe

This version of the modern classic is more of the great fun above but with some important improvements that give this version it’s own devoted following. Building train stations, tunnels, and ferry routes up the fun factor and make this game lightning fast but also more cutthroat. This is a board game enthusiast’s game engineered for newbies and the combination is undeniably engaging. Enough strategy for hardcore fans yet simple and enjoyable for new ones, this game wins on all fronts. The bigger cards are a plus too.

Great ideas for family game night---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms 

Survive Escape From Atlantis 30th Anniversary Edition

Games are front and center of all of our extended family fun as well. Uncle Dan played this one when he was a kid. He was super excited when they rereleased this one and we are too. Sharks, whales, whirlpools, and a shrinking island are just some of the hazards that ratchet up the entertainment meter in this game. No reading in this one either, just all the joy that comes with chomping up your brother’s pieces and escaping your doom. Good times.

Great ideas for Family Game Night--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

 

Front Porch Classics Dread Pirate Bookshelf Game

Erin’s kids wore this one out from all the play this got in rotation. Gold doubloons, a flag to capture, and actual treasure to loot are just some of the key features of this game for pirate-loving pre-teens. We have to point out just how swoon-worthy the pieces are. Kids will drool over the “gems” and “gold” and the pirate ships are beauties in and of themselves. So much fun all the way around.

Great ideas for Family Game Night--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

 

The Settlers of Catan

This is one of our favorite games to lure sulky teens back to the family fold. Such a great combination of luck and strategy in the play, but what we really love is the great player interaction in this game. Reconnecting with one another is why we are doing this after all and this game has it as part of the overall game experience. Winner winner chicken dinner.Great Gifts for Teen and Tween Boys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

 

Pandemic Board Game

Kids love watching the disease hot spots pop up and assuming the different roles as disease-fighting specialists. Parents love that we are all working together to put out the hot spots. If the disease spreads, we all lose. If we contain the outbreak, we all win. Family fun and peace in one box. Fa-la-la-la-la. Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

 

Munchkin Deluxe

Tween boys lose their ever-loving minds over this game. At a price point under $30, it’s a great gift choice and with a gazillion add-on card packs, it’s a gift idea that you can recycle for his birthday as well. Keep this in mind for the younger set. It’s a winner. Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

 

Classic Parcheesi Board Game

All of the teens and tweens love this classic game, and, in the interest of full disclosure, this is THE game to settle all sibling scores in Erin’s family. But you have to get the version with the animals. Nothing like having the camels and the water buffalo duke it out in the end. Trust us on this one. Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

 

Farkle Classic Dice Game

With a price point below $10, this one could be a great stocking stuffer or perfect for a gift exchange. We play this all summer long and during snow days. Super-fast and fun.

Great Gifts for Tween and Teen Boys--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

 

Even more strapped for time? Can’t pull together a foursome? The next few games only need two willing players and 20 minutes.

Gobblet

Like Tic-Tac-Toe? Great. This game starts with that concept and blows it up and makes it about a hundred times more fun. We have yet to meet a kid that can say no to this one.

Family Game Night Ideas Whether You Have an Hour or Just 10 minutes--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

 

Sleeping Queens

Erin’s family learned this one on vacation with our friends from Maine. We give this as a gift to every 5 year old kid we know. Invented by a little girl and created by her parents, it speaks to a kid’s heart and has some great early math skills. But the real genius is in the details. The rule that you can’t have both the cat queen and the dog queen in your pile at the same time? Genius. It’s this charm and wit that keeps us still playing this game as often as we do. Winner with boys and girls alike and tweens and teens and little kids and adults, so basically everyone!  A fantastic vacation game!

Great ideas for Family Game Night---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

 

Rat-A-Tat-Cat

Another great early math game that doesn’t feel like learning. Erin loves all card games and this one passes muster.

Great Game Ideas for Family Fun Night--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

 

 Labyrinth

Simple in design but complex enough to keep everybody happy and interested. Every move is a “shove” that changes the maze making finding the treasure you seek an ever changing challenge.

Great ideas for Family Game Night---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

 

Stratego Original Game

In a land of a thousand games, this is the master. Kids love it. Adults love it. The idea of setting up bombs and armies is heady stuff and part of the long appeal of this classic. It’s fast, smart fun with only 2 players. A rainy beach day or boring Sunday afternoon staple.

Great ideas for Family Game Night--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Othello

Strategy games are always a favorite and this one is such a simple design and concept. The allure of trying to make all the pieces your color is hard to beat.

Great ideas for Family Game Night--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

 

Cathedral Classic

Erin has owned 4 versions of this game. The first two were stolen by students because it’s that good of a game. Just trust us on this one.

Great ideas of Family Game Night--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

But sometimes you want your games to party on . . .

Taboo – the Game of Unspeakable Fun (2000 Edition)

A party classic for a reason, it also brings the family fun like none other. Some of our favorite family memories have started with this game.

Great ideas for Family Game Night--Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

 

Would You Rather? Board Game – Classic Version
This game is a favorite of all ages, but teens love it too because it is also a big hit at slumber parties. Maybe if you pull out this game at the beginning of the evening, you can avoid your own sleepover disasters. We’re rooting for you!
Would You Rather

And if you have A LOT of time . . .

Clue
When we have a little more time, and some quiet, Clue is always a favorite. The intrigue gets us every time.

Clue

Risk Game
Because who doesn’t want to rule the world?

Risk

As you may have guessed, we are huge fans of board games here at The Sisterhood. So give your Netflix cue a rest for a night or two. You know we love the movies too, but it’s fun to mix it up once in awhile. We really do wish that your family catches some of the particular magic that only comes when you find some time to reconnect over a good old fashioned game.

Looking for family fun? Great ideas for family game night---Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Happy board gaming! 

-Erin and Ellen

Follow_us_on_Pinterest_pic

You can follow us on Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Check out our books, “I Just Want to Be Alone” and “You Have Lipstick on Your Teeth.”

 

Enter your email address:Delivered by FeedBurner

 

Share it real good . . .
Share on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterPin on PinterestShare on Google+Share on StumbleUponShare on RedditEmail this to someonePrint this page