A Quick Guide to Restore the '80s Tradition of Family Game Night

A Quick Guide to Restore the '80s Tradition of Family Game Night

By Arthur Brown

For most '80s kids, family game nights were one of the most exciting activities. Family game nights were the perfect opportunities for families to bond and spend quality time having fun together. So, it’s a bit sad to see that this tradition has declined in the past couple of decades. But if you are experiencing some form of nostalgia, then you might be looking to restore the family game night tradition in your family (and we are all for it!)

While technology isn’t a bad thing, it has led to us all living a more individualistic lifestyle, but with family game nights, your family can find the perfect avenue to spend time together and bond with one another. So, if you are looking to restore the '80s tradition of family game night, this quick guide will come in handy.

Shut Out Distractions

Remember that family game night is still new to your folks, so it's quite normal if your family members suddenly lose interest when their favorite TV show comes on. To thoroughly enjoy your family game night, it’s best to play it the classic way – with no distractions. You should put your phone on silent or turn it off. You should also turn off the television to truly enjoy the moment.

Pick A Convenient Time

I get it – it’s called “family game night” for a good reason – it happens at night. But, if night times are not convenient for every member of the family, then it's fine to pick any time of the day that works for everyone. For instance, if a member of the family often has to work night shifts, then such a person may miss out on family game nights, but not when you play during the day. You should also pick a day that works for everyone – say a day on the weekend, or public holidays. The trick is to start with days that are free for everyone. You don’t have to stick to the rules (well, there aren’t any rules), you can host your family game nights while on a road trip or while camping. The most important thing is to get creative with it and have loads of fun.

Pick A Game That Works For Everyone

One of the most important things to consider when planning your family game night is the game(s) you choose. The wrong games can significantly dampen the mood and ruin your game night. It’s often best to have different game options, so if one game falls through, you can choose another game to play. You can never go wrong with a deck of cards, so I always consider that as an option for game night. You should also consider the interest of your family members. If board games aren’t your thing, video games are also an excellent option. As long as everyone can play, then it works.

Spice Things Up

You can get creative with your family game nights to make it even more fun for everyone. You can try switching up things by making every member of the family take turns in suggesting games for game night. You can also add music or even play dress-up to add some pomp and pageantry to the event. Trust me, everything works when it's family game night.

Add Some Treats

The only thing better than family game night is – a family game night with treats. You’d be surprised how interesting your family game nights become when you add some mouthwatering treats to the menu. You can add popcorn or your favorite pastry paired with a cup of cocoa or soda to spice things up during family game nights.

Have Fun

This is, perhaps, the most important part of this whole guide. I mean, what’s a family game night without some fun? The whole point of planning a family game night is to relax and have fun with your family. Don’t get too caught up in the planning process that you forget to have fun. Savor every moment of your family game night. If you feel like it, take pictures to save your beautiful memories.

So, before you start planning your next family game night, you should keep in mind that it won’t be as easy and smooth as you imagine, especially if it’s the first family game night for your family. Learn to be patient and accept all the fights, squeals, tears, laughs, and fun that comes with it. You and your family will get the hang of it over time – and it’ll be fun.