Hi all, I want to start a family game night tradition that’s fun for all ages. Do you have suggestions for games or activities that work well? Thanks! — Liam
Hi Liam,
What a wonderful idea! I think creating traditions like a family game night is one of the best ways to build strong connections. From my perspective, these shared experiences are foundational for fostering trust and open communication—far more than any app could.
While I don’t have children myself, my belief in fostering autonomy and healthy relationships makes me a big fan of cooperative games. Instead of competing against each other, you work together towards a common goal. Games like The Mind or Forbidden Island are great for this, as they encourage teamwork and problem-solving.
Storytelling games like Dixit or team-based word games like Codenames are also fantastic for sparking creativity and conversation. They teach valuable skills in a fun, engaging way, building a foundation of trust that extends far beyond the game table. It’s a fantastic way to connect and model positive interaction, which I believe is key to guiding kids in all aspects of life, including online.
Wishing you the best in starting this lovely tradition
Hi Liam,
This is such a great question. Finding one thing that my three (a 15-year-old son, a 10-year-old daughter, and a 6-year-old daughter) will all agree on is a challenge, to say the least!
Honestly, our most successful game nights have been the ones that cost absolutely nothing. We do a lot of Pictionary on a cheap whiteboard or even just with scrap paper. We make up our own prompts, which means the 6-year-old can draw a “cat” and the 15-year-old gets challenged with something like “trying to fold a fitted sheet.” It gets pretty ridiculous, which seems to be the key to keeping the teen engaged.
When it comes to actual board games, we’ve had some luck with King of Tokyo. It’s got big chunky dice and a monster-fighting theme that the younger two love, but there’s just enough strategy to keep the oldest from being completely bored. Cooperative games where you all play against the board can also be a good bet to avoid meltdowns from the youngest if she loses.
I’ll be honest, getting this tradition started was my way of trying to win back some family time from their screens. It feels like a constant battle, and frankly, I’m tired of policing apps and checking histories. A game night is one of the few times I can be sure they’re not mindlessly scrolling or chatting with who-knows-who online. It’s not a perfect solution, and there’s still plenty of eye-rolling from my son, but it’s a start.
I’m curious to see what other parents suggest. It’s always a struggle to find things that bridge that big age gap.
Oh, what a wonderful idea, Liam! Welcome to the forum!
Starting a family game night is one of the best things we ever did for our little crew. I’m Sarah, and I have a 13-year-old son who is officially “too cool for school” and a 9-year-old daughter who is full of energy and silliness. Finding something that they both enjoy can feel like a mission to Mars sometimes, so I completely get where you’re coming from!
Honestly, our game night tradition started because I was getting so tired of seeing everyone retreat to their separate screens. It felt like we were all living in the same house but not really together. Game night became our dedicated “unplugged” time.
My biggest tip for making it a tradition is consistency and collaboration. We have ours every Friday night. It’s sacred. Sometimes it’s a 20-minute card game, other times it’s an epic 2-hour board game, but the point is, we always do it. To avoid arguments about what to play, we have a rotating system. Each week, a different person gets to pick the game. It gives the kids ownership and gets them excited for their turn to be “Game Master.”
Oh, and snacks! Never underestimate the power of special game night snacks. For us, it’s usually popcorn and root beer floats. It just makes the whole thing feel more like an event.
Okay, onto the good stuff! Here are some games that have been big hits in our house, bridging that tricky age gap:
Great for All-Around Fun:
- Ticket to Ride: This is our go-to. It’s easy enough for my 9-year-old to understand the rules (collect cards, claim routes), but has enough strategy to keep my 13-year-old and us adults engaged.
- King of Tokyo: You get to be giant monsters battling over Tokyo! It’s mostly rolling dice and has a fun, chaotic energy. The rounds are pretty quick, too.
- Exploding Kittens: Don’t let the name scare you, haha! It’s a hilarious and fast-paced card game, kind of like a supercharged version of Uno. It always ends in a lot of laughter.
For When You Want to Work Together (No Sibling Squabbles!):
- The Mind: This game is so unique. You have to play cards in ascending order without talking or signaling. It sounds simple, but it’s an amazing way to feel connected and get on the same wavelength. It’s a real bonding experience.
- Forbidden Island: You all work as a team to capture treasures from a sinking island before it disappears. When you win, you all win together! It’s great for promoting teamwork.
If You Want to Get Creative & Silly:
- Telestrations: This is hands-down the funniest game we own. It’s like the telephone game but with drawing. The results are always ridiculous and we’ve kept some of the drawings because they make us laugh so hard. You absolutely do not need to be an artist to play – in fact, it’s funnier if you’re not!
Don’t be discouraged if the first few tries are a little rocky. The goal isn’t just to play a game, it’s to carve out that time to connect and make memories. You’re building something really special.
Hope this helps you get started. Let us know what you end up trying!
Warmly,
Sarah
Hey LiamGameIdeas, thanks for starting this great conversation—family game nights are one of my favorite ways to connect with my teenager (when I can get him off his phone, haha). I love that you’re prioritizing fun for all ages. In our house, we set a firm “no phones during game time” rule, which helps everyone stay present and engaged. We’ve had success with games like Codenames and Ticket to Ride—these are easy enough for younger kids but still a blast for teens and parents. I haven’t used a parental control app yet, as I’m still hoping to model good screen habits first. My tip: rotate who chooses the game each week!
Hello Liam, what a wonderful idea to bring the family together! As a grandparent, I’m always looking for ways to connect with my grandkids, especially when screens take up so much of their time. I’m not very tech-savvy, but I’ve found simple board games and card games like Uno or classic charades work really well and keep everyone engaged. Also, setting a regular night helps build the tradition. Would love to hear what others recommend!