Planning For a Family Board Game Night
by Ricci DeLoriea | on
Planning For a Family Board Game Night
When I was a kid we had a family board game night. We would gather in the kitchen and the battles would begin. We had only three channels on the TV set, no cable, no internet, no cell phones. We would just enjoy being together, and trying to outwit, or outplay each other. So remembering how much fun we had, I believe it is important to carry on the tradition. It is a great time to create long lasting memories, bond and to enjoy being together as a family.
Planning for a family board game night is not hard to do, but if your having a hard time getting started keep reading.
1)Clear your schedules, make it an important date. Much the same way if you had an important business meeting. Put it on the calendar. This sends an important message to the family, about your priorities. You announce it, be the role model, set the date and time and stick to it…..Game night is on!
2)No guests allowed as a rule. This a grand opportunity to improve your communication with each other. It is perceived as important and special to the family. There have been times we have had game night when the kids have had friends over and it has been fun, but as a rule it is family only.
3)Get rid of all the distractions. We make sure homework is done, dishes done. No answering the phone, no TV on. It is just us playing games and enjoying each other!
4)We take turn turns picking what game is to be played, and during the year say at birthdays or usually during the holidays some more games get introduced and into the rotation. We play until the game is over, and often play again or choose a different one. It is all about participation.
5) This is a great time to teach your children about fair play, becoming a good sport, and teaching positive behaviors. A good time to teach and manage social skills that they will use as they interact with each other and at school.
6) Snacks are as much anticipated as the games themselves. We do cookies freshly baked, or popcorn, chips…..but mainly cookies.
7) We have a wide variety of games and we do play all kinds, we all have our favorite, but when a game is picked we play it.
