Game Night: Bringing Fun and Connection Back to Your Family

Picture this: the whole family gathered around the table, snacks within reach, laughter filling the room as someone dramatically declares victory—or groans in playful defeat. This is family game night at its best, a tradition that has the power to bring families closer in a way that few other activities can.

This blog post is part of the Heart and Home series.

In our house, family game night has been an on going traditions for more than two decades. Can you tell we LOVE to play games?

Here are some recent pictures of my family around the game table:

A few weeks ago I cam across a post on Facebook where a lady was bemoaning the fact that her family never spent time together and that when they were in the same room everyone was on their own phones/devices.

These days a lot of families really struggle to stay connected – and screen time use is at an all time high. Family connection doesn’t just happen – you have to be intentional if you want to stay connected as a family.

Family Game Nights: The Best Games for Building Bonds

It’s easy to let the days just be filled with work and school and household chores without really taking time to spend quality time together. Between work schedules, school or church obligations, and the endless pull of screens, families often find themselves living side by side rather than truly engaging with one another. But the simple act of playing a game together can change that.

I really believe that playing board games on a regular basis is a great way to build strong relationships, encourage friendly competitiveness, teach children how to be a good loser, and to just have FUN together!

Why Play Matters More Than Ever

Game night isn’t just a way to pass the time; it’s an opportunity to strengthen family bonds. Play has a unique way of breaking down barriers, whether it’s between siblings who’ve been arguing all day or a parent and teen who haven’t had a meaningful conversation in a while. When families sit down to play together, something special happens.

Games encourage conversation in a natural way. They create a space where laughter comes easily and where playful competition can bring out sides of each other that often get buried under the weight of daily responsibilities.

They also teach valuable life skills—turn-taking, patience, problem-solving, and the ability to handle both winning and losing with grace. But more than anything, games give families a shared experience and create years of good memories that will be cherished years from now.

And in a world where everyone is pulled in different directions, those shared moments are priceless.

Choosing the Right Games for Your Family

Not all games are created equal, and choosing the right ones can make all the difference. The best game nights are the ones where everyone is engaged and having fun, so it’s important to consider the ages and interests of your family members.

Classic Games for the Whole Family

These timeless favorites bring people of all ages together with easy-to-learn rules and just the right amount of competition:

• Uno – A fast-paced card game that’s easy for young kids to grasp but fun for all ages.
• Sorry! – Simple, lighthearted, and full of dramatic moments as players send each other back to the start.
• Scrabble – Perfect for word lovers, adding an educational twist to game night.
• The Game of Life – A nostalgic favorite that gets everyone talking about big (and funny) life choices.
• Ticket to Ride – A strategy game that challenges players to build train routes across a map.

Games for Younger Kids and parents

If you have little ones in the family, game night doesn’t have to be a struggle. The best games for younger children are simple, quick to play, and encourage fun rather than strict rule-following. These games are easy for little hands to manage while still being enjoyable for older siblings and parents.

• Candy Land – A colorful, no-reading-required game where kids race to the finish on a winding, candy-filled path.
• Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel – A fun and simple game that helps younger children develop fine motor skills while collecting acorns.
• Zingo! – A bingo-style matching game that’s easy for preschoolers to grasp and fun for the whole family.
• Go Fish – A classic card game that helps kids learn numbers and matching skills while keeping things light and fun.
• Don’t Break the Ice – A game of careful tapping and suspense as players try to keep the little ice skater from falling through.
• Memory Match Games – A variety of themed matching games that challenge kids’ memory and concentration.

These games are short enough to keep younger children engaged while helping them learn to follow rules, take turns, and enjoy friendly competition. Plus, they offer great bonding moments between parents and kids.

Cooperative Games That Encourage Teamwork

For families who prefer working together over competing, these games create a sense of unity:

• Forbidden Island – Players must strategize together to collect treasures before the island sinks.
• Pandemic – A thrilling game where players collaborate to stop outbreaks and save the world.
• Outfoxed! – A detective game for younger kids, where the whole family works as a team to solve a mystery.

Fast-Paced Party Games for Laughter and Fun

If your family loves to keep things light and energetic, these games bring the fun:

• Telestrations – A mix of Pictionary and Telephone that leads to hilarious misunderstandings.
• Codenames – A clever word association game perfect for older kids and adults.
• Charades – A classic no-prep game that always delivers big laughs.

High-Energy Games That Get Everyone Moving

Not every game night has to involve sitting around a table. These active games keep the excitement going:

• Twister – A fun and chaotic way to get everyone stretching, bending, and laughing.
• Minute to Win It Challenges – Quick, silly games using household items (like stacking cups or balancing objects).
• Hide and Seek in the Dark – A flashlight turns this classic game into an exciting nighttime adventure.

Creative and Conversation-Based Games

Sometimes the best games don’t come in a box. These activities encourage storytelling and connection:

• Would You Rather? – A great way to spark fun, unexpected conversations.
• Storytelling Round Robin – Each family member adds a sentence to a story, leading to unexpected twists.
• Homemade Trivia – Create trivia questions about family memories, favorite books, or fun facts.
• 20 Questions – One person thinks of something, and everyone else tries to guess what it is with yes/no questions.

related: Family Favorite Games: What’s in My Game Closet?

Making Game Night a Tradition

One of the biggest reasons families let go of game nights is because they get lost in the shuffle of everyday life. But making game night a tradition doesn’t have to be complicated—it just requires a little intentionality. In our house we play games almost every time we’re together.

We’ve done it so much that’s it’s just a part of what we do and how our family spends time together. It really started 25 years ago at Christmas time when we had all the kids (or most of the nine kids – young and old) together and we would stay up into all hours of the night playing Rook. (Christmas in our house lasts a week or two.)

If you aren’t used to playing games as a family, you can get started by setting a regular night each week or even once a month can create something for the whole family to look forward to.

It doesn’t have to be an elaborate event; even a last-minute decision to pull out a game after dinner can lead to some of the best memories. Creating a fun atmosphere with snacks or a cozy setting can add to the excitement, making it feel like a special occasion rather than just another evening at home.

It also helps to rotate who gets to choose the game. Letting different family members take turns picking ensures that everyone feels included and that the games stay fresh. Some weeks might be all about strategy and deep thinking, while others might be filled with fast-paced, laugh-out-loud party games. The variety keeps things interesting and makes sure that no one feels left out.

The True Win of Game Night

At the end of the day, having a family game night isn’t about who wins or loses—it’s about the time spent together. It’s about the inside jokes that develop over time, the playful rivalries that never get old, and the moments of unexpected teamwork that remind you just how much you love being together. My 19 year old grandson, Samuel said the last time we played ROOK: “Grandarlin always wins because she never bids and she’s a good partner” haha – proud moment for me haha.

So, if it’s been a while since your family has gathered around the table for a night of games, now is the perfect time to bring it back. Dust off that old stack of board games, grab some snacks, and let the fun begin. Who knows? You might just find that game night becomes one of your favorite family traditions.

What’s your family’s favorite game? Share in the comments and let’s inspire each other to bring back the joy of play!