Family game night: playing with your kids
A regular family game night is different from a party: it’s always the same three to six people, the kids get older, and at some point the old games become too easy. The best games grow with them and let kids win fair and square now and then.
- for 3–6 people
Then there’s the question of how much screen time the evening should have. Many Gather games run at the dinner table without a TV, one device each; save the big-screen games for special nights.
Games that fit
Stack Rush
2–6 players20–40 minworks without a TVStack Rush is a card game where kids build runs from 1 to 12 and learn to plan ahead along the way. It runs at the dinner table without a TV.
Crazy Mau
2–8 players5–15 minworks without a TVCrazy Mau is the entry point for the youngest, because you only have to watch suit and number. Add the special cards once that’s second nature.
Sea Battle
2 players10–20 minworks without a TVSea Battle is one child against a parent while the others play Crazy Mau. Along the way, kids learn to search the neighbouring squares systematically after a hit.
Letter Hunt
2–10 players10–25 minLetter Hunt is for school-age kids who already write fluently. The “Family” preset skips rivers and countries, which are hardest for children.
Corner Chaos
1–6 players3–5 minCorner Chaos is the reward at the end of the evening – short, loud and no reading. Whoever loses wants to go again right away.
How it can go
At the dinner table
Crazy Mau or Stack Rush with everyone, each on a phone or tablet. These games run without a TV, started on one device.
Duels
Sea Battle for two, Letter Hunt for the older ones. That way every child plays something that suits their age.
To finish
Two or three races of Corner Chaos on the TV, then the evening is over. Agreeing on the number of races beforehand saves arguments.
Tips
- Pick a fixed day of the week – kids look forward more to an evening that comes round regularly.
- Let whoever lost last pick the next game.
- Several kids can’t share one tablet in games with secret cards – plan one device per player.
More occasions
- Game night with friends
- Birthday games for grown-ups
- Kids’ birthday party: games with little reading
- Games for Christmas
- New Year’s Eve with games
- Family gatherings: games for young and old
- Office parties and team events with games
- Game night for two
- Bachelor and bachelorette party games
- Flatshare night with games
- Rainy day: what to play when you’re stuck inside
- Holiday rental evenings: games without a TV
- School trips and youth camps: evening games
- Seniors’ club: familiar games on a new table
- Pre-party: quick games before you head out
- Getting-to-know-you night: games for new groups
- Halloween: games for a dark night
- Easter: games for the long weekend
- Grandparents and grandkids: games for two to four
- Match night: games before kick-off and at half-time
- Cabin weekend: games for several evenings
- An evening on your own: games against the computer