If you’re looking to have a family game night, the most important thing you can do is find a game that is fun for the entire family! Nothing hurts family fun like a few people dreading the game you are playing, so choose wisely! The following is a list of 10 family-friendly games that everyone can enjoy.
1) Spot It
Spot It is a small game advertised for ages 7-12, but I guarantee that you can have fun with it, too. I bought this game for a couple young girls, and I’ve actually enjoyed playing it with them! The object of the game is to spot common symbols on certain cards. There are numerous variations you can play, so it’s very easy to spend a lot of time on the game without it getting boring. And, before you think the game will be too easy for you, just know that I’ve lost to an eight year old–numerous times.
2) Cranium Disney
The Cranium Disney edition is a wonderful addition to the Cranium family. Just like the original cranium, the object is to move through a board–but you can only do so by picking categories and completing whatever it says. These categories including things such as building a sculpture out of clay, singing or humming a Disney tune, acting things out, or drawing a picture while holding someones hand. It’s a lot of fun for all ages–especially if you love Disney!
3) Apples to Apples
Apples to Apples is a fun game of combinations where the object is to make comparisons to different things. A person will throw down a card that has an adjective listed on it; meanwhile, your job is to put down a noun-card that you think fits well with the adjective. The fun part, however, is to hear what everyone put down and have the judge pick the one he likes the best. It’s a great game, and there is a Junior version for families with younger kids, along with a Bible version for those who want a biblical type of game.
4) Monopoly
Monopoly is a great game for families that have an extended period of time for their game night. The game can easily take more than two hours, but that can be great if you’re willing to take it slow and just hang out while the game is being played. It’s a classic game, but now there are a host of editions out there: electronic banking , Despicable Me 2 , World of Warcraft , Marvel Comics , and even a Junior edition . It’s a great game of finances and power as you try to collect as much money as possible, all the while gathering up properties and trying to avoid jail!
5) Mad Gab
Mad Gab is a great game for the entire family. The game will give you an unintelligent phrase that you (and a team if you want) have to decipher into a real word or sentence. For example: “Canoe Key Pace He Grit”. Say that a handful of times out loud–do you know what it really means? When pronounced quickly and correctly, it sounds an awful lot like “can you keep a secret” (Example provided by Mad Gab). This game gets very funny, very fast! Hearing people say odd words out loud is hilarious, especially when you know the real answer. I’ve spent a lot of time laughing while playing this game; and, like other great games there are numerous editions.
6) HedBanz
Hedbanz is a guessing game where you put a card on your forehead without you knowing what it is. When it’s your turn, you get to ask intelligent questions that allow you to figure out what your card is. For example, you might ask “am I an animal?”. The other plays, then, have to answer you truthfully–each round should bring you closer to figuring out what card you have, if you ask the right questions. The game is advertised for ages 8-12, but I have seen younger kids do just fine playing.
7) Curses
For ages 12+, Curses is a hilarious game; and no, foul language is not used! Throughout the game, you begin to lay “curses” on opponents such as “cry every time the buzzer goes off.” If you fail to cry, then you place that curse down and, essentially lose a point. When all your cards are no longer remaining, you are out of the game. Last person standing wins!
8) The Game of Life
The Game of Life is just as it sounds. You begin as a player who decides whether or not to go to college, then go through the entire board with picking a career (based on cards you get), having a family, paying for bills and fines, and getting money. The end of the game results in you, hopefully, being able to retire a very wealthy and comfortable person!
9) Sorry
Sorry is a game of luck and skill; you have to pick specific cards with numbers to get out of your starting point, and then proceed to make it all the way around the board to your safe zone. For the most part, the game is determined by what cards you are able to pick–but it’s completely random. To add a twist, some players can get “sorry” cards and choose to push one of your pieces back to your starting point. It’s a fun game, and I’ve been able to play it with both a seven year old and a ten year old while having fun.
10) Uno
Uno has been a family game night favorite for years. There are numerous versions, but they all follow the same basic rules. The object is to get rid of all your cards before anyone else does. This sounds simple, but there are ways in which other players can make you draw extra cards so that you cannot yell “Uno!” It’s a simple enough game, and players aged 7+ should be able to have a good time with it!
