No matter how young your children are, assigning one night a week for fun family night ideas gives families a special opportunity to have fun together and create lasting memories.
Studies show that families who eat meals together and enjoy activities together are closer. This closeness extends to increased trust and comfort levels, which can help children grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. Children who grow up in this kind of environment are less likely to become involved in drugs and alcohol use, and they are more comfortable discussing problems with their parents. Creating this environment in your family can start with these family night ideas.
It’s good to set some expectations for family night. Depending on the age of your children, family night can include dinner and two hours of family time, or the entire evening. If there are teens in the family who wish to go out, the two-hour limit can be the best of both worlds; the teen participates in family night and then may go out later. Other expectations could include the no-TV rule. The family activity has to be something interactive. This rule could be lifted in the case of a planned movie night, but consider making snacks together first.
What activities are good for a family night? Here are some suggestions:
1. Games. A multitude of family games are available, ranging from board games to card games. Choose a game that caters to your family’s age ranges and interests. Some games don’t require a trip to the store. Charades, Name That Tune, Sing Downs and many other party games are interactive and fun. Finally, a deck or two of playing cards could provide an endless assortment of games ranging from Go Fish to Rummy or strategy games like Hearts, Euchre or Bridge.
2. Cooking Together. Make a fun dessert together. Choose a recipe, and get everyone involved. If the kids are too young to cook, buy some plain cookies, frosting, sprinkles, chocolate chips, raisins and little marshmallows, and let them have fun decorating. If kids are old enough to cook, try making cupcakes and then decorating them.
3. A Puppet Show. Make and decorate puppets using old mismatched socks, little paper bags or popsicle sticks and yarn. Then, put on a show.
4. A Family Video. If you have a video camera, set up a family talent show. Assign family members to be directors, set decorators and actors. Save it to watch on another family night.
