Our Family Fun Nights are memorable events. We love playing family games and these evenings give us a chance to build memories together. I wanted to share some of our favourite family game night ideas. 
Family game night creates lasting memories because they foster a sense of belonging. In the busy hubbub of life, it is so nice to have tech-free, face to face time with your kids. Quality time can be created right at home.
Creating a family game night tradition won’t be something you’ll regret. The years you have with your kids at home go by in a flash. Laughing together strengthens the bonds.
If you were to invite your kids to an evening of talking with their parents and tell them there were no phones allowed, you wouldn’t likely get a very positive response. But once you start regular a family game night, your kids will be asking you when the next one is!
Ideas For The Best Family Game Night
1. Minute To Win It Games
One of our most memorable Family Fun Nights was our original Minute to Win It party. We played Face the Cookie, Stack Attack, Movin’ on Up, Junk in the Trunk, Suck it Up, Penny Hose, Keep it Up, and Yank Me.
There was a lot of laughter. I challenge anyone to play the Junk in the Trunk Game with a straight face!
We had so much fun on our first Minute to Win it game night that we decided to create another one. That time, we chose a Dollar Store Minute to Win It theme. We played Puddle Jumper, Chocolate Unicorn, Ponginator, Hanky Panky, Ball Drop, Breakfast Scramble, and Elephant March.
These family game ideas are funny and everyone can play. The supplies were so inexpensive and didn’t take long to set up. It was another memorable evening.
Click here for all our awesome Minute To Win It Games:
- Minute To Win It Games Printable
- Christmas Minute To Win It Games
- Dollar Store Minute To Win It Games
2. The Flour Game
We also get a kick out of The Flour Game. This hilarious game requires only two items and one of them is probably already in your kitchen. This one is just plain old good clean fun. Well, clean may not be the best way to describe it! The messy faces are worth it though.
It’s a great time for all ages. If you’ve never tried it, this is a good one to start with. It’s easy to set up. The rules are easy to understand. And a face full of flour is universally funny!
3. What’s In The Bag Game
Another classic game at our house is What’s In The Bag Game. For this one, you only need one item. In this game, the kids often have the advantage. That’s a good equalizer. On other family game nights when the older ones may have an easier time with whatever the activity is, this game evens those odds.
Our neighbour taught us this game. We have played it at everything from just a Sunday afternoon at home to my daughter’s Sweet 16 with over 25 people. It is always a hit.
4. 20 Questions Game
I love this personalized version of the game 20 questions from Teach Mama. It gives a Headbands type of spin to it and allows you to use pictures of people you know or are familiar with. It would be easy to create themed versions of this game such as a Disney theme or famous families theme.
5. Lego Game Night Ideas
Invite your family members to a Lego Build Challenge Minute to Win It Style. The ideas are easy. Chances are, you’ve got some lego pieces hanging around the house. Why not put them to good use?!
6. Nerf Gun Family Game Night
My kids would go crazy over this Nerf Target Prize Game from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls! You could mix it up by changing up the prizes.
7. Twister
How about making your own holiday themed twister game? You can find everything you need at Pint-Sized Treasures to make a Valentine’s Conversation Hearts Twister, a Snowman Twister, or a Pumpkin Twister for Thanksgiving, Hallowe’en or Fall.
8. Board Games For Family Game Night
Family game night ideas don’t have to be complicated. You can create lasting memories sitting around the kitchen table with a bowl of popcorn and a board game or puzzle.
I love how our family has a culture of playing board games together. Sunday afternoons, you can usually find us sitting at the table playing Settlers of Catan, Splendor, Sequence, Ticket to Ride, card games, or some of our other favourites.
Family Board Games:
Watch Ya Mouth Family Edition
Hasbro Pie FaceGoogly Eyes GameQwirkleKer PlunkBlokusJenga Classic GameTroubleHedBanz5 Second RuleSimonUNO Card GameDutch BlitzSuspend Family GameApples to Apples
9. Fun for the Whole Family
Done is better than perfect! Instead of waiting for the perfect time and circumstance, plan something simple that both the younger kids and older kids can enjoy. Here are some simple ideas that can be thrown together at the last minute.
- Scavenger Hunts (Our kids’ favourite is the Put Away Scavenger Hunt. I like it too because it only uses household items so there’s no extra cost, it’s easy, and has no clean-up!)
- Bingo
- Christmas Movie Bingo
- Charades (instructions and free printable charade cards)
- Make an easy treasure hunt with clues. Have the first person read a clue and all work together to find the prize so that everyone is a winner.
10. Play Family Trivia.
Invent your own questions about your family and family culture. Examples would be things like:
- When is grandma’s birthday?
- Where did we go on our last vacation?
- Where did your parents meet?
- What was your mom’s maiden name?
- What does our last name mean?
Then have the first person to draw a question answer. If they don’t know the answer, allow the next person to take a guess.
Track points on a sheet of paper. You can even offer bonus points for funny or creative answers.
What is one of your family’s favourite games to play?
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