5 Reasons Why Every Family Needs Game Night

Due to hectic work lifestyles and complex school schedules, families often find themselves spending little to no time together. Or, when they do, adults and children spend their spare time on screens.

While spending time on the screen can be useful for killing boredom, parents should encourage screen-free ways to curb boredom in kids. The fact is that the average American family spends about 37 minutes of quality time together during the weekends, according to Study Finds. This number seems incredibly low, doesn’t it? What ever happened to sitting on the porch and playing card games or Monopoly?

Playing traditional games for at least 30 minutes with the kids is beneficial for the entire family.  So, check out our information as to why every family needs game night and then carve out time next weekend to give it a try. You’d be surprised how much bonding can happen and it’s fun for everyone involved.

5. Creates room for bonding

In an era where technology is taking more space in households, it is natural to feel as if you are losing touch with your loved ones. It can also be hard to find activities that both children and adults enjoy. Fortunately, you can still bring back the game night by incorporating fun-filled activities for the entire family. 

Simple games like go fish, cheat, pig, or spit are ideal for everyone during family game nights. Introducing a mix of cards and board games creates room for bonding, fun, and relaxation. You and your family will enjoy your undivided attention and have space for conversations and discussions. As a result, your family has the opportunity to build a stronger bond and create fond memories together, which is one of our top reasons why every family needs game night.

4. Frees up brain space

When we’re all focusing on working so hard all day, it can be hard to take a break. It also can all of a sudden feel like we have trouble focusing, finishing a thought, or completing our projects without that extra cup of coffee. Not surprisingly, kids can feel that way too after school or extracurricular activities.

Instead of always pushing through, you can encourage a break in the afternoon for both you and your kids that is meant to free up your creative thinking and brain space. By switching up your focus to something fun, but also thought-provoking, like a game, you can use different types of thought and energize your brain. After a game night, you will be able to focus more clearly since you allowed yourself to have that time away from work or school or paying the bills.

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3. Improves social and communication skills

There is little emphasis on face-to-face interactions in a society where everyone spends more time on smartphones. People no longer interact physically, and this can hurt your kid’s social skills. Playing board games is an excellent way of improving communication and core social skills. Through winning, losing, and playing as a team, children and adults develop social skills. It will also boost communication and empathy. For example, when playing card games, kids learn to share turns, shy members of the family get out of their shell, and everyone involved learns to accept defeat when they lose. 

2. Teaches important life skills

Winning a board game can be difficult without tactical thinking. For anyone to win, they must plan their strategy. Engaging in board games is a fun way of learning how to strategize, which is a vital life lesson that will benefit your children in every stage of life. Games like UNO, Settlers of Catan, and Monopoly involve working memory, logic, and systematic thinking.

During playtime, players must apply critical thinking, make quick decisions, and strategize a step ahead to increase their winning chances.  

1. Encourages decompression

When you as the parent recognize that everyone gets stressed or overwhelmed, even you, and even your children, you open up the door for a healthy way to manage that stress. When looking at why every family needs game night, it becomes important to see game night as a time to relax. After all, the idea of “play” is to get out our fun and silly energy so that we can be serious in other aspects of our lives. No one can be serious all the time. It opens an avenue for kids to learn when they need time to step away from their homework and let some fun into their routine.

Conclusion

Playing board games is not only a fun way of spending family time together, but it is also a perfect way of teaching children valuable life lessons. Not to mention, kids will learn how to communicate effectively without relying on technology, enhance their social skills, and develop strategies to cope in everyday life.  Setting aside special fun, family bonding time will do you all a great service and encourage a fun home environment.

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