Best Ideas for Your Next Game Night

Game night is one of those simple ideas that can turn an ordinary evening at home
into something everyone remembers.

You do not need an elaborate setup or a closet filled with expensive games either.
A deck of cards, a few homemade trivia questions, some snacks and the right group
of people can be enough to get everyone laughing.

Whether you are planning a family game night, inviting friends over or looking for
something fun to do during the holidays, mixing several types of games can keep
everyone involved.

Here are some of our favorite ideas for putting together a game night people will
actually want to repeat.

🎲 1. Start With a Classic Board Game

There is a reason board games have remained a game night favorite for generations.

They bring everyone around the same table and give people a chance to talk,
laugh and compete face to face.

The best choice depends on who is playing.

Younger children may enjoy games with simple rules and shorter rounds, while
teens and adults may prefer strategy, mystery or trivia games.

If you have a large group, look for games that allow teams so nobody has to sit
around waiting for a turn.

🃏 2. Bring Out the Cards

Never underestimate a simple deck of cards.

Card games are inexpensive, easy to store and perfect for everything from two
players to a table filled with family members.

Choose games appropriate for the ages and experience levels of everyone playing.

You can also teach younger family members a card game you remember playing when
you were growing up.

That little bit of nostalgia can make game night even more special.

❓ 3. Create Your Own Trivia Challenge

Trivia is fantastic for game night because you can customize the questions for
the people in the room.

Divide everyone into teams and create several categories.

Try categories such as:

• Movies
• Music
• Sports
• Food
• Television
• History
• Animals
• Family memories

Family trivia can be especially funny.

Ask questions like who took the longest to learn how to ride a bike, who always
falls asleep during movies or who makes the best holiday dessert.

Just keep personal questions lighthearted so everyone can enjoy the joke.

🎭 4. Play a Round of Charades

Charades requires almost nothing to set up and can quickly become one of the
funniest parts of the night.

Write words or phrases on small pieces of paper, fold them and place them into
a bowl.

Players take turns selecting one and acting it out without speaking while their
teammates try to guess the answer.

You can make the game easier for children by choosing familiar animals,
activities or characters.

For adults and teens, make the categories more challenging with movies, songs,
celebrities, occupations or famous places.

🎵 5. Try Name That Tune

Music can completely change the energy of game night.

Create a playlist featuring songs everyone is likely to recognize and play only
a short portion of each track.

Players can earn points for correctly identifying the song title, artist or both.

You can also create different rounds.

• Old school favorites
• Movie songs
• TV theme songs
• Holiday music
• One hit wonders
• Music from a particular decade

Pick categories that match the ages and musical tastes of your guests.

🏆 6. Add a Few Minute to Win It Style Challenges

Short challenges are perfect when you have people who do not necessarily want
to sit through a long board game.

Use inexpensive household items to create quick competitions.

You might challenge players to:

• Stack plastic cups before the timer runs out
• Move small objects from one bowl to another using a spoon
• Build the tallest tower using household items
• Keep a balloon from touching the floor
• Toss rolled socks into a basket from a marked distance

Keep the challenges safe and appropriate for the ages of everyone participating.

✏️ 7. Make Your Own Game

One of the best game night activities may be something your family invents themselves.

Give everyone paper, markers, index cards and a few basic supplies and challenge
them to create a new game.

Decide what players need to do, how points are earned and what someone must
accomplish to win.

Children can get especially creative when they are allowed to make their own rules.

PBS KIDS also offers ideas for creating card games and board games as family
activities.

Visit

PBS KIDS Let’s Play Games

for additional family game activities.

🎮 8. Let Video Games Join Game Night Too

Game night does not have to mean screens are completely off limits.

Multiplayer video games can become another activity everyone enjoys together.

Look for games that encourage players to cooperate, compete in short rounds or
take turns.

The important part is making the experience social.

Instead of everyone disappearing into separate screens, choose something that
allows people to interact, cheer each other on and enjoy the game together.

🍕 Don’t Forget the Game Night Food

Let’s be serious. The snacks are almost as important as the games.

Keep the menu easy so nobody has to spend the entire evening in the kitchen.

Some simple options include:

• Pizza
• Popcorn
• Chips and dip
• Vegetable trays
• Fruit
• Sliders
• Chicken wings
• Cookies or brownies
• Cheese and crackers

Finger foods work particularly well because people can grab something between turns.

🎁 Small Prizes Make Things Even More Interesting

You certainly do not need prizes, but adding a few can make friendly competition
even more entertaining.

The prizes do not have to be expensive.

Try things like:

• Candy
• Movie night coupons
• Small gift cards
• Funny homemade trophies
• The right to choose the next family movie
• The right to choose dessert
• A game night champion certificate

For family game nights, sometimes bragging rights are more than enough.

⏰ An Easy Game Night Schedule

6:00 PM: Food, snacks and time for everyone to settle in.

6:30 PM: Start with an easy group game or trivia round.

7:00 PM: Move into the main board or card game.

8:00 PM: Take a snack and dessert break.

8:15 PM: Play charades, Name That Tune or short challenges.

9:00 PM: Finish with one final game and crown the night’s champion.

Of course, there is no reason to watch the clock if everyone is having fun.
This is simply an easy starting point if you want a little structure.

❤️ Make Sure Everyone Gets to Play

The best game night is not necessarily the one with the fanciest games.

It is the one where everyone feels included.

If you have a wide range of ages, rotate between different types of games.
Let younger players choose one activity and older players choose another.

Team games can also help when younger children need a little assistance.

PBS KIDS notes that playing games together can give children opportunities to
practice taking turns, teamwork, communication and being a good sport.

The goal does not have to be creating the most competitive night possible.
Sometimes the real win is simply getting everyone around the same table.

🎲 Let the Games Begin!

Your next game night can be as simple or elaborate as you want it to be.

Pull out an old favorite, create your own trivia questions, put together a few
snacks and invite everyone to join in.

Try different games throughout the evening so there is something for the card
player, the trivia expert, the music lover and the person who somehow turns
every friendly competition into the championship finals.

Years from now, nobody may remember who won every game.

They may remember how much they laughed while playing them.

Grab the snacks, gather everyone around and let game night begin! 🎲❤️