Great Reasons to Have a Family Game Night

1.Board games teach valuable soft skills

Board games help to teach a wide range of skills applicable to all ages. They teach simple things like learning how to take turns and having the fine motor skills to pick up and roll dice. They also teach help to abstract concepts like probability, long-term planning, and teamwork.

Apart from neatly defined abilities, games also help ground abstract emotional concepts like fair play, how to deal with being attacked, and understanding the difference between a friendly competition and the real world. They help us learn how to lose gracefully and, more importantly, how to win with grace.

2. It's a social form of play that doesn't involve screens

Board games may not be as flashy as their electronic cousins, but whether for reasons of variety, reducing screen dependence, or concerns about eye strain, board games are an excellent way to get children engaged without needing a device.

Board games are designed to be fun and engaging in ways that are entirely different from video games (because there's no way they can compete directly). There's nothing quite so tactile in a video game as fanning a hand of cards or carefully stacking some wooden components. Left to their own devices, children will often 'play' with board game bits just because children love playing with objects.

3. Valuable bonding time for the whole family

While there's nothing inherently wrong with devices, they are mostly designed for single users. Board games are, by design, social activities which require multiple people to come together around a table and work together to have fun.

Even though many board games are designed for children, titles for older audiences can still be enjoyed through the use of teams - pairing an older and younger player, for example. There also exist many co-operative games where all players have to learn how to work together best to achieve a common goal. Want to save the world as a family? Board games will let you.

4. It's a chance to create something that lasts

Whether breaking out a quick game before bedtime or a pre-set weekly session, family game nights can become a household tradition that even cousins and in-laws can get in on. If game nights are a hit, they can become a relatively inexpensive way for you to relax and unwind without even leaving the house. You can even have some grown ups only sessions to explore games that children aren't yet ready to play

5. Game night builds confidence.

While there doesn’t always have to be a winner or a loser designated for each game night, it’s a good boost of confidence every once in a while for everyone in the family to feel like a winner. That confidence then turns into happiness, which is an instant mood enhancer for all.

6. Playing games together enables families to work through the feeling of self-doubt together.

Not all games are created equal. There are certain games that are extremely hard and can actually be quite challenging. Not only can these be difficult to understand, those games can also cause a feeling of sadness or self-doubt of one’s abilities. When playing that game together as a family, each of you can do your part by working together to help keep those spirits high and that self-doubt buried deep

7. Face Time without “Face Time”

Technology has a vast number of ways that it has improved our lives, but we still need face to face human interaction. Without the filter and customized filter that technology provides, it is important to get to know each other in person. Having a family game night tradition connects families, when they could otherwise be filling their time connected to a screen.

8. Mental Exercise

Board games and card games require strategy, attention to detail, and adaptability. These family game night challenges can keep an adult thinking, and also help younger children develop problem solving skills.

9. Opening up the Lines of Communication

While it can be difficult for kids and parents to talk about some things, playing family board games together can break the tension. You may also be able to see the a difference in the way someone is interacting during game play, and ask them about what is happening later. Family game night helps to establish open communication in a non-confrontational way.

10. Reduce Stress

Stress can make a big impact on your over all health. Finding ways to reduce your stress is important. What better way to put stressful thoughts aside than laughing together with your family?