If you're looking for family game night ideas that actually bring tweens and teens to the table, I've got you. Family board games are back, in a big way! But getting all your family members on board (see what I did there?) when you have eye-rolling tweens or too-cool-for-family time teens? That can get dicey (oops!…I did it again 😂). Here's how to start a family game night tradition that even your most reluctant kid will secretly love. And after a few tries, maybe not so secretly!
Monopoly vs. Connect Four: Does it Matter?
One son in particular has always been to Monopoly what Leonardo DiCaprio was to The Wolf of Wall Street. From the age of about five, this child would clobber you every trip around the board. You could just see all the money magnetically being pulled to his side of the table.
Me, on the other hand, would beat him at Connect Four a freakish percentage of the times we played. And I might have gotten a wee too excited when I beat my eight year old. 😔
The question of who would win was answered simply by what game we were playing.
Somebody (I can't recall whom…) thought it would be a good idea to keep a running tally of Monopoly games and to aim for 100 games played. I finally waved the white flag. I didn't think I could take losing that many times.
It really doesn't matter that I grew weary of being clobbered at Monopoly or that he relished every win in a way that made me fear he would grow up to be some Wall Street bottom feeder. What matters is that we have each tucked our game rivalry away as a memory that we share and wouldn't give up for the world. We often reference the years that we played Monopoly and Connect Four together.
Family rituals, like a family game night, “create a sense of belonging and identity among family members…These kids feel a strong connection to their family, which gives them a sense of security and stability.” The Impact of Family Rituals
Family rituals create an environment where you can have meaningful conversations, no matter whether it’s baking together, taking a walk, or playing board games. These moments foster empathy and understanding and help us grow closer to one another.
Why Family Game Night Actually Matters (More Than You Think)
What if family game night was more than games, snacks, and a lot of laughs?
I like to think of a great family game night like I would a workout at the gym, a regular oil change for my car, or taking that multi-vitamin. Except, fun. It's a really great form of maintenance for family relationships.
When your teen is sixteen and deciding whether to tell you about the party or the breakup or the thing they're worried about, they aren't thinking about how many pairs of shoes you bought them or activities you signed them up for. They will decide if you are someone they actually feel safe talking to.
Translation from the teen perspective: “feel safe talking to” means that you have shown yourself not to be too cringe. 😂 You don't gasp. Don't nag. You don't freak out or scream. You don't judge and you won't call your best friend to “talk it out.”
Our brains are all hard-wired for connection. This is true even when teens appear to be actively avoiding you. Time spent together with no agenda, other than to spend time together, builds the kind of trust that makes them feel they can talk to you. Remember, they don't have to talk to you. They will only confide in you when they want to.
This is how we stay connected during the teen years. Not by scheduling more activities or buying them more stuff. But by being around them more.
Parents are always told that “quality time” is better than the “quantity of time.” And if it was only either “quality” OR “quantity,” I'd agree. But I also know that some of the best ever “quality moments,” have not been planned or organized. Quality moments grew because they had the opportunity in those moments where we were “just together.” Time that wasn't really anything more than just time in the same room together.
Oftentimes, quality moments emerge from the fertile soil of time just spent together.
Finding Time for Family Game Night
Finding time to spend together as a family is tricky, I get it. Tweens and teens begin to prioritize friends and extracurriculars over “ho-hum” family time.
I find that time is not always the issue – even if that's what's being said. We all find time for what we are excited about or prioritize. So, maybe it's more about your old games, the “must attend” party that was scheduled on the same night, or the slippery thing you're trying to clear out of the pantry that you're passing off as the “special snacks.”
I started game night on Saturday nights, before everyone got so busy on the weekends. Now, it's not always on the weekends, not always just “family,” not always device free, and it's typically more like twice a month. But your family game nights can evolve and still be totally worthwhile!
I'm going to show you have to give family game night a “queer eye for the straight guy” type makeover that will have everyone excited about game night again!
Choose the Best Day & Time
The chances of getting your teen to joyfully sign up for family time on a Friday or Saturday night are pretty much slim to none. The best night to have a family game night is when your family will come. Sort of like the “best” diet is the one you can stick with. 😉
Pick a time when it doesn't interfere with sports practice, drama rehearsal, or outings with friends. Opt for a night when you know nobody will be missing out on anything else that's important to them.
I know…it feels like I just said, “Step to the back of the line, please.”
You can try not working around their schedules, but then they arrive with attitude. And nobody wants that. This is not likely the hill you want to die on…
And, hey! Don't forget to think outside the box. Family Games & Pancake Breakfast with chocolate chips anyone???? Anyone??
Invest in Some New Fun Games
Getting everyone together is going to require that you up your game holdings. You might want to ditch the Sorry, Candy Land, or Chutes and Ladders as a way to entice those teens. I think anyone can start with our hands-down favorite, Snakeoil. You can play as many or as few rounds as you want, and I can guarantee some laughs.
That Escalated Quickly and Chameleon have sort of a similar vibe, but also guaranteed for laughs. And just a pro tip: in Chameleon, some of those laughs will come as a result of that one person in the group who didn't figure out the right category – so their clue will be totally off. And everyone will be confused!
These are our top favorites for game night:
And before you start to panic that this whole “togetherness” has to be expensive, know that you can frequently check out games at your local library; find them inexpensively at yard sales or consignment sales; or you could even start a game swap with friends and neighbors.
Both Classic and Modern “Euro Games” Can Be a Terrific Choice
Some folks don't really enjoy games like chess. Chess is known as an “abstract strategy game.” These are relatively complex games focused on logic where each player can see all variables of the game board at any given time, and there's nothing random at play. (dice roll, card draw, etc.)
Oh, the things I learn while researching and writing for you!! 🤯 These games can be frustrating and intimidating for newbies because without the skill, they won't have much chance at success. Classic examples including Chess, Go, and Checkers. I enjoy chess for a lot of reasons, but a rollicking, fun-filled, wacky family game night isn't it.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, there are “roll and move” games like Sorry. These games are based largely on luck and they are terrific for younger kids. But the older kids will probably get bored quickly. 💤
So, as with most things in life, we're going to aim for something in between. There's been a big evolution in board games. New, modern board games, sometimes called Eurogames since they started in Germany, are really popular, and enticing many families back to a hobby we once enjoyed.
A “Eurogame” is a “strategy game with a peaceful theme, such as farming, building or trading. Conflict within the game will be indirect, with players competing for scarce resources rather than fighting or otherwise eliminating each other. It probably also includes meeples, or wooden cubes of different colours.” Intro to Euro Games
One of my sons, in particular, enjoys the strategy behind Euro games, and we typically will pick one of these to play just the two of us.
Consider Renaming It Family and Friend Game Night
One of the reasons kiddos often say “No!” to family game night is because they do not want to miss out on time with their friends. While it is meant to be family game night, inviting your teen's best friend over to partake in the fun can't do any harm.
After all, at this point, your teen's best friend is likely considered part of the family anyway. So just roll with it!
Get Those Competitive Juices Flowing
Sure, everyone playing wants to be the winner, just to say that they won, but what if you raise the stakes? Have some sort of prize for the winner of your family game night.
It could be as simple as the losers have to do the winner's chores, or even add an extra hour to your teen's curfew next week. Make it worth showing up for! Give out trophies with bragging rights? Winner picks dinner? Anything that motivates your kids works!
Tweens & Teens Will Do Anything For Snacks
One thing that teens love is eating! Whether you have a house full of boys or girls, if you do not have the good snacks on hand, your teen is not going to want to stick around.
Let the kids pick the game night snacks, and maybe even a meal that they enjoy.
Let Your Older Kiddos Come Up With Game Night Ideas
Don't parents have enough to worry about?
Let your teen plan one game night a month. Maybe this is the prize for the winner? Winner plans next time!
With this game night, they're responsible for planning the games, snacks, and fun. Don't worry, your teenager will be super creative and have a ton of fun with it.
What To Say When They Say “This Is Lame”
If you haven't carved out some dedicated family time in a while, other than meals, your first few tries at game night might be met with…shall we say, resistance.
When that resistance comes, just know that you cannot successfully “force” or “require” them to participate in game night. I advise you don't bother trying. But, let's try to pull this off with as little friction as possible. To that end, you can always choose to start with a shorter, easier game that will grab their attention right away.
Here are some go-to phrases you can use:
When they say: “This is so boring.” You say: “Okay, you can pick the game next time. But tonight, we're together for the next hour.”
When they say: “Can I just go to my room?” You say: “Thirty minutes. Give me thirty minutes, and if you're genuinely miserable, you can tap out. Deal?”
The goal isn't forcing enthusiasm. It's creating a low-pressure container where connection can happen accidentally—while they're busy trying to beat you at Catan.
If your teen is still pushing back, instead of insisting they play, invite involvement in another way. Ask them to be the DJ in charge of music or the official “Snack Master.” Giving them a different role gets them involved and makes it feel less like, “mom made me.” It's also likely when they see everyone else having fun, they'll be ok joining in!
When Things Skid Sideways (And They Might)
You won't see this on Insta, but sometimes the best laid plans simply go sideways. The game drags on for three hours, nobody can figure out how to play, or everyone's just mysteriously miserable. Someone storms off. Maybe the little one cheats. Someone throws shade and now people aren't speaking. There may not even be any rhyme or reason to it.
It's these nights that you end the night thinking a bath, a glass of pinot and the last season of White Lotus would have been much more personally satisfying. Why did you even try?
Spit happens. Don't let one bad night ruin your vibe. You wouldn't stop going out to eat because one meal was tense, so don't abandon game night if your first attempt is dicey. 🎲 😉
What to do instead:
- Call it early without drama. “Okay, this one's not working tonight. Let's wrap up and try again next week.”
- Debrief later (not in the moment). “That got heated. What happened?” Works better the next day when everyone's calm.
- Adjust the game choice. Some games simply bring out the inner monsters in certain people. (😒 Monopoly…🤬😒 Connect Four…)
- Lower the stakes. Maybe your family isn't ready for two-hour strategy games. Start with 20-minute card games and build from there.
The goal is to show up again next time. That's it. Consistency wins every time. (Remember when I said it was like going to the gym? Yeah. That analogy applies here too…)
The Phone Situation (Let's Just Address It)
Devices need to disappear during game night or, let's face it, ain't nobody playing the games. But HOW you do it matters.
Things to try:
- Make it universal. Your phone goes in the pile too. No exceptions.
- Create a phone “parking lot.” A basket or box where all devices live during game time. Make it visible and normal.
- Set a clear window. “Phones go away from 7-8:30.” Knowing there's an end time helps.
- Don't make it a punishment. “We're all unplugging” feels different than “Give me your phone because you can't be trusted.”
What to say when they push back:
“I know. It's weird for me too. But it's really important that we make time for one another – every once in a while – when we don't let anyone or anything intrude.
Then put the phone away. They're watching. 👀
Being Mom is Hard. Pinning Makes it Easier 😉
Family game night doesn't have to be a battle of the wills.
Save this for the night you're ready to try again. 🎲📌
Create The Moments That Bring Families Together
Planning family game night should be something fun and relaxing, and definitely not stressful. If you find that it's getting stressful, take a step back and give your game night a makeover. Remember the mission is connection: everything else is extra.
You don't have to be the Martha Stewart of Pinterest-worthy board nights; it's just about showing your kids that you value time together and enjoy their company.
So mom, the bar is low here. You can't mess this up. Show up. Pick a meeple, collect the resources, build the cities. Shuffle the cards. Roll the dice. 🎲 Laugh at yourself when you lose. Let them see a person who enjoys spending time with them.
if you want more depth or related information
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Always be your best, whatever that looks like for you today.
