The Family That Stays Together If They Play Game
Author: Chris Elliott

Depending on the age of your children, you're either getting a
response of "Yippee" or "That is so stupid, I don't want to
play" when you introduce the inception of game night at home.
Make it non-optional, but make it fun! It will be worth trying
and creating a bound between your kids more than you would have
ever imagine.

Locate a day during the week where everyone will be home. If
you don't have one night where everyone will be home, you would
probably have a bigger issue to juggle some things around so
that you have at least one night where the entire family stays
at home.

Giving Mom or Dad's back and knees can handle it, put a blanket
on the floor. Make it fun, not something the kids dread. Set up
a theme for a game. You may try a Hawaiian theme, having
pineapples and things like that, everyone wears leis, or even
Sponge Bob lives in a pineapple under the sea!

For the theme. Each person needs to have an idea about the
theme to the blanket. For instance, each person could talk
about what they know about Hawaii or ask any questions they may
have about Hawaii. (Or Sponge Bob trivia!)

It is not necessary to relate to the theme; you just need the
atmosphere and conversation. You might play Yatzee, Life, Clue,
Sorry, Chutes and Ladders, Don't Spill the Beans, Uno, Texas
Hold 'Em. No matter which game you're playing. You could adapt
your theme into various intervals during the game. Every time
someone lands on a yellow square, everyone must take a bite of
pineapple. Spin a ten and all must eat a macadamia nut! If you
choose the Go to Jail card, it's your turn to do the Hula!

At the end of each game night, plan the next week's theme.
Family members can take turns determining the theme and the
accompanying snacks. If it's too much for one person to plan
the game or if your children are too young, these tasks can be
made easy. Your three year old can choose a clown theme
complete with balloons and everyone will need to wear clown
make-up. Your 7th grader may prefer an art theme and paint or
draw the decorations.

These games don't have to be expensive. You can choose a new
game from thrift stores or buy props from garage sales for
$1.00. You can find most decorations from your house or get
some from a second hand games shop or even the dollar store.
Make it fun although your children won't probably be able to
remember the games you've played together, but they will thank
you for all the hours you put in a work, and those games can
always cherish the family time together. Remember that the
family that plays together stays together.


About The Author: Chris Elliott operates a group of
games-related sites, including
http://www.playstation2secrets.info Play Station 2 Secrets ,
http://www.playstationgamesecrets.info Play Station Game
Secrets and http://www.freeplaystation2.net Playstation2
Secrets . Visit today for more articles and resources .