Get Ready to Have a Fun Family Night with These Ideas

If you have kids, you probably spend a lot of time doing stuff together. But if you sit down and assess that time, how much of it would you say is quality time? Perhaps more of it is rushing the kids from one activity to the next or rounding them up for a meal while you eat yours quickly over the sink. You might see one another quite often, but you might not be connecting the way you would like. Fortunately, you can create a fun family night almost anytime with these great ideas.

Go to a Friendly Neighborhood Restaurant

Most kids really enjoy going out to eat, and most parents appreciate the fact that they do not have to cook a single thing or clean any dishes. It is a win for everyone. Make your next family night a great one by searching online for a “kid-friendly pizza bar near me” so everyone can enjoy one of their favorite foods together - pizza!

While you are at the restaurant, you could institute a "no phones, tablets, or tech" policy. Of course, it is so much easier to give your kids a phone and let them play games or watch shows, but is that really good for them or the family time? If you do let them play on their device, the whole family misses out on quality time with one another. Instead, play non-tech games at the table while waiting for the food and during the meal.

Some fun games for kids of any age include these great ideas:

• Mind Meld
• Would You Rather?
• I Spy
• 20 Questions / Who Am I?
• Build a Story
• Tic Tac Toe

Make Meals at Home Easier than Ever

Family night at home can be just as fun as going out. All you need to do is have a plan. Start with a meal that is easy to make, and even better, something the kids can enjoy making with you. That way, you can avoid spending too much time in the kitchen and also spend more time together as a family. 

You can always invite the family into the kitchen and make the meal a fun activity. Not only will you get some much-needed help, but it's a great opportunity to teach your kids a few skills in the process. And dinner gets ready to go on the table while everyone's having a lot of fun creating something delicious together.

Once the food is ready, take advantage of the chance to sit down all together at the table. Just like when you are at a restaurant, have everyone put their tech away and agree to avoid checking texts or notifications during the meal.

Talk about everyone’s respective day. Ask questions that are open-ended to ensure you get a response beyond a short yes or no. Encourage the kids to ask questions, too. It helps them see that you are more than a parent and helps them learn more about you as a regular person. It's also a great skill for helping them learn how to converse with others and not just talk about themselves. This is especially informative for pre-teens and teens.

What do you think? Do you have fun family night traditions or ideas to share? Let us know in the comments!