It’s a pretty common fact that summer is the perfect time for kids to try all kinds of new adventures and activities, since they have a lot more free time. But with all the fun options available during the warm months, making sure to take time for family bonding is important too!
In my opinion, there’s nothing better than a family game night for spending quality time together and connecting with one another. So implementing a weekly night of games is a great way to add some extra fun to the summer season. For a successful game night that will get both kids and adults excited, these three tips from MATTEL Games are a great starting point!
Prepare your space.
Transform your everyday living room into the ultimate game room! This can be as easy as ensuring there are enough cozy seats for everyone who is playing, turning on background music that is upbeat but not distracting and setting up a variety of delicious snacks. These small changes will show your little ones that you’re taking the game night, and family time, seriously.
Play a variety of games.
While some people have a preference for particular games, others may want to change it up. Designate a set amount of time that you will play each game to ensure you’re keeping everyone entertained and allowing people to try their hand at something new. Starting with UNO™ then moving on to Apples to Apples™ before Pictionary™ will keep everyone entertained while giving them the opportunity to win at a new game!
Disconnect to connect.
While it may be difficult, make a rule that no one is allowed to have any technology during the few hours you have together. This includes no television or cell phones as they may take away from the moments you’re sharing with your loved ones. By disconnecting from technology, you will be able to better connect with your family members.
To help you kick off your game night, MATTEL is offering one lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader a MATTEL Game Night prize pack containing UNO™, Pictionary™ and Apples to Apples™, a $57 value! To enter to win, just leave a blog comment about how your family stays connected during the summer months.
The best thing about a family game night is that it can be tailored to suit the interests and ages of everybody participating. Even the youngest participants will love games like Whac-A-Mole Stack-A-Mole and Chameleon Crunch, while families with teenagers will enjoy more challenging games such as Scrabble and Mad Gab. But no matter which games are your family’s favourite, game night is sure to result in plenty of laughter, fun and family bonding!
Kat says
It’s great to have no homework in the summer! My girls and I like to play Go Fish after dinner.
Anne Taylor says
We spend lots of time together at the beach and we like to do puzzles too!
Tina L. says
Spending more time doing family outdoor activities.
Amy C says
We go bike riding, walk to the park and go swimming.
lynn clayton says
we love bonding over a campfire sinning and telling stories
Viv Sluys says
We stay connected through summer through reading together, doing puzzles, swimming together and gardening together.
Cheryl says
We play the wii u together and we go on daily walks
LILLIAN BROWN says
we do hiking at our local park
Cheryl says
We visit our extended family more in the summer 🙂
Lynda Cook says
A lot of backyard fires and BBQ’s with some music and drinks and maybe the odd badminton game!!
Stephanie LaPlante says
We like going on picnics
Josh S says
We play games and go for hikes outdoors.
David says
We go bike riding
David says
We play games and go for hikes outdoors
Jamie hall says
Love BBQ and playing gsmes
Silvia D says
go for nature walks, hiking and love to go camping
Rhea says
Backyard BBQs and sprinkler fun!
Valerie Mallette says
My family stays connected during the summer by hiking, swimming, gardening, playing board games, and video games together.
Jeannie says
We tell stories! We take turn telling a part of the story to create something fun! We also love play games and going to the park.
Jonnie says
We get out on the lake fishing whenever we can and when we can’t get away, we love to jump on the trampoline in the backyard together.
Lisa H says
We go on walks and play games in the backyard.
nicolthepickle says
We play games on rainy afternoons. My kids really enjoy board games.
Doreen Lamoureux says
We love to play cards, scabble, yatzee and just have fun .
Jennifer Rogers says
We do alot of pool time swimming in the Summer, it is easy to stay connected as we are all home for the Summer!
Melinda says
We go camping and share time outdoors.
Desiree says
1 to 2 days week have family game night we do movies popcorn drinks or what day the kids get to pick games
Carol M says
Mostly BBQs
Carole Dube says
We love to play game board.
Florence C says
We do daily outings when nice and play games when it rains.
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I have 7 children and 7 grandchildren scattered across 3 continents and we connect daily via What’s app using messages, photos, videos and voice mails. It’s brilliant and makes us all feel a lot closer to each other 🙂
Jessica Menster says
We are together constantly, playing outside, swimming and going on vacation!
Hanjia says
We go to summer festivals
kathy downey says
On Monday we have a family pot luck and Thursday night we have card/board game night and Sunday afternoon fire and swimming(never has a warm enough day to swim so far,maybe August will bring some warm weather) at the beach.Not ever one can make it all the time but we have a big family and we always end up with a crowd.
Debbie W says
We love road trips and picnics.
Louise Gilbert says
we spend a lot of time talking walks/biking and camping
andrea amy says
Just hanging out, lots of walks, trips to the park etc
Angela Mitchell says
We go camping together, have BBQ’s, game night and movie nights.
Anna says
We have our summer camping trip every year.
Cynthia Richardson says
All 4 generations meet for lunch on Saturday – usually there are about 9 of us.
Debbie P says
Camping and spending time on the lake.
Soozle says
We stay connected with family dinners and BBQ
Elva Roberts says
Our children are adults. Four live on our Island and visit quite a bit. The fifth lives in Nova Scotia and comes home for a visit when she can. We keep in touch with brothers and sisters as well-via phone and facebook.
Carol Denny says
We go to the park every day also to the beach and the cottage.
Dianne says
My daughter and son in law host BBQs in the summer for family. The aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and grandparents are all invited. It is always a lot of fun and a great way to stay connected. The kids all have fun playing together and sometimes the adults join in on board games or doing crafts.
macfsh says
This summer we’ve been connecting by dividing the family into groups and doing challenges like making boats out of popsicle sticks.
charityk says
we go on hikes together
Brandi Y. says
We spend a lot of time together outdoors, going for day trips, playing games and just enjoying each other’s company 🙂
Crystal Porter says
We stay connected camping and when we camp we often go on boat rides and have campfires together. I look forward to it.
krystyl olson says
we go on MANY day trips througout the summer – heading into next year, I’ll be teaching for the school district and will have summers OFF!!!
Abby Barge says
We go on walks together!