Friday nights in our house are Family Game Night (sometimes, Family Movie Night too- depends on how late dinner goes and how much fun we’re having with games). Today’s family schedules are hectic. People work later than ever before, kids activities go later and later, and honestly, it’s really easy to let together time fall by the wayside. We try to make a point of family time on Fridays. I always lobby for takeout (which doesn’t always work for me but once or twice a month)…and as the kids are getting older, we’ve been having a blast rediscovering some of the classic board games we remember from our own childhoods. Thanks to Hasbro Gaming for sponsoring today’s post about the best games for family game night, and for sending the games- many of which are family has and loves already so we were able to send many along to some less-fortunate neighbors here in town. Hasbro wants us me- and you- to Get Your Family Game On!
Some of these Hasbro games were ones that were played over and over in our childhood home. Some were played at the lake, when rainy days and no electricity meant days inside reading or playing games together. Those *boring* days have turned out to be some of my most treasured memories. My mom hated playing games that used dice with me- I always would get double 6’s twice in a row and then a 6 and a 4 or 5 the third roll… drove her downright crazy! But those memories- oh, what they do for my heart and soul. And now, thanks to Hasbro Gaming games bringing our old favorites back in classic form, I can make new memories with my own kids- and with our extended family when we play games over the holidays when we’re all together!
When you’re planning for some family game night time, no matter who’s going to be there playing- a few things to remember: competition can be healthy…but being a good sport is what matters most. Don’t take things too seriously- playing games is supposed to be fun! AND… don’t serve messy snacks. Those cheese balls maybe seemed like a good idea at the time, but getting greasy or messy fingerprints all over your board games is probably not worth it. Have snacks out that don’t make a big mess or keep the snacks in a different room and take snack breaks.
The Best Games for Family Game Night
The classic games from Hasbro Gaming bring a sense of nostalgia. From grandparents to kids, create last memories and loads of laughter this winter by spending quality time playing games together.
- CONNECT 4 Game: Approx. Retail Price: $9.99
- TWISTER Game Approx. Retail Price: $16.99
- SCRABBLE Game Approx. Retail Price: $14.99
- THE GAME OF LIFE Game Approx. Retail Price: $19.99
- BATTLESHIP Game Approx. Retail Price: $14.99
- MONOPOLY Game Approx. Retail Price: $17.99
- OPERATION Game Approx. Retail Price: $17.99
- ELEFUN & FRIENDS HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOS GAME Approx. Retail Price: $19.99
- TROUBLE Game Retail Price: $9.99
- SORRY Game Approx. Retail Price: $9.99
- JENGA Game Approx. Retail Price: $11.99
Jenga, Trouble and Monopoly are three of our family favorites. Or were. My son beats the whole family at Monopoly every time and he’s only 8, so we’re all kind of afraid to play him again. Maybe we’ll pull that out when the uncles are here and see if they can’t do better than my husband and me!
Jenga’s just super fun. Simplicity and fun- and you can play it just about anywhere. We almost always bring this one along on trips, and it’s one that you can play fairly quickly- it’s one my husband plays frequently with the kids while they are waiting on mom to shower/get ready to go someplace.
Battleship is a game I remember playing for hours and hours with my brother B as a kid. Now we play for not so many hours in a row, but often, especially with my 8 year old. It’s a great way to help teach kids patience and strategy!
My 10 year old has a holiday sleepover coming up a few days after Christmas- she’s REALLY excited because she gets to bring Twister along- I think all of the girls are bringing a favorite game to play along with their Secret Santa gifts (I wonder if we will bring a Secret Santa GAME!?) and she thinks Twister will be perfect for a sleepover. I totally agree!
Tis the season for gift giving. There any so many different times to gift people – office parties, dinner parties, family reunions, etc. and the classic games are the perfect gift for various gifting occasions. For example: Jenga is great stocking stuffer!
What are your favorite games for family game night?
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hasbro Gaming.
Label Your Stuff says
Playing with family is a great bonding moment 🙂 It has always been monopoly for us.
Kristin says
We love playing board games. With my kids getting older we can finally play more challenging ones.
Sarah says
Family game night is the best! Trouble and Jenga are some of our favorites.
MyTeenGuide says
Sorry is our favorite game to play on family game nights. The kids also love Jenga and Monopoly.
Valerie says
We haven’t had a family game night in some time. We need to because it is so much fun!
Greta Brinkley says
I love board games! Monopoly is my favorite!
Lisa Bristol says
My kids used to love playing Hungry Hungry Hippos when they were little. Now we play a lot of Scrabble. It is a great way to learn spelling.
Ann Bacciaglia says
These are all great games to play with the family. Our favorite is Scrabble. Jenga is fun game as well.
Miles L. says
I miss playing Scrabble, Jenga, and Monopoly. These will surely be fun to play with the kids.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I am always a fan of famiyl game night. Monopoly will always be one of my favorite games!
Aubrey says
A lot of old classic games. I should get Hungry Hippos for my kids. I love that game.
Janis @MommyBlogExpert says
What a great collection of family games: you have all the ones we play included. My all-time fave is Scrabble and my kids love Battleship — both classic games I grew up with as a Baby Boomer.
Jennifer says
my 11-year-old loves board games. She’s always challenging me but I think we need some need games for sure. Battleship sure has changed since I’ve last seen it. That would be a great one for us!
Ciao Florentina says
I used to love Jenga. I need to put that on my Christmas list to self, such a fun game for family night !
Clo Nevaeh says
These are some great games! We love playing Jenga. So much fun!
Liz Mays says
These are perfect games. Trouble is still one of my favorites and I’d love to play some Jenga on a family game night.
Jeanine says
Oh my goodness Connect 4 was my favorite when I was younger. I need to pick up newer games for our game nights, these all look fabulous and fun!
Amy Desrosiers says
I love these very same games too. They are some of my go to favorites that my girls love!
Kelly says
We have several of these games in our family game night arsenal. We do not have Battleship however. I need to rectify that!
Jeanette says
I totally agree these games are classic but they’re awesome I would love to get all of them for my son for Christmas and play them over and over again.
Emerald says
Wow! The last time I played Battleship, it didn’t look anything like that. That look like so much furn.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Trouble is my family’s favorite board game. We play it all the time. I love making the kids rip their hair out. LOL
Vera Sweeney says
Love family game night!! I remember some of these games from when I was younger and love that my kids can still play them with me. So many family favorites.
Shauna says
I tell you, I have to totally agree. We have every single one of those games and play them all the time. We especially love Jenga