In 1960, there were only about 50 million TV sets in America, few showed in color, and there was no PBS yet. Back then, playing games together was a popular family activity. Many kids and parents enjoyed classic board games like Monopoly, Chinese Checkers, and Ker Plunk, as well as Bingo. They also played (without betting, it was taboo then) card games like Old Maid, Poker and Rummy 500. In later years, Jenga, Trivial Pursuit, Pictionary and Scattegories were the mainstays of a family game night. Now the concept seems to have evolved again.
Family Game Night Fun Makes a Return
As today's families look for new bonding experiences, and a way to get off the couch or away from their computers, old gameswww.boardgames.com and the very idea of family game night are having a renaissance. The renewed popularity of game night, and old favorites like Sorry, might also be due to a new TV station that shows family friendly programs, such as the one with board games brought to life size.
Family Game Night on Hub TV
Hub TV, a joint venture between Discovery Communications and legendary toy innovator Hasbro Inc, began broadcasting in October 2010. It airs reruns of many top 60s and 70s shows like Happy Days, as well as some all new ones. Take, for instance, Family Game Night, in which families compete against one another for prizes – by playing life-sized twists on familiar games. In the NY area, the show airs on Friday nights at 7pm. Watching it is entertaining and enlightening, and can also give families ideas for their own game night fun.
Family Game Night With Wii and Similar Systems
Now that we are all in the digital era, it's almost mandatory that a family game adventure include electronic gaming systems, like Wii, Kennect or XBox. Any family that hosts a game night (with guests or just among themselves) would likely include competitions like Guitar Hero, Just Dance or Wii Sports Tennis.
For those who opt to play the old style games in one of these contemporary formats, Hasbro has a special collection. The Family Game Night disc features classic board games like Connect Four, Yahtzee and Battleship, and even has a funny emcee to guide the family along (Mr. Potato Head as one might guess).
Host a Family Game Night at Home
Perhaps families reading this article will be inspired to host a game night event of their own. Gather a few friends, classmates, or neighbors and ask them to bring along one of their favorite games to play. Depending on the ages and reading/math abilities of participants, it could be something like a dominoes set, Uno, Candyland, Life or Clue. Tap into the family's creativity to devise ideas for invitations, themes, and game-winner awards. You can find those, as well as recipes, tips, and printer-ready pieces, online.
Family Game Night in the Community
Many schools and non-profit organizations run game nights, either as a fund-raiser or a community bonding experience. One such event was held by WJPS, a grade 6-12 school in Queens NY. They used a variation of a Monopoly deed as an invitation, asking students and their parents/siblings to come to the school in the evening for two hours of gaming fun. Beyond the opportunity for students in different grades to mingle, parents from all cultures laughed together. Everyone visited gaming stations in different areas of the school (gym, library, cafeteria, therapy room).
The kids even got graphic arts credit for designing posters that illustrated the names and rules of the various games set out for play. Games included video hits like Superio Mario and Karaoke, radio controlled slot cars, non-reader games like Don't Break the Ice, and body challenges like Twister and Human Checkers.
Wherever, Whenever, However, A Game Night Equals Fun
No matter how or where people gather to enjoy family game night, they will have a blast. Enjoying classic board games, modern video games, card games and more, is a great way to bond together. At home, at school, at a neighbor's house, or even while watching TV, people are rediscovering the entertainment value of a family game night.
Jeri Dayle-Rabinowitz - Jeri Dayle is a writer mom, or should I say a mom writer? I worked in advertising both full and part-time while raising my family, jobs ...
